MBA human resources online degrees provide the best opportunities for professional advancement in a competitive market. These programs offer the well-rounded core curriculum industry leaders need in areas from accounting to business technology, as well as the specialized knowledge required of HR agents, specialists and managers. Employee experience in the workplace, staff relations, compensation and negotiation are all essential traits of the human resources occupation, and can be learned through online HR master’s degree programs.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual salary for HR managers of $121,220, as well as a projected ten year growth of 9 percent. The excellent salary along with an average rate of growth are testament to the competitive nature of this career. While a bachelor’s is enough to enter the field, many jobs in HR such as labor relations or business administration require an MBA human resources online degree. Currently there is a $51,311 difference in tuition between the most economical and expensive programs. For this advancement, it is critical to choose the program best suited to personal and monetary needs.
Through a full survey of 147 fully accredited MBA human resources online programs from 142 colleges, GetEducated has created a “Best Buy” list for you. This list reveals the most affordable options available in the US.
ARTICLE NAVIGATION: Rankings Table | Career Guide
Average Cost (In-state): ~$25,300
Least Expensive: Pittsburg State University ~$11,250
Most Expensive: Temple University ~$62,561
Our data-driven research creates a truly reliable system of scientific rankings. There are no fancy formulas here. We meticulously calculate total full-time tuition—including any fees—for the most accurate total cost. Our rankings cannot be bought, and therefore factually showcase the cheapest MBA human resources online. The online MBA degrees listed above the gray dividing line are official 2022 “Best Buys” and cost less than the national average.
Most Affordable MBA Human Resources Online
| Rank | School / Degree | State | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Pittsburg State University | (KS) | $11,250.00 | All Students |
2 | Fort Hays State University | (KS) | $11,900.00 | All Students |
3 | Southeastern Oklahoma State University | (OK) | $12,132.00 | All Students |
4 | University of Nebraska at Kearney | (NE) | $12,135.25 $18,372.25 | In-State Out-of-State |
5 | Northwest Missouri State University | (MO) | $12,300.00 | All Students |
6 | Louisiana State University-Shreveport | (LA) | $12,474.00 | All Students |
7 | Fitchburg State University | (MA) | $12,510.00 | All Students |
8 | University of Louisiana at Lafayette | (LA) | $12,800.04 | All Students |
9 | University of Southern Indiana | (IN) | $12,900.00 | All Students |
10 | Clayton State University | (GA) | $13,933.00 | All Students |
11 | University of Houston-Victoria | (TX) | $14,084.16 $26,324.16 | In-State Out-of-State |
12 | North Carolina A & T State University | (NC) | $14,180.24 $36,068.24 | In-State Out-of-State |
13 |  University of West Alabama | (AL) | $14,472.00 | All Students |
14 | Texas A & M University-Central Texas | (TX) | $14,504.04 $29,192.04 | In-State Out-of-State |
15 | Wichita State University | (KS) | $15,335.28 | All Students |
16 | University of Illinois at Springfield | (IL) | $15,415.50 | All Students |
17 | Indiana Institute of Technology | (IN) | $15,525.00 | All Students |
18 | Wayne State College | (NE) | $15,746.40 | All Students |
19 | Delta State University | (MS) | $15,750.00 | All Students |
20 | University of West Florida | (FL) | $16,434.00 | All Students |
21 | Doane University | (NE) | $16,580.00 | All Students |
22 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | (TX) | $17,049.92 | All Students |
23 | Trine University | (IN) | $17,250.00 | All Students |
24 | University of North Texas | (TX) | $17,327.20 $19,026.76 | In-State Out-of-State |
25 | Midway University | (KY) | $17,625.00 | All Students |
26 | Columbia College - MO | (MO) | $17,640.00 $11,700.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
27 | University of the Potomac | (DC) | $17,750.00 | All Students |
28 | The University of Texas at Tyler | (TX) | $17,804.00 $35,156.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
