2026 Best Value General Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration Schools in Illinois
[General Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/human-resource-management/human-resources-management-personnel-administration-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general human resources management/personnel administration education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 35 schools to find the best return on investment for general human resources management/personnel administration students.
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2026 Best Value General Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration Schools in Illinois
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general human resources management/personnel administration degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration Schools
Leading the list is Joliet Junior College, our #1 best value for general human resources management/personnel administration in Illinois. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. General Human Resources Management/personnel Administration graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Early-career general human resources management/personnel administration graduates make about $40,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general human resources management/personnel administration will find it at City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general human resources management/personnel administration graduates is $11,533. Early-career general human resources management/personnel administration graduates make about $33,960. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Dupage came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general human resources management/personnel administration schools. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. General Human Resources Management/personnel Administration graduates carry a median of $17,746 in student loans. General Human Resources Management/personnel Administration graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $43,025 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,746 median debt.
Harper College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general human resources management/personnel administration, landing the #4 spot this year. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. Students from in state pay about $3,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,874 for out-of-state students. General Human Resources Management/personnel Administration graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general human resources management/personnel administration degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. That is a strong return on a $10,963 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Springfield earned it the #5 place for general human resources management/personnel administration. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,557, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. General Human Resources Management/personnel Administration graduates carry a median of $24,925 in student loans. General Human Resources Management/personnel Administration graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $53,344 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general human resources management/personnel administration schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. General Human Resources Management/personnel Administration graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. Early-career general human resources management/personnel administration graduates make about $89,637. Set against $20,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Governors State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general human resources management/personnel administration schools. Governors State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,004. General Human Resources Management/personnel Administration graduates carry a median of $24,990 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general human resources management/personnel administration degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $51,711. Set against $24,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #8 for value in general human resources management/personnel administration this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,115 to complete the general human resources management/personnel administration program here. Soon after graduation, general human resources management/personnel administration degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $61,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of St Francis placed #9 among the best values for general human resources management/personnel administration. Set in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,110. Typical student debt for general human resources management/personnel administration graduates is $25,695. Soon after graduation, general human resources management/personnel administration degree recipients from University Of St Francis generally make around $94,853. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
National Louis University earned the #10 position for value in general human resources management/personnel administration this year. Located in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,245. General Human Resources Management/personnel Administration graduates carry a median of $29,242 in student loans. Early-career general human resources management/personnel administration graduates make about $68,404. That is a strong return on a $29,242 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Chicago ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general human resources management/personnel administration schools. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,488. Students borrow a median of $34,419 to complete the general human resources management/personnel administration program here. General Human Resources Management/personnel Administration graduates of Concordia University Chicago earn a median of $51,763 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Lewis University earned the #12 position for value in general human resources management/personnel administration this year. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $39,200. General Human Resources Management/personnel Administration graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general human resources management/personnel administration degree recipients from Lewis University generally make around $50,361. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Lewis University admits about 71% of applicants.
Roosevelt University landed the #13 spot for general human resources management/personnel administration value this year. Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $21,315 in tuition and fees. General Human Resources Management/personnel Administration graduates carry a median of $23,879 in student loans. Early-career general human resources management/personnel administration graduates make about $64,145. Set against $23,879 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Benedictine University placed #14 among the best values for general human resources management/personnel administration. Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lisle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,648. Students borrow a median of $31,872 to complete the general human resources management/personnel administration program here. General Human Resources Management/personnel Administration graduates of Benedictine University earn a median of $54,212 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Benedictine University admits about 95% of applicants.
Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general human resources management/personnel administration schools. Set in the city of Rockford, Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College is a small private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,699. Students borrow a median of $18,007 to complete the general human resources management/personnel administration program here. Early-career general human resources management/personnel administration graduates make about $30,486. Set against $18,007 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mckendree University placed #16 among the best values for general human resources management/personnel administration. Mckendree University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lebanon. Students from in state pay about $34,740 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general human resources management/personnel administration graduates is $24,625. Early-career general human resources management/personnel administration graduates make about $49,505. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Northwestern University placed #17 among the best values for general human resources management/personnel administration. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. General Human Resources Management/personnel Administration graduates carry a median of $38,832 in student loans. General Human Resources Management/personnel Administration graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $78,551 early in their careers. Set against $38,832 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Depaul University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general human resources management/personnel administration schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,405. Typical student debt for general human resources management/personnel administration graduates is $25,310. General Human Resources Management/personnel Administration graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $68,993 early in their careers. Set against $25,310 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Devry University Illinois earned the #19 position for value in general human resources management/personnel administration this year. Located in the suburb of Lisle, Devry University Illinois is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,008. Students borrow a median of $43,684 to complete the general human resources management/personnel administration program here. Early-career general human resources management/personnel administration graduates make about $55,295. That is a strong return on a $43,684 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Loyola University Chicago placed #20 among the best values for general human resources management/personnel administration. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $53,710 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general human resources management/personnel administration graduates is $23,521. General Human Resources Management/personnel Administration graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $65,656 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
