Human resources professionals can have a positive impact on the success of a company. These online programs can help you get into the field.
Human resource officers can make or break a company’s culture and employee well-being. This is because HR professionals manage the entire employee lifecycle, including recruitment, hiring, salary, benefits, and training.
Consider a degree in Human Resources if you think that people are key to the success of a business. A rewarding career in human resources can be very lucrative.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary of human resource managers was $130,000 per year by 2023.
Online HR programs can offer you the training and flexibility to launch your career. Below, we’ve ranked the various programs.
Top Online HR Program Rankings Summary
| RANK | SCHOOL | IN-STATE TUITION | OUT-OF-STATE TUITION | ACCEPTANCE RATE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Rutgers University New Brunswick, NJ | $12,536 | $29,737 | 68% |
| #2 | Florida International University Miami, FL | $4,721 | $16,529 | 64% |
| #3 | St. Joseph’s University, New York Brooklyn, NY | $29,976 | $29,976 | 80% |
| #4 | Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, PA | $41,900 | $41,900 | 78% |
| #5 | Temple University Philadelphia, PA | $16,488 | $29,712 | 72% |
| #6 | Mercer University Macon, GA | $29,024 | $29,024 | 75% |
| #7 | Maryville University of Saint Louis Saint Louis, MO | $24,766 | $24,766 | 92% |
| #8 | Texas A&M University-Central Texas Killeen, TX | $6,593 | $16,385 | 96% |
| #9 | University of St Francis Joliet, IL | $35,000 | $35,000 | 68% |
| #10 | Western Governors University Salt Lake City, UT | $7,162 | $7,162 | Not provided |
Best Online Human Resources Degrees
1. Rutgers University
- Programmatic Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- Cost per Credit:
- In-State | $615
- Out-of-State | $615
- Credits to Graduate: 120
Rutgers University, located in New Jersey, is America’s eighth-oldest higher education institution. The BA in Business Administration allows students with 18 or more transferable credit hours to complete their degree in a 100% online, industry-focused setting.
You can concentrate on corporate financial management, data analytics or digital marketing. As part of your curriculum, you can also complete an internship or 12-day experience abroad. Rutgers allows you to earn an MBA or MSBA as well as your undergraduate degree.
2. Florida International University
- Programmatic Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- Cost per Credit:
- In-State | $206
- Out-of-State | $619
- Credits to Graduate: 120
The bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in human resource management is 60 credits upper division and 60 credits lower division.
The major courses include compensation and benefits, international human resource management, recruitment and staffing. This 100% online degree can be completed in two years if you have the necessary transfer credits.
After graduation, you can pursue a career in medical management, postmastership, administrative management, or as a training and development specialist. You might also be eligible for FIU’s Master’s in Human Resources program.
3. St. Joseph’s University, New York
- Cost per Credit:
- In-State | $740
- Out-of-State | $740
- Credits to Graduate: 120
SJNY Online’s BS in Human Resources is designed to prepare graduates for careers in employee development and staffing. This online program is fully asynchronous and requires 42 credit hours in the major, plus 12 credits of business electives.
The human resources courses include employee benefits management, talent management and human resources law.
Admission requires a high-school diploma or equivalent. If you are a transferred student, your GPA must be at least 2.0. SJNY Online accepts credits from prior learning assessments.
The school may waive your high school transcript requirement if you have more than twenty-four transferable credits.
4. Thomas Jefferson University
- Cost per Credit:
- In-State | $1,396
- Out-of-State | $1,396
- Credits to Graduate: 120
Jefferson’s bachelor of science in human resource management is available online and in hybrid formats. This accelerated degree-completion program requires students to earn 24 major credits, including global HR management, staffing and recruitment, and compensation and benefits.
The program concludes with a hands-on capstone project. Students begin new courses every eight weeks. If you have fewer than 30 transferrable credits, you should submit your high school transcripts and ACT or SAT scores. June 1 and Dec. 1 are the application deadlines.
5. Temple University
- Programmatic Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- Cost per Credit:
- In-State | $665
- Out-of-State | $665
- Credits to Graduate: 124
The Fox School of Business offers the Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resource Management. This program teaches students how to communicate and interact with others, which is essential for companies to succeed.
The courses include compensation management, public policy and human resource management, as well as organizational staffing, career management and organizational staffing.
Temple’s program prepares students to earn the Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional Credential. Students can apply to Temple’s MS in Human Resources Management or MBA program.
6. Mercer University
- Programmatic Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- Cost per Credit:
- In-State | $525
- Out-of-State | $525
- Credits to Graduate: 120
Mercer’s bachelor of business management in human resource administration can be completed online or in a hybrid online learning format and on-site instruction at Mercer’s Atlanta or Henry County campuses. Students must complete courses on organization theory, total-quality management, and labour/management relations.
