The Top 10 Best HR MBA Programs - Human Resources Degrees

The best HR MBA programs prepare individuals for high profile Human Resources jobs, such as Vice President of HR and Chief HR Officer, as well as other executive positions within companies. In addition, many individuals with an HR MBA go to work for consulting firms in the area of organization design and development, strategy, leadership, and coaching.

Featured Top-ranked HR MBA Programs

The best HR MBA programs differ from MS in HR programs in their added focus on core business topics such as finance and accounting, valuation, global business, and entrepreneurship.

Ranking of the Top 10 Best HR MBA Programs

This list of the top 10 Best HR MBA Programs was developed with the quality of the curriculum in mind. Since students interested in this type of advanced degree are making a sizable investment of their time, effort, and financial resources, attending a school that can provide a good foundation of knowledge is a very important consideration.

#1 Stanford University

Stanford University - Human Resources MBA

Executive Summary

Stanford is highly selective about the applicants it admits to its MBA in HR program. Only seven percent of those interested in attending the University’s graduate school of business receive an acceptance letter.

Tuition

The cost of tuition for a Stanford MBA program is $55,200 per academic year.

Unique Features

The MBA HR curriculum at Stanford is tailored to each student. Learning methods include global study trips, role-playing, simulations, and case studies.

#2 Northwestern University

Executive Summary

Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management is one of the top-ranked schools in the nation. Its MBA programs are geared toward applicants with at least two years of work experience before applying.

Tuition

Students enrolled in the two-year MBA in HR program would pay $54,000 per year. The one-year MBA in HR program will cost $72,000 for tuition.

Unique Features

The HR concentration at Northwestern includes courses in economics and behavioral sciences. Students combine both views as they pertain to HR management issues.

#3 University of Chicago

University of Chicago - Human Resources MBA

Executive Summary

University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business has been welcoming students since 1898. The school was ranked at No. 3 on Forbes list of the Best Business Schools for 2011.

Tuition

Each course in the MBA in HR degree program costs $5,340, which brings tuition costs for a nine-month school year to $53,400.

Unique Features

Students in the MBA HR concentration take three or four courses per quarter and graduate in 21 months.

#4 University of California Berkeley

Executive Summary

UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business offers an MBA in HR degree program which gives students a firm foundation in general business principles, as well as their area of concentration.

Tuition

CA residents pay $44,266 in tuition per academic year to attend UC Berkeley. Non-residents are charged $51,246.

Unique Features

Elective courses make up over half of the MBA in HR degree curriculum. Student-initiated courses, which are run under the guidance of a faculty member, are also an option for learners.

#5 Vanderbilt University

Executive Summary

Vanderbilt is one of the top-ranked universities in the country, according to U.S. News & World Report. All students are bound by the institution’s Honor Code, which has been in place since 1875.

Tuition

The tuition cost for an academic year is $43,902.

Unique Features

Vanderbilt’s MBA concentration in Human and Organizational Performance was developed by award-winning instructors. This concentration gives students the knowledge required to help individuals give the best performance on the job while keeping the goals of the organization in mind.

#6 University of Southern California

University of Southern California - Human Resources MBA

Executive Summary

The Marshall School of Business at USC offers a well-respected MBA program. International travel and study projects are required for all full-time MBA students.

Tuition

Estimated tuition and fees for the full-time MBA in HR degree program is $55,000 for a nine-month academic year.

Unique Features

Students enrolled in this top HR MBA degree program work with Career Services advisors to make the transition from learner to working professional a smooth one.

#7 Purdue University

Executive Summary

Purdue’s MBA degree program has been ranked among the top 25 in the nation, according to U.S News & World Report.

Tuition

Resident tuition and fees are $10,733 per semester. Nonresidents pay $20,286 per semester.

Unique Features

The Krannert School of Management offers a world-class HR MBA curriculum with an emphasis on quantitative analysis. The Student Services Office conducts annual information sessions to help students choose the best area of specialization for their interests and abilities.

#8 Michigan State University

Michigan State University - Human Resources MBA

Executive Summary

Michigan State’s Broad College of Business offers a theory-based curriculum to MBA degree students. Once learners choose a concentration, they have a fair amount of flexibility in the elective courses they choose.

Tuition

The cost of Michigan State’s HR MBA degree program for in-state students is $24,935 per year. Out-of-state and international students pay $39,535 in tuition per year. These figures do not include the cost of participating in a study abroad program.

Unique Features

The HR MBA degree program at Michigan State includes a study abroad component. Approximately 25 percent of full-time MBA students participate each year.

#9 University of Wisconsin

Executive Summary

Wisconsin School of Business has a very impressive 100 percent placement rate for MBA degree grads. Recruiters approach this school year after year because of the high quality of its graduates.

Tuition

Tuition and fees for Wisconsin residents are $12,830 per academic year. Nonresident students pay $26,756 per academic year.

Unique Features

Core courses in the MBA degree curriculum gave HR students the opportunity to work with students pursuing other specializations as part of a team to complete group projects. Students complete specialized courses and internships to provide them with a high level of knowledge they can apply in a professional setting.

#10 University of Michigan

University of Michigan - Human Resources MBA

Executive Summary

Michigan’s Stephen M. Ross School of Business has been ranked as one of the best institutions in the country by U.S. News & World Report.

Tuition

In-state residents will pay $47,944 in tuition per year. Out-of-state learners are charged $52,944 per year to attend the HR MBA degree program.

Unique Features

This top HR MBA degree program focuses on learning which is action-based. Students are encouraged and expected to ask the types of questions that will lead to identifying the challenges than an organization faces and then providing leadership in finding solutions.

Rankings: