Why This Matters

  • THE U.S. NEEDS 58,800 MORE HR SPECIALISTS BY 2031

    Employment of human resources specialists is expected to grow by 8% in the next decade, which is faster than the average for all occupations. A bachelor’s degree is typically the minimum education level employers seek.

  • 12,600 HR MANAGERS NEEDED OVER THE NEXT DECADE

    There is also expected to be strong demand for HR manager jobs from 2021 to 2031.

  • INCREASE YOUR EARNING POTENTIAL BY $60,000+

    The median annual salary for HR specialists is $62,290. Leadership roles, which usually require a master’s degree, have a median annual salary of $126,230.

Our Research

This list features some of the best online human resources degree programs at top colleges across the country. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions. Many of the schools on our list have been accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, which assesses the objectives, quality, and overall effectiveness of business-related programs.

We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation as well as the student resources provided for online students. 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 online human resources degree programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like the U.S. News & World Report among others to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.

The Top 60 Online Human Resources Degree Programs

Best Human Resources Degree Programs 2023
01
Intelligent Pick
Florida International University
01
Best Student Support Services
Colorado State University Global
01
Best Master's Program
Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations
01
Best Accelerated Program
Temple University
01
Best Self-Paced Program
Western Governors University
01
Most Unique Course Schedule
Upper Iowa University
01
Best for Certification Prep
University of Maryland Global Campus
01
Most Flexible Class Formats
Davenport University
01
Best for Experienced Professionals
Thomas Edison State University
01
Best for Transfer Students
Bellevue University
01

Athens State University
01

Metropolitan State University
01

Indiana State University
01

The University of Alabama at Birmingham
01

University of Arkansas
01

Park University
01

Mount Mercy University
01

Anderson University
01

Ottawa University
01

Regent University
01

LeTourneau University
01

Liberty University
01

Concordia University at St. Paul
01

Geneva College
01

Brenau University
01

Southern New Hampshire University
01

Johnson & Wales University
01

McKendree University
01

Southwestern College Professional Studies
01

Thomas Jefferson University
01

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
01

DeSales University

What You Should Know About This Degree

The human resources department commonly acts as a go-between for a company’s administration and its employees. Interacting with various constituencies within an organization is a key function of HR employees, so communication, interpersonal, and collaboration skills are essential to success in human resources.

Most human resources positions are office-based, but recruitment-focused jobs may require travel. Consider if this is something you are willing or able to do, as it may affect your prospects once you enter the job market.

Human resources degrees come in a variety of formats. At the undergraduate level, you can earn a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Science, or a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources. For graduate students, your options include a Master of Science or a Master of Business Administration. While all these degree types provide adequate preparation for a career in human resources, they vary in subject focus and depth. When researching programs, consider what type of educational experience you want and which type of degree program aligns with your interests and goals.

Employers increasingly hire employees with professional certifications as proof of their education and expertise. Earning and maintaining certifications means an additional commitment of time, money, and energy, so it’s important to be prepared for this aspect of your HR career.

What’s Next?

Here are some questions to ask when researching Online Human Resources programs:

  • Am I eligible for this program? At the bachelor’s level, most programs do not have specific requirements beyond a high school diploma. However, for master’s-level students, some programs seek applicants who have an undergraduate degree and/or professional experience in HR.
  • Based on where I live, is this program available to me? Although all listed programs can be completed fully online, some have restrictions on who can complete the online program. For example, Utah State University’s online Master of Human Resources is only available to students outside of Utah.

Once you’ve selected the programs that interest you, research their application requirements and admissions procedures. This information is typically available on the program’s website. You can also contact the program directly if you have any questions.

Financing your graduate education is another important consideration. Research what scholarships and financial aid options are available to you. Some programs offer tuition discounts to active duty or retired U.S. military personnel. You can also check with your employer to see if they offer tuition reimbursement.