2026 Best Value General Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[General Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/human-resource-management/human-resources-management-personnel-administration-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 141 schools to find the best return on investment for general human resources management/personnel administration students.
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2026 Best Value General Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general human resources management/personnel administration degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration Schools
Joliet Junior College tops our 2026 list of the best value general human resources management/personnel administration schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Typical student debt for general human resources management/personnel administration graduates is $11,995. General Human Resources Management/personnel Administration graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.
Lorain County Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general human resources management/personnel administration schools. Located in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,265, with out-of-state students paying around $8,860. General Human Resources Management/personnel Administration graduates carry a median of $17,611 in student loans. Early-career general human resources management/personnel administration graduates make about $40,095. That is a strong return on a $17,611 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general human resources management/personnel administration will find it at Cuyahoga Community College District, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Typical student debt for general human resources management/personnel administration graduates is $21,439. Soon after graduation, general human resources management/personnel administration degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $39,394. Set against $21,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Harper College one of the best values for general human resources management/personnel administration. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,894, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. General Human Resources Management/personnel Administration graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general human resources management/personnel administration degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general human resources management/personnel administration will find it at Washtenaw Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. General Human Resources Management/personnel Administration graduates carry a median of $17,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general human resources management/personnel administration degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $45,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Dupage came in at #6 for value in general human resources management/personnel administration this year. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general human resources management/personnel administration graduates is $17,746. General Human Resources Management/personnel Administration graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $43,025 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,746 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College placed #7 among the best values for general human resources management/personnel administration. City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Typical student debt for general human resources management/personnel administration graduates is $11,533. Early-career general human resources management/personnel administration graduates make about $33,960. That is a strong return on a $11,533 median debt.
Lakeshore Technical College placed #8 among the best values for general human resources management/personnel administration. Set in the rural area of Cleveland, Lakeshore Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,844, while out-of-state students pay about $7,087. Students borrow a median of $11,582 to complete the general human resources management/personnel administration program here. Early-career general human resources management/personnel administration graduates make about $41,252. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Waukesha County Technical College placed #9 among the best values for general human resources management/personnel administration. Located in the suburb of Pewaukee, Waukesha County Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,803, compared with $7,046 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,307 to complete the general human resources management/personnel administration program here. Soon after graduation, general human resources management/personnel administration degree recipients from Waukesha County Technical College generally make around $45,383. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College came in at #10 for value in general human resources management/personnel administration this year. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rice Lake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,926, compared with $7,169 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general human resources management/personnel administration graduates is $11,384. General Human Resources Management/personnel Administration graduates of Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College earn a median of $35,981 early in their careers. Set against $11,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moraine Park Technical College landed the #11 spot for general human resources management/personnel administration value this year. Located in the city of Fond du Lac, Moraine Park Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,819 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,084 for out-of-state students. General Human Resources Management/personnel Administration graduates carry a median of $16,261 in student loans. Early-career general human resources management/personnel administration graduates make about $36,886. That is a strong return on a $16,261 median debt.
Sinclair Community College landed the #12 spot for general human resources management/personnel administration value this year. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the general human resources management/personnel administration program here. Soon after graduation, general human resources management/personnel administration degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.
Columbus State Community College came in at #13 for value in general human resources management/personnel administration this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,488, compared with $11,224 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general human resources management/personnel administration graduates is $9,041. Median earnings reach $39,435 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fox Valley Technical College placed #14 among the best values for general human resources management/personnel administration. Fox Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Appleton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $7,283. Students borrow a median of $14,923 to complete the general human resources management/personnel administration program here. Early-career general human resources management/personnel administration graduates make about $40,006. Set against $14,923 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Milwaukee Area Technical College came in at #15 for value in general human resources management/personnel administration this year. Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. In-state tuition and fees average $5,184, compared with $7,427 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,296 to complete the general human resources management/personnel administration program here. Early-career general human resources management/personnel administration graduates make about $38,325. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ivy Tech Community College earned the #16 position for value in general human resources management/personnel administration this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. General Human Resources Management/personnel Administration graduates carry a median of $14,054 in student loans. Early-career general human resources management/personnel administration graduates make about $41,237. That is a strong return on a $14,054 median debt.
University Of Illinois At Springfield placed #17 among the best values for general human resources management/personnel administration. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,557, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Students borrow a median of $24,925 to complete the general human resources management/personnel administration program here. Soon after graduation, general human resources management/personnel administration degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $53,344. That is a strong return on a $24,925 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College placed #18 among the best values for general human resources management/personnel administration. Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,960, with out-of-state students paying around $7,203. General Human Resources Management/personnel Administration graduates carry a median of $13,663 in student loans. Early-career general human resources management/personnel administration graduates make about $45,651. That is a strong return on a $13,663 median debt.
James A Rhodes State College came in at #19 for value in general human resources management/personnel administration this year. James A Rhodes State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Lima. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $9,120. General Human Resources Management/personnel Administration graduates carry a median of $17,070 in student loans. General Human Resources Management/personnel Administration graduates of James A Rhodes State College earn a median of $47,074 early in their careers. Set against $17,070 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clark State Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general human resources management/personnel administration schools. Clark State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $4,393 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,049. Typical student debt for general human resources management/personnel administration graduates is $20,740. Early-career general human resources management/personnel administration graduates make about $39,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Edison State Community College landed the #21 spot for general human resources management/personnel administration value this year. Edison State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Piqua. Students from in state pay about $4,499 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,346. General Human Resources Management/personnel Administration graduates carry a median of $15,406 in student loans. Early-career general human resources management/personnel administration graduates make about $43,481. Set against $15,406 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northcentral Technical College placed #22 among the best values for general human resources management/personnel administration. Located in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,889, with out-of-state students paying around $7,132. General Human Resources Management/personnel Administration graduates carry a median of $11,709 in student loans. Early-career general human resources management/personnel administration graduates make about $41,696. That is a strong return on a $11,709 median debt.
Mid State Technical College earned the #23 position for value in general human resources management/personnel administration this year. Located in the town of Wisconsin Rapids, Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,002, with out-of-state students paying around $7,171. Typical student debt for general human resources management/personnel administration graduates is $11,626. General Human Resources Management/personnel Administration graduates of Mid State Technical College earn a median of $41,678 early in their careers. Set against $11,626 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Governors State University landed the #24 spot for general human resources management/personnel administration value this year. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,004 in tuition and fees. General Human Resources Management/personnel Administration graduates carry a median of $24,990 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general human resources management/personnel administration degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $51,711. Set against $24,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.
Chippewa Valley Technical College earned the #25 position for value in general human resources management/personnel administration this year. Located in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,844, compared with $7,087 for out-of-state students. General Human Resources Management/personnel Administration graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans. Early-career general human resources management/personnel administration graduates make about $40,858. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general human resources management/personnel administration this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 141 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.
