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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Labor & Industrial Relations Bachelor’s Degree Schools

9 Colleges in the United States
$24,012 Avg Student Debt
$64,387 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Labor & Industrial Relations Bachelor's Degree Badge [Labor & Industrial Relations](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/human-resource-management/labor-and-industrial-relations/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong labor & industrial relations education at a price that pays off.

College Factual analyzed 38 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value labor & industrial relations schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Labor & Industrial Relations Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in labor & industrial relations, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Labor & Industrial Relations Schools

1

For return on investment in labor & industrial relations, no school beat University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras this year. Located in the city of San Juan, University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,324 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the labor & industrial relations program here. Early-career labor & industrial relations graduates make about $24,881. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.

2
Suny Empire State College crest
Suny Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, NY

Suny Empire State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in labor & industrial relations, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,648, while out-of-state students pay about $17,558. Labor & Industrial Relations graduates carry a median of $23,693 in student loans. Soon after graduation, labor & industrial relations degree recipients from Suny Empire State College generally make around $58,140. Set against $23,693 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wayne State University earned it the #3 place for labor & industrial relations. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Students borrow a median of $24,213 to complete the labor & industrial relations program here. Labor & Industrial Relations graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $48,324 early in their careers. Set against $24,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of Minnesota Twin Cities one of the best values for labor & industrial relations. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Labor & Industrial Relations graduates carry a median of $19,388 in student loans. Soon after graduation, labor & industrial relations degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $50,946. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.

5

A rank of #5 makes Cleveland State University one of the best values for labor & industrial relations. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Labor & Industrial Relations graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, labor & industrial relations degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $40,869. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

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6
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN

Capella University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value labor & industrial relations schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees. Labor & Industrial Relations graduates carry a median of $36,121 in student loans. Early-career labor & industrial relations graduates make about $72,053. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University came in at #7 for value in labor & industrial relations this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Labor & Industrial Relations graduates carry a median of $23,475 in student loans. Soon after graduation, labor & industrial relations degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $56,501. That is a strong return on a $23,475 median debt. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.

8

Pennsylvania State University World Campus landed the #8 spot for labor & industrial relations value this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,356. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.

9
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa earned the #9 position for value in labor & industrial relations this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Labor & Industrial Relations graduates carry a median of $23,149 in student loans. Labor & Industrial Relations graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $52,945 early in their careers. Set against $23,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.

10

Rutgers University New Brunswick placed #10 among the best values for labor & industrial relations. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for labor & industrial relations graduates is $25,750. Soon after graduation, labor & industrial relations degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $49,441. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.

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11
Rider University crest
Rider University
Lawrenceville, NJ

Rider University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value labor & industrial relations schools. Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lawrenceville. Students from in state pay about $41,120 in tuition and fees. Labor & Industrial Relations graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, labor & industrial relations degree recipients from Rider University generally make around $40,941. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rider University admits about 79% of applicants.

12

Northwestern University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value labor & industrial relations schools. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Students borrow a median of $38,832 to complete the labor & industrial relations program here. Soon after graduation, labor & industrial relations degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $78,551. Set against $38,832 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.

13
Seton Hall University crest
Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ

Seton Hall University placed #13 among the best values for labor & industrial relations. Set in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,170. Students borrow a median of $23,032 to complete the labor & industrial relations program here. Early-career labor & industrial relations graduates make about $52,285. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.

14

Cornell University landed the #14 spot for labor & industrial relations value this year. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,314. Labor & Industrial Relations graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Labor & Industrial Relations graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $73,436 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

15

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus landed the #15 spot for labor & industrial relations value this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

Other Labor & Industrial Relations Degree Levels

Explore the best-value labor & industrial relations schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Labor & Industrial Relations
Associate's Degrees in Labor & Industrial Relations
Master's Degrees in Labor & Industrial Relations
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View All Labor & Industrial Relations Rankings >

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 38 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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