2026 Best Value Human Resources Development Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Human Resources Development](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/human-resource-management/human-resources-development/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 97 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value human resources development schools.
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2026 Best Value Human Resources Development Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in human resources development, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Human Resources Development Schools
For return on investment in human resources development, no school beat Northern Kentucky University this year. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $29,634 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
American Public University System came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value human resources development schools. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. Typical student debt for human resources development graduates is $23,438. Soon after graduation, human resources development degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $57,404. Set against $23,438 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Nebraska At Omaha one of the best values for human resources development. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Human Resources Development graduates carry a median of $21,783 in student loans. 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. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Houston earned it the #4 place for human resources development. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Typical student debt for human resources development graduates is $22,000. Soon after graduation, human resources development degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $46,700. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Green Bay earned it the #5 place for human resources development. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,700, with out-of-state students paying around $17,288. Typical student debt for human resources development graduates is $24,477. Early-career human resources development graduates make about $42,853. Set against $24,477 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland University earned the #6 position for value in human resources development this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Typical student debt for human resources development graduates is $25,480. Early-career human resources development graduates make about $51,010. That is a strong return on a $25,480 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Northeastern Illinois University landed the #7 spot for human resources development value this year. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $12,383, compared with $22,726 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human resources development graduates is $15,365. Human Resources Development graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $49,131 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
Universidad Metropolitana ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value human resources development schools. Universidad Metropolitana is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Juan. In-state tuition and fees average $7,750. Students borrow a median of $15,074 to complete the human resources development program here. Human Resources Development graduates of Universidad Metropolitana earn a median of $28,897 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Texas earned the #9 position for value in human resources development this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $20,142 to complete the human resources development program here. Early-career human resources development graduates make about $45,745. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Tyler placed #10 among the best values for human resources development. Set in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,512, with out-of-state students paying around $24,512. Typical student debt for human resources development graduates is $22,152. Soon after graduation, human resources development degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler generally make around $34,085. That is a strong return on a $22,152 median debt. The University Of Texas At Tyler admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earned the #11 position for value in human resources development this year. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,532, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.
Universidad Del Turabo came in at #12 for value in human resources development this year. Set in the suburb of Gurabo, Universidad Del Turabo is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $7,750 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for human resources development graduates is $14,155. Soon after graduation, human resources development degree recipients from Universidad Del Turabo generally make around $29,236. Set against $14,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #13 spot for human resources development value this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,388 to complete the human resources development program here. Soon after graduation, human resources development degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $56,395. Set against $19,388 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Southern Mississippi placed #14 among the best values for human resources development. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,998, while out-of-state students pay about $11,998. Human Resources Development graduates carry a median of $22,865 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human resources development degree recipients from University Of Southern Mississippi generally make around $44,709. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern Mississippi admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value human resources development schools. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the human resources development program here. Early-career human resources development graduates make about $48,505. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Park University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value human resources development schools. Set in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,116. Human Resources Development graduates carry a median of $19,383 in student loans. Human Resources Development graduates of Park University earn a median of $51,169 early in their careers. Set against $19,383 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of St Francis ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value human resources development schools. Set in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,110. Human Resources Development graduates carry a median of $25,695 in student loans. Human Resources Development graduates of University Of St Francis earn a median of $94,853 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,695 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Columbia Southern University landed the #18 spot for human resources development value this year. Columbia Southern University is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Orange Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,224. Human Resources Development graduates carry a median of $31,715 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human resources development degree recipients from Columbia Southern University generally make around $53,843. That is a strong return on a $31,715 median debt.
Western Michigan University came in at #19 for value in human resources development this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human resources development graduates is $27,000. Early-career human resources development graduates make about $48,115. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Idaho State University landed the #20 spot for human resources development value this year. Located in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,610, 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. That is a strong return on a $31,660 median debt.
University Of Arkansas came in at #21 for value in human resources development this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. Human Resources Development graduates carry a median of $36,947 in student loans. Human Resources Development graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of $40,007 early in their careers. Set against $36,947 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arkansas admits about 74% of applicants.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College placed #22 among the best values for human resources development. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public school located in the city of Baton Rouge. Students from in state pay about $11,954 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,631. Human Resources Development graduates carry a median of $21,348 in student loans. Early-career human resources development graduates make about $66,564. That is a strong return on a $21,348 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Texas Tech University earned the #23 position for value in human resources development this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Students borrow a median of $24,271 to complete the human resources development program here. Human Resources Development graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $50,332 early in their careers. Set against $24,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Texas A And M University College Station placed #24 among the best values for human resources development. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Human Resources Development graduates carry a median of $19,970 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human resources development degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $51,664. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus earned the #25 position for value in human resources development this year. Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public school located in the city of University Park. In-state tuition and fees average $15,356. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 33 Best Value Human Resources Development Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for human resources development this year:
Other Human Resources Development Degree Levels
Explore the best-value human resources development schools at other degree levels:
View All Human Resources Development Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 97 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
