by our College Data Analytics Team
[Labor & Industrial Relations](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/human-resource-management/labor-and-industrial-relations/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong labor & industrial relations education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for labor & industrial relations students.
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The labor & industrial relations program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Labor & Industrial Relations Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Labor & Industrial Relations 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.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the labor & industrial relations degrees they offer, see the list below.
Citrus College earned the #1 spot for value among labor & industrial relations schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,204, compared with $10,636 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,065 ten years after entry.
Marshall University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in labor & industrial relations, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Typical student debt for labor & industrial relations graduates is $25,250. Labor & Industrial Relations graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $46,736 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value labor & industrial relations schools. University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public school located in the city of San Juan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,324. Typical student debt for labor & industrial relations graduates is $5,500. Labor & Industrial Relations graduates of University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras earn a median of $24,881 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Suny Empire State College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value labor & industrial relations schools. Suny Empire State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. Students from in state pay about $7,648 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,558. Typical student debt for labor & industrial relations graduates is $23,693. Soon after graduation, labor & industrial relations degree recipients from Suny Empire State College generally make around $58,140. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned it the #5 place for labor & industrial relations. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Labor & Industrial Relations graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. Soon after graduation, labor & industrial relations degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $89,637. That is a strong return on a $20,778 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value labor & industrial relations schools. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Juan. Students from in state pay about $5,780 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for labor & industrial relations graduates is $13,190. Soon after graduation, labor & industrial relations degree recipients from Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro generally make around $30,505. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University placed #7 among the best values for labor & industrial relations. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Labor & Industrial Relations graduates carry a median of $24,213 in student loans. Soon after graduation, labor & industrial relations degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $48,324. That is a strong return on a $24,213 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County earned the #8 position for value in labor & industrial relations this year. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,256 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,225 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for labor & industrial relations graduates is $21,331. Early-career labor & industrial relations graduates make about $49,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland Baltimore County admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #9 spot for labor & industrial relations value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Students borrow a median of $20,460 to complete the labor & industrial relations program here. Labor & Industrial Relations graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $64,052 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Cleveland State University placed #10 among the best values for labor & industrial relations. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Labor & Industrial Relations graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Labor & Industrial Relations graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $54,679 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Capella University landed the #11 spot for labor & industrial relations value this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400. Students borrow a median of $36,121 to complete the labor & industrial relations program here. Soon after graduation, labor & industrial relations degree recipients from Capella University generally make around $72,053. Set against $36,121 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Michigan State University placed #12 among the best values for labor & industrial relations. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Typical student debt for labor & industrial relations graduates is $23,475. Labor & Industrial Relations graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $78,014 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus landed the #13 spot for labor & industrial relations value this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,356. Labor & Industrial Relations graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career labor & industrial relations graduates make about $70,821. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Iowa placed #14 among the best values for labor & industrial relations. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Typical student debt for labor & industrial relations graduates is $23,149. Early-career labor & industrial relations graduates make about $52,945. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value labor & industrial relations schools. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Labor & Industrial Relations graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Early-career labor & industrial relations graduates make about $58,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rhode Island placed #16 among the best values for labor & industrial relations. University Of Rhode Island is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kingston. Students from in state pay about $16,942 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,146. Students borrow a median of $23,984 to complete the labor & industrial relations program here. Labor & Industrial Relations graduates of University Of Rhode Island earn a median of $73,191 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,984 median debt. University Of Rhode Island admits about 72% of applicants.
Cornell University placed #17 among the best values for labor & industrial relations. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the labor & industrial relations program here. Labor & Industrial Relations graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $92,864 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Rider University earned the #18 position for value in labor & industrial relations this year. Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lawrenceville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,120. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the labor & industrial relations program here. Soon after graduation, labor & industrial relations degree recipients from Rider University generally make around $40,941. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rider University admits about 79% of applicants.
Northwestern University came in at #19 for value in labor & industrial relations this year. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for labor & industrial relations graduates is $38,832. Soon after graduation, labor & industrial relations degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $78,551. That is a strong return on a $38,832 median debt. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.
Hawaii Pacific University landed the #20 spot for labor & industrial relations value this year. Located in the city of Honolulu, Hawaii Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,392. Labor & Industrial Relations graduates carry a median of $25,385 in student loans. Labor & Industrial Relations graduates of Hawaii Pacific University earn a median of $49,182 early in their careers. Set against $25,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Seton Hall University landed the #21 spot for labor & industrial relations value this year. Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Orange. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,170. Students borrow a median of $23,032 to complete the labor & industrial relations program here. Labor & Industrial Relations graduates of Seton Hall University earn a median of $80,158 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,032 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value labor & industrial relations schools. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Students borrow a median of $23,625 to complete the labor & industrial relations program here. Soon after graduation, labor & industrial relations degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus generally make around $72,158. Set against $23,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
University Of New Haven earned the #23 position for value in labor & industrial relations this year. Set in the suburb of West Haven, University Of New Haven is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $47,332. Students borrow a median of $26,244 to complete the labor & industrial relations program here. Labor & Industrial Relations graduates of University Of New Haven earn a median of $49,615 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,244 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Loyola University Chicago landed the #24 spot for labor & industrial relations value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,710 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete the labor & industrial relations program here. Labor & Industrial Relations graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $58,568 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. Loyola University Chicago admits about 82% of applicants.
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Labor & Industrial Relations. Browse the parent area of study.
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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.