2027 Best Value Human Resource Management Schools in the The Plains States Region

[Human Resource Management](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/human-resource-management/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 41 schools to find the best return on investment for human resource management students.
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2027 Best Value Human Resource Management Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the human resource management degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Human Resource Management Schools
Western Iowa Tech Community College earned the #1 spot for value among human resource management schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,186, with out-of-state students paying around $5,330. Human Resource Management graduates carry a median of $11,886 in student loans. Human Resource Management graduates of Western Iowa Tech Community College earn a median of $35,742 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,886 median debt.
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value human resource management schools. Located in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,080. Human Resource Management graduates carry a median of $27,081 in student loans. Human Resource Management graduates of Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earn a median of $69,872 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,081 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in human resource management will find it at University Of Nebraska At Omaha, which ranked #3. 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. Typical student debt for human resource management graduates is $21,783. Human Resource Management graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $48,906 early in their careers. Set against $21,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Wichita State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value human resource management schools. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human resource management graduates is $21,570. Human Resource Management graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $48,817 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,570 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Hawkeye Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value human resource management schools. Located in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,525, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Students borrow a median of $17,001 to complete the human resource management program here. Human Resource Management graduates of Hawkeye Community College earn a median of $41,902 early in their careers. Set against $17,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College earned the #6 position for value in human resource management this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,326. Typical student debt for human resource management graduates is $30,562. Soon after graduation, human resource management degree recipients from Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College generally make around $32,632. That is a strong return on a $30,562 median debt.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College earned the #7 position for value in human resource management this year. Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Fergus Falls. Students from in state pay about $5,908 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,261 to complete the human resource management program here. Early-career human resource management graduates make about $36,367. That is a strong return on a $18,261 median debt.
Normandale Community College came in at #8 for value in human resource management this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,329. Students borrow a median of $20,162 to complete the human resource management program here. Early-career human resource management graduates make about $53,871. Set against $20,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chadron State College came in at #9 for value in human resource management this year. Chadron State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Chadron. In-state tuition and fees average $8,294. Students borrow a median of $22,912 to complete the human resource management program here. Soon after graduation, human resource management degree recipients from Chadron State College generally make around $53,880. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #10 for value in human resource management this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Human Resource Management graduates carry a median of $22,635 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human resource management degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $46,054. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #11 spot for human resource management 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, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Human Resource Management graduates carry a median of $20,460 in student loans. Human Resource Management graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $64,052 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,460 median debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Dakota County Technical College came in at #12 for value in human resource management this year. Located in the rural area of Rosemount, Dakota County Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,679. Students borrow a median of $13,474 to complete the human resource management program here. Early-career human resource management graduates make about $50,429. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wayne State College placed #13 among the best values for human resource management. Located in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,171. Human Resource Management graduates carry a median of $22,974 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human resource management degree recipients from Wayne State College generally make around $46,646. Set against $22,974 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pittsburg State University landed the #14 spot for human resource management value this year. Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pittsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400, compared with $19,744 for out-of-state students. Human Resource Management graduates carry a median of $22,669 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human resource management degree recipients from Pittsburg State University generally make around $54,301. That is a strong return on a $22,669 median debt. Pittsburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Black Hills State University landed the #15 spot for human resource management value this year. Located in the town of Spearfish, Black Hills State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,916, while out-of-state students pay about $12,018. Students borrow a median of $26,820 to complete the human resource management program here. Early-career human resource management graduates make about $42,789. Set against $26,820 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Winona State University came in at #16 for value in human resource management this year. Set in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,576, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Typical student debt for human resource management graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, human resource management degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $50,241. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Metropolitan State University placed #17 among the best values for human resource management. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,840. Students borrow a median of $34,516 to complete the human resource management program here. Early-career human resource management graduates make about $48,999. Set against $34,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Bellevue University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value human resource management schools. Set in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,873. Human Resource Management graduates carry a median of $31,062 in student loans. Early-career human resource management graduates make about $69,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Missouri State University Springfield earned the #19 position for value in human resource management this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Human Resource Management graduates carry a median of $24,408 in student loans. Early-career human resource management graduates make about $46,503. Set against $24,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
Rasmussen College Minnesota earned the #20 position for value in human resource management this year. Set in the city of St. Cloud, Rasmussen College Minnesota is a large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $12,199 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $32,385 to complete the human resource management program here. Soon after graduation, human resource management degree recipients from Rasmussen College Minnesota generally make around $51,217. That is a strong return on a $32,385 median debt.
Iowa State University placed #21 among the best values for human resource management. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human resource management graduates is $23,496. Human Resource Management graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $54,204 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,496 median debt. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Capella University landed the #22 spot for human resource management value this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400. Typical student debt for human resource management graduates is $36,121. Human Resource Management graduates of Capella University earn a median of $62,259 early in their careers. Set against $36,121 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Concordia University Saint Paul ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value human resource management schools. Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,600. Students borrow a median of $28,666 to complete the human resource management program here. Human Resource Management graduates of Concordia University Saint Paul earn a median of $67,632 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Duluth ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value human resource management schools. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,608, while out-of-state students pay about $20,134. Typical student debt for human resource management graduates is $24,624. Human Resource Management graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $46,572 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Duluth admits about 89% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #25 for value in human resource management this year. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Typical student debt for human resource management graduates is $27,312. Human Resource Management graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $46,691 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,312 median debt. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 41 Best Value Human Resource Management Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s human resource management value ranking:
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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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 41 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.