Human Resources are the glue that holds successful companies together. They ensure that the most valuable aspect of any company, their people, are respected, happy, and productive. HR positions such as representatives, managers, and training specialists in the US make an average yearly income of around $60,262 each year, according to ZipRecruiter. With an affordable degree from the human resource management program in any of these prestigious schools, you’ll be able to succeed in the HR job market.
This list we’ve compiled contains the top 10 most affordable online Master’s degree programs in the US. These schools each have decades of experience in providing quality education for affordable tuition, ensuring that higher quality does not always mean higher cost. They each bear recognition from respected accreditation commissions, meaning that your degree from any one of them will be regarded as emblematic of the best training and knowledge available.
Methodology
All schools considered for these rankings
- Are regionally or nationally accredited
- Offer at least one fully online master’s in human resources degree (with no more than two weeks of required in-person work)
- Were collected from official accrediting agency websites.
Schools are ranked solely by the average net price as released in the most recent IPEDs database collected in 2022
Accredited HR Programs That Might Interest You
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.2023 Most Affordable Master’s in Human Resources Degrees Online
| Rank | School | Average Net Price |
| #1 | Midwestern State University | $10,407 |
| #2 | American Public University System | $10,563 |
| #3 | Tennessee State University | $11,867 |
| #4 | Fort Hays State University | $13,189 |
| #5 | Wayne State College | $14,141 |
| #6 | Indiana State University | $14,270 |
| #7 | University of Illinois Urbana – Champaign | $14,321 |
| #8 | Pittsburg State University | $14,575 |
| #9 | Wichita State University | $14,859 |
| #10 | Troy University | $14,992 |
| #11 | Wilmington University | $15,186 |
| #12 | Touro University Worldwide | $17,031 |
| #13 | Southern Wesleyan University | $17,722 |
| #14 | University of South Dakota | $19,389 |
| #15 | Indiana Wesleyan University Online | $21,204 |
| #16 | West Chester University of Pennsylvania | $21,484 |
| #17 | Spalding University | $21,976 |
| #18 | Briar Cliff University | $22,212 |
| #19 | Ohio Christian University | $22,901 |
| #20 | Strayer University | $23,189 |
| #21 | Wayland Baptist University | $25,086 |
10 Best Affordable Colleges for Online Master’s in Human Resources Degrees
1 . Midwestern State University
Average Net Price: $10,407
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: SACS COC
Midwestern State University’s campus location is in the beautiful Wichita Falls, Texas and its campus sports the beautiful greenery native to the region. It boasts accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools as a testament to the quality of education it offers. With advanced programs for applied arts and sciences, physics, economics, and biology, to name a few, they teach personal growth and valuable career skills.
Their two human resources degrees are both Master’s of Arts, one with an emphasis on training and development. MSU offers you specialized classes such as Career Development Counseling, Human Resource Development Ethical Issues, and Mediation and Conflict Resolution in order to prepare you and your fellow students for prestigious and fulfilling careers. Their comprehensive course regimen provides you with access to up-to-date information and skills for effective application in the real world.
2. American Public University System
Average Net Price: $10,563
School Type: For-Profit
School Accreditation: HLC
Founded by a retired marine, the American Public University System is now the number one academic provider to U.S. military and veterans. They boast a beautiful, structured campus that honors its history as a formerly military university. They maintain a high standard of conduct and study to ensure an environment that fosters learning. Their prominent Information Technology building even sports a large built-in observatory dome.
APUS offers a wide array of classes for Human Resource Management and related fields. They offer two degrees for the Human Resources management program, one in Arts in Management and one in Public Administration. The school hosts a diverse student body and a rich learning environment to foster personal growth and wellness.
3 . Tennessee State University
Average Net Price: $11,867
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: SACS COC
Undergrad Online Enrollment: 197
Located in the music-rich city of Nashville, Tennessee State University has become a nationally recognized school with accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. They offer 77 different majors along with their Air Force ROTC program to foster growth and learning in their students. Their well-structured campus is home to a large number of beautiful trees and manicured lawns in order to help students manage stress and enjoy the beautiful climate of the southeastern US.
Their Master’s program in Human Resource Leadership requires 33 credits of engaging, sophisticated courses intended to prepare students to become effective in their upcoming careers. They offer a myriad of classes such as Foundations of Leadership, Instructional Design Training and Development, and Leadership in Organization, Recruitment, Selection, and Retention. Their state-of-the-art scholastic resources and efforts enable effective and advanced instruction for the 21st-century market.
4 . Fort Hayes State University
Average Net Price: $13,189
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: HLC
Fort Hayes State University was founded on a decommissioned military base named Fort Hayes in 1902 and has since grown into a respected place of learning. Evidence of this widespread respect is FHSU’s accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission as well as their place as 36th in the top public schools in the nation according to US News. Their 91% acceptance rate ensures that students can access the education that FHSU has to offer.
