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2024 Best Human Resource Management Schools

440 Colleges in the United States
28,787 HR Degrees Awarded
$49,057 Avg Early-Career Salary
A degree in human resource management is more popular than many other degrees. In fact, it ranks #45 out of 395 on popularity of all such degrees in the nation. So, you have a fair amount of options to choose from when looking for a school.

In 2024, College Factual analyzed 440 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Human Resource Management Schools ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 28,787 degrees in human resource management during the 2020-2021 academic year.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Human Resource Management School

Best Human Resource Management Schools The hr program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Human Resource Management rankings. We derive our Best Overall Human Resource Management School rankings by rolling up our degree-level rankings after weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each school.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Pick Your Human Resource Management Degree Level

Associate Degrees in HR
Bachelor's Degrees in HR
Master's Degrees in HR
Doctor's Degrees in HR

When choosing the right school for you, it's important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we've created a number of major-specific rankings, including this Best Human Resource Management Schools list to help you make the college decision. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Read more about College Factual's methodology.

Best Schools for Human Resource Management in the United States

The schools below may not offer all types of hr degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools in HR

1
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
379 HR Degrees Awarded
$65,696 Median Starting Salary

It is difficult to beat Cornell University if you want to pursue a degree in human resource management. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #26 out of 2,238 schools nationwide means Cornell is a great university overall.

There were about 379 human resource management students who graduated with this degree at Cornell in the most recent data year. Human Resource Management degree recipients from Cornell University get an earnings boost of around $16,639 over the typical earnings of human resource management majors.

More information about a degree in human resource management from Cornell University

2
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
6th Most Popular In MO

It's difficult to beat Washington University in St Louis if you want to pursue a degree in human resource management. WUSTL is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Saint Louis. A Best Colleges rank of #18 out of 2,238 schools nationwide means WUSTL is a great university overall.

There were about 24 human resource management students who graduated with this degree at WUSTL in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in human resource management from Washington University in St Louis

3
UPenn crest
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
59 HR Degrees Awarded
27.1% Growth in Graduates

University of Pennsylvania is one of the best schools in the country for getting a degree in human resource management. UPenn is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Philadelphia. A Best Colleges rank of #4 out of 2,238 colleges nationwide means UPenn is a great university overall.

There were roughly 59 human resource management students who graduated with this degree at UPenn in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the human resource management degree program at University of Pennsylvania get $42,834 above the standard graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in human resource management from University of Pennsylvania

4
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
43 HR Degrees Awarded
$69,350 Median Starting Salary

Every student pursuing a degree in human resource management has to look into Northwestern University. Located in the small city of Evanston, Northwestern is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #5 out of 2,238 schools nationwide means Northwestern is a great university overall.

There were approximately 43 human resource management students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern in the most recent data year. Those human resource management students who get their degree from Northwestern University make $20,293 more than the standard hr graduate.

More information about a degree in human resource management from Northwestern University

5
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
36 HR Degrees Awarded
$108,703 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large city of Nashville, Vanderbilt is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #22 out of 2,238 schools nationwide means Vanderbilt is a great university overall.

There were approximately 36 human resource management students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt in the most recent year we have data available. Human Resource Management degree recipients from Vanderbilt University receive an earnings boost of approximately $59,646 above the average earnings of human resource management majors.

More information about a degree in human resource management from Vanderbilt University

6
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In CA
267 HR Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Los Angeles, USC is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #12 out of 2,238 schools nationwide means USC is a great university overall.

There were roughly 267 human resource management students who graduated with this degree at USC in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in human resource management from University of Southern California

7
Villanova crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
278 HR Degrees Awarded
10.4% Growth in Graduates

Villanova is a large private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Villanova. This university ranks 6th out of 117 schools for overall quality in the state of Pennsylvania.

There were roughly 278 human resource management students who graduated with this degree at Villanova in the most recent year we have data available. Those human resource management students who get their degree from Villanova University make $35,526 more than the typical hr grad.

More information about a degree in human resource management from Villanova University

8
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
126 HR Degrees Awarded
$87,923 Median Starting Salary

UIUC is a fairly large public university located in the city of Champaign. A Best Colleges rank of #36 out of 2,238 schools nationwide means UIUC is a great university overall.

There were roughly 126 human resource management students who graduated with this degree at UIUC in the most recent data year. Human Resource Management degree recipients from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign receive an earnings boost of about $38,866 above the average income of human resource management graduates.

More information about a degree in human resource management from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

9
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
278 HR Degrees Awarded
$60,856 Median Starting Salary

UMN Twin Cities is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Minneapolis. This university ranks 1st out of 55 colleges for overall quality in the state of Minnesota.

