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2023 Most Affordable Online Master's Degrees in Human Resources

By the OnlineU team | Updated 2/3/2023
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An online master’s in human resources is designed for experienced human resource professionals looking to expand their knowledge and skills in the field. Prospective online students can expect to explore employee relations, management, leadership, and business ethics topics within the program. Some examples of potential courses include Leadership, Business Management, and Human Relations. Depending on which program is chosen, a capstone course, seminar, internship, comprehensive exam, or a combination of these may be required for graduation. Graduates of an online master’s in human resources may pursue careers like directors of human resources,  talent acquisition specialists, and leadership coaches.

Similar degrees to an online master’s in human resources are counseling, organizational leadership, and business. You can also check out our overall list of the most affordable online degrees for inspiration. View our methodology for details about rankings or learn more about us

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All tuition numbers were manually collected and verified
Rank School Locations Annual Tuition
# 1 #1 Fort Hays State University Hays (KS) $4,478
# 2 #2 Wichita State University Wichita (KS) $4,620
# 3 #3 Midwestern State University Wichita Falls (TX) $4,754
# 4 (tie) #4 (tie) Athens State University Athens (AL) $4,875
# 4 (tie) #4 (tie) California Coast University Santa Ana (CA) $4,875
# 6 #6 Fitchburg State University Fitchburg (MA) $4,934
# 7 #7 Amberton University Garland (TX) $5,130
# 8 #8 Columbus State University Columbus (GA) $5,418
# 9 #9 Briar Cliff University Sioux City (IA) $5,465
# 10 #10 Columbia Southern University Orange Beach (AL) $6,030
#1
#1
Annual Tuition: $4,478
Annual Tuition: $4,478
Annual Tuition: $4,478

Fort Hays State University (FHSU) is a public institution that offers an online Master of Professional Studies - Human Resource Management totaling 30 credit hours. It can take full-time students 18 months to complete the program.

FHSU facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning through the learning management system Blackboard. The curriculum covers management theory and practices, recruitment, retention, compensation, and training. Sample courses include Advanced Sociological Research, Employment Law, and Professional Development. To graduate, students must also complete a strategic management capstone course. Prospective careers for alums are employee relations managers, compensation specialists, and human resources consultants.

  • Financial Aid Recipients: 96%
  • Undergrad Online Enrollment: 4,411
  • Graduate Online Enrollment: 2,453
  • School Type: Nonprofit
  • School Accreditation: HLC
#2
#2
Annual Tuition: $4,620
Annual Tuition: $4,620
Annual Tuition: $4,620

At Wichita State University, a public institution, prospective students can pursue an online Master of Human Resource Management totaling 30 credit hours. It can take one year to complete the program if students maintain a full-time pace.

Wichita students complete coursework asynchronously and synchronously through the platform Blackboard. This online degree program is intended for students with experience in the field who want to advance their careers. Some of the program’s mandatory courses include Strategic Human Resource Management, Employment Law, and Talent Development. Additionally, students are required to complete an applied learning or research experience to graduate. Alumni may pursue careers such as internship coordinators, human resources analysts, and benefits administrators.

  • Financial Aid Recipients: 89%
  • Average SATs: 1030 -1270
  • Undergrad Online Enrollment: 2,272
  • Graduate Online Enrollment: 632
  • School Type: Nonprofit
  • School Accreditation: HLC
#3
#3

Midwestern State University

Wichita Falls (TX)
Annual Tuition: $4,754
Annual Tuition: $4,754
Annual Tuition: $4,754

Midwestern State University (MSU) is a public institution that offers an online Master of Arts in Human Resource Development totaling 39 credit hours. Prospective students can expect to finish the program within 1-2 years with a full-time course schedule.

MSU facilitates asynchronous and synchronous distance learning through D2L Brightspace, a popular learning platform. A master’s degree in human resources gives students the skills and knowledge to assume leadership roles in the field by offering courses such as Career Development Counseling, Human Relations, and Employee Assistance Issues. A research course, seminar, and internship are also required for graduation. Some potential career options include talent acquisition specialists, human resources managers, and training managers.

  • Financial Aid Recipients: 93%
  • Average SATs: 930 -1120
  • Undergrad Online Enrollment: 825
  • Graduate Online Enrollment: 511
  • School Type: Nonprofit
  • School Accreditation: SACS COC
#4
#4
Annual Tuition: $4,875
Annual Tuition: $4,875
Annual Tuition: $4,875

Founded in 1822, Athens State University in Alabama is a four-year, public institution that offers an online Master of Science in Strategic Human Resource Management, which emphasizes the importance of sustainable work environments that caters to the needs of employees. Fortunately, online tuition prices are the same for in-state and out-of-state students at $325 per credit hour.

Athens boasts that 83% of alumni from the school are able to find employment directly after graduation, and this may be due to their small class sizes and the extra attention they are able to provide students. Obtaining this degree online at Athens could lead to leadership positions in Human Resources across a wide variety of settings, from federal and municipal agencies to the technology industry or healthcare and social assistance. Human Resource departments can be found virtually anywhere.

  • Undergrad Online Enrollment: 1,833
  • Graduate Online Enrollment: 163
  • School Type: Nonprofit
  • School Accreditation: SACS COC
#4
#4
Annual Tuition: $4,875
Annual Tuition: $4,875
Annual Tuition: $4,875

California Coast University (Cal Coast) is a private, for-profit institution offering an online Master of Business Administration in Human Resource Management requiring 39 credit hours. Full-time students may spend up to 1-2 years completing this program online.

At Cal Coast, remote students complete their coursework through the school's proprietary software Coast Connection. The business administration program focused on human resources gives professionals the tools, theoretical knowledge, and practical experience that they can apply to their careers. Some core courses include Management Information Systems, Business Ethics, and Strategic Compensation. A final comprehensive exam is also required. Graduates of the program may pursue careers like compensation specialists, human resources assistants, and employee relations managers.

  • School Accreditation: DEAC

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