Best Online Bachelor’s in Human Resources Programs of 2025

Earn your HR degree online from anywhere, on your schedule. Discover the best online bachelor’s in human resources programs for 2025 below.
Erin Treder
By
Edited by
Updated December 16, 2024
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Whether you’re just starting your bachelor’s degree in human resources or already working in the field, an online program is a convenient way for you to reach your goals. An online degree program will allow you to work on your coursework from anywhere at any time, so it’s easier to balance your studies with family and work obligations.

Learn about the benefits of earning an HR degree online below, including details about the cost, time commitment, and career options that are available once you complete your degree.

Bachelor’s in Human Resources Programs Highlights

  • There were 2,149 graduates with a human resources management degree in 2023.
  • In 2023, the median salary for an HR specialist and HR manager was $67,650 and $136,350, respectively.
  • The employment rate for graduates with a human resource management bachelor’s degree was 70% in 2023.

Source: NACE, BLS

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Best Online Bachelor’s in Human Resources Programs

#1

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

Winona, MN4 yearCampus + Online

$40,520

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$40,520

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

97%

Acceptance Rate

70%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,835

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,835

Retention Rate

78%

Students Enrolled

4,133

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$40,520

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$40,520

Winona, MN4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$40,520

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$40,520

Acceptance Rate

97%

Online Enrollment

70%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,835

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,835

Retention Rate

78%

Students Enrolled

4,133

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

#2

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Birmingham, AL4 yearCampus + Online

$11,040

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$26,520

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

87%

Acceptance Rate

68%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,424

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$34,260

Retention Rate

82%

Students Enrolled

21,639

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$11,040

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$26,520

Birmingham, AL4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$11,040

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$26,520

Acceptance Rate

87%

Online Enrollment

68%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,424

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$34,260

Retention Rate

82%

Students Enrolled

21,639

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#3

Maryville University of Saint Louis

Saint Louis, MO4 yearCampus + Online

$24,766

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$24,766

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

94%

Acceptance Rate

83%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$14,346

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$14,346

Retention Rate

83%

Students Enrolled

9,883

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$24,766

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$24,766

Saint Louis, MO4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$24,766

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$24,766

Acceptance Rate

94%

Online Enrollment

83%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$14,346

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$14,346

Retention Rate

83%

Students Enrolled

9,883

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

#4

Mount Mercy University

Cedar Rapids, IA4 yearCampus + Online

$36,606

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$36,606

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

75%

Acceptance Rate

34%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,106

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,106

Retention Rate

74%

Students Enrolled

1,526

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$36,606

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$36,606

Cedar Rapids, IA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$36,606

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$36,606

Acceptance Rate

75%

Online Enrollment

34%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,106

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,106

Retention Rate

74%

Students Enrolled

1,526

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

#5

DeSales University

Center Valley, PA4 yearCampus + Online

$41,100

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$41,100

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

79%

Acceptance Rate

44%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$21,120

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$21,120

Retention Rate

81%

Students Enrolled

2,929

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$41,100

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$41,100

Center Valley, PA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$41,100

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$41,100

Acceptance Rate

79%

Online Enrollment

44%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$21,120

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$21,120

Retention Rate

81%

Students Enrolled

2,929

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Why You Should Get a Bachelor’s in Human Resources

  • minusHR professionals with a bachelor’s degree usually earn higher salaries and have more advancement opportunities than those without one.
  • minusThere are many different roles in the field, including talent acquisition, organizational development, and employee relations.
  • minusHuman resources professionals are required in every industry, making it a high-demand career.

Benefits of Getting a Bachelor’s Degree Online

  • minusIn our 2024 BestColleges Online Education Trends Report, 97% of online bachelor’s students say they would recommend earning a degree online.
  • minus81% of online business students also say the online learning environment is equal to or better than learning on campus.
  • minus64% of online business students and graduates we surveyed say their online classes included assignments they could use to explore future career options.

How to Choose the Best Human Resources Bachelor’s Program for You

Choose the best human resources program for you by taking into account cost and financial aid, the length of the program, and the career options available once your degree is complete.

How Much Does a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources Cost?

Cost of Online Bachelor’s in Business, 2019-2020

Avg. Tuition & Fees

$10,473

Avg. Net Price

$5,918

The cost of an online bachelor’s degree in business — which includes human resources degrees — varies widely, but generally you can expect to spend an average of over $10,000 in tuition and fees per year on your degree.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), students paid an average of $10,473 in tuition and fees in 2019-2020 for their online business degree. With financial aid, the average net price was notably lower, at just under $6,000 per year.

Your actual costs could be less, depending on the financial aid and scholarships you receive. Contact your chosen school’s financial aid department to see what programs you qualify for. And don’t forget to submit the FAFSA each year you’re in school!

How Long Does It Take to Get a Bachelor’s in Human Resources?

Typical # of Credits

120 Credits

Typical Program Length

4 Years

It takes an average of 120 credits, or four years, to complete your HR degree online. If, however, you have previous college credits or earn credit for previous work experience, you may be able to transfer them to your current program.

Accelerated degree programs are offered by some schools to help shorten the length.

What Can You Do With a Bachelor’s in Human Resources?

A bachelor’s degree in human resources can qualify you for diverse positions in the field. You can qualify for entry-level positions like recruiter or HR assistant.

You can eventually pursue mid-level career options like employee relation specialist, HR generalist, and talent acquisition specialist. Advanced roles include HR manager or director.

Below are some popular jobs in human resources, along with their median annual salaries.

Popular Jobs in Human Resources
JobMedian Annual Salary (May 2023)Description
Administrative Services and Facilities Manager$104,900Oversees office spaces, coordinates safety standards, organizes records, and supports employees.
Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialist$74,530Develops salary structure and employee benefit plans, analyzes job roles, and writes job descriptions.
Human Resources Specialist$67,650Recruits and hires employees, manages employee orientations, and maintains employee records.
Human Resources Manager$136,350Develops HR strategies, oversees recruitment, supports career development, and encourages employee engagement.
Labor Relations Specialist$89,980Handles labor agreements, manages disputes, and serves as a contact between employees and labor unions.
Training and Development Specialist$64,340Increases employee knowledge, conducts surveys, and holds trainings and workshops.

Source: BLS

Is a Bachelor’s in HR Worth It?

A bachelor’s degree in HR is definitely worthwhile.

Not only is the demand for workers in this field expected to grow faster than the national average over the next decade, but once you earn your degree, you become eligible for many positions in the field.

If you’re an adult or returning student who requires flexibility around your other obligations, you’ll find there are many online bachelor’s degree programs in HR to choose from. There are opportunities to advance to higher-level positions as you gain experience in the field.

Education Beyond a Bachelor’s in Human Resources

After earning your bachelor’s degree in human resources, you can further your education by pursuing advanced degrees like a master’s or doctorate in human resource management.

You can also choose a master of business administration (MBA) with a human resources emphasis.

Earning these degrees can help you attain higher-level careers in the field, including HR director, chief human resources officer, and employee relations manager. You can also choose to be a human resources educator at the college level.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bachelor’s in Human Resources Degrees

The best bachelor’s degree for a career in HR depends on your professional interests. For example, a degree in human resource management will be best if you want to get involved in hiring or managing an organization’s employees.

Consider minoring in a subject that is complementary to your human resources degree, such as psychology, economics, mathematics, or statistics.

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