2026 Best Value Human Resource Management Schools in Illinois
[Human Resource Management](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/human-resource-management/) 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 41 schools to find the best return on investment for human resource management students.
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2026 Best Value Human Resource Management Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in human resource management, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Human Resource Management Schools
Our analysis ranked Joliet Junior College the best value for a degree in human resource management in Illinois. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Human Resource Management graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human resource management degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College one of the best values for human resource management. City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,533 to complete the human resource management program here. Soon after graduation, human resource management degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College generally make around $33,960. That is a strong return on a $11,533 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of Dupage earned it the #3 place for human resource management. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,746 to complete the human resource management program here. Human Resource Management graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $43,025 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harper College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in human resource management, landing the #4 spot this year. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,894, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. Typical student debt for human resource management graduates is $10,963. Soon after graduation, human resource management degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. That is a strong return on a $10,963 median debt.
University Of Illinois At Springfield is a great value for students pursuing a degree in human resource management, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,557, compared with $20,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human resource management graduates is $24,925. Early-career human resource management graduates make about $53,344. Set against $24,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Governors State University placed #6 among the best values for human resource management. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,004. Students borrow a median of $24,990 to complete the human resource management program here. Soon after graduation, human resource management degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $51,711. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #7 for value in human resource management this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Human Resource Management graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans. Human Resource Management graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $61,829 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #8 spot for human resource management value this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for human resource management graduates is $20,778. Early-career human resource management 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.
Northeastern Illinois University landed the #9 spot for human resource management value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,383, while out-of-state students pay about $22,726. Typical student debt for human resource management graduates is $15,365. Soon after graduation, human resource management degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $49,131. That is a strong return on a $15,365 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Illinois University came in at #10 for value in human resource management this year. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Students borrow a median of $24,293 to complete the human resource management program here. Soon after graduation, human resource management degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $43,603. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.
University Of St Francis came in at #11 for value in human resource management this year. University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Joliet. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,110. Human Resource Management graduates carry a median of $25,695 in student loans. Human Resource Management graduates of University Of St Francis earn a median of $94,853 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
National Louis University earned the #12 position for value in human resource management 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. Typical student debt for human resource management graduates is $29,242. Human Resource Management graduates of National Louis University earn a median of $68,404 early in their careers. Set against $29,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Chicago placed #13 among the best values for human resource management. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,488 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for human resource management graduates is $34,419. Human Resource Management 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. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Lewis University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value human resource management schools. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,200 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the human resource management program here. Early-career human resource management graduates make about $50,361. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Roosevelt University placed #15 among the best values for human resource management. Located in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,315. Human Resource Management graduates carry a median of $23,879 in student loans. Early-career human resource management graduates make about $64,145. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Benedictine University landed the #16 spot for human resource management value this year. Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lisle. In-state tuition and fees average $32,648. Typical student debt for human resource management graduates is $31,872. Soon after graduation, human resource management degree recipients from Benedictine University generally make around $79,696. 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 #17 on our 2026 list of the best value human resource management schools. Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Rockford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,699. Students borrow a median of $18,007 to complete the human resource management program here. Early-career human resource management graduates make about $30,486. That is a strong return on a $18,007 median debt.
Mckendree University placed #18 among the best values for human resource management. Located in the suburb of Lebanon, Mckendree University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,740. Students borrow a median of $24,625 to complete the human resource management program here. Early-career human resource management graduates make about $49,505. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Northwestern University came in at #19 for value in human resource management this year. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Students borrow a median of $38,832 to complete the human resource management program here. Soon after graduation, human resource management degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $82,255. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Depaul University came in at #20 for value in human resource management this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Human Resource Management graduates carry a median of $25,310 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human resource management degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $68,993. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
Devry University Illinois ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value human resource management schools. Set in the suburb of Lisle, Devry University Illinois is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,008. Human Resource Management graduates carry a median of $43,684 in student loans. Human Resource Management graduates of Devry University Illinois earn a median of $55,295 early in their careers. Set against $43,684 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Loyola University Chicago came in at #22 for value in human resource management 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 human resource management graduates is $23,521. Early-career human resource management graduates make about $65,656. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. Loyola University Chicago admits about 82% of applicants.
More Human Resource Management Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
