Best Online Human Resources Degrees 2026
Human resources (HR) departments play an important role in corporate operations. They recruit and screen job candidates, manage employer-employee relations, oversee payroll and employee benefits, and more.
An online human resources degree can help you launch a career in this dynamic and growing field. After graduating, you can qualify for entry-level and specialist positions in recruitment, benefits and compensation, training and development, and many other HR functions.
Dive into the details with this guide to remote HR programs.
Why Earn Your HR Degree Online
- Flexibility: Many online programs offer courses asynchronously, meaning students can learn at their own convenience — often while still working.
- Affordability: Studying online can save learners on non-tuition expenses like housing and transportation. Also, online degrees may also cost less than on-campus programs.
- Acceleration: Some online schools offer bridge or self-paced programs with accelerated timelines. Others accept many transfer credits to help shorten the time to completion.
- Internships: Despite their format, online HR degree programs typically include an internship or experiential requirement.
Top 5 Online Human Resources Degrees
Brenau University — Best for Hands-On Learning
- Gainesville, GA
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why It's a Top Program
Brenau University’s HR Management BBA program equips you for real-world workplace scenarios through internship opportunities, making it the most hands-on program on the list. You can earn up to six hours of credit by completing at least one HR internship while enrolled in this BBA in HR program.
Additionally, the curriculum is aligned with two professional HR associations, SHRM and HR Certification Institute, to prepare you for certification exams. This ACBSP-accredited program costs $795 per credit.
What to Expect
- Complete 120 credit hours in eight semesters.
- Earn a GPA above 2.5 in all HR major and core business courses.
- Complete a hands-on internship in an HR department or agency.
- Get certified in Alteryx, a leading analytics software, while in the program.
How to Enroll
Complete an online application and submit a minimum 2.5 high school GPA or GED. You need a minimum 2.0 cumulative college GPA if you’re a transfer student. You also need to submit transcripts from each school you’ve attended.
61%
$31,000
65%
$31,000
- Acceptance Rate
- 88%
- Students Enrolled
- 2,436
- Institution Type
- Private
Franklin University — Most Accessible Admission Process
- Columbus, OH
- 4 year
- Online
- Accredited
Why It's a Top Program
Franklin University’s online bachelor’s in HR program involves a highly accessible admission process, offering a free online application with rolling start dates throughout the year. You can even transfer up to 94 of your required 124 credits — or 76% of the degree requirements — which can save you time and money on your HR degree.
Plus, there’s no minimum high school or college GPA requirement for acceptance into this SHRM-aligned and IACBE-accredited program. Attendance costs $398 per credit or $250 per credit for active duty military members.
What to Expect
- Obtain 124 credit hours, with a minimum of 30 hours at Franklin.
- Take at least 40 credit hours in 300- and 400-level courses.
- Earn above a 2.0 GPA and 2.25 GPA in your major classes.
- Complete a capstone course when at the senior level.
How to Enroll
To enroll, you must submit proof of high school graduation or equivalent. You'll also need to submit transcripts from any educational institution you’ve attended, such as colleges or professional schools.
96%
$9,552
47%
$9,552
- Acceptance Rate
- N/A
- Students Enrolled
- 8,697
- Institution Type
- Private
McKendree University — Best Tuition Discounts
- Lebanon, IL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why It's a Top Program
McKendree University’s online HR program provides a number of tuition discounts that can help you affordably advance your career. These discounts include 10% off for military veterans and dependents and members of the McKendree community, along with 15% off for Phi Theta Kappa members and $250 per credit hour for active military members.
The online HR program at McKendree is SHRM-aligned and IACBE-accredited, with non-discounted tuition starting at $425 per credit.
What to Expect
- Pay a maximum of $445 per credit hour.
- Earn 120 credit hours, with a maximum of 90 transfer credits.
- Complete a capstone project to graduate.
- Maintain a minimum 2.25 GPA in your major.
How to Enroll
Apply to the HR program for free online. Although letters of recommendation aren’t required, you may benefit from submitting them. You also need to submit your high school transcript. If you have post-secondary experience, you'll need a minimum 2.0 GPA and you must submit transcripts from any previous institution.
