Most Affordable Online Human Resources Degrees 2026
Human resources (HR) degree programs provide training for a fast-growing career with high earning potential. HR departments are positioned for strong long-term growth thanks to the strategic value they provide to growth-oriented businesses.
This guide profiles some of the most affordable online human resources degrees available from accredited and reputable institutions. Use it to identify schools and programs where you can save money on a career-focused education.
Human Resources Degree at a Glance
- Typical Program Length: Four years
- Typical Admission Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent, satisfactory academic performance that meets general first-year admission requirements
- Top Skills Gained: Employer-employee relations, recruitment and retention, employment law, employee performance evaluation, regulatory compliance, conflict management and resolution, change management
- Popular Concentrations: HR often functions as a concentration track within business administration, business management, or management and leadership programs
Most Affordable Online HR Degrees 2026
Metropolitan State University — Most Affordable Online HR Degree
- Saint Paul, MN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This Superlative: Charges Low Flat-Rate Online Tuition With No Out-of-State Penalty
In Metropolitan State University’s online HR bachelor’s program, you can earn your degree and qualify for higher-paying roles for a low, flat rate — regardless of your residence or delivery method. Whether you want to take your courses fully online, in a hybrid setting, or in person, this accredited program delivers the skills you need to thrive in real-world HR scenarios.
Cost per Semester:
In-State | $10,354
Out-of-State | $10,354
Why Students Choose Metropolitan State University:
- Affordable, standard tuition and course requirements: This program offers the same tuition rate and program requirements for in- and out-of-state residents, whether they're learning in person, hybrid, or online.
- Various minor options: You can specialize your learning experience with six related minors that supplement your HR degree.
- Student professional society memberships: Along with SHRM-aligned curricula, you can join national and local HR professional societies while studying at Metro State University.
Know Before You Enroll:
- If you’ve earned a GPA of at least 2.0 with 16 attempted college credits, you can receive automatic admission.
- Transfer pathways are available through the Minnesota State system, with around 90% of Metro State students transferring into the program.
80%
$8,571
73%
$8,571
- Acceptance Rate
- 96%
- Students Enrolled
- 6,005
- Institution Type
- Public
Portland State University — Best HR Program for Equity-Focused Professionals
- Portland, OR
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This Superlative: Encourages Culturally Responsive Leadership Through Required DEI-Focused Coursework
The online HR program at Portland State University combines business leadership with cultural sensitivity principles, making it the most culturally responsive option on this list. In this program, you’re required to take 300- and 400-level race and ethnic studies courses that empower you to understand and respond to culturally sensitive issues in the workplace.
Cost per Semester:
In-State | $4,627
Out-of-State | $11,837
Programmatic Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Why Students Choose PSU:
- Align with professional organizations: Join the outstanding student chapter of SHRM or network with the Portland Human Resource Management Association.
- Race and ethnic studies requirement: Regardless of the program you choose, you must take two race and ethnic studies courses that reflect national cultural dynamics.
- Two HR degree options: You can earn either a BS or a BA in HR.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Online courses cost an additional $22 per credit.
- Washington border residents also receive a discounted tuition rate.
- You must earn 180 credits to graduate.
54%
$ 9,315
75%
$28,215
- Acceptance Rate
- 91%
- Students Enrolled
- 20,519
- Institution Type
- Public
Rutgers University — Best Program For Dual-Degree Path
- New Brunswick, NJ
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This Superlative: Offers An Accelerated Pathway to Earn a Bachelor's and Master's Degree
Rutgers University’s online bachelor’s in business program, which offers an HR concentration, allows students to graduate with a BBA and an MBA in just five years. In this dual degree path, you’ll take graduate courses during your final years at Rutgers, reducing the time it generally takes to earn both degrees from six to five.
Cost per Semester:
In-State | $8,064
Out-of-State | $8,064
Programmatic Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Why Students Choose Rutgers:
- No college credit requirement for admission: You can enter Rutgers’s business school as a first-year student.
- Opportunities to study abroad and complete internships: You can earn credit while studying abroad or gaining hands-on experience.
- Work toward a master’s during undergrad: You can earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years with the dual degree path.
Know Before You Enroll:
- You can transfer an associate degree from a New Jersey community college to enroll in the online BBA.
- Scholarship opportunities range from $500-$2,000 annually for qualified applicants.
- If you have post-secondary experience, you must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 for admission.
47%
$13,674
93%
$32,436
- Acceptance Rate
- 65%
- Students Enrolled
- 50,617
- Institution Type
- Public
SUNY College of Technology at Delhi — Best for Self-Paced Learning
- Delhi, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This Superlative: Offers 100% Asynchronous Courses With No Scheduled Login Times
In SUNY Delhi’s BBA in HR program, you can earn your degree on your own schedule. This fully asynchronous program allows you to complete the required work part time or full time without scheduled logins. With SUNY Delhi’s advanced online learning platform and transfer program, you can flexibly and affordably earn your degree and qualify for higher-paying HR roles. SUNY Delhi charges the lowest tuition on this list for both in-state and out-of-state students.
Cost per Semester:
In-State | $3,535
Out-of-State | $4,240
Why Students Choose SUNY Delhi:
- Asynchronous classes: With no set class times, you can complete your coursework when it’s convenient for you.
- Curriculum set by advisory board: The online curriculum for this program is determined by a board of experienced HR practitioners.
- Degree completion program: Transfer your associate degree with a pathway to a bachelor’s degree.