There were about 278 human resource management students who graduated with this degree at UMN Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the human resource management program at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities make $11,799 more than the typical graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in human resource management from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

10
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
177 HR Degrees Awarded
$69,694 Median Starting Salary

Michigan State is a very large public university located in the small city of East Lansing. This university ranks 2nd out of 57 schools for overall quality in the state of Michigan.

There were roughly 177 human resource management students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State in the most recent data year. Human Resource Management degree recipients from Michigan State University get an earnings boost of about $20,636 above the typical income of human resource management graduates.

More information about a degree in human resource management from Michigan State University

11
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
48 HR Degrees Awarded
4.2% Growth in Graduates

Located in the midsize city of Ann Arbor, U-M is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #20 out of 2,238 schools nationwide means U-M is a great university overall.

There were about 48 human resource management students who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent year we have data available. Human Resource Management degree recipients from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor get an earnings boost of around $12,290 above the typical income of human resource management graduates.

More information about a degree in human resource management from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

12
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
217 HR Degrees Awarded
14.3% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of Washington, GWU is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 8 colleges for overall quality in the state of District of Columbia.

There were about 217 human resource management students who graduated with this degree at GWU in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the human resource management degree program at George Washington University make $31,879 above the typical college graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in human resource management from George Washington University

13
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
157 HR Degrees Awarded
10.8% Growth in Graduates

Texas A&M College Station is a very large public university located in the midsize city of College Station. A Best Colleges rank of #42 out of 2,238 colleges nationwide means Texas A&M College Station is a great university overall.

There were about 157 human resource management students who graduated with this degree at Texas A&M College Station in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the human resource management degree program at Texas A&M University - College Station get $19,238 more than the standard graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in human resource management from Texas A&M University - College Station

14
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
465 HR Degrees Awarded
$44,903 Median Starting Salary

University of Oklahoma is a very large public university located in the midsize suburb of Norman. This university ranks 1st out of 32 schools for overall quality in the state of Oklahoma.

There were roughly 465 human resource management students who graduated with this degree at University of Oklahoma in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the hr program make around $44,903 for their early career.

More information about a degree in human resource management from University of Oklahoma Norman Campus

15
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
13th Most Popular In CA
60.7% Growth in Graduates

UCLA is a very large public university located in the city of Los Angeles. A Best Colleges rank of #25 out of 2,238 schools nationwide means UCLA is a great university overall.

There were about 28 human resource management students who graduated with this degree at UCLA in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in human resource management from University of California - Los Angeles

16
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
601 HR Degrees Awarded
$52,024 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers New Brunswick is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 3rd out of 44 colleges for overall quality in the state of New Jersey.

There were roughly 601 human resource management students who graduated with this degree at Rutgers New Brunswick in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the human resource management degree program at Rutgers University - New Brunswick earn $2,967 more than the average college grad with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in human resource management from Rutgers University - New Brunswick

17
Harvard crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
4th Most Popular In MA
115 HR Degrees Awarded

Located in the midsize city of Cambridge, Harvard is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #6 out of 2,238 schools nationwide means Harvard is a great university overall.

There were about 115 human resource management students who graduated with this degree at Harvard in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in human resource management from Harvard University

18
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
6th Most Popular In IN
70.8% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Bloomington, IU Bloomington is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 3rd out of 42 colleges for overall quality in the state of Indiana.

There were about 24 human resource management students who graduated with this degree at IU Bloomington in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in human resource management from Indiana University - Bloomington

19
Georgetown crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
67 HR Degrees Awarded
16.4% Growth in Graduates

Georgetown is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Washington. A Best Colleges rank of #21 out of 2,238 colleges nationwide means Georgetown is a great university overall.

There were approximately 67 human resource management students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the human resource management degree program at Georgetown University earn $24,915 more than the typical graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in human resource management from Georgetown University

20
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
846 HR Degrees Awarded
15.0% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of Aurora, Colorado State University - Global Campus is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 6th out of 34 schools for overall quality in the state of Colorado.

There were roughly 846 human resource management students who graduated with this degree at Colorado State University - Global Campus in the most recent data year. Those human resource management students who get their degree from Colorado State University - Global Campus receive $10,210 more than the average hr grad.

More information about a degree in human resource management from Colorado State University - Global Campus

21
Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
192 HR Degrees Awarded
$57,215 Median Starting Salary

Temple is a very large public university located in the large city of Philadelphia. This university ranks 10th out of 117 schools for overall quality in the state of Pennsylvania.

