Best Free Online Master's Degrees in HR Management 2025

If you're looking to move up in the human resource management field, you may be concerned about the cost of getting a master's degree. College can be expensive, and graduate degrees are even more costly than undergraduate degrees. So, is it possible to get an HR master's degree for free?

Many accredited schools offer affordable online master's degrees designed for busy HR professionals. You can potentially earn an HR degree for free with the right combination of scholarships and financial aid and by applying transfer credits to your degree.

Keep reading to find out more about online human resources master's degrees and affordable options to consider.

Is It Possible to Earn a Free Online Master's Degree in HR Management?

Though most schools don't offer free tuition, some online programs are more affordable than others. Some may even offer tuition waivers for certain groups of students, allowing them to attend college for free.

If you enroll in a graduate program that doesn't offer free tuition, you can still significantly reduce or eliminate your college costs in various ways, including the following:

• applying for financial aid and scholarships
• applying transfer credits to your degree
• taking advantage of employer tuition benefits
• choosing an affordable online program

We'll take a closer look at each of these options later in this article. If you need to complete an online master's degree in human resources, know that it's possible without breaking the bank.

Top Schools Offering Affordable Online Master's Degrees in HR Management

Let's take a look at some affordable colleges and universities offering online human resources programs. Each program provides the advanced skills and credentials you need to take your career to the next level to become a human resource manager.

Touro University

Touro University is a private school offering many online degree programs designed for busy students. One option is a Master of Science in HR management. The program provides coursework covering topics such as:

• change management
• employment law
• organizational development
• performance management
• talent management

This school offers highly affordable tuition and provides additional discounts for those with military and law enforcement backgrounds. Scholarships and financial aid opportunities are also available.

Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University is another private school designed with busy, nontraditional students in mind. Over 200 degree programs are available, including the following online master's degrees in human resources:

• MS in HR management
• MBA with a concentration in human resources

The school provides low tuition rates, especially for private schools, and further discounts for those with military backgrounds. Scholarships and financial aid opportunities can help students cut costs.

Colorado State University Global

Colorado State University Global is a public school part of the Colorado State University System. It is a fully online campus offering bachelor's and master's degrees in various disciplines. The Master of Science degree in HR management provides various HR courses covering topics like:

• employee relations
• human capital
• labor relations
• professional development
• employee retention

The school's affordable tuition rates are available for all online students regardless of residency. Scholarships and financial aid packages can help make college more affordable.

Bellevue University

Bellevue University is a private school located in Nebraska. It provides a generous offering of online degree programs flexible enough to suit the needs of busy students. One of these programs is a Master of Science in HR strategic management. Learners in this program gain knowledge and skills in areas like:

• strategic planning
• organizational behavior
• leadership development
• HR analytics
• talent acquisition

This school provides tuition discounts for alumni and military students. Reasonable tuition rates, scholarship and financial aid opportunities, and a generous transfer policy make Bellevue a highly affordable option.

Fort Hays State University

Fort Hays State University is a public school in Kansas with a wide array of online degree programs. One of the degrees available is a Master of Business Administration in HR management. Students in this program develop problem-solving and decision-making skills as they learn topics such as:

• human resource development
• strategic HR skills
• workforce planning
• labor relations
• employment law

This school offers highly affordable online tuition at the same rate for all students regardless of residency. Financial aid and scholarship opportunities can lower out-of-pocket costs even further.

Tips for Making a Master's Degree in HR Management Affordable

If you're ready to become a human resources professional or move up into an HR manager job, keep reading. The following tips can help you complete your master's program at little or no cost.

Apply for Financial Aid

There are various types of financial aid options to consider. Many are available through state or federal governments, but some schools also offer need-based financial aid packages for students.

To take advantage of these financial aid opportunities, fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online application form to see what you might qualify for. Funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to complete the application early each year.

Explore Scholarship Opportunities

Another way of securing funds for your education is to earn scholarships. Scholarships are merit-based funds commonly awarded by schools, businesses, or nonprofit organizations. They are often awarded to contest winners or those who demonstrate academic excellence.

Scholarships are more competitive than grants and other need-based aid, and each scholarship may have different qualifications or requirements. Be sure to follow the scholarship instructions exactly to give yourself the best chance of earning any scholarships you apply for.

Enroll in an Affordable Online Degree Program

Though college degrees are often expensive, some schools provide much more affordable tuition than others. Schools may also help students cut costs by charging fewer fees, lowering book costs, and offering degree programs online so students can study from anywhere.

Each school discussed in this article offers affordable master's degree programs in human resources. These schools can help you save money on your degree, potentially eliminating your college costs with the right combination of financial aid and transfer credits.

Utilize Transfer Credits

Most master's degree programs range between 30 and 60 credit hours. If you have spent time in graduate school or earned a master's degree in another discipline, you may be able to apply the credits you earned to your current degree.

Each school has a different policy on transfer credit, so check with your school to find out exactly how many of your credits may be accepted. With a significant number of transfer credits, though, you may be able to graduate with your master's degree more affordably and quickly.

Use Employer Tuition Reimbursement

Finally, many employers offer tuition assistance programs. If you are already working as an HR professional or plan to move into an HR role within your company after getting a master's degree, your company may be willing to fund your education for you.

Check with your employer directly to determine if tuition assistance or reimbursement is an option and how much funding may be available. Some companies may only pay a percentage of your costs, while others may be willing to cover them entirely.