If a career in human resources appeals to you, an online HR degree delivers flexibility, convenience, and personalization opportunities.
Leading online HR degree programs, like our No. 2 program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, offer comprehensive curricula directly aligned with professional best practices, as established by organizations like the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). If you have prior credit, you can even finish our top pick, Saint Mary's University of Minnesota's online program, in as little as a year.
Explore top-ranked programs and important school selection criteria with this guide.
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Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Top Online HR Degrees
How We Highlight What Schools Do Best
We analyzed each school's program to identify qualities that set it apart, prioritizing factors like flexibility, real-world experiences, employer connections, and the relevance of the curriculum to the industry. Based on these strengths, we assigned each school a superlative category.
Since many programs share similar offerings and outcomes, our goal is to simplify your college decision-making by highlighting the features most relevant to your needs.
We verified these schools' facts in August 2025.
How to Choose the Right Online HR Degree Program For You
The elements that make a program "right" for any given student are highly subjective. Even so, considerations like cost, flexibility, delivery format, program credentials, and networking opportunities often make a difference.
Here's how these key factors break down:
Cost
When examining costs, look beyond the so-called "sticker price." In your analysis, evaluate the return you stand to make on your educational investment. To do this, compare tuition costs with outcome metrics like post-graduation placement rates and the average starting salaries of recent graduates.
Also, consider the "net price of attendance." This represents your actual out-of-pocket costs after factoring in all non-repayable financial aid you stand to receive. Aid packages can dramatically reduce the net price of attendance, particularly at private institutions.
Flexibility and Format
Online HR degrees use variable delivery formats, some of which offer more flexibility than others. Asynchronous programs use pre-recorded lectures that allow you to engage with coursework at any convenient time. Synchronous programs use live online delivery models, which are more interactive but less flexible.
Also, consider hybrid programs if you live near your school and want an element of the traditional college experience. Some schools also offer accelerated programs with compact completion timelines, typically to students with existing degrees or relevant professional experience. You can finish the top program on this list, from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, in as little as a year.
SHRM Certification
SHRM-aligned programs develop competencies that directly support the valuable professional certifications offered by the Society for Human Resource Management. The curriculum in UAB's online bachelor's degree in human resource management — our No. 2 program — meets SHRM standards. Professional certifications may enhance your employability and could therefore improve the return you get on your educational investment.
Internship Opportunities
Some online HR degree programs require internship credits that help you build practical skills, develop your professional network, and surface job opportunities. Like SHRM certification pathways, internships can tilt a program's value proposition further in your favor.
How Much Does an Online HR Degree Cost?
Program costs vary according to factors like delivery format, school location, institutional prestige, and a college's private or public status. The following table describes prevailing averages of business bachelor's degrees — including HR programs — using data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Cost of Online Bachelor's in Business, 2019-2020
Avg. Tuition & Fees
$10,473
Avg. Net Price
$5,918
Source: NCES PowerStats
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How Long Does It Take to Earn an Online HR Degree?
Bachelor's HR programs typically require four academic years of full-time study, if you enter as a first-time, first-year student. Your timeline may differ if you:
Have previous college credits that qualify for transfer
Study year-round instead of taking summers off
Qualify for and enroll in an accelerated program
You also have part-time enrollment options. These increase your scheduling flexibility, but they also extend your time to graduation.
What Can You Do With a Bachelor's in Human Resources?
The return you get on your educational investment depends heavily on the salary associated with the professional role you ultimately pursue.
To that end, consider this data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which covers career paths commonly sought by HR program graduates:
| Job | Median Annual Salary (May 2024) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative Services and Facilities Manager | $106,880 | Oversees office spaces, coordinates safety standards, organizes records, and supports employees. |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialist | $77,020 | Develops salary structure and employee benefit plans, analyzes job roles, and writes job descriptions. |
| Human Resources Specialist | $72,910 | Recruits and hires employees, manages employee orientations, and maintains employee records. |
| Human Resources Manager | $140,030 | Develops HR strategies, oversees recruitment, supports career development, and encourages employee engagement. |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $93,500 | Handles labor agreements, manages disputes, and serves as a contact between employees and labor unions. |
| Training and Development Specialist | $65,850 | Increases employee knowledge, conducts surveys, and holds training sessions and workshops. |
Frequently Asked Questions About Online HR Degree Programs
Our analysis produced a ranking led by Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and Maryville University of Saint Louis. However, there are many other excellent online HR degrees available. Explore the complete ranking above to connect with additional learning opportunities.
