2026 Best Value Human Resources Development Schools in the The Plains States Region
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong human resources development education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for human resources development students.
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2026 Best Value Human Resources Development Schools in the The Plains States Region
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
Leading the list is Dakota County Technical College, our #1 best value for human resources development in the The Plains States Region. Located in the rural area of Rosemount, Dakota County Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,679. Students borrow a median of $13,474 to complete the human resources development program here. Soon after graduation, human resources development degree recipients from Dakota County Technical College generally make around $50,429. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value human resources development schools. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Students borrow a median of $21,783 to complete the human resources development program here. Human Resources Development 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. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Minnesota Twin Cities one of the best values for human resources development. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Typical student debt for human resources development graduates is $20,460. Human Resources Development graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $56,395 early in their careers. Set against $20,460 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Park University earned it the #4 place for human resources development. Located in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,116. Human Resources Development graduates carry a median of $19,383 in student loans. Human Resources Development graduates of Park University earn a median of $51,169 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Pittsburg State University one of the best values for human resources development. 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. Typical student debt for human resources development graduates is $22,669. Early-career human resources development graduates make about $54,301. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Webster University came in at #6 for value in human resources development this year. Webster University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $31,750. Typical student debt for human resources development graduates is $25,939. Early-career human resources development graduates make about $58,234. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Webster University admits about 86% of applicants.
Southwestern College came in at #7 for value in human resources development this year. Set in the town of Winfield, Southwestern College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,822 in tuition and fees. Human Resources Development graduates carry a median of $26,874 in student loans. Human Resources Development graduates of Southwestern College earn a median of $58,036 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southwestern College admits about 76% of applicants.
Bellevue University came in at #8 for value in human resources development this year. Bellevue University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bellevue. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,873. Human Resources Development graduates carry a median of $31,062 in student loans. Early-career human resources development graduates make about $69,218. Set against $31,062 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
