10 Affordable Online MBA in Human Resources Programs 2027

Human resources (HR) professionals are in charge of managing the company's relationship with its employees. As a result, they need problem-solving and decision-making skills, as well as knowledge of topics like employment law and labor relations.

Many HR professionals learn these competencies through a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in human resource management. While graduate degrees can be expensive, there are many affordable online MBA programs available. Keep reading to discover low-cost MBAs in human resource management.

What Is a Master of Business Administration in Human Resources?

An MBA in human resources is a graduate business degree with a special focus on human resources. All MBA programs include core business courses, but many also allow or require students to choose a concentration that aligns with their career goals.

An MBA with a human resources concentration includes core courses in general business, but also includes courses on key HR topics, such as HR management, talent management, and organizational behavior.

How Much Does an Online MBA in Human Resources Cost?

The cost of an online MBA can vary significantly depending on the program you choose, the number of credits it requires, whether you're an in-state or out-of-state student, and what financial aid you qualify for, such as grants and scholarships.

Some programs cost as little as $400 per credit hour. However, there are many schools that charge over $1,000 per credit hour for an online MBA.

Cheapest Online Human Resources MBA Programs

As mentioned, the cost of an online MBA in human resource management can vary. Below, we've highlighted some of the most affordable online MBA programs in human resource management in the U.S.

1. Wichita State University

Wichita State University's Barton School of Business runs a 36-credit online MBA with a Human Resource Management concentration, requiring students to choose three of five available HR electives to round out the core curriculum. The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accredits the program, along with a separate AACSB accounting accreditation that places Barton among roughly 1% of business schools worldwide holding both distinctions.

Classes run in an eight-week format, and Wichita State charges the same tuition rate to online students regardless of where they live, removing the usual out-of-state premium. Students come from a wide mix of undergraduate backgrounds, including engineering, health care, and liberal arts, alongside those with a business foundation already in place.

2. Fort Hays State University

Fort Hays State University offers a 33-credit online MBA with a Human Resource Management concentration among 15 total specialization options, one of the broadest concentration menus on this list. Coursework covers recruiting, retention, training, benefits, and compensation, building on a 24-credit core curriculum shared across every concentration.

Most students complete the degree in 18 to 24 months, though the flexible course rotation allows for a faster or slower pace depending on individual circumstances. The program is available fully online, on campus, or through a hybrid format, giving students meaningful control over how they move through the coursework.

3. Clayton State University

Clayton State University, located just outside Atlanta, offers a 33-credit online MBA with a Human Resource Leadership concentration whose curriculum is approved by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). The program carries AACSB accreditation, a distinction held by only about 5% of business schools worldwide, and the general MBA track can be completed entirely online in as little as 12 months.

Coursework reflects the shift many HR professionals have made from day-to-day administrative work toward strategic leadership, including board-level planning and long-term workforce strategy. Students take 24 credit hours of core coursework before selecting three electives from the Human Resource Leadership track to complete the degree.

4. Wayne State College

Wayne State College, based in Wayne, Nebraska, offers a fully online MBA with an HR management focus area that brings the total program to 36 credit hours once the 6-credit specialization is added to the 30-credit core. The Business and Economics Department carries accreditation from the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE), and no entrance exam is required for admission.

Students can transfer in up to 9 credit hours from another regionally accredited graduate program, and courses run in flexible eight- or sixteen-week terms depending on scheduling needs. The program has been recognized nationally for affordability while maintaining instruction from the same faculty who teach Wayne State's on-campus courses.

5. North Carolina A&T State University

A public historically Black university in Greensboro, North Carolina A&T State University offers an online MBA with a Human Resource Management concentration through its Willie A. Deese College of Business and Economics, which has held AACSB accreditation since 1979 alongside separate AACSB accounting accreditation. The HR coursework itself is certified by SHRM, covering workforce development, employee relations, and the growing role of artificial intelligence in workforce strategy.

The 36-credit program includes a capstone course and has posted job placement rates above 90% in recent years, reflecting strong employer demand for its graduates. Corporate partners are woven directly into classroom instruction, giving students exposure to real business challenges alongside the standard curriculum.

6. Sam Houston State University

Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, offers an AACSB-accredited online MBA with a Human Resource Management concentration open to applicants from any undergraduate discipline. Total credit requirements range from 30 to 36 hours depending on a student's academic background, with some applicants needing additional prerequisite coursework before starting core classes.

Three annual start dates give applicants regular opportunities to begin, and motivated students can complete the degree in as few as three semesters, though a two-year timeline is more typical for those working full time. The program's affordability has made it a frequent pick among AACSB-accredited options nationally.

