2026 Best Value Human Resource Management Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Human Resource Management doctoral degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 815 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Business Degree Central reviewed schools to produce this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Human Resource Management Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Our analysis found Bellevue University to be the best-value Human Resource Management school in the United States. Based in Bellevue, NE, Bellevue University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,873. Students borrow a median of $31,062 to complete their Human Resource Management program here. Bellevue University alumni report median earnings of $61,289 a decade after entry. Set against $31,062 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Bellevue University
Ashford University came in at #2 on this year's best-value Human Resource Management ranking in the United States. This private for-profit school is set in San Diego, CA. Students from in state pay about $11,960 in tuition and fees. Typical Human Resource Management student debt is $41,117. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,404 ten years after entry. Set against $41,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Ashford University
A rank of #3 makes Cornell University one of the best values in the United States. Cornell University is a private not-for-profit school based in Ithaca, NY. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,314. The median Human Resource Management program debt is $15,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $104,043. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%. More on Cornell University
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Capella University earned it the #4 place in the United States. Capella University is a private for-profit school based in Minneapolis, MN. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400. Typical Human Resource Management student debt is $36,121. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,189. That is a strong return on a $36,121 median debt. Read more about Capella University
You'll get strong value at University Of North Texas, which ranked #5 this year. This public school is set in Denton, TX. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,142 to complete their Human Resource Management program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,010. That is a strong return on a $20,142 median debt. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants. Read more about University Of North Texas
Benedictine University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value Human Resource Management schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Lisle, IL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,648. The median Human Resource Management program debt is $31,872. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,446. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 95% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Benedictine University
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public school based in Champaign, IL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete their Human Resource Management program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $81,054. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign has an acceptance rate of 42%. Get the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign report
Alvernia University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Human Resource Management schools. Located in Reading, PA, Alvernia University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,000. Students borrow a median of $31,900 to complete their Human Resource Management program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,055 ten years after entry. Set against $31,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted. See the full Alvernia University profile
George Washington University came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. Based in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,710. Graduates carry a median of $20,793 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $90,873 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $20,793 median debt. Roughly 47% of applicants are accepted. Get the full George Washington University report
Boston College placed #10 among the best-value Human Resource Management schools in the United States. Boston College is a private not-for-profit school based in Chestnut Hill, MA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,702. The median Human Resource Management program debt is $18,101. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $103,937. Set against $18,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Boston College has an acceptance rate of 16%. See the full Boston College profile
The University Of Texas At Tyler landed the #11 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Tyler, TX. Students from in state pay about $9,512 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,512. The median Human Resource Management program debt is $22,152. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,053. That is a strong return on a $22,152 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Tyler
University Of Southern Mississippi offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. Based in Hattiesburg, MS, University Of Southern Mississippi is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,998, while out-of-state students pay about $11,998. The median Human Resource Management program debt is $22,865. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $44,140. That is a strong return on a $22,865 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%. Get the full University Of Southern Mississippi report
Northwestern University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best-value Human Resource Management schools. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit school based in Evanston, IL. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Northwestern University Human Resource Management students take on a median of $38,832 in debt. Median earnings reach $89,363 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%. More on Northwestern University
Regent University came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. Set in Virginia Beach, VA, Regent University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $21,650 in tuition and fees. Regent University Human Resource Management students take on a median of $30,031 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,498 ten years after entry. Set against $30,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Regent University has an acceptance rate of 38%. Get the full Regent University report
Case Western Reserve University offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. Set in Cleveland, OH, Case Western Reserve University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,608. Students borrow a median of $25,106 to complete their Human Resource Management program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $87,989 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,106 median debt. About 36% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Case Western Reserve University report
The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #16 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in San Antonio, TX. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. The median Human Resource Management program debt is $22,722. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,131. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 87% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full The University Of Texas At San Antonio report
Harvard University landed the #17 spot for value in the United States this year. Harvard University is a private not-for-profit school based in Cambridge, MA. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,676. Typical Human Resource Management student debt is $16,616. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $101,817. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Harvard University has an acceptance rate of 4%. More on Harvard University
Alliant International University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best-value Human Resource Management schools. Located in San Diego, CA, Alliant International University is a private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,254. Typical Human Resource Management student debt is $21,234. Median earnings reach $66,666 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $21,234 median debt. More on Alliant International University
Eastern Washington University placed #19 among the best-value Human Resource Management schools in the United States. Read the full report on Eastern Washington University
Excelsior College placed #20 among the best-value Human Resource Management schools in the United States. See the full Excelsior College profile
Florida International University offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. Get the full Florida International University report
South Texas College offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. Get the full South Texas College report
Strayer University Global Region ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Human Resource Management schools. See the full Strayer University Global Region profile
Utah Valley University placed #24 among the best-value Human Resource Management schools in the United States. More on Utah Valley University
Washtenaw Community College placed #25 among the best-value Human Resource Management schools in the United States. Read more about Washtenaw Community College
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Human Resource Management Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
West Virginia University offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. See the full West Virginia University profile
Bellevue College
Bellevue College placed #27 among the best-value Human Resource Management schools in the United States. Get the full Bellevue College report
University Of Redlands landed the #28 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on University Of Redlands
Brigham Young University Idaho ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best-value Human Resource Management schools. More on Brigham Young University Idaho
California Intercontinental University ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value Human Resource Management schools. More on California Intercontinental University
Lindenwood University ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value Human Resource Management schools. Get the full Lindenwood University report
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best-value Human Resource Management schools. More on Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College
University Of Massachusetts Boston came in at #33 in this year's value ranking. Read more about University Of Massachusetts Boston
Western Carolina University offered strong value this year, earning the #34 position. Read more about Western Carolina University
Adelphi University came in at #35 in this year's value ranking. More on Adelphi University
Central Carolina Technical College ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best-value Human Resource Management schools. Read the full report on Central Carolina Technical College
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Human Resource Management schools. Get the full Indiana University Bloomington report
New York University offered strong value this year, earning the #38 position. See the full New York University profile
Salem State University ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best-value Human Resource Management schools. Read the full report on Salem State University
University Of Massachusetts Amherst offered strong value this year, earning the #40 position. More on University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Manhattanville College offered strong value this year, earning the #41 position. More on Manhattanville College
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg placed #42 among the best-value Human Resource Management schools in the United States. More on Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg
Post University
Post University landed the #43 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Post University
University Of Mount Union placed #44 among the best-value Human Resource Management schools in the United States. See the full University Of Mount Union profile
University Of Northern Iowa placed #45 among the best-value Human Resource Management schools in the United States. Read more about University Of Northern Iowa
Kings College
Kings College landed the #46 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Kings College
Northeastern Illinois University placed #47 among the best-value Human Resource Management schools in the United States. Read the full report on Northeastern Illinois University
Pennsylvania State University World Campus ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best-value Human Resource Management schools. More on Pennsylvania State University World Campus
Plymouth State University offered strong value this year, earning the #49 position. Get the full Plymouth State University report
Riverland Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #50 position. Read the full report on Riverland Community College
Related Human Resource Management Value Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Value Human Resource Management Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Human Resource Management Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Human Resource Management Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Human Resource Management Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Human Resource Management Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Human Resource Management Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Human Resource Management Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Business Degree Central (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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 · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 815 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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