Most Affordable Online Master’s in Human Resources Programs of 2025
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Well-educated human resources managers and specialists are in high demand in business, industry, and nonprofits. Although many HR jobs are available to job seekers with a bachelor’s degree, those with a master’s in human resources are likely to find the door to career advancement and high pay rates open to them.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), an HR manager earns a median pay of $126,230 annually. Even an entry-level HR specialist earns a decent salary, with a median income of $62,290 annually. According to the BLS, the job outlook for the next decade is positive, with the need for specialists growing at about eight percent, which is faster than average.
Are you looking for an affordable online master’s degree in human resources? Keep reading to discover cost-effective ways to earn your degree online and learn about job opportunities after graduation.
Cost Breakdown for an Online Master’s in Human Resources Program
What are students paying for when enrolling in an online master’s in human resources program? Here’s a look at typical costs associated with this degree program.
Tuition: The primary cost related to earning a degree is tuition, which is the fee students pay to take classes at a college. It also usually covers additional services like tutoring, libraries, and access to online learning platforms. Full-time students typically pay a flat per-term tuition rate, while part-time students pay based on the number of credits they take.
Fees: Many online programs charge additional fees to cover virtual learning technology and platforms, tech support services, or other services not covered by tuition. Specific fees may be recurring, while others are only assessed once. Students should consult with a financial aid counselor to learn more about fees at the schools they’re considering.
Personal technology: Online learners must invest in their own technology, including a computer, hardware upgrades, and a reliable wifi connection. These are essential for accessing course materials and participating in virtual classes. Before starting your program, do a tech assessment to determine if you need to upgrade any hardware or software. Some schools partner with brands or stores to offer student discounts on educational technology products.
Books and learning materials: Even in online programs, instructors may still require physical textbooks or e-books. According to the Education Data Initiative, the average post-secondary student spent between $628 and $1,200 for books and learning materials during the 2021-22 academic year, making this another significant cost for students to include in their budget.
Despite these additional expenses, many online students enjoy cost-saving advantages compared to traditional on-campus learners. For example, learners can save money on transportation, as they don’t need to commute to campus. Similarly, they bypass on-campus housing costs since they can study from home.
Factors Influencing the Cost of an Online Master’s in Human Resources Program
Tuition rates vary widely by schools, based on the following factors.
Public vs. private institutions
A key factor driving a school’s tuition rates is its status as a public or private institution. Public colleges receive federal and state government funding to help them operate and, therefore, tend to have lower tuition than private schools, which rely on tuition as their primary source of revenue.
Student residency status
Because public universities receive state funding from taxes, residents of a state where a school is located get a discounted tuition rate. Most public colleges charge out-of-state students a higher tuition rate to help offset the subsidized tuition in-state students receive. However, with online programs, it’s becoming more common for schools to charge all students the same tuition rate, regardless of where they live. If you’re considering attending an online master’s in HR program at a public college as an out-of-state student, inquire whether you’re eligible for an in-state tuition rate.
Non-profit vs. for-profit
Post-secondary institutions are classified as non-profit or for-profit. Non-profit colleges reinvest their revenue into the institution through faculty and staff salaries, infrastructure, student resources, and more. For-profit colleges are designed to turn a profit for investors and shareholders. Because of their structure, for-profit colleges typically invest less revenue into their educational programs, which can impact the quality of education students receive. While for-profit colleges may charge lower tuition rates than non-profits, students should know the difference in educational quality between the two types of schools. If you’re considering a for-profit college, research the institution and company that operates it to ensure you’ll get the proper training and a legitimate degree for your money.
Student military status
Most schools offer veterans, active-duty service members, and their spouses or children discounted tuition rates. Students who think they may be eligible for discounted tuition based on past or current military service should check with their school’s financial aid or military services office.
The 50 Most Affordable Online Master’s in Human Resources Programs
This list features some of the country’s most affordable online master’s in human resources programs. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution, either public or private, with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions.
We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of the most affordable online master’s in human resources programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications, such as U.S. News & World Report, to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
How to Pay for an Online Master’s in Human Resources Program
Out-of-pocket
The most direct way to pay for an online master’s in human resources is by using your own money or paying ‘out-of-pocket.’ Depending on the program’s total cost and how much funding you have available, you may be able to pay for the whole program out-of-pocket, or you may need to combine this payment method with other types of financial support, such as scholarships, grants, or student loans.
Because there are limits on how much students can borrow in federal education loans, some students turn to private education loans to fill in gaps. Lenders like SoFi, Ascent, and Sallie Mae offer private education loans with interest rates and repayment terms based on current market rates and applicants’ credit history. Private education loans should only be used when necessary, as these types of loans can be the most challenging to repay.
Scholarships
Scholarships are a type of gift aid awarded to students based on financial need, achievement, or special skills or to help address discrepancies in diversity or equity. They are considered gift aid because students don’t have to repay them. Most institutions offer scholarships, as do professional organizations, non-profits, community and religious organizations, and private endowments. Here are a few examples of scholarships and grants that are available for students in the human resources field:
Anthony C. Russo Scholarship: $3,000 awarded annually by the National Public Employer Labor Relations Association to students seeking a master’s degree in human resources, public administration, or a few other select fields.
