Best Human Resources Degrees of 2024

The best human resources schools offer a flexible and affordable pathway to a career in human resources (HR). These business professionals hire and train employees, carry out disciplinary action, and manage employee benefits.

Whether you’re a first-time student or a career changer looking to pursue a bachelor’s or master’s degree, on-campus and online HR programs can help you hone the skills needed to jumpstart an HR career. Keep reading to learn more about what a degree in human resources can do for you.

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When evaluating prospective HR programs, be sure to consider the program’s accreditation status.

Accreditation acts as a stamp of approval, ensuring that schools and programs offer quality academics, extensive student services, and financial aid.

Accreditation comes in two forms: institutional accreditation for schools and programmatic accreditation for specific programs.

While HR programs don’t necessarily receive HR accreditation, the best business programs hold accreditation from one of the following agencies:

Take a moment to find out whether your HR program is accredited.

The cost of a human resources degree can vary significantly, from as little as $4,000 to as much as $38,000 a year in tuition and fees, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

Some factors that can affect how much you pay for your HR degree include:

Students paying in-state tuition at public institutions typically enjoy the lowest rates, while those at private colleges spend the most.

Online students can often save money on campus-based fees and transportation costs — but may have to pay distance-learning or technology fees.

Because your HR degree can lead to a number of careers in both the public and private sectors, your earning potential can vary. Many HR bachelor’s degree-holders become HR specialists. These professionals earned a median annual salary of $67,650 in May 2023, according to the BLS.

Additional factors like work experience, education, specialization, and location can also impact how much you earn with an HR degree.

There’s no one path to an HR career, but there are some steps you’ll inevitably have to take on your professional journey. Continue reading to learn how you can become a human resources specialist.

For many HR professionals, the first step is to earn a bachelor’s degree in human resources. These four-year programs introduce foundational business practices while facilitating the development of essential HR skills.

In an undergraduate HR program, you’ll study critical topics such as employment law, leadership skills, and conflict resolution.

Many HR programs require you to complete an internship before you graduate. Internship opportunities take place at approved work locations and provide hands-on learning opportunities to give you a taste of working in HR.

An internship is also an excellent way to enhance your resume and build your professional network.

While not a requirement for a human resources career, earning various HR certifications can enhance your resume, allow you to hone new skills, and set you apart from the competition.

Whether you’re an undergraduate or a graduate student, the Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI) offers various professional credentials that can expand your career options and increase your earning potential.

Examples of HRCI certifications include:

While a bachelor’s in human resources can jumpstart your HR career, a graduate degree in HR can open up career pathways and raise your salary potential.

Whether you pursue an MBA with an HR specialization, a master’s in HR, or a doctorate in HR, these programs can equip you with the skills you need to take on leadership roles.

A human resources degree can prepare you for many business-oriented careers in the public and private sectors. Common roles include HR specialist, HR manager, HR administrator, and compensation and benefits manager.

A bachelor’s degree often prepares you for entry-level roles, whereas a graduate degree in HR prepares you to take on HR leadership roles.

Your earning potential as an HR professional can vary. Entry-level HR specialists earn around $67,000 a year, while HR managers can earn over $130,000, according to the BLS.

Beyond your academic training, your experience, industry, and geographic location can all impact how much cash you take home.

Like many college degrees, human resources challenges students to develop the skills they’ll need to succeed in a professional environment. The difficulty of this degree depends on your skills and abilities.

In addition to taking core business and HR classes, you’ll hone your critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaborative skills, which are all key to doing well in a real professional setting.

Similar to other careers that regularly engage with people, a human resources career is not without its stressors. That said, for every employee termination and conflict resolution, there’s the fulfilling work of collaboration and successful problem-solving.

If you’re a people person and enjoy problem-solving, a human resources degree could be a good fit for you. An HR program is also ideal for those who want a career with lots of room for growth and generous financial compensation.