76%
$32,660
68%
$32,660
- Acceptance Rate
- 64%
- Students Enrolled
- 2,075
- Institution Type
- Private
Portland State University — Most Customizable Degree Plan
- Portland, OR
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why It's a Top Program
PSU’s online HR programs provide many options to personalize your degree for your career goals. With options to earn either a bachelor of arts or a bachelor of science in HR, you can choose the business and gen ed classes that interest you most. You can also take these classes entirely online, in-person, or on a flexible hybrid schedule.
The HR program at PSU is SHRM-aligned and AACSB-accredited. In-state tuition is $13,143 per year, while out-of-state tuition is $33,420 per year.
What to Expect
- At this institution, you can join an award-winning student SHRM chapter.
- Fulfill degree requirements by taking business, management, and HR courses.
- You must earn a total of 180 credits.
- You must take a capstone course to graduate.
How to Enroll
You must pay a $60 application fee and a $200 enrollment deposit. If you graduated from high school in Oregon after 1997, you must also demonstrate proficiency in a second language. PSU is on a quarter system, so each credit transferred from a semester-based institution may count as 1.5 credits.
54%
$ 9,315
75%
$28,215
- Acceptance Rate
- 91%
- Students Enrolled
- 20,519
- Institution Type
- Public
University of Central Oklahoma — Most Affordable In-State Tuition
- Edmond, OK
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why It's a Top Program
UCO’s online bachelor’s in HR program offers the most affordable in-state tuition, with Oklahoma residents paying $301.45 per credit, or $318.17 per credit for business courses. By contrast, non-residents must pay $664.35 per credit, making this school the cheapest for in-state tuition on this list.
This online HR program is also SHRM-aligned and AACSB-accredited.
What to Expect
- You can attend online or on campus.
- You'll have to complete 124 credits.
- Program requirements include a capstone project.
- You must earn a minimum GPA of 2.25 in your major.
How to Enroll
There’s no application deadline to enroll at UCO. Your minimum required GPA for past college experience depends on the amount of credit you transfer. Additionally, you must submit your high school transcript and ACT scores and attend orientation.
56%
$ 7,284
66%
$18,171
- Acceptance Rate
- 82%
- Students Enrolled
- 12,148
- Institution Type
- Public
Why Accreditation and SHRM Alignment Matter
Accreditation provides a stamp of approval, ensuring that schools and programs offer quality academics, extensive student services, and financial aid.
While there aren’t any HR-specific programmatic accreditors, the best business schools hold accreditation from one of the following agencies:
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
- International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)
Some HR programs are formally aligned with Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) principles. These programs directly reflect the standards and learning outcomes defined in the SHRM’s Human Resource Curriculum Guidebook.
SHRM alignment ensures that students graduate with a standard set of professional skills. By demonstrating these skills to employers, you may find yourself in a stronger position to advance in your HR career.
What Do You Learn in an Online HR Program?
Schools may offer human resources majors as bachelor of science or bachelor of business administration degrees. Either way, programs usually require both business and human resources core classes.
Typical business courses cover accounting principles, international business strategies, and marketing. Students may also learn about business law and management principles.
The human resources core curriculum generally explores topics like communication, leadership, training, and labor relations. Some programs focus on management themes, while others introduce students to tasks for HR roles, like staffing and compensation specialists.
Many programs allow learners to diversify their studies with electives and capstone projects. Other common curriculum requirements include HR internships and practicums, even for online students.
Is a Human Resources Degree Worth It?
$12,132
Average annual tuition for online business degrees (2020)
$58,389
Average starting salary for HR management majors (2023)
+6%
Projected job growth for HR specialists (2024-2034)
As illustrated by the data points above, an HR degree can offer strong returns on your educational investment. The average starting salary secured by HR management majors from the class of 2023 exceeds the average total tuition cost of a four-year HR degree, indicating a strong return on investment.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) also projects a promising outlook for HR professionals. BLS data from May 2024 notes above-average growth rates for both HR specialists and HR managers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Academic difficulty is always relative, so it depends on your skills and interests. HR coursework involves a combination of statistical and quantitative analysis, employment law, compliance law, and business management. If you enjoy these subjects and their interdisciplinary applications, you will likely find the coursework manageable.
