50 Most Affordable Human Resource MBA Degree Programs

By HRMBA Staff

The goal of this article is to present you with a well-researched list of the most affordable HR Masters degree programs.

Methodology

The figures used to compile this list were obtained from the National Center for Education Statistics and comprise the most recent information available to us. The 50 colleges and universities represented are all accredited institutions of higher learning and offer the most affordable HR Masters programs in the U.S., making them an excellent choice for students interested in pursuing this challenging and rewarding career path.

We know that earning an MBA can be expensive, so we have highlighted affordable HR Masters degrees that can all be earned for less than $13,000 per year.

After utilizing the National Center for Education Statistics’ College Navigator database to find all post-secondary schools in the United States offering advanced HR-related degrees, we developed our list of affordable MBA in Human Resources using the following criteria:

We narrowed down the list of schools offering advanced HR degrees to 110 universities granting an Maters in HR.
After collecting data on graduate tuition prices from the College Navigator database, we kept the 50 with the lowest tuition, and we listed them in descending order by graduate tuition.

50. Baldwin Wallace University

MBA in Human Resources

Founded in 1845 by Methodist settlers, Baldwin Wallace University is a four-year private liberal arts institution in the suburbs of Berea, Ohio. BWU has been ranked the Midwest’s 11th top value school by the U.S. News and World Report. Aligned with the SHRM curriculum guidelines, the affordable Masters in HR program gives students the fundamental managerial and leadership abilities for managing human capital. Undergraduate students can also apply to a 3/2 HR Masters program in their junior year for an accelerated path.

Tuition: $12,885/yr

For more information: Baldwin Wallace University

49. Holy Family University

Accelerated MBA in Human Resources Management

Noted as the 125th best regional college in the North by U.S. News and World Report, Holy Family University is a private Roman Catholic liberal arts institution with over 3,000 students in the urban hub of Philadelphia. Within the School of Business Administration, an accelerated, affordable MBA is offered with a Human Resources Management concentration for just 30 credits. The program is designed for professionals with a minimum of three years of managerial experience. Masters in HR majors will focus their ACBSP-accredited degree in developing the decision-making strategies for managing a company’s personnel.

Tuition: $12,672/yr

For more information: Holy Family University

48. Tiffin University

Online MBA in Human Resource Management

Headquartered in Tiffin, OH, and having other locations in Cleveland, Toledo, and Fremont, Tiffin University is a private co-educational institution serving over 4,200 students. Fully accredited by the ACBSP, Tiffin offers a cheap online Masters in HR Management program to expose students to theories and applications involved in developing talented employees. Students in this program have an average of 10 years of work experience before admission. The U.S. News and World Report has named it the 89th best online MBA program in America.

Tuition: $12,600/yr

For more information: Tiffin University

47. The Sage Colleges

MBA with Human Resources Concentration

Featuring IACBE accreditation, the affordable MBA offered at Sage Graduate School can be concentrated in HR to develop leaders who can meet employees’ needs in complex organizations. Requiring 42 semester credits, the program is typically completed in two years, with a flexible schedule of evening, weekend, summer, and online courses.

For more information: The Sage Colleges

Tuition: $12,240/yr

46. Webster University

Online MBA with Emphasis in Human Resources Management

Enrolling more than 22,000 students in on-campus and online degree programs, Webster University is an accredited private non-profit institution based in Webster Groves, Missouri. Webster is listed as the 126th best online MBA program by U.S. News and World Report. The affordable online MBA provides an Emphasis in HR Management to cover topics in employee training, labor relations, group development, organizational change, and human resources development. Students can also complete the 36-credit, affordable MBA in HR program in an accelerated, one-year format at select Webster campuses.

Tuition: $11,970/yr

For more information: Webster University

45. Walden University

Online MBA with Human Resource Management Specialization

Founded in 1970, Walden University is a private for-profit online university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission to confer degrees from its main headquarters in Minneapolis. In the College of Management and Technology, the Online MBA uses video mini-lectures from industry icons to prepare graduate students for the rigors of business. With the affordable HR Management Specialization, students focus their 36-credit curriculum in learning how to develop, manage, recruit, and lead employees. Those who have obtained the SPHR or GPHR human resources certification can receive life experience credits.

