Best Online Human Resource Degrees

Are you looking for a rewarding career where you can help people and make an impact? Do you want to go back to school and earn a degree? Consider an online human resource management program. Every business, regardless of size, needs HR professionals to help recruit, train, and retain employees and make the workplace better for everyone. As part of an HR team, you develop various skills such as teamwork, communication, work ethic, problem-solving, business management, financial skills, legal knowledge, and more.

With a degree in HR management, you’ll be able to support one of the company’s most valuable assets — its people. As you learn more about cognition, motivation, and human relationships through your degree program, you’ll be better prepared to develop and encourage employees while solving conflicts and creating a more harmonious workplace.

If an online human resources degree sounds like the right fit for you, it’s time to start searching for the right online school. A simple Google search will yield hundreds of results in a matter of seconds, but it can be difficult to search through the options and find the one that fits your needs. To make the process easier for prospective students like you, we’ve compiled degree information along with a list of the best online human resource degrees to aid your research.

Ready to find the right human resources program for you? Let’s get started.

What Is a Human Resources Degree?

A Human Resources degree helps prepare you for a career managing the ever-changing HR needs of today’s workplaces. You can earn an undergraduate or graduate degree in HR management, and you’ll learn all the intricacies and legalities that go into this field.

Human resources is a broad industry, and a degree can be used in different ways throughout the field, including:

  • Workforce management
  • Employee retention and relations
  • Benefits and compensation
  • Employee safety
  • Payroll and compensation
  • Recruitment

No matter what you want to focus on in an HR program, getting an online human resources degree helps you get there faster.

Bachelor of Arts vs. Bachelor of Science in Human Resources Management

When getting a bachelor in human resource management, you can earn a Bachelor of Arts (BA) emphasis or a Bachelor of Science (BS) emphasis, depending on the core elective courses you take.

If you pursue a BA, you’ll have electives based on humanities, like English, psychology, or history. On the other hand, a BS includes industry-specific electives, with courses like employee regulations or benefits analysis. While both a BS and a BA will help you get a human resources career after graduation, you may be better suited to pursue a masters degree if you opt for a Bachelor of Arts since you’ll take a wider range of courses instead of just career-specific ones.

Featured Online Programs for a Bachelor's In Human Resources Management

When choosing a school for your online human resources degree, it can feel overwhelming to narrow down your options. Sifting through each school to determine accreditations, tuition costs, flexibility, degree options, and education quality is a lot, especially when looking for a school with the best overall value for your needs.

The good news is that we’ve cultivated a list of the schools with the best online human resource degrees for you to consider using our methodology approach.

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Florida International University

Online MS in Human Resource Management

Location: Online (based in Miami, FL)

Acceptance rate: 57.9%

Graduation rate: 74.1%

Cost of attendance: In-state is $6,565.00 per year, out-of-state is $18,963.00 per year

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Admission requirements

Graduate admission 

  • Determine degree interest 
  • Meet bachelor degree requirements 
  • Complete online application
  • Pay $30 application fee
  • Verify program application 
  • Submit supporting documents 
    • Current resume 
    • Purpose statement 
    • Three letters of recommendation
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Western Governors University

Online BS in Business Administration

Location: Online (based in Salt Lake City, UT)

Acceptance rate: 96%

Graduation rate: 52%

Cost of attendance: $3,575 per six-month term

Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business School and Programs

Admission requirements

  • Complete online application
  • Pay $65 application fee
  • Submit official transcripts
  • Complete financial aid application
  • Complete intake interview
  • Make tuition payment arrangements
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Capella University

Online BS in Human Resources Management

Location: Online (Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota)

Acceptance rate: Open enrollment

Graduation rate: 18.8%

Cost of attendance: $2,500 - $3,295 for FlexPath (12-week billing cycle)

Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)

Admission requirements

FlexPath Online Option

  • Submit high school diploma or have 45 transferable college credits
  • Pay $50 application fee
  • Be at least 24 years old (some exceptions apply)
  • Have a minimum GPA is 2.8 OR at least 100 applied transfer college credits
  • Have a valid, government-issued form of photo identification
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Colorado State University Global

BS in Human Resource Management
MS in Human Resource Management

Location: Online (Based in Aurora, Colorado)