29 |  Campbellsville University | (KY) | $17,844.00 | All Students |
30 | University of North Alabama | (AL) | $17,850.00 | All Students |
31 | Mount Vernon Nazarene University | (OH) | $17,928.00 | All Students |
32 | University of North Carolina-Wilmington | (NC) | $18,113.40 $45,771.48 | In-State Out-of-State |
33 | Touro University Worldwide | (CA) | $18,200.00 | All Students |
34 | Wilmington University | (DE) | $18,220.00 | All Students |
35 | North Greenville University | (SC) | $18,370.00 | All Students |
36 | Lindenwood University | (MO) | $18,440.00 | All Students |
37 |  Southern New Hampshire University | (NH) | $18,960.00 $14,250.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
38 | St. Thomas University | (FL) | $19,440.00 | All Students |
39 | Carson-Newman University | (TN) | $19,800.00 | All Students |
40 | McKendree University | (IL) | $19,925.00 | All Students |
41 | Southern University and A & M College | (LA) | $19,931.00 | All Students |
42 | University of Saint Mary | (KS) | $19,935.00 | All Students |
43 | Southern Wesleyan University Master of Business Administration / Human Resources 14 | (SC) | $20,340.00 $18,540.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
44 | Ohio Christian University | (OH) | $20,440.00 $10,360.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
45 | Waynesburg University | (PA) | $20,550.00 | All Students |
46 | Baker University | (KS) | $20,635.00 | All Students |
47 | University of Houston - Clear Lake | (TX) | $20,892.00 $39,684.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
48 | Oklahoma Christian University | (OK) | $21,205.00 | All Students |
49 | Oklahoma Wesleyan University | (OK) | $21,530.00 | All Students |
50 | University of Bridgeport | (CT) | $21,700.00 | All Students |
51 | University of Mary | (ND) | $21,808.00 | All Students |
52 | Bryan College | (TN) | $21,930.00 | All Students |
53 | Friends University | (KS) | $21,978.00 | All Students |
54 | Houston Christian University | (TX) | $22,060.00 | All Students |
55 | Thomas University | (GA) | $22,285.00 | All Students |
56 | University of the Southwest | (NM) | $22,500.00 | All Students |
57 | Upper Iowa University | (IA) | $22,570.00 $9,070.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
58 | Trevecca Nazarene University | (TN) | $22,607.00 | All Students |
59 | University of Northern Colorado | (CO) | $22,716.00 | All Students |
59 | Bethel University - TN | (TN) | $22,716.00 | All Students |
61 | Park University | (MO) | $22,895.00 | All Students |
62 | Bellevue University | (NE) | $23,060.00 | All Students |
63 | King University | (TN) | $23,155.00 | All Students |
64 | Caldwell University | (NJ) | $23,215.00 | All Students |
65 | Malone University | (OH) | $23,400.00 | All Students |
66 | University of Wisconsin-Whitewater | (WI) | $23,472.00 | All Students |
67 | Salem University | (WV) | $23,800.00 $18,220.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
68 | Warner University | (FL) | $23,950.00 | All Students |
69 | New England College | (NH) | $23,960.00 | All Students |
70 | Friends University | (KS) | $23,976.00 | All Students |
71 | Ottawa University | (KS) | $24,159.00 | All Students |
72 | Cumberland University | (TN) | $24,385.00 | All Students |
73 | Union University | (TN) | $24,444.00 | All Students |
74 | Lakeland University | (WI) | $24,732.00 | All Students |
75 |  Carlow University | (PA) | $24,876.00 | All Students |
76 | Cambridge College | (MA) | $24,928.00 $19,540.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
77 | Excelsior University | (NY) | $25,020.00 $11,340.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
78 | Anderson University - SC | (SC) | $25,075.00 | All Students |
79 | Saint Leo University | (FL) | $25,260.00 | All Students |
| School / Degree | State | Price | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Baker College | (MI) | $25,500.00 $13,800.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Saint Ambrose University | (IA) | $25,632.00 | All Students | |
Belhaven University | (MS) | $25,760.00 $16,940.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Tiffin University | (OH) | $26,000.00 | All Students | |
Rosemont College | (PA) | $26,130.00 | All Students | |
