In this article, we profile the 30 best online bachelor’s in human resources degree programs at some of the nation’s most affordable institutions for 2017.
The United States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that employment of human resources managers is projected to grow nine percent by the year 2024. This is a growth of five percent faster than the national average. Since a bachelor’s degree is required for most entry-level HR jobs, more schools are offering this specialized management program. Online options have become the norm at some of the nation’s top ranked schools.
We reviewed 138 accredited colleges and universities listed by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES College Navigator) that offered online bachelor’s in human resources or closely related degree programs. From our list of schools, we looked at the rankings received from major publications like U.S. News and World Report. We chose regional and national ranked schools, or institutions with online bachelor’s program rankings from at least one major publication. We then listed the schools in order of affordability.
Below are the resulting selections for our top 30 best online bachelor’s degrees in human resources.
#30 – Mount Mercy University
Online BBA in Human Resources
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Undergraduate Tuition: $29,696
Mount Mercy University’s online bachelor’s in human resources degree program is endorsed by the Society for Human Resource Management, the world’s largest HR professional society. Classes are offered in five and ten-week sessions and are asynchronous, so that students may participate on any day or time. Required online classes may include advanced topics in human resource management, business statistics, employment law and labor relations, financial management, organizational behavior, and technology and communication in business. Mount Mercy University is ranked by major publications like U.S. News and World Report as the 49th best regional university in the Midwest and 30th best value school.
#29 – Upper Iowa University
Online Bachelor’s in Human Resources Management
Fayette, Iowa
Undergraduate Tuition: $28,890
The human resources bachelor’s online degree programs from Upper Iowa University include the online BBA with human resources management emphasis and the online bachelor’s in human resources management. Both degrees are offered online with classes taught by the same professors who instruct on campus. Online courses include labor relations and negotiations, organizational behavior, personnel selection and evaluation, and strategic management. The program is designed for working students who want to earn a degree that will help them pursue careers as benefits and compensation managers, HR managers, and labor specialists. Upper Iowa is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as a top regional university in the Midwest. Also, the online bachelor’s programs are ranked #110 out of more than 1,200 surveyed programs.
#28 – LeTourneau University
Online Bachelor’s in Business with Human Resource Management
Longview, Texas
Undergraduate Tuition: $28,480
One of the top online HR degree programs on our list is the bachelor’s in business administration with a concentration in human resource management from LeTourneau University. This fully online program is aligned with the Society for Human Resource Management curriculum guides and offers classes taught by university professors. Some of the courses offered include conflict resolution, employment law, human resource management, international business, organizational behavior, project management, and writing with power and style. LeTourneau is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the 27th best regional university in the West and 4th best value school in the nation.
#27 – Brenau University
Online BBA in Human Resources Management
Gainesville, Georgia
Undergraduate Tuition: $27,152
The human resources bachelor’s online degree program from Brenau University has earned acknowledgement from the Society for Human Resource Management for being fully aligned with the HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates. The program may be completed online and includes courses in both business and human resource management. Courses include benefits and compensations, cultural diversity in the business environment, designed training programs, HR strategic planning, recruiting and selection, and research methods in organizations. A total of 120 credits are required for the degree. Brenau is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the 52nd best regional university in the South and 30th best value school.
#26 – Huntington University
Online Bachelor’s in Human Resource Management
Huntington, Indiana
Undergraduate Tuition: $25,400
The accredited online bachelor’s in human resources degree program from Huntington University is a nationally ranked program that may be completed entirely online. The 128-credit program offers online courses like business law, communications in organizations, ethics in business, employment law and labor relations, staffing and training development, and statistics for managers. A required capstone business project must be completed to graduate. The project includes a thesis-type written report and oral presentation that showcases competence in the major. Huntington University is ranked by major publications like U.S. News and World Report as the 13th regional college in the Midwest and 11th best value school.