There were about 192 human resource management students who graduated with this degree at Temple in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the human resource management degree program at Temple University make $8,158 above the standard college graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in human resource management from Temple University

22
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
77 HR Degrees Awarded
19.5% Growth in Graduates

Pepperdine is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Malibu. This university ranks 18th out of 170 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 77 human resource management students who graduated with this degree at Pepperdine in the most recent year we have data available. Human Resource Management degree recipients from Pepperdine University earn a boost of approximately $43,163 over the average income of human resource management majors.

More information about a degree in human resource management from Pepperdine University

23
URichmond crest
University of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
118 HR Degrees Awarded
14.4% Growth in Graduates

Located in the midsize city of University of Richmond, URichmond is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. This university ranks 7th out of 65 schools for overall quality in the state of Virginia.

There were about 118 human resource management students who graduated with this degree at URichmond in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the hr program report average early career income of $50,680.

More information about a degree in human resource management from University of Richmond

24
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
92 HR Degrees Awarded
$59,354 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 96 schools for overall quality in the state of Ohio.

There were about 92 human resource management students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State in the most recent data year. Human Resource Management degree recipients from Ohio State University - Main Campus receive an earnings boost of around $10,297 over the average income of human resource management graduates.

More information about a degree in human resource management from Ohio State University - Main Campus

25
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
75 HR Degrees Awarded
20.0% Growth in Graduates

Madison College is a fairly large public college located in the large city of Madison. This college ranks 10th out of 46 colleges for overall quality in the state of Wisconsin.

There were approximately 75 human resource management students who graduated with this degree at Madison College in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the hr program state that they receive average early career wages of $34,747.

More information about a degree in human resource management from Madison Area Technical College

Rest of the Top Best Human Resource Management Schools

25
26
USFCA crest
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
27
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI
28
29
30
31
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

32

33
34
35
36
37
38
SCU crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA
39
40
Webster crest
Webster University
Saint Louis, MO

41
NYU crest
New York University
New York, NY

42
43
44
45
46
Providence crest
Providence College
Providence, RI
47
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN
47
49

Additional Award Winners

This section shows the rest of the colleges awarded a Best Human Resource Management Schools badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 15% of the 440 different United States human resource management schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
50 Bellevue University Bellevue, NE
51 Bryant University Smithfield, RI
52 University of Scranton Scranton, PA
53 Florida International University Miami, FL
54 Clemson University Clemson, SC
55 Saint Joseph’s University Philadelphia, PA
56 Brigham Young University - Provo Provo, UT
57 University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OH
58 Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, LA
59 University of Denver Denver, CO
60 Rasmussen University - Minnesota St. Cloud, MN
61 Wayne State University Detroit, MI
62 University of North Texas Denton, TX
63 Lakeshore Technical College Cleveland, WI
64 Marquette University Milwaukee, WI
65 Golden Gate University - San Francisco San Francisco, CA
66 Park University Parkville, MO

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Human Resource Management Schools award.

Rank College Location
67 Seton Hall University South Orange, NJ
68 Saint Louis University Saint Louis, MO
69 University of Phoenix - Arizona Phoenix, AZ
70 Chippewa Valley Technical College Eau Claire, WI
71 Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MI
72 SUNY Empire State College Saratoga Springs, NY
73 University of Miami Coral Gables, FL
74 Concordia University, Chicago River Forest, IL
75 Rasmussen University - Illinois Rockford, IL
76 Utah State University Logan, UT
77 University of St Thomas Minnesota Saint Paul, MN
78 University of Houston Houston, TX
79 Portland State University Portland, OR
80 Western Governors University Salt Lake City, UT
81 Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NH
82 University of the Incarnate Word San Antonio, TX
83 Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KY
84 Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FL
85 National University La Jolla, CA
86 Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota Winona, MN
87 Fox Valley Technical College Appleton, WI
88 Rio Salado College Tempe, AZ

Human Resource Management by Region

View the Best Human Resource Management Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

One of 21 majors within the Business, Management & Marketing area of study, Human Resource Management has other similar majors worth exploring.

HR Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
General Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration 19,084
Organizational Behavior Studies 3,921
Human Resources Development 2,315
Labor & Industrial Relations 1,789
Other Human Resources Management and Services 1,450
Labor Studies 171
Executive/Career Coaching 57

View All HR Concentrations >

Majors Similar to HR

Related Major Annual Graduates
Business Administration & Management 416,590
Accounting 99,265
Finance & Financial Management 57,778
General Business/Commerce 56,042
Marketing 52,916
Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods 43,382
Business Support & Assistant Services 19,119
Hospitality Management 17,689
Management Information Systems 13,680
Entrepreneurial Studies 11,319

View All HR Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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