Franklin Pierce University | (NH) | $26,135.00 | All Students | |
Lasell University | (MA) | $26,292.00 | All Students | |
Lebanon Valley College | (PA) | $26,496.00 | All Students | |
 Liberty University | (VA) | $26,770.00 $12,475.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Averett University | (VA) | $26,925.00 | All Students | |
Ashland University | (OH) | $27,000.00 | All Students | |
Central Michigan University | (MI) | $27,050.00 $25,250.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Baldwin Wallace University | (OH) | $27,456.00 | All Students | |
California State University-Stanislaus | (CA) | $27,600.00 | All Students | |
Spring Arbor University | (MI) | $27,652.00 | All Students | |
Assumption University | (MA) | $27,712.00 | All Students | |
Lynn University | (FL) | $27,750.00 | All Students | |
Mid-America Christian University | (OK) | $27,810.00 | All Students | |
Concordia University Texas | (TX) | $27,960.00 | All Students | |
Thomas Edison State University | (NJ) | $28,144.00 | All Students | |
Concordia University Wisconsin & Ann Arbor | (WI) | $28,373.00 | All Students | |
Houghton College | (NY) | $28,386.00 | All Students | |
Champlain College | (VT) | $28,770.00 $14,478.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
University of St Francis | (IL) | $29,348.00 | All Students | |
Johnson & Wales University | (RI) | $29,412.00 | All Students | |
Mount Mercy University | (IA) | $29,670.00 | All Students | |
Walden University | (MN) | $30,000.00 $25,402.50 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Misericordia University | (PA) | $30,240.00 | All Students | |
Russell Sage College | (NY) | $30,450.00 | All Students | |
Notre Dame de Namur University | (CA) | $30,600.00 | All Students | |
University of the Incarnate Word | (TX) | $30,990.00 $7,590.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
University of Nebraska-Lincoln | (NE) | $31,200.00 | All Students | |
Maryville University | (MO) | $31,221.00 | All Students | |
Everglades University | (FL) | $31,345.00 | All Students | |
Regent University | (VA) | $31,600.00 $13,750.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Saint Francis University | (PA) | $31,695.00 | All Students | |
DeSales University | (PA) | $31,800.00 | All Students | |
National University | (CA) | $32,180.00 | All Students | |
Endicott College | (MA) | $34,486.00 | All Students | |
 University of Scranton | (PA) | $34,740.00 | All Students | |
Montclair State University | (NJ) | $34,775.13 | All Students | |
 Brenau University | (GA) | $35,025.00 | All Students | |
Monroe University | (NY) | $35,048.00 | All Students | |
Mercy College | (NY) | $35,656.00 | All Students | |
Berkeley College | (NJ) | $35,740.00 | All Students | |
Moravian University | (PA) | $36,288.00 | All Students | |
Davenport University | (MI) | $36,674.00 | All Students | |
Roosevelt University | (IL) | $37,404.00 | All Students | |
Regis University | (CO) | $38,198.00 | All Students | |
Nova Southeastern University | (FL) | $38,952.00 | All Students | |
City University of Seattle | (WA) | $43,200.00 | All Students | |
Albertus Magnus College | (CT) | $43,776.00 | All Students | |
Golden Gate University | (CA) | $49,575.00 $21,900.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
The University of Texas at Dallas | (TX) | $53,000.00 | All Students | |
Pennsylvania State University | (PA) | $59,328.00 | All Students | |
Temple University | (PA) | $62,561.00 | All Students |
Accreditation & Program Notes
To qualify for a ranking, a program must be regionally accredited. Additional programmatic accreditation is noted in the rank table.
14 Options for this program have changed since publication.
AACSB AACSB International
IACBE International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education
ACBSP Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
Rankings Note
These online college rankings are based on a GetEducated Winter 2021 review of regionally accredited MBA human resources online programs. Total cost includes full-time tuition and fees and was valid at the time of collection and specific to the online learning program. School profiles for the online MBA degrees in our directory may reflect a slightly different cost based on different editorial update schedules.
