Human Resources Management: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Human Resources Management is a dynamic field focused on optimizing workforce performance and organizational success through strategic talent development and effective people practices. This program equips learners with the analytical and leadership skills needed to navigate complex workplace environments while fostering equity, compliance, and employee engagement.
- Personnel and Organization Policy: Examines the development, implementation, and evaluation of organizational rules and procedures that govern employee behavior and workplace standards.
- Human Resource Dynamics and Flows: Explores the movement and lifecycle of employees within organizations, including hiring, retention, mobility, and workforce planning.
- Labor Relations: Focuses on the interactions between employers, employees, and labor unions, including collective bargaining, dispute resolution, and negotiation strategies.
- Civil Rights and Equity in the Workplace: Addresses legal and ethical frameworks that promote fair treatment, prevent discrimination, and support inclusive work environments.
- Human Resources Law and Regulations: Provides in-depth study of federal, state, and local employment laws governing hiring, termination, benefits, and workplace safety.
- Motivation and Compensation Systems: Investigates theories of employee motivation and the design of pay structures, bonuses, and incentive programs to drive performance.
- Work Systems and Job Design: Analyzes how work processes, roles, and responsibilities are structured to enhance productivity, efficiency, and employee satisfaction.
- Career Management: Covers strategies for guiding employee career development, succession planning, and aligning individual growth with organizational goals.
- Employee Testing and Assessment: Introduces methods for evaluating candidate qualifications, performance, and potential through psychometric tools and performance metrics.
- Recruitment and Selection: Trains in sourcing, screening, interviewing, and onboarding candidates to build a qualified and diverse workforce.
- Employee Training and Development Programs: Focuses on designing, delivering, and assessing training initiatives that enhance skills, knowledge, and organizational capabilities.
- Human Resources Program Operations: Develops competencies in managing HR functions, budgets, technology systems, and data-driven decision-making across organizational units.
Human Resources Management Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Human Resources Management Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Human Resources Management degrees, including Compensation and Benefits Managers, Human Resources Managers and Training and Development Managers. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 2,373,710 professionals.
National Average Salaries
Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
---|---|---|---|---|
Compensation and Benefits Managers 11-3111 | $140,360 | $81,660 - $239,200 | 20,070 | $67.48 |
Human Resources Managers 11-3121 | $140,030 | $83,790 - $239,200 | 215,520 | $67.32 |
Training and Development Managers 11-3131 | $127,090 | $75,810 - $219,990 | 44,960 | $61.10 |
Business Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1011 | $97,270 | $46,460 - $210,530 | 81,780 | N/A |
Labor Relations Specialists 13-1075 | $93,500 | $49,880 - $153,440 | 64,590 | $44.95 |
Compliance Officers 13-1041 | $78,420 | $46,230 - $130,030 | 397,770 | $37.70 |
Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists 13-1141 | $77,020 | $48,300 - $128,830 | 102,370 | $37.03 |
Human Resources Specialists 13-1071 | $72,910 | $45,440 - $126,540 | 917,460 | $35.05 |
Training and Development Specialists 13-1151 | $65,850 | $37,510 - $120,190 | 436,610 | $31.66 |
Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping 43-4161 | $49,440 | $36,090 - $67,140 | 92,580 | $23.77 |
Human Resources Management Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $67,407 in Arkansas to $115,751 in District of Columbia—a 72% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Washington, and California. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 2,373,710 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Human Resources Management by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Human Resources Management programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Human Resources Management is found at University of Phoenix (UOPX), Arizona (1,008 graduates), Western Governors University (WGU) (941 graduates), Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) (886 graduates), University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) (561 graduates), and Capella University (489 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 12,732 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
University of Phoenix (UOPX) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Other Award
|
1,008 | Phoenix, Arizona | Private | phoenix.edu |
Western Governors University (WGU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
941 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Private | wgu.edu |
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Other Award
|
886 | Manchester, New Hampshire | Private | snhu.edu |
University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
561 | Adelphi, Maryland | Public | umgc.edu |
Capella University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
489 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Private | capella.edu |
Ashford University (UAGC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
459 | San Diego, California | Private | uagc.edu |
Rutgers University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
365 | New Brunswick, New Jersey | Public | newbrunswick.rutgers.edu |
DeVry University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
365 | Lisle, Illinois | Private | devry.edu |
Florida International University (FIU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
260 | Miami, Florida | Public | fiu.edu |
American Public University System (APUS) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
258 | Charles Town, West Virginia | Private | apus.edu |
Colorado State University Global (CSU Global) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
253 | Aurora, Colorado | Public | csuglobal.edu |
University of Arizona |
Bachelor's
|
244 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
