Why This Matters

  • DEMAND FOR HR MANAGERS RISING 7% BY 2031

    The demand for human resources managers is expected to grow at an average pace during the next decade. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts almost 13,000 new job openings in the field.

  • 2,900 TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT MANAGERS NEEDED

    One of the fastest growing specialties within human resources is training and development managers. As companies rely more on remote workers and different skills, these managers will help train workers.

  • EARN $60,000+ MORE PER YEAR WITH A MASTER’S DEGREE

    Human resources specialists, which is a bachelor’s-level position, earn an average annual salary of $62,290. Comparatively, HR managers with a master’s degree earn an average annual salary of $126,230.

Our Research

This list features some of the best online MBA in Human Resources 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 MBA in Human Resources 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 52 Online MBA in Human Resources Programs

Best MBA in Human Resources Programs 2023
01
Intelligent Pick
Penn State World Campus
01
Best Christian Institution
Union University
01
Best Faculty
Purdue University Global
01
Best in the South
Averett University
01
Best in the Midwest
University of Nebraska at Lincoln
01
Most Flexible Start Terms
University of Mary
01
Best Dual Emphasis
University of Wisconsin at Whitewater
01
Best Student-to-Faculty Ratio
Anderson University
01
Best for Transfer Students
Liberty University
01
Best Public Research Institution
Central Michigan University
01

University of Louisiana at Lafayette
01

Everglades University
01

Pittsburg State University
01

Maryville University
01

Southeastern Oklahoma State University
01

University of Northern Colorado
01

Concordia University Wisconsin
01

North Carolina A&T State University
01

Montclair State University
01

OSU Spears School of Business
01

Fitchburg State University
01

The University of Scranton
01

University of West Florida
01

University of Houston at Victoria
01

Clayton State University
01

University of Southern Indiana
01

Regis University
01

University of North Alabama
01

DeSales University
01

University of Houston at Clear Lake
01

University of North Texas
01

Johnson & Wales University
01

Mercer University
01

Tiffin University
01

Wayne State University
01

University of Saint Mary
01

California State University at Stanislaus
01

NSU Florida College of Business
01

Bryan College
01

Webster University
01

Trevecca Nazarene University
01

SUNY Polytechnic Institute
01

Regent University
01

Indiana Wesleyan University
01

Endicott College
01

University of Michigan at Dearborn
01

UMass Global
01

University of Illinois at Springfield
01

University of Nebraska at Kearney

What You Should Know About This Degree

The human resources department often acts as a go-between for a company’s bureaucracy 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.

While most human resources positions are office-based, those focused on recruitment may require extensive travel for job fairs, college campuses, and off-site interviews. Consider if this is something you are willing or able to do, as it may affect your prospects once you enter the job market. Additionally, since more companies are now outsourcing HR tasks to outside firms, you may end up working with multiple companies as an outside consultant, rather than being housed within a specific organization.

There are a number of voluntary professional certifications in HR, and employers are increasingly seeking employees with these certifications. The Society for Human Resource Management offers an accelerated certification pathway for students enrolled in SHRM-aligned master’s programs. Graduates of non-aligned programs can obtain certification, but attending an aligned program can expedite the process. Earning and maintaining certifications is 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 MBA in Human Resources programs:

  • Are standardized test scores required for admission? Many MBA programs require that students submit GMAT or GRE scores as part of the application process, although some schools may waive the requirement based on undergraduate GPA, professional experience, or other factors. Find out if test scores are part of the admissions process so that you can make arrangements to take these exams if you have not already done so.
  • Am I eligible for this program? Because an MBA is an advanced degree, some programs may seek applicants who have relevant educational or work experience. When researching programs, be sure to look at their admissions requirements to confirm that you have the necessary qualifications to be considered for admission.

Once you narrow down the list of programs that interest you, research their application deadlines and begin gathering your application materials. This information is usually available on the school’s website, or you can contact their admissions department if you have questions.

Financing your graduate education is another important consideration. In addition to applying for scholarships and financial aid, check with your employer to see if they offer any kind of tuition remission or reimbursement for advancing your education.