The published cost is an estimated sticker price for the entire online degree including fees. Actual costs may vary by student. Factors such as transfer credits, prerequisite courses, professional licensing and financial aid availability will affect final cost.
Editorial Note
Online schools do NOT pay to be included in any GetEducated online degree ranking. These rankings are editorially independent, open to any regionally accredited or candidate college that offers an MBA that is available at least 80 percent through online learning and that is open to enrollment by the public. If your online college is regionally accredited and not currently reviewed by GetEducated, please contact us for inclusion.
These rankings of the cheapest online schools for an MBA may NOT be re-posted online or reprinted in any format without a license from GetEducated ®. Consumer finance bloggers and writers can contact our editors for a free custom article on the best MBA human resources online programs for use on your website. Our mission: Help consumers GetEducated ® about the best online colleges for cost and credibility.
Career Guide: MBA Human Resources Online
Human resources (HR) is one of the most important departments for an organization. Professionals who are educated in HR understand how to interview, hire, and train an effective staff, making them essential for businesses of all sizes.
“Human resources” is the practice finding, screening, interviewing, hiring, and training staff members. It can also include management and oversight for benefits programs, such as salaries, bonuses, healthcare, and 401(k) programs.
Effective human resource professionals have numerous skills, which are gained from education, training, and experience. But they also need a few natural traits that allow them to manage in this area more effectively. People working in a human resources department need the natural ability to connect with people and show a high level of empathy. They should be cooperative, and enjoy the dynamics of working within a larger team. They should also have the heart of a teacher, as many HR professionals are responsible for employee orientation and training.
If you have these natural traits, an MBA human resources online degree could provide the skills you need to excel in an HR career.
What to Expect from a Human Resources MBA Degree
An MBA, regardless of the concentration, is a type of advanced business degree. As such, you will complete a variety of core classes that apply to different careers in business and management, not just human resources. Core MBA classes will cover everything from accounting to leadership to marketing. Depending on the school, it could include analytics, business law, and strategic management.
There will also be a human resources component to your degree. Usually consisting of two to four classes, these courses will deepen your understanding of human-resource issues and make you a more effective leader in this field. These classes focus directly on human resources and may include strategic management in an HR department or compensation and benefits for employees. It could also include training strategies, hiring campaigns, and other topics that are important to HR leaders.
Possible Careers After an MBA in Human Resources
Human Resources Manager
- Salary: $121,220
- Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Experience: Over five years
Organizations of all sizes, but especially larger companies, non-profits, and government agencies need high-quality managers to oversee their human resource departments. These highly-paid professionals ensure a company has the people they need to meet their goals; specific tasks may include planning a hiring drive, training new employees, and coordinating with upper management to meet staffing goals.
The pay in this career is excellent. According to the BLS, the median salary for a human resources manager in the spring of 2020 was $121,220. However, the top 10% bring much higher salaries, earning over $208,000 per year. So while an HR career can be fulfilling, it can also be extremely lucrative.
Benefits Manager
- Salary: $125,130
- Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Experience: Over five years
Benefits managers and human resource managers share many responsibilities. While there is some overlap, however, a compensation and benefits manager largely focuses on how much a staff is paid, what benefits they receive, and how those benefits are distributed. They focus far less on interviewing, hiring, and training.
Compensation and benefits managers need to be informed on a variety of topics, especially wage rates across various industries. They may also need to choose benefits partners, such as which company the group will use for employee health insurance.
Requirements for Working in Human Resources
There is no licensing requirement to work in these careers, but you may need certification to be hired for certain jobs. Even if it’s not required, advanced HR certification helps you stand out from the crowd of applicants.
Human resource managers can benefit from various certifications through groups like the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) or the HR Certification Institute (HRCI). These are just two of the many organizations that provide education and certification in the HR industry. Benefits managers and other professionals who have completed an MBA human resources online could also benefit from these certifications.
While you can work in human resources with only an education, you’ll likely need experience before you are hired as a human resources or benefits manager. A job as a human resource specialist, for example, is a good start for your career. For most leadership positions, you’ll need about five years of experience, which is a requirement for many management professions, not just human resources.