#25 – Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Online Bachelor’s in Organizational Management
Bartlesville, Oklahoma
Undergraduate Tuition: $25,070
Oklahoma Wesleyan University offers a type of online HR degree that explores topics in human resources management as well as organizational management. The result is a BS in Organizational Management. A total of 126 credit hours are required for the completion of the program, and courses are delivered online by the same professors who teach on campus. Some of the courses taken include business ethics and Christian wisdom, global business environment, management and leadership, management of human resources, and organizational behavior. Oklahoma Wesley is ranked by major publications like U.S. News and World Report. In fact, the most recent edition of Best Colleges ranks the school as the 74th best regional university in the West.
#24 – Fontbonne University
Online Bachelor’s in Management and Leadership (Hybrid)
Saint Louis, Missouri
Undergraduate Tuition: $24,610
Fontbonne University offers a type of human resources online degree program that emphasizes management, leadership, and business. Students earn a bachelor’s in management and leadership through a hybrid format that includes both online and on-campus courses. Courses explore various management and leadership topics, including human resource management. Courses include business law, human resource management, leadership – managing in a changing environment, production and operations management, public administration and nonprofit management, and strategic management. Fontbonne is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the 91st best regional university in the Midwest and is one of our top schools for online HR degrees.
#23 – Hampton University
Online Bachelor’s in Systems Organization and Management
Hampton, Virginia
Undergraduate Tuition: $24,242
Hampton University offers a human resources bachelor’s online degree program that consists of a BS degree in systems organization and management with a concentration in HR. Courses are delivered online and taught by qualified university professors. These courses include compensation and benefits administration, human resource management, labor management relations, legal aspects of human resource management or employment law, management of international business, personnel and human resource management, and written communications. A total of 122 credits are required for satisfaction of degree requirements. Hampton is ranked by major publications like U.S. News and World Report as the 18th best regional university in the South.
#22 – Charleston Southern University
Online Bachelor’s in Human Resource Management
Charleston, South Carolina
Undergraduate Tuition: $24,140
Charleston Southern University’s human resources online degree programs include the bachelor’s in human resource management. The program is designed for individuals who want to pursue careers in HR, labor relations, recruiting, or training and development. Courses are delivered entirely online and include business finance for managers, business policy, employment law, employee training and development, human resources management, labor relations, marketing and advertising, and organizational culture. Students must have at least 125 credit hours to graduate. Charleston Southern is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the 98th best regional university in the South, and its online bachelor’s programs are ranked #21 out of more than 1,200 surveyed programs.
#21 – Saint Leo University
Online Bachelor’s in Human Resource Management
Saint Leo, Florida
Undergraduate Tuition: $21,440
The online HR degree from Saint Leo University is a four-year undergraduate program that may be completed entirely online. The curriculum offers the opportunity for graduates to sit for the professional HR certification examination, administered by the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI). Online courses are taught by the same university professors who instruct on campus. These courses include benefits and compensation, business information systems and analytics, human resource development, human resources strategic planning, industrial and organizational psychology, management of human resources, risk management, and selection and placement. Saint Leo is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the 62nd best regional university in the South and 26th best value school. Also, the online bachelor’s programs are ranked #59 out of more than 1,200 surveyed programs.
#20 – Sullivan University
Online Bachelor’s in Business Administration – Human Resource Leadership
Louisville, Kentucky
Undergraduate Tuition: $19,740
Sullivan University offers an accredited online bachelor’s in human resources degree program that focuses on nine key areas of HR competency specified by the National Society for Human Resource Management. These areas include ethical practice, HR expertise, and relationship management. The program is offered entirely online and may be completed in just 18 months. Courses include advanced writing, diversity perspectives in the workplace, ethical issues in human resource management, human resource information management, organizational behavior, and principles of management. Sullivan is ranked by major publications like U.S. News and World Report as a top regional university in the South.
