2027 Best Value Human Resources Development Schools in the Southeast Region

[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.
College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value human resources development schools.
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2027 Best Value Human Resources Development Schools in the Southeast Region
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. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Human Resources Development graduates carry a median of $29,634 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human resources development degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $52,565. That is a strong return on a $29,634 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at American Public University System earned it the #2 place for human resources development. 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. Typical student debt for human resources development graduates is $23,438. Human Resources Development graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $57,404 early in their careers. Set against $23,438 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbia Southern University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value human resources development schools. 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. Typical student debt for human resources development graduates is $27,811. Early-career human resources development graduates make about $53,843. That is a strong return on a $27,811 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College one of the best values for human resources development. Set in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,954 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,631. Students borrow a median of $21,348 to complete the human resources development program here. Soon after graduation, human resources development degree recipients from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College generally make around $66,564. Set against $21,348 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Arkansas earned it the #5 place for human resources development. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $29,966. 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. That is a strong return on a $36,947 median debt. University Of Arkansas admits about 74% of applicants.
Universidad Ana G Mendez came in at #6 for value in human resources development this year. Universidad Ana G Mendez is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Orlando. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,575. Early-career human resources development graduates make about $33,564.
University Of Southern Mississippi landed the #7 spot for human resources development value this year. Located in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,998, while out-of-state students pay about $11,998. Typical student debt for human resources development graduates is $22,865. 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. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Tusculum College landed the #8 spot for human resources development value this year. Tusculum College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Greeneville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,250. Students borrow a median of $25,278 to complete the human resources development program here. Soon after graduation, human resources development degree recipients from Tusculum College generally make around $49,954. Set against $25,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Clemson University placed #9 among the best values for human resources development. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,554 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,866. Human Resources Development graduates carry a median of $23,783 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human resources development degree recipients from Clemson University generally make around $67,293. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Barry University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value human resources development schools. Barry University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $34,350. Typical student debt for human resources development graduates is $31,180. Human Resources Development graduates of Barry University earn a median of $64,906 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Mercer University earned the #11 position for value in human resources development this year. Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Macon. In-state tuition and fees average $31,565. Typical student debt for human resources development graduates is $33,888. Early-career human resources development graduates make about $47,538. Set against $33,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.