Know Before You Enroll:
- You need an associate degree from an accredited institution with pathway courses to be eligible for admission into this program.
- You may transfer up to 90 credits.
- You must have a GPA of at least 2.0 to qualify for admission.
42%
$ 7,070
68%
$10,840
- Acceptance Rate
- 88%
- Students Enrolled
- 2,777
- Institution Type
- Public
University of Central Oklahoma — Most Military-Friendly Online HR Program
- Edmond, OK
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This Superlative: Offers a Dedicated VetHERO Center and Tuition Discounts for Military Students
The University of Central Oklahoma’s online HR program empowers you to earn a bachelor’s degree through veteran tuition discounts and dedicated advising for a smooth transition into civilian life. If you’re in the military, you can earn your bachelor’s in HR with branch-specific tuition assistance at UCO, which is a Military Silver School. Additionally, students can transfer credit and receive tuition assistance if they live out of state.
Cost per Semester:
In-State | $3,617
Out-of-State | $7,972
Programmatic Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Why Students Choose UCO:
- Veteran Higher Education Resource and Opportunity Center: You can visit a dedicated military support center at UCO, which was designated a Purple Heart University by the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
- Join student groups: You can take part in the University of Central Oklahoma Human Resource Management Society to gain hands-on workplace experience.
- Free tutoring available: You can access free peer tutoring when you enroll at UCO.
Know Before You Enroll:
- You must score at least a 20 on the ACT or a 1030 on the SAT and have a high school GPA of at least 2.7 for admission.
- If you’re a transfer student, you must have a 2.0 GPA across 30 post-secondary credits, a 1.7 GPA for 24-29 credits, or a 1.7 GPA with first-year admission requirements for 7-23 credits.
- You need state-required immunizations to enroll.
56%
$ 7,284
66%
$18,171
- Acceptance Rate
- 82%
- Students Enrolled
- 12,148
- Institution Type
- Public
Price Check
Each year, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Foundation offers $400,000 in scholarships to graduate and undergraduate students studying human resources.
Why Choose an Online Human Resources Degree?
Earning an online bachelor’s degree in HR can be the first step toward entering this field. Many accredited online schools offer HR either as a stand-alone major or as a concentration under a general business degree.
Typically, online HR programs require students to take the same courses as their on-campus counterparts, but learning online allows you to study on your schedule and may help you save money on tuition and other education costs. Some other advantages of getting your HR degree online include:
- Work, make money, and advance your career while earning your degree.
- Pay reduced tuition at some schools and choose from a broader selection of colleges.
- Study in your home office, at your kitchen table, or wherever is most convenient for you.
Career Outlook for Human Resources Graduates
Multiple HR-adjacent career paths are poised for strong rates of near-term growth as employers increasingly turn to specialists to oversee workforce management and development programs. The following table profiles five common and growing career paths you can pursue with a human resources degree:
| Job | Annual Median Wage, May 2024 | Job Outlook (2024-34) |
|---|---|---|
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialist | $77,020 | 5% |
| Compliance Officer | $78,420 | 3% |
| HR Manager | $140,030 | 5% |
| HR Specialist | $72,910 | 6% |
| Training and Development Specialist | $65,850 | 11% |
Human Resources Licensing and Certification Requirements
In general, certification is voluntary for HR professionals; however, a certification can demonstrate up-to-date knowledge and experience in the field. A 2024 study from the Institute for Applied Management & Law also found that HR professionals who hold certifications earn substantially higher salaries than their non-certified counterparts.
Certifications are different from certificate programs and licenses. Professional associations offer certifications, universities offer certificates, and state agencies provide licenses. Standard HR certifications include:
- Certified Professional Coach: Offered by the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching, this credential can equip you to assess and empower corporate leaders to improve their performance.
- Certified Compensation Professional: The World at Work’s CCP credential can validate your experience and skills in compensation within single-country organizations. The Global Remuneration Professional certification provides similar validation for people working in multinational companies.
- SHRM Certified Professional: The world’s largest HR membership organization offers the SHRM-CP standard certification for HR-related professionals and people aspiring to work in HR.
- SHRM Senior Certified Professional: The SHRM-SCP certification can help HR professionals with at least three years of experience move into strategic-level roles. This certification requires you to hold the SHRM-CP in order to qualify.
Ways to Save on a Human Resources Degree
Few students pay the sticker price for their education, relying instead on financial aid packages that may include grants, scholarships, work-study jobs, employer reimbursement, and student loans.
The path to getting financial aid begins with completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Fill out this form to find out what government-supported grants, loans, or work-study opportunities you may qualify to receive
- 1
Apply for scholarships.
Scholarships are privately funded student aid programs that require you to compete for their dollars. Some scholarships are merit-based, meaning you qualify based on your scholastic, athletic, or community service record. Scholarships for human resources majors specifically include:
- 2
Get your employer to pay.
According to the SHRM, nearly half of all employers offered tuition assistance to their staff in 2024. Also in 2024, the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans found that 92% of U.S. employers offered some type of educational benefit to their workers. Check with your HR department about what funds might be available to you.
- 3
Study online.
As an online learner, you can cut major student expenses, including transportation and parking costs from your budget. You also gain access to many more schools, creating choice in your search for savings.
Frequently Asked Questions About Human Resources Programs
An associate degree program in HR can prepare you for an entry-level position, but you need at least a bachelor’s degree to become a manager. An MBA or an MS in human resources can help prepare you for a senior leadership position.