#19 – Davenport University
Online BBA in Human Resource Management
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Undergraduate Tuition: $16,726
The human resources bachelor’s online degree program from Davenport University is a human resource management BBA that can be completed in-seat or entirely online. The program is designed to equip students with the skills necessary to work as employee relations managers, human resource specialists, or recruiting and staffing managers. Students take a number of business classes, HR classes, and open electives. The human resource classes include compensation administration, employment and labor law, human resource management, leadership theory and discovery, staffing organizations, and training for organizations. Davenport is recognized by U.S. News and World Report as a top regional university in the Midwest. Also, the online bachelor’s programs are ranked #186 out of more than 1,200 surveyed programs.
#18 – Golden Gate University
Online Bachelor’s in Business – Human Resource Management
San Francisco, California
Undergraduate Tuition: $15,205
Golden Gate University’s online HR degree programs include the online bachelor’s in business with a concentration in human resource management. The program is designed to provide working students with a versatile skill set that transitions well into the workplace. HR, business, and management courses are taken. Some of the classes include basic employment law, compensation decision making, directed study in management, labor management relations, personnel recruitment and selection, special topics in management, and training methods and administration. Golden Gate University is recognized by U.S. News and World Report as a top regional university in the West. In recent years, the school’s online bachelor’s programs have earned a ranking in several publications of Best Colleges.
#17 – Capella University
Online Bachelor’s in Business – Human Resource Management
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Undergraduate Tuition: $13,998
Capella University is one of our top picks for human resources online degree programs. The school offers an online bachelor’s in business with human resource management specialization. All classes are delivered online and typically run five or ten weeks in length. Through the program’s self-paced learning option there is no limit to the number of courses you can complete in a single session. Some of the courses include compensation and benefits management, employee and labor relations, employee training and development, ethics and enterprise, legal issues in human resource management, and recruiting and retention. Capella is an accredited and ranked institution. In recent years, major publications like U.S. News and World Report has ranked the school among the top national universities in the country.
#16 – Franklin University
Online Bachelor’s in Human Resources Management
Columbus, Ohio
Undergraduate Tuition: $11,881
Franklin University’s human resources online degree programs include the bachelor’s in HR management, which is designed for working and busy adults. The program may be completed entirely online, with classes taught by university professors. Courses include compensation and benefits, employee and labor relations, human resources management, staffing, strategic human resources capstone, and training and development. Admission to the program requires that students meet the college writing and algebra competencies. In recent years, Franklin University has been recognized by major publications like U.S. News and World Report as a top ranked business school and as having a ranked online bachelor’s degree program.
#15 – Ottawa University
Online Bachelor’s in Human Resources
Jeffersonville, Indiana
Undergraduate Tuition: $11,160
Ottawa University’s online HR degree is one of the most affordable on our list. The bachelor’s program is fully aligned with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Guidebook and is designed to meet the current HR industry standards to help guide graduates toward a professional human resources career. All classes are delivered online and are taught by the same professors who instruct on campus. These classes include applied human resources, behavior in organizations, compensation and benefits, employment and staffing, employment law and policies, human resources administration, managerial accounting, and training and development. Ottawa is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the 47th best regional college in the Midwest.
#14 – Ashford University
Online Bachelor’s in Human Resources Management
San Diego, California
Undergraduate Tuition: $11,032
Ashford University’s human resources online degree program is designed for undergraduates who want to pursue careers as HR specialists. This IACBE-accredited degree program offers five-week online courses that cover topics in accounting, business, economics, HR management, and management. Courses include compensation and benefits management, employee and labor relations, employee training, human resource management, human resource technology management, organizational behavior, organizational development, and principles of finance. Ashford is accredited and ranked by major publications like U.S. News and World Report. In fact, the most recent edition of Best Colleges ranks the school as a top regional university in the West.
