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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Labor & Industrial Relations Master’s Degree Schools

8 Colleges in the United States
$22,708 Avg Student Debt
$65,407 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Labor & Industrial Relations Master'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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 38 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for labor & industrial relations students.

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

Our analysis ranked University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign the best value for a degree in labor & industrial relations in the United States. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Labor & Industrial Relations graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. Early-career labor & industrial relations graduates make about $89,637. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

2

Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro is a great value for students pursuing a degree in labor & industrial relations, landing the #2 spot this year. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Juan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,780. Typical student debt for labor & industrial relations graduates is $13,190. Early-career labor & industrial relations graduates make about $30,505. That is a strong return on a $13,190 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.

3

Students looking for strong value in labor & industrial relations will find it at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for labor & industrial relations graduates is $20,460. Soon after graduation, labor & industrial relations degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $92,241. That is a strong return on a $20,460 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

4

A rank of #4 makes Cleveland State University one of the best values for labor & industrial relations. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Labor & Industrial Relations graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Labor & Industrial Relations graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $68,489 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

5
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN

Capella University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value labor & industrial relations schools. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400. Labor & Industrial Relations graduates carry a median of $36,121 in student loans. Labor & Industrial Relations graduates of Capella University earn a median of $72,053 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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6
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University came in at #6 for value in labor & industrial relations this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Labor & Industrial Relations graduates carry a median of $23,475 in student loans. Labor & Industrial Relations graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $99,526 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

7

Pennsylvania State University World Campus placed #7 among the best values for labor & industrial relations. Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public school located in the city of University Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,356. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

8

Cuny Graduate School And University Center earned the #8 position for value in labor & industrial relations this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,235 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,185. Typical student debt for labor & industrial relations graduates is $17,921. Labor & Industrial Relations graduates of Cuny Graduate School And University Center earn a median of $72,222 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,921 median debt. Cuny Graduate School And University Center admits about 68% of applicants.

9

Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value labor & industrial relations schools. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Labor & Industrial Relations graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, labor & industrial relations degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $67,162. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.

10
Seton Hall University crest
Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ

Seton Hall University placed #10 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,170. Students borrow a median of $23,032 to complete the labor & industrial relations program here. Labor & Industrial Relations graduates of Seton Hall University earn a median of $108,030 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,032 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.

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11

Cornell University came in at #11 for value in labor & industrial relations this year. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. Labor & Industrial Relations graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career labor & industrial relations graduates make about $112,291. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants.

12

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus landed the #12 spot for labor & industrial relations value this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. The acceptance rate is 61%.

13
University Of New Haven crest
University Of New Haven
West Haven, CT

University Of New Haven ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value labor & industrial relations schools. University Of New Haven is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of West Haven. Students from in state pay about $47,332 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,244 to complete the labor & industrial relations program here. Soon after graduation, labor & industrial relations degree recipients from University Of New Haven generally make around $49,615. Set against $26,244 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of New Haven admits about 60% of applicants.

14

Loyola University Chicago came in at #14 for value in labor & industrial relations this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,710. Typical student debt for labor & industrial relations graduates is $23,521. Soon after graduation, labor & industrial relations degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $58,568. Set against $23,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Loyola University Chicago admits about 82% of applicants.

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
Bachelor's Degrees in Labor & Industrial Relations
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View All Labor & Industrial Relations Rankings >

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 38 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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