by our College Data Analytics Team
[Human Resource Management](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/human-resource-management/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying human resource management schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send human resource management graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Northwestern University the top school for human resource management graduate earnings in Illinois. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Students who complete the human resource management program here go on to a median salary of roughly $82,255.
Benedictine University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying human resource management schools. Located in the suburb of Lisle, Benedictine University is a private not-for-profit institution. Human Resource Management graduates of Benedictine University earn a median of about $78,629 a year early in their careers.
Roosevelt University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying human resource management schools. Roosevelt University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Early-career human resource management graduates from Roosevelt University make a median of around $70,329 per year.
University Of St Francis came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying human resource management schools. Set in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, human resource management degree recipients from University Of St Francis typically earn about $65,341 annually.
Rasmussen College Illinois came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying human resource management schools. Located in the city of Rockford, Rasmussen College Illinois is a private for-profit institution. Human Resource Management graduates of Rasmussen College Illinois earn a median of about $53,717 a year early in their careers.
North Central College landed the #6 spot for human resource management salaries this year. Set in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a private not-for-profit institution. Human Resource Management graduates of North Central College earn a median of about $71,402 a year early in their careers.
Lewis University placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for human resource management. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career human resource management graduates from Lewis University make a median of around $68,827 per year.
Mckendree University placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for human resource management. Mckendree University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lebanon. After graduating, human resource management degree recipients from Mckendree University typically earn about $56,586 annually.
Greenville College earned the #9 position for human resource management graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Greenville, Greenville College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, human resource management degree recipients from Greenville College typically earn about $52,169 annually.
Concordia University Chicago landed the #10 spot for human resource management salaries this year. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the human resource management program here go on to a median salary of roughly $51,763.
Northeastern Illinois University placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for human resource management. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a public institution. Students who complete the human resource management program here go on to a median salary of roughly $49,131.
Western Illinois University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying human resource management schools. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a public institution. Human Resource Management graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of about $48,657 a year early in their careers.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their human resource management graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 12 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.