2027 Best Value Human Resources Development Master’s Degree 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 37 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for human resources development students.
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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
Our analysis ranked Northern Kentucky University the best value for a degree in human resources development in the United States. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. 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. Set against $29,634 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the best values for human resources development. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
American Public University System is a great value for students pursuing a degree in human resources development, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Human Resources Development graduates carry a median of $23,438 in student loans. Human Resources Development graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $57,404 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,438 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Houston one of the best values for human resources development. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human resources development graduates is $22,000. Human Resources Development graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $87,025 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Purdue University Main Campus earned it the #5 place for human resources development. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Human Resources Development graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human resources development degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
The University Of Texas At Tyler came in at #6 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,512, with out-of-state students paying around $24,512. Human Resources Development graduates carry a median of $22,152 in student loans. Early-career human resources development graduates make about $57,123. Set against $22,152 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Idaho State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value human resources development schools. Idaho State University is a large public school located in the city of Pocatello. In-state tuition and fees average $8,610, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Students borrow a median of $31,660 to complete the human resources development program here. Early-career human resources development graduates make about $62,033. Set against $31,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Illinois University earned the #8 position for value in human resources development this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Typical student debt for human resources development graduates is $24,293. Early-career human resources development graduates make about $43,603. That is a strong return on a $24,293 median debt. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.
Universidad Del Turabo ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value human resources development schools. Set in the suburb of Gurabo, Universidad Del Turabo is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,750. Students borrow a median of $14,155 to complete the human resources development program here. Soon after graduation, human resources development degree recipients from Universidad Del Turabo generally make around $29,236. That is a strong return on a $14,155 median debt.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #10 for value in human resources development this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,460 to complete the human resources development program here. Human Resources Development graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $56,395 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Universidad Metropolitana came in at #11 for value in human resources development this year. Universidad Metropolitana is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Juan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,750. Human Resources Development graduates carry a median of $15,074 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human resources development degree recipients from Universidad Metropolitana generally make around $28,897. That is a strong return on a $15,074 median debt.
University Of Houston Clear Lake landed the #12 spot for human resources development value this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,346, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. Typical student debt for human resources development graduates is $21,100. 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. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Columbia Southern University landed the #13 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. In-state tuition and fees average $6,224. Students borrow a median of $27,811 to complete the human resources development program here. Human Resources Development graduates of Columbia Southern University earn a median of $53,843 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,811 median debt.
Towson University came in at #14 for value in human resources development this year. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,728, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Human Resources Development graduates carry a median of $21,241 in student loans. Early-career human resources development graduates make about $74,293. Set against $21,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Pittsburg State University placed #15 among the best values for human resources development. Set in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400, with out-of-state students paying around $19,744. Human Resources Development graduates carry a median of $22,669 in student loans. Early-career human resources development graduates make about $54,301. That is a strong return on a $22,669 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Wisconsin Stout came in at #16 for value in human resources development this year. Set in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,701, while out-of-state students pay about $19,265. Human Resources Development graduates carry a median of $25,821 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human resources development degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stout generally make around $60,575. That is a strong return on a $25,821 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Bellevue University came in at #17 for value in human resources development this year. Located in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,873. Students borrow a median of $31,062 to complete the human resources development program here. Early-career human resources development graduates make about $58,122. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earned the #18 position for value in human resources development this year. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public school located in the city of Baton Rouge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,954, compared with $28,631 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,348 to complete the human resources development program here. Human Resources Development graduates of Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn a median of $66,564 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,348 median debt. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College admits about 73% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas landed the #19 spot for human resources development value this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $29,966. Students borrow a median of $36,947 to complete the human resources development program here. Soon after graduation, human resources development degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $40,007. Set against $36,947 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus placed #20 among the best values for human resources development. Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public school located in the city of University Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,356. Typical student debt for human resources development graduates is $27,000. Human Resources Development graduates of Pennsylvania State University World Campus earn a median of $82,757 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #21 for value in human resources development this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. 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 $101,842. Set against $19,970 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.
Bowie State University placed #22 among the best values for human resources development. Bowie State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Bowie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,218, compared with $19,938 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,474 to complete the human resources development program here. Human Resources Development graduates of Bowie State University earn a median of $63,595 early in their careers. Set against $28,474 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Boise State University placed #23 among the best values for human resources development. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,048, compared with $27,788 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human resources development graduates is $15,159. Early-career human resources development graduates make about $49,059. Set against $15,159 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Roosevelt University placed #24 among the best values for human resources development. Set in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,315. Human Resources Development graduates carry a median of $23,879 in student loans. Human Resources Development graduates of Roosevelt University earn a median of $64,145 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Houston Baptist University came in at #25 for value in human resources development this year. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $39,430 in tuition and fees. Human Resources Development graduates carry a median of $25,601 in student loans. Early-career human resources development graduates make about $57,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Rest of the Top 37 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 list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 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.
