2026 Best Value Human Resource Management Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Human Resource Management](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/human-resource-management/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 84 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for human resource management students.
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2026 Best Value Human Resource Management Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in human resource management, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Human Resource Management Schools
Leading the list is Western Iowa Tech Community College, our #1 best value for human resource management in the The Plains States Region. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City. In-state tuition and fees average $5,186, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. Human Resource Management graduates carry a median of $11,886 in student loans. Human Resource Management graduates of Western Iowa Tech Community College earn a median of $35,742 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,886 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Dakota County Technical College one of the best values for human resource management. Set in the rural area of Rosemount, Dakota County Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,679. Students borrow a median of $13,474 to complete the human resource management program here. Early-career human resource management graduates make about $50,429. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value human resource management schools. Located in the rural area of Fergus Falls, Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,908 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,261 to complete the human resource management program here. Soon after graduation, human resource management degree recipients from Minnesota State Community And Technical College generally make around $36,367. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value human resource management schools. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Typical student debt for human resource management graduates is $21,783. Human Resource Management graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $48,906 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,783 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value human resource management schools. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Typical student debt for human resource management graduates is $22,635. Soon after graduation, human resource management degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $46,054. That is a strong return on a $22,635 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Normandale Community College came in at #6 for value in human resource management this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,329. Typical student debt for human resource management graduates is $20,162. Human Resource Management graduates of Normandale Community College earn a median of $53,871 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wichita State University earned the #7 position for value in human resource management this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,570 to complete the human resource management program here. Soon after graduation, human resource management degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $48,817. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value human resource management schools. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,326. Typical student debt for human resource management graduates is $30,562. Early-career human resource management graduates make about $32,632. That is a strong return on a $30,562 median debt.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #9 for value in human resource management this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,460 to complete the human resource management program here. Human Resource Management graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $64,052 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,460 median debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Chadron State College landed the #10 spot for human resource management value this year. Located in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,294 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for human resource management graduates is $22,912. Human Resource Management graduates of Chadron State College earn a median of $53,880 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wayne State College landed the #11 spot for human resource management value this year. Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wayne. Students from in state pay about $8,171 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,974 to complete the human resource management program here. Early-career human resource management graduates make about $46,646. That is a strong return on a $22,974 median debt.
Park University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value human resource management schools. Set in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,116. Typical student debt for human resource management graduates is $19,383. Soon after graduation, human resource management degree recipients from Park University generally make around $51,169. That is a strong return on a $19,383 median debt.
Iowa State University placed #13 among the best values for human resource management. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Human Resource Management graduates carry a median of $23,495 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human resource management degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $53,900. Set against $23,495 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Saint Paul earned the #14 position for value in human resource management this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,600. Students borrow a median of $28,666 to complete the human resource management program here. Soon after graduation, human resource management degree recipients from Concordia University Saint Paul generally make around $67,632. That is a strong return on a $28,666 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Winona State University landed the #15 spot for human resource management value this year. Winona State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona. Students from in state pay about $10,576 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,308 for out-of-state students. Human Resource Management graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career human resource management graduates make about $50,241. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Winona State University admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Duluth landed the #16 spot for human resource management value this year. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,608, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. Typical student debt for human resource management graduates is $24,624. Human Resource Management graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $46,572 early in their careers. Set against $24,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Capella University came in at #17 for value in human resource management this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400. Human Resource Management graduates carry a median of $36,121 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human resource management degree recipients from Capella University generally make around $62,259. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #18 for value in human resource management this year. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Human Resource Management graduates carry a median of $27,312 in student loans. Early-career human resource management graduates make about $46,691. Set against $27,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Lindenwood University placed #19 among the best values for human resource management. Set in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,600. Students borrow a median of $34,750 to complete the human resource management program here. Soon after graduation, human resource management degree recipients from Lindenwood University generally make around $53,296. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lindenwood University admits about 57% of applicants.
Rasmussen College Minnesota landed the #20 spot for human resource management value this year. Rasmussen College Minnesota is a large private for-profit school located in the city of St. Cloud. Students from in state pay about $12,199 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $32,385 to complete the human resource management program here. Human Resource Management graduates of Rasmussen College Minnesota earn a median of $51,217 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pittsburg State University earned the #21 position for value in human resource management this year. Set in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400, while out-of-state students pay about $19,744. Typical student debt for human resource management graduates is $22,669. Soon after graduation, human resource management degree recipients from Pittsburg State University generally make around $54,301. Set against $22,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa came in at #22 for value in human resource management this year. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Human Resource Management graduates carry a median of $23,149 in student loans. Human Resource Management graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $52,945 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota placed #23 among the best values for human resource management. Set in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,080. Human Resource Management graduates carry a median of $27,081 in student loans. Human Resource Management graduates of Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earn a median of $69,872 early in their careers. Set against $27,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Metropolitan State University came in at #24 for value in human resource management this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,840. Students borrow a median of $34,516 to complete the human resource management program here. Early-career human resource management graduates make about $48,999. Set against $34,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Washington University In St Louis earned the #25 position for value in human resource management this year. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for human resource management graduates is $17,553. Human Resource Management graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $68,303 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Human Resource Management Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for human resource management this year:
Narrow Human Resource Management Schools by State
More Human Resource Management Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 84 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 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.
