The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the addition of more than 73,000 human resources specialists and nearly 15,000 human resources managers between 2020 and 2030. With that in mind, a human resources degree from one of the following top-ranked online colleges can help graduates access this growing field.
Top 5 online schools for human resources
25 best online human resources degrees
To create the list of programs below, we collected publicly available information from the most reputable sources. Read about ZDnet’s ranking methodology to learn more about what school and program information we use to build our rankings. Unless otherwise indicated, data is drawn from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, College Scorecard, and each program’s website. Miami, FL $228.81 in-state $345.87 out-of-state Application fee: $30 Cedar Rapids, IA Application fee: Free Rochester, NY Application fee: Free Philadelphia, PA $10,572 in-state $19,272 out-of-state Application fee: $55 Philadelphia, PA Application fee: $50
What to expect in an online bachelor’s in human resources degree program
A bachelor’s in human resources provides learners with business and human resources fundamentals. Students learn about labor laws and business operations, along with training and development strategies, compensation and benefit programs, and organizational behavior.
Acceptance rate: 58%Graduation rate: 64%Annual net price: $7,296Years to degree: Four (part-time and accelerated schedules may be available)SAT range: 570-650Minimum GPA: 2.5Enrollment periods per year: ThreeCourse delivery methods: Online and asynchronous
Acceptance rate: 66%Graduation rate: 69%Annual net price: $20,857Years to degree: Four (part-time and accelerated schedules may be available)SAT range: Not publicly availableMinimum GPA: 2.75Enrollment periods per year: RollingCourse delivery methods: Online and asynchronous
Acceptance rate: 67%Graduation rate: 67%Annual net price: $23,569Years to degree: One to twoSAT range: 510-630Minimum GPA: 2.0Enrollment periods per year: RollingCourse delivery methods: Online and asynchronous
Acceptance rate: 60%Graduation rate: 72%Annual net price: $23,521Years to degree: Three to fourSAT range: Not publicly availableMinimum GPA: Not publicly availableEnrollment periods per year: TwoCourse delivery methods: Online and asynchronous
Acceptance rate: 66%Graduation rate: 71%Annual net price: $25,162Years to degree: Two to threeSAT range: 540-630Minimum GPA: Not publicly availableEnrollment periods per year: RollingCourse delivery methods: Online and asynchronous
Acceptance rate: 97%Graduation rate: 51%Annual net price: $14,923Years to degree: Two to fourSAT range: Not publicly availableMinimum GPA: 2.0Enrollment periods per year: ThreeCourse delivery methods: Online and asynchronous
Acceptance rate: 90%Graduation rate: 42%Annual net price: $13,896Years to degree: FourSAT range: Not publicly availableMinimum GPA: 2.5Enrollment periods per year: ThreeCourse delivery methods: Online, asynchronous and synchronous
Acceptance rate: Not publicly availableGraduation rate: 49%Annual net price: $9,805Years to degree: Three to fourSAT range: Not publicly availableMinimum GPA: Not publicly availableEnrollment periods per year: RollingCourse delivery methods: Online and asynchronous
Acceptance rate: 98%Graduation rate: 61%Annual net price: $16,245Years to degree: Three to fourSAT range: Not publicly availableMinimum GPA: 2.0Enrollment periods per year: RollingCourse delivery methods: Online and asynchronous
Acceptance rate: 63%Graduation rate: 56%Annual net price: $19,844Years to degree: Four (part-time and accelerated schedules are available)SAT range: 428-635Minimum GPA: Not publicly availableEnrollment periods per year: RollingCourse delivery methods: Online and asynchronous
Acceptance rate: 63%Graduation rate: 56%Annual net price: $22,351Years to degree: Three to four (part-time schedules may be available)SAT range: 500-580Minimum GPA: 3.0Enrollment periods per year: RollingCourse delivery methods: Online and asynchronous
Acceptance rate: 92%Graduation rate: 67%Annual net price: $19,514Years to degree: Two to fourSAT range: 520-608Minimum GPA: Not publicly availableEnrollment periods per year: SixCourse delivery methods: Online and asynchronous