HR Matchr Student Scholarship: $1,000 awarded to a bachelor’s or master’s student in human resources, business, labor relations, or organizational development.
PSHRA Fellowships: $2,000 awarded to master’s degree students in HR programs by the Public Sector HR Association. It may be renewed once.
NAHR Foundation Graduate Scholarships: $5,000 annually for full-time students in master’s level HR programs at accredited institutions. Funded by the National Academy of Human Resources.
Grants
Like scholarships, grants are gift aid that doesn’t require repayment. Grants are usually awarded based on need. Individual states offer educational grants to students, as do many colleges. To be considered for grants, students must usually submit a FAFSA.
Work-study
Work-study programs employ students in positions at their school, either on-campus or remotely. Students receive an hourly wage that they can put towards their tuition or other educational or living expenses. To apply to participate in the Federal Work-Study program, indicate your interest on your FAFSA. Work-study jobs pay at least the federal minimum wage, but many pay more, especially for graduate students.
Employer tuition assistance
Many employers offer tuition assistance benefits that cover some or all of an employee’s education costs. Students who plan on working while earning their online master’s in HR should inquire with their employer to find out if they have access to these types of benefits, as they can significantly reduce the financial burden of a degree program.
What You Can Do with a Master’s in Human Resources
While many entry-level human resources jobs are available to those with a bachelor’s degree, earning a master’s degree in human resources enables you to apply for higher-level managerial positions and those at larger organizations and businesses.
At the master’s level, managers plan, coordinate, and direct the administrative functions of an organization, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). They are employed in nearly every industry as well as across the nonprofit world. As noted above, HR managers may earn six-figure salaries, with the highest ten percent paid an average salary of $239,200.
The job outlook for HR managers is rosy. An additional 12,600 professionals will be needed in the next decade to fill the increasing number of jobs available. Many with a master’s degree in human resources end up in affiliated positions, such as labor relations directors, payroll managers, and recruiting managers.
Career Outlook
Human resources manager — Plan, direct, and oversee various HR duties for a company, including hiring and onboarding, coordinating benefits, training and talent development, employee termination, and more.
Median annual salary: $136,350
Projected employment growth (through 2032): 5%
New jobs projected: 15,500 per year
Training and development manager — Responsible for assessing employees’ training needs and providing adequate training and development opportunities to encourage staff growth and effectiveness.
Median annual salary: $125,040
Projected employment growth (through 2032): 6%
New jobs projected: 3,500 per year
Compensation and benefits manager — Focus on managing an organization’s pay and benefits structure, working with outside partners like insurance companies, and ensuring pay and benefits comply with federal and state laws.
Median annual salary: $136,380
Projected employment growth (through 2032): 2%
New jobs projected: 1,100 per year
How to Choose the Online Master’s in Human Resources Program That’s Right for You
At this stage, it’s also wise to consider your practical needs. What is your preferred delivery method for your online program, synchronous or asynchronous coursework? Asynchronous programs are the most flexible, as they don’t have scheduled class meetings. However, they require more self-discipline and accountability than synchronous programs, which have regularly scheduled class meetings. Determine whether you are planning to enroll on a full-time or part-time basis.
Understanding your educational and career goals will allow you to establish parameters that will make it easier to narrow your options.
Research schools and programs
As you begin exploring schools, one of the first things to check is whether the schools you’re considering are accredited. A school’s accreditation status affects the quality of its programs and students’ eligibility for financial aid and future employment opportunities. Some organizations specifically accredit human resources programs, such as the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
Accreditation information, as well as information about curriculum, cost, scholarships and financial aid, faculty, and more, is typically available on the school’s website. You can also learn more about online master’s in human resources programs by participating in virtual open houses or information sessions or contacting the school’s admissions office to speak directly to an admission counselor.
Here are some questions to ask during the research process to help you determine if the school and program meet your needs:
Who are the faculty, and what are their qualifications?
How do online students interact with classmates and faculty?
Is coursework delivered synchronously or asynchronously?
What does the curriculum include? Are there options for electives or specializations?
Can students receive credit for professional experience or credentials?
What support services are available for online students, such as tech support, tutoring, academic and career advising, and counseling?
Are there networking opportunities for online students?
How affordable is the school compared to your other options?
Review application and eligibility requirements
You’ll also want to carefully review the application and eligibility requirements for any online master’s in HR programs you’re considering, as this can influence which schools you apply to. Every program sets its own eligibility criteria. Some programs are open to all students, regardless of their educational or professional backgrounds. Others are designed for individuals with bachelor’s degrees in HR or work experience in the field. Additional eligibility criteria may include a minimum undergraduate GPA, GRE, or GMAT score.
Specific application procedures also vary by school. Students should clarify processes with an admissions counselor before applying. In general, applicants can expect to submit the following as part of an application to an online master’s in HR program:
Application and required fees
Official transcripts from all previously attended post-secondary schools