Students who meet the requirements may also choose to complete an honours project and a research course. Transferring credits is possible up to 64 credits or 88 from a 4-year institution. You must earn a minimum of 32 credits to graduate from Mercer.
7. Maryville University of Saint Louis
- Cost per Credit:
- In-State | $525
- Out-of-State | $525
- Credits to Graduate: 128
You can learn about talent management and recruitment principles in Maryville’s Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management program. This will help you achieve your strategic goals.
This 100% online program is aligned with the Society for Human Resource Management’s standards. The courses include negotiation and labor relations, interpersonal skills, and a workforce and strategic management capstone. You must have a GED, high school diploma or a GPA of at least 2.5 to be eligible for the program.
8. Texas A&M University-Central Texas
- Programmatic Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- Cost per Credit:
- In-State | $260
- Out-of-State | $668
- Credits to Graduate: 120
A&M Central Texas’ BBA program in human resource management is available online or on campus. It prepares you to take advantage of a wide range of opportunities.
You can complete a micro-credential of nine credits in five areas: cybersecurity, supply-chain management, business intelligence and analytics, project management, or financial management and analysis.
A&M Central Texas provides mentoring and networking to help students enter the workforce faster after graduation. According to the program, an HR graduate from Texas can earn an average salary of $42,078 per year in their first job.
9. University of St Francis
- Programmatic Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
- Cost per Credit:
- In-State | $425
- Out-of-State | $425
- Credits to Graduate: 126-127
You can select from various concentrations when enrolling in the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration program at USF. One option is to concentrate in human resource management. HR courses include team development and building, performance improvement and supervisory management. Each course is eight weeks long.
Admission to this fully online degree completion program is contingent on the student having a minimum of 63 transfer credits. USF accepts up 33 credits from prior learning assessments, such as military, CLEP and DANTES. Six entry points are available throughout the year for new students to enter.
10. Western Governors University
- Programmatic Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
- Cost per Term:
- In-State | $3,755
- Out-of-State | $3,755
- Courses to Graduate: 41
The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Human Resources program at WGU can provide you with essential HR skills. The courses include diversity, equity and inclusion, agile HR and talent acquisition. The program ends with a capstone project.
Approximately 72% of students complete this online, accelerated program in 43 months. According to their school, WGU’s human resources graduates earn an additional $14,637 per year after they complete their degrees. You do not have to submit SAT/ACT scores to apply. However, you must possess a high-school diploma or equivalent.
Is A Human Resources Degree Worth It?
People who care about two things, other people and running a business smoothly, may find a human resources degree worthwhile. Human resources is a rewarding field with a good salary, favourable job prospects and a promising future.
The HR profession is a great workplace because no two days are the same. There are always exciting new challenges. I get to help leaders navigate through difficult situations.
I can provide people with the necessary resources and tools to develop and grow. I can positively impact people across the organization while supporting the business in my role as a consultant and strategic planner.”
- Learn to hire, manage, and train employees.
- Master the fundamentals of business, including accounting, economics, and marketing.
- Understand how to manage organizations effectively.
- Gain entry into an array of well-paid management careers.
- Fit school into your life, instead of the other way around.Online programs offer all the flexibility you need.
- Save money on relocation and commuting costs, as well as many on-campus fees.
- Develop industry-important soft skills like self-motivation, time management, and communication.
- Dramatically boost your income potential while minimizing your opportunity costs
Human Resources Careers
| Job | Average Annual Salary | Career Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| HR Administrator | $54,072 | N/A |
| HR Specialist | $56,585 | 6% |
| Training and Development Specialist | $61,075 | 6% |
| Benefits Manager | $84,890 | N/A |
| HR Director | $94,829 | 5% |
Online HR programs can help you prepare for many different jobs. Some programs offer concentrations in data management, benefits management or operations management that can make you more competitive to get well-paid leadership roles.
FAQs About Online Human Resources Degree
What kind of courses do you take in a human resource program?
Most human resource programs include training, talent management, performance management and compensation courses. Students can specialize in recruitment, training and development, compensation and benefits or labour and employee relationships.
Are human resources degrees in demand?
The BLS projects jobs for human resources specialists to grow by 6% between 2022 and 2032, faster than the average growth for all occupations.
How long does it take to earn an HR degree online?
A bachelor’s degree in human resources needs approximately 120 college credit hours, which usually takes about four years. An accelerated degree program can help you finish faster.
What is the best career for HR?
You can have a variety of HR careers with a bachelor’s degree. It’s not uncommon for newcomers to HR to begin as HR administrators or specialists. A few years’ experience in the field or a Master’s Degree in Human Resources can make you more competitive to land a management or director role.