Tuition: $11,925/yr

For more info: Walden University

44. Davenport University

Competency-Based MBA: Human Resource Management

Situated just outside of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Davenport University is a private non-profit institution that provides tech-oriented campus and online degrees to over 12,400 students annually. The Donald W. Maine School of Business offers a unique, competency-based, affordable HR Masters degree that uses direct student assessment rather than credits. Students in the HR Management path must pass competencies in workforce planning, staffing, HR development, organizational reward systems, and labor relations. The program takes an average of 20 months to complete.

Tuition: $11,754/yr

For more info: Davenport University

43. Eastern Michigan University

MBA in Human Resource Management

Located in Ypsilanti within just 35 miles from Detroit, Eastern Michigan University is a major public state-supported institution educating around 23,400 students each year. EMU is currently ranked as 26th best college for veterans according to U.S. News. Within the College of Business, students can peruse an affordable Masters in HR Management that is accredited by the AACSB International. EMU’s program has a hybrid format of evening courses and online learning to accommodate busy working professionals. Graduates of the MBA in HR program leave with the global, innovative, and strategic leadership characteristics needed to succeed in today’s competitive workplace.

Tuition: $11,538/yr

For more information: Eastern Michigan University

42. Bethel University

Online Human Resource MBA

Affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, Bethel University is a private four-year Christian higher learning institution educating over 5,800 students each year from its main campus in McKenzie, Tennessee. In Bethel’s College of Professional Studies, the affordable HR Masters is available fully online in accordance with SHRM’s guidelines. Students take approximately 23 months to complete robust training devoted to the unique intricacies of the HR marketplace. The MBA’s cheap tuition rate includes textbooks, course materials, 24/7 technology support, and a trip to Tennessee for orientation.

Tuition: $11,370/yr

Related resource: Bethel University

41. Central Michigan University

Online MBA in Human Resource Management

Well-known for being one of the nation’s 100 largest public institutions (U.S. News), Central Michigan University is home to over 28,000 students in Mount Pleasant. The U.S. News and World Report has ranked CMU as the 194th best university with the country’s 25th best online MBA programs. Accredited by the AACSB, the online MBA offers an affordable HR Management concentration for students seeking to improve organizational experiences for employees. For admission into the 36-credit program, students must have an accredited bachelor’s degree and pass the GMAT.

Tuition: $11,330/yr

Related resource: Central Michigan University

40. University of Mary

MBA: Concentration in Human Resource Management

Initially founded in 1959 by the Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation, the University of Mary is a private senior Catholic liberal arts institution educating over 2,900 students every year from its main rural campus overlooking North Dakota’s capital of Bismarck. In the Gary Tharaldson School of Business, the low cost MBA with a concentration in HR Management prepares innovative leaders to effectively resolve problems arising in labor relations. Offering an accelerated path of just 18 months, the program blends on-site and online courses in seminar style.

Tuition: $11,114/yr

Related resource: University of Mary

39. Belhaven University

Master of Business Administration with Human Resources Concentration

Listed as being the South’s 65th best regional college according to U.S. News and Word Report, Belhaven University is a private liberal arts institution that teaches over 4,200 students from a Christian worldview on its campus in Jackson, Mississippi. The affordable HR Masters degree program at Belhaven gives students an ethical foundation for managing employee relationships in today’s technologically dependent business world. Masters in HR students complete 42 credits in a hybrid format of classroom and online learning. It’s also possible to receive a Master of Public Administration with Human Resources Concentration.

Tuition: $11,070/yr

Related resource: Belhaven University

38. Brandman University

Online MBA in Human Resources

Brandman University is an accredited private non-profit institution in Irvine, California, that gives campus-based and online degrees to over 11,000 students annually. The U.S. News and World Report has listed Brandman as having the 136th best online MBA programs. The affordable, online Masters in HR is strategically designed to develop the tools for integrating corporate social responsibility into ethical HR decision-making. Online Masters in HR courses are eight weeks in length and offered with six start times annually.