The three human resource degrees available at FHSU consist of an MBA in Human Resource Management, and two Master’s of Professional Studies in Human Resource Information Systems and Human Resource Management. Their state-of-the-art methods and experienced educators allow for high-quality education at a very reasonable price. Their HR degrees are attainable through such courses as Advanced Sociological Research, Organizational Behavior in a Global Context, and Total Compensation, available through FHSU’s remarkable efforts at preparing you for the future.
5 . Wayne State College
Average Net Price: $14,141
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: HLC
The Wayne State College was founded in Wayne, Nebraska in 1909, and has since grown to be a leading college in the state. According to the WSC website, 1 in 10 teachers in the state now has at least one degree from WSC. Their over 100 years of educating and training have earned accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission. Wayne State’s 20:1 student-faculty ratio ensures that as a student you will have access to personalized help from each teacher whenever needed.
For the human resources degree, Wayne State offers a Master’s of Science in Organizational Management for Human Resource Management. Their affordable online master classes feeding into this sophisticated degree include Dispute Resolution Management, Industrial Organizational Psychology, and Managerial Communication, in order to ensure a quality education tailored to you. These and other classes are intended to ensure that every student can gain a broad and specific knowledge base for their entry into the field.
6 . Indiana State University
Average Net Price: $14,270
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: HLC
Indiana State University was founded in 1865 in Terre Haute, Indiana as a school for educators to learn how to effectively teach. They have since grown vastly in ability and size in order to meet changing times and more eager students like yourself. They are now the number one school in Indiana for social mobility, according to CollegeNet. This growth and success have earned them an accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission and a reputation as a nationally competitive school.
This university offers an MS in Human Resource Development for Higher Education and Industry as well as an MPA in Human Resources Development Concentration. These degrees are attained through courses such as Developing Performance-Based Occupational Curriculum and International and Cross-Cultural Teaching in order to give students like yourself a broad understanding of both the theory and practice of human resource management. With invested professors and quality materials at your fingertips, FHSU is sure to prepare you for a fulfilling, successful career.
7 . University of Illinois Urbana – Champaign
Average Net Price: $14,321
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: HLC
Founded in 1867, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is the flagship university of the University of Illinois system and is home to a number of noteworthy graduate programs including business administration, engineering, law, library and information sciences and social work. The university also offers a number of undergraduate programs such as applied engineering and other majors that are not available at many other universities.
UI Urbana-Champaign’s Master’s in Social Work concentration is an advanced practice option for social work students to learn management of complex social problems and build leadership skills. Social work has always been a profession of advocacy for disadvantaged populations. Studying macro-level social work and history will prepare students to be advocates for underprivileged groups and understand the systems that impact them at a greater level. These skills and subjects help alumni to obtain a variety of job positions including, policy advocate, executive director, political strategist, program director, supervisor, administrator, strategic planner, public service leader, or consultant.
8 . Pittsburg State University
Average Net Price: $14,575
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: HLC
Founded in 1903 in Kansas as a school for training educators, Pittsburg State has since grown to enroll approximately 7,400 students currently. Their means and methods have continuously expanded to now accommodate over 40 different fields of education. They have also earned a prestigious accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission as a testimony to the quality of learning they offer.
PSU offers eight different degree specialties in the Human Resources field, including an MBA in Human Resources, and five specialized degrees in Human Resource Development. These degrees are made possible through an impressive repertoire of classes such as Occupational Analysis, Professional Presentations, and Workforce Development. The capability of PSU in amply preparing you for a successful career is clearly evident in their place as the 24th public school in the nation according to US News and World Report.
9 . Wichita State University
Average Net Price: $14,859
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: HLC
In 1895, Wichita State University was founded in Kansas’ largest city and shortly thereafter it transitioned from a women’s-only school to a co-ed university. It then grew to its current capacity of a total of 12,406 undergraduate students. Alongside their accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission, WSU has garnered a reputation in the area as a quality educational experience at a competitive price.
In the Human Resources arena, WSU offers both a Master’s degree of Business Administration in Human Resource Management and a Master’s degree of Human Resource Management. These degrees are achieved through a series of courses such as Employment Law, Human Resource Analytics, and International Business and Competitiveness, each intended to help students be prepared for tasks and problems they may encounter in the professional workspace. The efforts of WSU toward growth and the betterment of individuals have paid off in many of their alumni going on to have successful, rewarding careers.
10 . Troy University
Average Net Price: $14,992
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: SACS COC
Troy University is a nationally recognizable school with a heritage of learning and teaching dating back to 1887. It has since garnered a strong reputation in football and education as well as recognition from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and Commission on Colleges. Their Alabama campus features green lawns and many of the unique and beautiful tree species native to the American South.
Troy offers two online degrees in the Human Resources field, namely an MS in Human Resource Management and an MS in Management for Talent Development and Training. These degrees are achieved through their broad array of classes that focus on the HR field, many of which have emphases on innovation, global markets, and ethical leadership. Their 19:1 student-faculty ratio ensures that you will always have ample attention from your instructors.