Acceptance rate: 71%Graduation rate: 57%Annual net price: $25,483Years to degree: Three to four years (part-time and accelerated schedules are available)SAT range: 520-630Minimum GPA: Not publicly availableEnrollment periods per year: SixCourse delivery methods: Online and asynchronous
Acceptance rate: 58%Graduation rate: 44%Annual net price: $11,157Years to degree: Four (part-time and accelerated schedules may be available)SAT range: 480-580Minimum GPA: 2.0Enrollment periods per year: FourCourse delivery methods: Online, synchronous and asynchronous
Acceptance rate: 100%Graduation rate: 35%Annual net price: $10,855Years to degree: Four (part-time and accelerated schedules may be available)SAT range: 490-560Minimum GPA: 2.0Enrollment periods per year: TwoCourse delivery methods: Online, asynchronous and synchronous
Acceptance rate: 81%Graduation rate: 73%Annual net price: $22,233Years to degree: Four (part-time schedules are available)SAT range: 540-660Minimum GPA: Not publicly availableEnrollment periods per year: SixCourse delivery methods: Online, synchronous and asynchronous
Acceptance rate: 64%Graduation rate: 54%Annual net price: $23,855Years to degree: Four (part-time and accelerated schedules may be available)SAT range: Not publicly availableMinimum GPA: Not publicly availableEnrollment periods per year: Two to fourCourse delivery methods: Online and asynchronous
Acceptance rate: 99%Graduation rate: Not publicly availableAnnual net price: Not publicly availableYears to degree: Three to four (accelerated and part-time schedules are available)SAT range: 460-600Minimum GPA: 2.8Enrollment periods per year: RollingCourse delivery methods: Online and asynchronous
Acceptance rate: 53%Graduation rate: 67%Annual net price: $19,778Years to degree: Three to four (part-time schedules may be available)SAT range: 520-630Minimum GPA: Not publicly availableEnrollment periods per year: RollingCourse delivery methods: Online, asynchronous and synchronous
Acceptance rate: Not publicly availableGraduation rate: 46%Annual net price: Not publicly availableYears to degree: Three to four (part-time and accelerated schedules may be available)SAT range: Not publicly availableMinimum GPA: 2.0Enrollment periods per year: RollingCourse delivery methods: Online and asynchronous
Acceptance rate: 79%Graduation rate: 61%Annual net price: $28,309Years to degree: Four (part-time and accelerated schedules are available)SAT range: 520-640Minimum GPA: 2.0Enrollment periods per year: TwoCourse delivery methods: Online, asynchronous and synchronous
Acceptance rate: 58%Graduation rate: 44%Annual net price: $20,637Years to degree: Three to four (part-time and accelerated schedules may be available)SAT range: 440-530Minimum GPA: 2.0Enrollment periods per year: RollingCourse delivery methods: Online, asynchronous and synchronous
Acceptance rate: 56%Graduation rate: 57%Annual net price: $15,225Years to degree: Three to fiveSAT range: Not publicly availableMinimum GPA: 3.0Enrollment periods per year: ThreeCourse delivery methods: Online, asynchronous and synchronous
Acceptance rate: 75%Graduation rate: 62%Annual net price: $22,869Years to degree: Three to four (part-time and accelerated schedules are available)SAT range: 480-580Minimum GPA: 3.0Enrollment periods per year: RollingCourse delivery methods: Online and asynchronous
Acceptance rate: 67%Graduation rate: 43%Annual net price: $15,669Years to degree: Three to four (accelerated and part-time schedules are available)SAT range: 470-570Minimum GPA: 2.5-3.0Enrollment periods per year: RollingCourse delivery methods: Online, asynchronous and synchronous
The programs often include theoretical and practical training plus individual and group assignments. Human resources students learn how to manage people, resolve conflicts, and improve performances and operations. In addition to having communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills, online human resources learners need self-motivation and dedication to complete the rigorous training. HR degrees may include concentrations such as healthcare management or project management.