Tuition: $10,800/yr

Related resource: Brandman University

37. University of Wisconsin-Madison

Full-Time MBA in Strategic Human Resource Management

Located on a historical park-like campus in the state’s capital, the University of Wisconsin-Madison is a prestigious public land-grant research institution with a student body over 43,200 students. Listed #33 among the best business schools by U.S. News, the Wisconsin School of Business ranked ninth in Forbes’ 2014 list of most satisfied MBA graduates. Students who select the affordable full-time Masters in Strategic HR Management will build an in-depth understanding of organizational HR strategies. Students build cross-cultural awareness by completing a global experience in locations like Brazil, South Africa, and Ireland.

Tuition: $10,728/yr

Related resource: University Wisconsin- Madison

36. Ottawa University

Online MBA with Concentration in Human Resources

As a private non-profit liberal arts institution affiliated with the American Baptist Churches, Ottawa University serves about 7,000 campus and online students from its main headquarters in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Regarded as America’s 111th best online MBA program by U.S. News, the affordable Master in Business Administration gives a concentration in HR for students to hone their recruiting and staffing techniques. The entire 36-credit program can be completed with maximum flexibility online for working adults. Select campuses in Arizona, Indiana, Kansas, and Wisconsin also offer this affordable HR Masters.

Tuition: $10,710/yr

Related resource: Ottawa University

35. National University

Online MBA with Specialization in Human Resources Management

Since 1971, National University has been based in La Jolla as California’s second largest private non-profit higher learning institution with more than 24,400 diverse students. In the School of Business and Management, the IACBE-accredited online, affordable MBA program offers a Specialization in HR Management through web-enhanced courses. HRM students complete at least 63 quarter units to learn how workplace changes influence the performance of employees.

Tuition: $10,638/yr

Related resource: National University

34. University of Saint Mary

MBA in Human Resource Management Online

Listed by U.S. News and World Report as having the nation’s 142nd best online MBA, the University of Saint Mary is a small private Catholic liberal arts institution with a close-knit community of just over 1,000 students in Leavenworth, Kansas. With accreditation from the IACBE, the affordable Masters in HR Management is offered fully online to prepare graduates for managing conflicts and negotiating organizational changes from a business mindset. The 36-credit curriculum can be completed in one year.

Tuition: $10,440/yr

Related resource: University of Saint Mary

33. SUNY Empire State College

MBA in Management for Human Resource Management

As part of the State University of New York, SUNY Empire State College is a public four-year liberal arts institution serving over 18,600 students at 35 locations statewide. Featuring approval by the SHRM, the affordable Masters in Management for HR Management program consists of 48 credit hours for mid-career managers seeking to enhance their HR leadership abilities. The competency-based curriculum blends online courses with several weekend residencies. There’s an accelerated Veteran and Military MBA Pathway available to waive nearly all tuition costs for current or former service members.

Tuition: $10,370/yr

Related resource: SUNY Empire State College

32. University at Buffalo

Full-Time MBA in Human Resources Management

Renowned for being the largest public research institution in New York state, the University at Buffalo is located in the suburbs of western New York State. UB has an outstanding reputation as the Times Higher Education’s 191st best world university. Placed #79 in U.S. News’ Best Business Schools ranking, the full-time, affordable Masters in HR Management provides theoretical knowledge and real-life learning experience for aspiring HR leaders. The 60-credit curriculum includes UB’s award-winning LeaderCORE program for customized personal development plans.

Tuition: $10,370/yr

For more information: University at Buffalo

31. University of Tennessee- Knoxville

Full-Time MBA with Human Resource Concentration

Uniquely situated in the Great Smoky Mountains, the University of Tennessee- Knoxville is a flagship public sun-grant and land-grant research institution with an enrollment of over 27,000 students. The full-time, affordable MBA in HR at UT follows an accelerated 17-month format with small class sizes to prepare students for leadership success. The HR Concentration teaches graduates how to recruit, select, and reward employees. A summer internship is included to give students 10 weeks of hands-on experience with experienced HR managers.

Tuition: $10,112/yr

Related resource: University of Tennessee-Knoxville