#13 – Wilmington University
Online Bachelor’s in Human Resource Management
New Castle, Delaware
Undergraduate Tuition: $10,670
The online bachelor’s in human resources from Wilmington University is a completely online program in full alignment with the Society for Human Resource Management HR curriculum. The program is designed to prepare students for careers in HR and closely related fields. Students must earn a grade of C or better in all program courses or they must retake the class. These courses include business ethics, compensation administration, labor relations and collective bargaining, legal aspects of human resource management, staffing organizations, and strategic human capital management. Wilmington is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as a top national university. Also, the online bachelor’s programs have earned recognition as being among the best in the nation.
#12 – Trident University International
Online Bachelor’s in Human Resource Management
Cypress, California
Undergraduate Tuition: $9,000
Trident University International offers human resources online degree programs that include the bachelor’s in human resource management. The program is considered to be 100% online and designed to equip students with the knowledge needed to enter the field of HR. A total of 120 credits are required for degree completion with 52 semester credits of program core coursework and 16 credits of electives. The school does accept transfer credits, although a minimum GPA of 2.0 is required for all transferable coursework. U.S. News and World Report has ranked Trident in recent years as among the best national universities.
#11 – Baker College
Online BBA in Human Resource Management
Flint, Michigan
Undergraduate Tuition: $9,000
Baker College’s human resources bachelor’s online degree program is a BBA degree with concentration in HR. The program may be completed entirely online with courses taught by industry professionals. These courses include 41 hours of human resource classes like human resources and employment law, international human resource management, performance management of human resources, staffing and performance management, strategic human resource management, and training and developing human resources. Baker is accredited and its business programs (including HR) have received specialized accreditation through the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education. Baker is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as among the top regional colleges in the Midwest.
#10 – University of Arkansas
Online Bachelor’s in Human Resource and Workforce Development Education
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Undergraduate Tuition: $8,820
University of Arkansas offers an online HR degree program that is designed to equip undergraduate students with the skills needed to work as human resource and workforce development educators and specialists. The program is 100% online and consists of 120 credit hours that must be completed within four years. Courses include career development, designing and developing HR development programs, instructional technology and design, managing human resource development programs, strategic human resource development, and writing for human resource and workforce development. University of Arkansas is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the 135th best national institution in the country. Also, the online bachelor’s programs are ranked #36 out of more than 1,200 programs surveyed by U.S. News.
#9 – Indiana State University
Online Bachelor’s in Human Resource Development
Terre Haute, Indiana
Undergraduate Tuition: $8,746
Indiana State University’s human resources online degree programs include the BS in Human Resource Development. The program is designed to meet the needs of HR specialists working in the field. All courses are delivered online and taught by the same university professors who instruct on campus. These courses include adult learners in higher education and training, developing occupational and training programs, labor relations in human resource development, methods and strategies for instructional programs, organizational development, and work-life integration. Indiana State is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as a top national university. Also, the online bachelor’s programs are ranked #142 out of more than 1,200 surveyed programs.
#8 – Metropolitan State University
Online Bachelor’s in Human Resource Management
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Undergraduate Tuition: $7,566
One of the most affordable human resources online degree programs on our list is offered by Metropolitan State University. The program is designed to prepare students for professional careers in HR through exposure to curriculum that focuses on current management thought and practice. A total of 120 credits are required with 48 credits in human resource management. Some of the online classes include compensation management, employee benefits management, employee development and training, human resource management strategic framework, managing a diverse workforce, and staffing organizations. Metropolitan State is ranked by major publications like U.S. News and World Report as a top regional university in the Midwest.
#7 – University of Maryland University College
Online Bachelor’s in Human Resource Management
Adelphi, Maryland
Undergraduate Tuition: $7,176
University of Maryland University College has human resources online degree programs that include the bachelor’s in human resource management. This 120-credit program is ideal for those with some HR experience but who do not have a degree. All courses are delivered online and taught by the same professors who instruct on campus. These courses include employee training and development, finance for the non-financial manager, global human resource management, labor relations, organizational communication, and the total rewards approach to compensation management. Classes are taught by industry professionals and experienced professors. The institution is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as a top regional university in the North.