Acceptance rate: 98.3%

Graduation rate: 35.3%

Cost of attendance: Undergraduate — $350 per credit hour; Graduate — $500 per credit hour

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Admission requirements

Undergraduate

  • Meet First-Year Requirements
  • Are 23 years of age or older
  • Submit high school transcript
  • Are applying for Non-Degree Seeking Status
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Regis University

MS in Human Resource Management

Location: Online (based in Denver, CO)

Acceptance rate: 78.2%

Graduation rate: 43.4%

Cost of attendance: $948.00 per credit hour

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Admission requirements

Graduate admission

  • Complete online application
  • Submit degree-bearing transcripts
  • Send current resume
  • Write an admissions essay
  • Complete a faculty interview
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University of Maryland Global Campus

BS in Human Resource Management
MS in Human Resource Management

Location: Online (based in Adelphi, MD)

Acceptance rate: 92%

Graduation rate: 26.7%

Cost of attendance: Undergraduate — $499.00 per credit hour; Graduate — $659.00 per credit hour

Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Admission requirements

Undergraduate admission

  • Be a high school graduate or other exam equivalent
  • Submit high school transcripts
  • Fill out online application
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Central Michigan University

BS in Human Resource Management

Location: Online (Based in Mount Pleasant, MI)

Acceptance rate: 68.7%

Graduation rate: 60.9%

Cost of attendance: $440.00 per credit hour

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Admission requirements

Undergraduate admission

  • Meet incoming admission criteria
  • Submit online application
  • Pay $40 application fee
  • Send transcripts
  • Submit SAT or ACT scores (optional)
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Athens State University

BS in Human Resource Management

Location: Online (Based in Athens, AL)

Acceptance rate: 56%

Graduation rate: 60.1%

Cost of attendance: $241.00 per credit hour

Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs (ACBSP)

Admission requirements

Undergraduate

  • At least 36 hours of transferable credits
  • Fill out online application
  • Pay $30 application fee
  • Submit official transcripts
  • Minimum 2.0 GPA
  • Eligible to return to previously attended colleges or universities
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University of Arkansas

BS in Human Resource Management

Location: Online (Based in Fayetteville, AR)

Acceptance rate: 77.7%

Graduation rate: 65.2%

Cost of attendance: Undergraduate — $321.85 per credit hour

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Admission requirements

Undergraduate

  • Meet general admission requirements
  • Submit high school transcripts
  • Have a minimum GPA of 3.7
  • Submit ACT or SAT score if GPA is 3.2-3.6
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Upper Iowa University

BS in Human Resource Management

Location: Online (Based in Fayette, IA)

Acceptance rate: 65.3%

Graduation rate: 59.8%

Cost of attendance: $498.00 per credit hour

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Admission requirements

Online admission

  • Fill out online application
  • Submit official transcripts — high school and college (if applicable)
  • Submit official proof of English proficiency (if English is not your native language)
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Thomas Edison State University

BA in Liberal Studies — Human Resource Management

Location: Online (Based in Trenton, NJ)

Acceptance rate: 100%

Graduation rate: 44.5%

Cost of attendance: $535.00 per credit hour

Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs (ACBSP)

Admission requirements

  • Submit a high school degree, GED, or a secondary home school diploma
  • Be 20 years of age or older, or 18 years or older and an active member of the United States military (not applicable to military spouses, dependents or relations)
  • Complete an online application
  • Pay $50 application fee
  • Explore payment options and financial aid
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Liberty University Online

BS in Business Administration — Human Resource Management
MBA in Human Resource Management

Location: Online (based in Lynchburg, VA)

Acceptance rate: 92%

Graduation rate: 52.7%

Cost of attendance: Undergraduate — $390.00 per credit hour; Graduate — $565.00 per credit hour

Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs (ACBSP)

Admission requirements

Online admission

  • Fill out online application
  • Submit official transcripts
  • Complete High School Self-Certification form (waived if you have an associates degree)
  • Have a 2.0 GPA (for undergraduate) or 2.5-3.2 (for graduate)

Earn an Affordable Human Resources Management Degree Online

One thing that holds many students back from enrolling in an online degree program is the price. While online options tend to be more cost-effective than in-person choices, they can still be cost-prohibitive for many prospective students.

