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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Human Resources Development Master’s Degree Schools

22 Colleges in the United States
$23,883 Avg Student Debt
$60,640 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Human Resources Development Master's Degree Badge [Human Resources Development](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/human-resource-management/human-resources-development/) 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 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 97 schools to find the best return on investment for human resources development students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Human Resources Development Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the human resources development degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Human Resources Development Schools

1

For return on investment in human resources development, no school beat University Of Houston Clear Lake this year. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,346, with out-of-state students paying around $22,290. Human Resources Development graduates carry a median of $21,100 in student loans. Early-career human resources development graduates make about $63,293. That is a strong return on a $21,100 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

2
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value human resources development schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete the human resources development program here. Soon after graduation, human resources development degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. Set against $19,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of Houston came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value human resources development schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human resources development graduates is $22,000. Early-career human resources development graduates make about $87,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.

4

American Public University System came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value human resources development schools. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. Students borrow a median of $23,438 to complete the human resources development program here. Early-career human resources development graduates make about $57,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Students looking for strong value in human resources development will find it at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for human resources development graduates is $20,778. Early-career human resources development graduates make about $89,637. Set against $20,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

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6

The University Of Texas At Tyler earned the #6 position for value in human resources development this year. Located in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,512, with out-of-state students paying around $24,512. Human Resources Development graduates carry a median of $22,152 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human resources development degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler generally make around $57,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

7

Universidad Metropolitana earned the #7 position for value in human resources development this year. Located in the city of San Juan, Universidad Metropolitana is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,750. Students borrow a median of $15,074 to complete the human resources development program here. Soon after graduation, human resources development degree recipients from Universidad Metropolitana generally make around $28,897. Set against $15,074 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value human resources development schools. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human resources development graduates is $20,460. Early-career human resources development graduates make about $56,395. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.

9

Universidad Del Turabo earned the #9 position for value in human resources development this year. Universidad Del Turabo is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Gurabo. Students from in state pay about $7,750 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for human resources development graduates is $14,155. Human Resources Development graduates of Universidad Del Turabo earn a median of $29,236 early in their careers. Set against $14,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Eastern Illinois University earned the #10 position for value in human resources development this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Students borrow a median of $24,293 to complete the human resources development program here. Soon after graduation, human resources development degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $43,603. Set against $24,293 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

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University Of Southern Mississippi earned the #11 position for value in human resources development this year. Located in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,998, while out-of-state students pay about $11,998. Students borrow a median of $22,865 to complete the human resources development program here. Soon after graduation, human resources development degree recipients from University Of Southern Mississippi generally make around $44,709. That is a strong return on a $22,865 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

12
Towson University crest
Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University placed #12 among the best values for human resources development. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,728, while out-of-state students pay about $29,820. Human Resources Development graduates carry a median of $21,241 in student loans. Human Resources Development graduates of Towson University earn a median of $74,293 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,241 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

13

Boise State University landed the #13 spot for human resources development value this year. Boise State University is a very large public school located in the city of Boise. Students from in state pay about $9,048 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,788 for out-of-state students. Human Resources Development graduates carry a median of $15,159 in student loans. Human Resources Development graduates of Boise State University earn a median of $49,059 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,159 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

14

Western Michigan University landed the #14 spot for human resources development value this year. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Typical student debt for human resources development graduates is $27,000. Early-career human resources development graduates make about $69,374. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.

15
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

University Of Arkansas came in at #15 for value in human resources development this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. Human Resources Development graduates carry a median of $36,947 in student loans. Early-career human resources development graduates make about $40,007. Set against $36,947 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.

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Idaho State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value human resources development schools. Idaho State University is a large public school located in the city of Pocatello. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,610, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Typical student debt for human resources development graduates is $31,660. Early-career human resources development graduates make about $62,033. Set against $31,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Pittsburg State University came in at #17 for value in human resources development this year. Set in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400, while out-of-state students pay about $19,744. Students borrow a median of $22,669 to complete the human resources development program here. Soon after graduation, human resources development degree recipients from Pittsburg State University generally make around $54,301. Set against $22,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

18

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College landed the #18 spot for human resources development value this year. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public school located in the city of Baton Rouge. In-state tuition and fees average $11,954, compared with $28,631 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human resources development graduates is $21,348. Soon after graduation, human resources development degree recipients from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College generally make around $66,564. That is a strong return on a $21,348 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.

19

Texas A And M University College Station came in at #19 for value in human resources development this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Typical student debt for human resources development graduates is $19,970. Human Resources Development graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $101,842 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.

20

Pennsylvania State University World Campus placed #20 among the best values for human resources development. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,356. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.

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21

Bowie State University earned the #21 position for value in human resources development this year. Bowie State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Bowie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,218, with out-of-state students paying around $19,938. Human Resources Development graduates carry a median of $28,474 in student loans. Human Resources Development graduates of Bowie State University earn a median of $63,595 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,474 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

22

Houston Baptist University placed #22 among the best values for human resources development. Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $39,430 in tuition and fees. Human Resources Development graduates carry a median of $25,601 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human resources development degree recipients from Houston Baptist University generally make around $66,397. That is a strong return on a $25,601 median debt. Houston Baptist University admits about 84% of applicants.

23

Roosevelt University came in at #23 for value in human resources development this year. Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $21,315. Typical student debt for human resources development graduates is $23,879. Human Resources Development graduates of Roosevelt University earn a median of $64,145 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,879 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.

24
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value human resources development schools. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,554, while out-of-state students pay about $40,866. Human Resources Development graduates carry a median of $23,783 in student loans. Early-career human resources development graduates make about $67,293. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.

25

Universidad Ana G Mendez came in at #25 for value in human resources development this year. Set in the city of Orlando, Universidad Ana G Mendez is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,575. Soon after graduation, human resources development degree recipients from Universidad Ana G Mendez generally make around $33,564.

Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Human Resources Development Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in human resources development:

26
27
Tusculum College crest
Tusculum College
Greeneville, TN
28
Webster University crest
Webster University
Saint Louis, MO
29
30
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL
31
Bellevue University crest
Bellevue University
Bellevue, NE
32
Champlain College crest
Champlain College
Burlington, VT
33
34
University Of San Francisco crest
University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
35
Villanova University crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA
36
37

Other Human Resources Development Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Human Resources Development rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Human Resources Development
Associate's Degrees in Human Resources Development
Bachelor's Degrees in Human Resources Development
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View All Human Resources Development Rankings >

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 97 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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