Human resources courses
Courses commonly offered during a human resources degree include: Labor law This course provides information on collective bargaining agreements and state and federal employment laws. It may delve into occupational health and workplace safety issues. Organizational behavior In this course, students learn how organizational culture and behavior can impact performance. Learners may examine methods and strategies for improving employee morale, motivating staff, and shifting culture to improve outcomes. Compensation and benefit strategies This course explores the most effective strategies for developing a compensation and benefit system. Students look at the processes involved and the impacts these systems can have on employee performances and morale. Training and development In this course, students learn how to create and run training and development programs. Learners explore methods for identifying inefficiencies in organizations, along with the motivational techniques and leadership strategies.
Human resources degree levels
Each subsequent HR degree level provides more in-depth and specialized training and may qualify graduates for more advanced careers. Prospective students should identify their area of interest and pursue the degree level that best satisfies that goal.
Certificate in human resources
Length: Less than one year Cost: Varies Post-grad careers: Customer service representatives, administrative assistants, and human resources specialists A human resources certificate includes condensed and focused training. The programs typically emphasize practical training for career-minded students. Learners may pursue an introductory certificate for quick entry into the human resources or business career fields, or they may tackle a graduate certificate in HR to complement previous training and upskill. Certificates may be offered in-person or online.
Associate in human resources
Length: Two years Cost: $11,389 per year in 2018-19 Post-grad careers: Human resources assistants, customer service representatives, and labor relations specialists Associate human resources degrees cover business and human resources principles and fundamentals. Learners may develop an understanding of labor laws, management strategies, and basic compensation programs. The training aims to develop a solid foundation of applicable skills and knowledge for students to build on through experience and further training. Graduates can pursue various entry-level careers or continue into a more advanced bachelor’s program. Associate degrees may feature internships, but most practical training comes from hands-on assignments.
Bachelor’s in human resources
Length: Four years Cost: $28,123 per year in 2018-19 Post-grad careers: Human resources specialists, compensation and benefits specialists, and training and development specialists A bachelor’s in human resources degree features comprehensive training that develops well-rounded professionals. Learners gain intermediate and advanced business and human resources skills and knowledge. They learn about compensation and benefits programs, training and development strategies, and management and motivational tactics. Bachelor’s programs often include practicums and internships to help students develop practical skills. Graduates can pursue many business and human resources careers, though additional training and experience may be required.
Master’s in human resources
Length: One to two years Cost: $19,792 per year in 2019-20 Post-grad careers: Human resources managers, compensation and benefits managers, and training and development managers A human resources master’s degree tackles advanced and specialized human resources topics. Learners develop a research concentration that may help them establish a career path. Graduates qualify for most human resources management careers, along with leadership positions in many business-related fields. Master’s degrees typically focus on management training, including risk, innovation, and human capital management. Students also learn how to analyze and improve organizational talent and behavior. Master’s programs combine in-depth research with theoretical and practical training. Learners may pursue a master’s or an MBA in human resources.
Doctorate in human resources
Length: 4-6 years Cost: $19,792 per year in 2019-20 Post-grad careers: Postsecondary teachers, top executives, and instructional coordinators A doctorate in human resources equips learners to teach future human resources professionals and impact policy and laws at the ground level. Students in these programs develop a research specialization and aim to advance scholarship. While many graduates teach at the postsecondary level, they may also access many human resources and business positions. They might work with the government and labor organizations developing new and improved workplace programs and initiatives.
In conclusion
Human resources degrees include comprehensive and widely applicable training in business, labor law, and employee management strategies. Prospective undergraduate learners can start their program search here with the top-ranked human resources degrees in the country.
