2027 Best Value Human Resources Development Schools
[Human Resources Development](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/human-resource-management/human-resources-development/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong human resources development education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 59 schools to find the best return on investment for human resources development students.
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Finding the Best Value Human Resources Development School for You
Where you study human resources development affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value Human Resources Development Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Learn more about our methodology
Customize Your Rankings
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Human Resources Development Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
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2027 Best Value Human Resources Development Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the human resources development degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Human Resources Development Schools
For return on investment in human resources development, no school beat Utah Valley University this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $13,736 to complete the human resources development program here. Human Resources Development graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $52,194 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,736 median debt.
Oakland University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value human resources development schools. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Students borrow a median of $25,480 to complete the human resources development program here. Early-career human resources development graduates make about $65,022. Set against $25,480 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Clackamas Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in human resources development, landing the #3 spot this year. Clackamas Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Oregon City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,345, with out-of-state students paying around $14,265. Students borrow a median of $13,915 to complete the human resources development program here. Human Resources Development graduates of Clackamas Community College earn a median of $31,280 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Northern Kentucky University one of the best values for human resources development. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Students borrow a median of $29,634 to complete the human resources development program here. Early-career human resources development graduates make about $52,565. Set against $29,634 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value human resources development schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Typical student debt for human resources development graduates is $14,054. Soon after graduation, human resources development degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $41,237. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
American Public University System ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value human resources development schools. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Human Resources Development graduates carry a median of $23,438 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human resources development degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $57,404. That is a strong return on a $23,438 median debt.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #7 for value in human resources development this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete the human resources development program here. Human Resources Development graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $89,637 early in their careers. Set against $20,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #8 for value in human resources development this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Human Resources Development graduates carry a median of $25,422 in student loans. Human Resources Development graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $51,570 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value human resources development schools. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Typical student debt for human resources development graduates is $21,783. Soon after graduation, human resources development degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $48,906. Set against $21,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value human resources development schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Human Resources Development graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans. Early-career human resources development graduates make about $63,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Idaho State University earned the #11 position for value in human resources development this year. Located in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,610 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Typical student debt for human resources development graduates is $31,660. Early-career human resources development graduates make about $62,033. Set against $31,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At Tyler came in at #12 for value in human resources development this year. The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. In-state tuition and fees average $9,512, compared with $24,512 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human resources development graduates is $22,152. Early-career human resources development graduates make about $45,604. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Houston ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value human resources development schools. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Human Resources Development graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Human Resources Development graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $66,863 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value human resources development schools. Set in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,700 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,288 for out-of-state students. Human Resources Development graduates carry a median of $24,477 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human resources development degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Green Bay generally make around $42,853. Set against $24,477 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Eastern Illinois University placed #15 among the best values for human resources development. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,293 to complete the human resources development program here. Human Resources Development graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $43,603 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Universidad Del Turabo came in at #16 for value in human resources development this year. Universidad Del Turabo is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Gurabo. Students from in state pay about $7,750 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,155 to complete the human resources development program here. Human Resources Development graduates of Universidad Del Turabo earn a median of $29,236 early in their careers. Set against $14,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earned the #17 position for value in human resources development this year. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,532 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,446. Typical student debt for human resources development graduates is $20,000. Soon after graduation, human resources development degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $55,263. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Universidad Metropolitana ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value human resources development schools. Located in the city of San Juan, Universidad Metropolitana is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $7,750 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,074 to complete the human resources development program here. Soon after graduation, human resources development degree recipients from Universidad Metropolitana generally make around $28,897. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value human resources development schools. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Human Resources Development graduates carry a median of $20,460 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human resources development degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $56,395. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Northeastern Illinois University landed the #20 spot for human resources development value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,383 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,726. Typical student debt for human resources development graduates is $15,365. Soon after graduation, human resources development degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $49,131. Set against $15,365 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Dakota County Technical College earned the #21 position for value in human resources development this year. Located in the rural area of Rosemount, Dakota County Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,679 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,474 to complete the human resources development program here. Early-career human resources development graduates make about $50,429. Set against $13,474 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #22 for value in human resources development this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Human Resources Development graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human resources development degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $48,505. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
Western Michigan University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value human resources development schools. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the human resources development program here. Early-career human resources development graduates make about $58,745. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of North Texas landed the #24 spot for human resources development value this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Typical student debt for human resources development graduates is $20,142. Early-career human resources development graduates make about $45,745. That is a strong return on a $20,142 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Houston Clear Lake placed #25 among the best values for human resources development. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,346 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. Human Resources Development graduates carry a median of $21,100 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human resources development degree recipients from University Of Houston Clear Lake generally make around $63,293. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Human Resources Development Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for human resources development this year:
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Human Resources Development. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 59 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 59 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
