The Cheapest Online Human Resources Degree Programs of 2026

Based in Orange Beach, AL, Columbia Southern University is a private, for-profit institution. Its Bachelor's in Human Resources program lands at #4 of the 25 ranked here, earning a 68.9 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 72.4 group average, in the top third of the 25 ranked programs, 1.8 points behind top-ranked Georgia Southwestern State University. The program graduates 33% of its students, below the 46% average across the ranked schools. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 30% to 74%. The university enrolls 17,763 students overall.

On cost, Columbia Southern University charges $5,944 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $23,776 in tuition. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $4,176 at Georgia Southwestern State University to $9,114 at Portland State University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with an $88,075 national median salary reported by the BLS. That median runs roughly 15x the program's annual in-state tuition. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with an online option.

Based in Houston, TX, University of Houston-Downtown is a public institution. Its Bachelor's in Human Resources program lands at #5 of the 25 ranked here, earning a 61.0 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 72.4 group average, in the top third of the 25 ranked programs. The program graduates 33% of its students, below the 46% average across the ranked schools. University of Houston-Downtown admits 90% of applicants, less selective than the 79% average for the group. That is more open than the 37% rate at Dickinson State University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 30% to 74%.

On cost, University of Houston-Downtown charges $6,126 a year in-state, roughly 2.6x the $15,978 out-of-state rate. Over four years that is about $24,504 in tuition for residents, against $63,912 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $4,176 at Georgia Southwestern State University to $9,114 at Portland State University. Graduates step into a field with an $88,075 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with an online option.

Based in Killeen, TX, Texas A&M University-Central Texas is a public institution. Its Bachelor's in Human Resources program lands at #6 of the 25 ranked here, earning a 62.0 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 72.4 group average, in the top third of the 25 ranked programs. Texas A&M University-Central Texas admits 100% of applicants, less selective than the 79% average for the group. That is more open than the 37% rate at Dickinson State University, the most selective program on this list. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 2,403 students.

On cost, Texas A&M University-Central Texas charges $6,593 a year in-state, roughly 2.5x the $16,385 out-of-state rate. Over four years that is about $26,372 in tuition for residents, against $65,540 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $4,176 at Georgia Southwestern State University to $9,114 at Portland State University. The spread makes the program a clearer value for TX residents than for out-of-state students. Graduates step into a field with an $88,075 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with an online option.

Based in Maryville, MO, Northwest Missouri State University is a public institution. Its Bachelor's in Human Resources program lands at #7 of the 25 ranked here, earning a 70.0 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 72.4 group average, in the top third of the 25 ranked programs, 0.7 points behind top-ranked Georgia Southwestern State University. The program graduates 54% of its students, above the 46% average across the ranked schools. Northwest Missouri State University admits 86% of applicants, less selective than the 79% average for the group. That is more open than the 37% rate at Dickinson State University, the most selective program on this list.

On cost, Northwest Missouri State University charges $6,713 a year in-state, roughly 2.0x the $13,426 out-of-state rate. Over four years that is about $26,852 in tuition for residents, against $53,704 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $4,176 at Georgia Southwestern State University to $9,114 at Portland State University. Graduates step into a field with an $88,075 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with above-average completion.

Thomas Edison State University is a public institution in Trenton, NJ. Its Bachelor's in Human Resources program ranks #8 of the 25 analyzed here with a 90.7 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 72.4 group average, in the top third of the 25 ranked programs. The university enrolls 7,544 students overall. The degree is also offered online, which widens access for working students.

On cost, Thomas Edison State University charges $6,838 a year in-state, versus $8,856 for out-of-state students. Over four years that is about $27,352 in tuition for residents, against $35,424 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $4,176 at Georgia Southwestern State University to $9,114 at Portland State University. Graduates step into a field with an $88,075 national median salary reported by the BLS. That median runs roughly 13x the program's annual in-state tuition. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with an online option.

Based in Alfred, NY, SUNY College of Technology at Alfred is a public institution. Its Bachelor's in Human Resources program lands at #9 of the 25 ranked here, earning a 70.8 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 72.4 group average, in the middle third of the 25 ranked programs. The program graduates 55% of its students, above the 46% average across the ranked schools. SUNY College of Technology at Alfred admits 76% of applicants, more selective than the 79% average for the group. That is more open than the 37% rate at Dickinson State University, the most selective program on this list.

On cost, SUNY College of Technology at Alfred charges $7,070 a year in-state, roughly 2.1x the $15,015 out-of-state rate. Over four years that is about $28,280 in tuition for residents, against $60,060 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $4,176 at Georgia Southwestern State University to $9,114 at Portland State University. Graduates step into a field with an $88,075 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with above-average completion.

Empire State University is a public institution in Saratoga Springs, NY. Its Bachelor's in Human Resources program ranks #10 of the 25 analyzed here with a 68.4 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 72.4 group average, in the middle third of the 25 ranked programs, 2.3 points behind top-ranked Georgia Southwestern State University. The program graduates 41% of its students, below the 46% average across the ranked schools. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 30% to 74%.

On cost, Empire State University charges $7,070 a year in-state, roughly 2.4x the $16,980 out-of-state rate. Over four years that is about $28,280 in tuition for residents, against $67,920 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $4,176 at Georgia Southwestern State University to $9,114 at Portland State University. The spread makes the program a clearer value for NY residents than for out-of-state students. Graduates step into a field with an $88,075 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with an online option.