To bring awareness to more affordable HR program options, here are our top picks for lower-cost schools that still provide quality education.

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Texas A&M University

BS of Business Administration

Location: Online (Based in Killeen, Texas)

Acceptance rate: 92.5

Graduation rate: 81.9%

Cost of attendance: Undergraduate — $260.08 per credit hour

Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs (ACBSP)

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Dickinson State University

BS of Business Management — Human Resource Management

Location: Online (based in Dickinson, ND)

Acceptance rate: 96%

Graduation rate: 52%

Cost of attendance: $3,575 per six-month term

Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business School and Programs

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Georgia Southwestern State University

BS of Business Administration — Human Resource Management

Location: Online (Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota)

Acceptance rate: Open enrollment

Graduation rate: 18.8%

Cost of attendance: $2,500 - $3,295 for FlexPath (12-week billing cycle)

Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)

Online Human Resources Management Degree FAQ

Is an online human resources degree worth it?

Yes. There will always be a need for business HR employees, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects HR job opportunities to rise 8% in the next 10 years, which is faster than average compared to other occupations. Additionally, an online degree gives you more flexibility to learn at your own pace and go to school while still living your life.

On a personal note, if you are passionate about helping others and making long-term differences the benefit a business and their workforce, a degree in human resources can be worth it for the you can make.

What is the career outlook for those with a degree in human resources?

According to the Wall Street Journal, human resources managers are ranked #35 out of 800 in the most promising careers of the next decade. They also project there will be over 14,000 job openings annually until 2028, showing that those with a bachelor in human resource management should have many career options available to them.

With an online human resources degree, you could find a rewarding career in numerous positions, including:

  • Payroll specialist
  • Human resources specialist
  • Human resources assistant
  • Training coordinator
  • Recruiter
  • Office manager
  • Employee retentions manager
  • Benefits manager
  • Human resources manager
  • Labor relations specialist
  • Compensation manager
  • Training and development manager
  • Employee relations manager

What is the average salary for a degree in HR management?

An attractive aspect of a human resources degree is the pay. The median salary, depending on where you live, can range from $77,500 to $163,360, with a median average of $126,230 per year. For those who end up in the top 10% of HR managers, they can potentially make up to $207,600 annually.

What human resource online classes can I take?

Human resources programs may have different names and requirements, depending on where you enroll. However, the same skills and concepts should be taught in every HR program to ensure you are ready to join the career field upon graduation.

Here are some courses you may take for your online human resources degree.

  • Employment law
  • Workforce planning
  • Training and development
  • Compensation and benefits
  • Project management
  • Strategic management
  • Accounting
  • International human resource management
  • Human relations and development
  • Collective bargaining
  • Performance management

Are online degrees taken seriously?

Absolutely. Online degree popularity was already rising, but online programs became necessary due to the global pandemic. Since then, employers have begun to see an online degree as equal to an in-person degree. And, with over 3 million students completing their degrees online, it’s expected that there will be no difference between the degree types in the future.

Companies may confirm that your human resources degree is from an accredited online program, so it’s important to consider this factor when researching your options.

What to Look For in an Online Degree Program

After going through elementary, middle, and high school, you at least have a general idea of what in-person college will be like. However, earning an online degree may feel a lot different. So, even after you’ve done the research, read reviews, spoken with a school advisor, and found a program you’re interested in pursuing, how can you be sure you’re choosing the right program and school for you?

There are a few indicators you can consider to determine if you’re looking at a quality online human resources degree program, one being the school’s statistics, including their admissions and graduation rates. High admissions but a low graduation rate could indicate a problem within the school, meaning it might not be the best choice for you.

Accreditations are another factor to consider. The school should be accredited by valid agencies, which indicate that the school meets and maintains high academic standards. A school should have its accreditations listed on its site, but you can also get them through the accreditation agency or the Department of Education.

As you cut down your list of potential online HR programs, take some time to read a school’s reviews. You can search unbiased third-party websites to find reviews from current or previous students to see what they like or don’t like about the online school you’re considering.

For more research to aid in your decision, you should also look at the quality of courses you’ll need and the school’s online interface and tech tools. Since you will be attending school remotely, you want to ensure the courses, tools, and resources you have available are setting you up for success.