7. Fitchburg State University

Fitchburg State University delivers a 30-credit online MBA in Human Resource Management accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE), with one free elective built into the curriculum alongside required HR coursework. No GMAT score is required for admission, keeping the application process accessible for working professionals.

Coursework covers human resource development, workforce planning, and compensation and benefits, taught by the same faculty who lead Fitchburg State's on-campus programs. New terms begin twice each in the fall, spring, and summer, and motivated students can complete the degree in as little as 12 months.

8. University of West Florida

The University of West Florida's College of Business offers a 36-credit online MBA in Human Resource Management aligned with the SHRM HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates. AACSB accreditation backs the program, and coursework covers performance management and strategic management alongside HR-specific topics.

Most full-time students complete the degree in about 16 months, and the program has also been recognized for its support of military-connected students. UWF's location in Pensacola places it within a growing hub for both defense-sector and general business employers seeking HR talent.

9. Indiana Institute of Technology

Indiana Institute of Technology, a private nonprofit university in Fort Wayne, offers a 30-credit online MBA in Human Resources through a College of Business accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE), with the HR curriculum itself endorsed by SHRM. Students can choose between a traditional online format or the school's self-paced Pacesetter track, which combines six-week classes with self-paced coursework to shorten the overall timeline.

Students who stay continuously enrolled in the Pacesetter format can complete the degree in as little as 12 months at a lower total cost than the standard track. Both formats cover the same core HR topics, including employment law, labor relations, and compensation management.

10. National University

National University, a private nonprofit institution based in San Diego, offers an online MBA in Human Resource Management through two different formats: a group-based, class-paced track and an individual, self-paced option. The class-based format carries IACBE accreditation, while the individual-based format is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

The class-based track requires 45 quarter credits, while the individual-based option requires 30 semester credits, giving students two meaningfully different paths to the same degree. This flexibility has made National University a common choice for working professionals who want more control over their pace than a traditional cohort model allows.

How We Rank Schools

To create this list, we review data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), along with program-level details published by each university.

• Accreditation: All programs come from accredited universities, and many are IACBE or AACSB-accredited.
• Affordability: All MBAs offer tuition rates under $600 per credit hour for in-state students.
• Program reputation: Every school listed offers a high-quality MBA degree.

Learn more about our ranking methodology.

What To Expect From an Online HR MBA Program

In an online MBA program, you'll start by taking core business courses. Course topics can vary between business schools, but often include general business management, financial management, strategic management, and marketing.

Then, you'll have coursework focused on HR management. These courses will typically cover topics like:

• compensation and benefits
• employment law
• labor relations
• organizational behavior
• recruitment and staffing
• talent management

You may also be required to conclude the program with a capstone course or project.

FAQs About Online MBA in Human Resources Programs

An MBA in HRM is a great option for aspiring human resources professionals. We've highlighted some frequently asked questions about these master's degrees below.

Do You Need a Business Background to Apply for an HR MBA?

No, most HR MBA programs accept applicants from any undergraduate discipline, since admissions committees generally weigh overall academic performance and professional experience more heavily than a specific major. Students coming from a non-business background may need to complete a few prerequisite or foundational courses in areas like accounting or economics before starting core MBA coursework, and many programs build this option directly into their curriculum.

Can You Earn SHRM Certification After Completing an HR MBA?

Yes, graduates can pursue the SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) or SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) credential, though a degree isn't required to sit for either exam. Completing coursework aligned with SHRM's curriculum standards, as many of the programs on this list offer, can help prepare you for the exam content even though the certification itself is earned separately through SHRM.

Is an MBA in Human Resources Different From a Master's in HR Management?

Yes, an MBA in Human Resources builds a full general business foundation, covering finance, marketing, and strategy, before layering on HR-specific coursework through a concentration. A standalone Master's in Human Resource Management skips most of that general business core and focuses almost entirely on HR topics, which can mean a shorter program but less broad business training overall.

Do You Need HR Work Experience to Apply?

Most programs don't require prior HR-specific work experience, though some general professional experience can strengthen an application, particularly for applicants without a business degree. Career-changers moving into HR from an unrelated field are common in these programs, and coursework is generally structured to bring every student up to speed regardless of their starting point.

How Long Does It Take to Complete an Online HR MBA?

Most programs on this list can be completed in about 12 months for students studying continuously and full time, though some take up to two years depending on credit requirements and course load. Part-time students or those who need additional prerequisite coursework should generally expect a longer timeline than the accelerated pace advertised for full-time, uninterrupted enrollment.

Discover Online MBA Programs

Find the perfect HR MBA program for you by exploring the options featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn more about the admission process, enrollment, and financial aid.