#6 – Dickinson State University
Online Bachelor’s in Human Resource Management
Dickinson, North Dakota
Undergraduate Tuition: $6,348
Dickinson State University’s online bachelor’s in human resources degree program is one of the most affordable on our list. The degree is ideal for those interested in returning to school for a four-year degree after gaining some experience in the human resources field. Classes include topics in business, human resources, and management. These courses include business ethics and critical thinking, business law, compensation management, human resource development, human resource management, labor relations, and staffing and workforce diversity. Dickinson State is ranked by major publications like U.S. News and World Report as the 43rd best regional college in the Midwest and 4th top public school.
#5 – Western Governors University
Online Bachelor’s in Human Resource Management
Salt Lake City, Utah
Undergraduate Tuition: $6,070
Western Governors University’s human resources bachelor’s online degree program has been recognized by the Society of Human Resource Management as being fully aligned with the HR Curriculum Guidebook. This means that the curriculum offered for the program is in alignment with the standards set forth by the SHRM. Classes are delivered online and taught by university professors. These courses include cases in advanced human resource management, change management, compensation and benefits, employment law, marketing fundamentals, project management, training and development, and workforce planning – recruitment and selection. Western Governors University is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as a top regional university in the West.
#4 – Western International University
Online Bachelor’s in Human Resource Management
Tempe, Arizona
Undergraduate Tuition: $6,000
One of the top human resources online degree programs on our list is the bachelor’s in HRM from Western International University. The program consists of 120 credits and runs a total of 189 weeks (3.6 years). Courses are taught by industry professionals with experience in the field of human resource management. Forty-five credits are required in the major. These courses include corporate training and development, employment law, health and safety in the workplace, international business, motivation and achievement, performance management and compensation, staffing and employment practices, and supervision and leadership. A human resource management capstone project is also required. While the school is currently unranked with U.S. News and World Report, the online bachelor’s programs are ranked #219 out of more than 1,200 surveyed programs.
#3 – Athens State University
Online Bachelor’s in Human Resource Management
Athens, Alabama
Undergraduate Tuition: $5,730
The human resources online degree programs from Athens State University include the bachelor’s in human resource management, which may be completed entirely online. The program is designed to prepare students for a number of employment opportunities in the area of human resources by providing specialized business, management, and psychology courses. Some of the courses offered include compensation and benefits, employment law for business, human resource management, management of change, marketing principles, organizational behavior and team building, quantitative business analysis, and performance management in organizations. An assessment exam must be taken and a suitable score earned for completion of the degree. Athens State has been recognized in recent years as a top regional college in the South by major publications like U.S. News and World Report.
#2 – Georgia Southwestern State University
Online BBA in Human Resources
Americus, Georgia
Undergraduate Tuition: $5,262
Georgia Southwestern State University’s human resources online degree program consists of a BBA degree with concentration in human resources. The program is designed to provide students with a solid business foundation and knowledge of common and contemporary HR practices. The program is designed to complete in two years, including summers, with a number of HR courses taken throughout each term. These courses include compensation management, current issues in human resource management, introduction to HR management, labor relations, organizational theory, and performance management. Georgia Southwestern State is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as a top regional university in the South.
#1 – Columbia Southern University
Online BBA in Human Resource Management
Orange Beach, Alabama
Undergraduate Tuition: $5,175
The most affordable online bachelor’s in human resources program on our list is the BSBA with human resource management concentration from Columbia Southern University. The program takes approximately five years to complete through online delivery and part-time enrollment. Courses are taught by university professors and include collective bargaining, compensation and benefits, employment law, human relations and development, international human resource management, introduction to business, and staffing organizations. The program is accredited and aligned with the standards set forth by SHRM’s HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates. In recent years, Columbia Southern University has earned recognition from major publications like U.S. News and World Report.
BDP Staff
May 2017
This concludes our list of the top 30 most affordable online bachelor’s in human resources degree programs for 2017.