University of Southern California (USC) |
Master's
|
222 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
Ana G. Mendez University (AGMU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
165 | Orlando, Florida | Private | agmu.edu |
Columbia Southern University (CSU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
162 | Orange Beach, Alabama | Private | columbiasouthern.edu |
Grand Canyon University (GCU) |
Bachelor's
|
161 | Phoenix, Arizona | Private | gcu.edu |
Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) |
Other Award
|
146 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | ivytech.edu |
Brigham Young University (BYU–I) |
Other Award
|
139 | Rexburg, Idaho | Private | byui.edu |
NUC University (NUC) |
Master's
|
138 | Bayamon, Puerto Rico | Private | nuc.edu |
Purdue University Global |
Other Award
|
127 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdueglobal.edu |
Franklin University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
124 | Columbus, Ohio | Private | franklin.edu |
Stony Brook University (SBU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
122 | Stony Brook, New York | Public | stonybrook.edu |
American InterContinental University System (AIUS) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
122 | Chandler, Arizona | Private | aius.education |
Red Rocks Community College (RRCC) |
Residency
|
115 | Lakewood, Colorado | Public | rrcc.edu |
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Bachelor's
|
115 | Chapel Hill, North Carolina | Public | unc.edu |
George Washington University (GW) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
109 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | gwu.edu |
Walden University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
103 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Private | waldenu.edu |
Bellevue University |
Bachelor's
|
100 | Bellevue, Nebraska | Private | bellevue.edu |
Ohio State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
97 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
Tarleton State University (TSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
96 | Stephenville, Texas | Public | tarleton.edu |
Post University |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
95 | Waterbury, Connecticut | Private | post.edu |
Wilmington University (WilmU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
94 | New Castle, Delaware | Private | wilmu.edu |
Indiana University (IU Indianapolis) |
Other Award
|
92 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | indianapolis.iu.edu |
Wichita State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Residency
|
92 | Wichita, Kansas | Public | wichita.edu |
San Joaquin Valley College (SJVC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
91 | Visalia, California | Private | sjvc.edu |
Martinsburg College (MC) |
Other Award
|
91 | Martinsburg, West Virginia | Private | martinsburgcollege.edu |
Dallas College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
87 | Dallas, Texas | Public | dallascollege.edu |
Rasmussen University |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
85 | Ocala, Florida | Private | rasmussen.edu |
Rasmussen University |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
|
80 | St. Cloud, Minnesota | Private | rasmussen.edu |
University of Denver (DU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
79 | Denver, Colorado | Private | du.edu |
University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Other Award
|
79 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
Piedmont Technical College (PTC) |
Other Award
|
79 | Greenwood, South Carolina | Public | ptc.edu |
Tarrant County College District (TCCD) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
78 | Fort Worth, Texas | Public | tccd.edu |
Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC) |
Other Award
|
78 | Warner Robins, Georgia | Public | centralgatech.edu |
West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
77 | West Chester, Pennsylvania | Public | wcupa.edu |
Purdue University (PU) |
Master's
Other Award
|
76 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdue.edu |
Portland State University (PSU) |
Bachelor's
|
74 | Portland, Oregon | Public | pdx.edu |
Mid-State Technical College (Mid-State) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
72 | Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin | Public | mstc.edu |
Northeastern University Professional Programs |
Master's
|
72 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | northeastern.edu |
New York University (NYU) |
Master's
|
71 | New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
Park University |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
69 | Parkville, Missouri | Private | park.edu |
Temple University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
68 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | temple.edu |
National University (NU) |
Master's
|
67 | San Diego, California | Private | nu.edu |
Central Michigan University (CMU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
67 | Mount Pleasant, Michigan | Public | cmich.edu |
Washtenaw Community College (WCC) |
Residency
Other Award
|
67 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | wccnet.edu |
Bryant & Stratton College |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
67 | Orchard Park, New York | Private | bryantstratton.edu |
University of Connecticut (UConn) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
64 | Storrs, Connecticut | Public | uconn.edu |
Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) |
Other Award
|
64 | Rome, Georgia | Public | gntc.edu |
Davenport University |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
|
63 | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Private | davenport.edu |
Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
62 | Indiana, Pennsylvania | Public | iup.edu |
Northcentral Technical College (NTC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
62 | Wausau, Wisconsin | Public | ntc.edu |
West Georgia Technical College (WGTC) |
Other Award
|
60 | Waco, Georgia | Public | westgatech.edu |
Eastern Michigan University (EMU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
60 | Ypsilanti, Michigan | Public | emich.edu |
Gwinnett Technical College (Gwinnett Tech) |
Other Award
|
59 | Lawrenceville, Georgia | Public | gwinnetttech.edu |
Excelsior University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
59 | Albany, New York | Private | excelsior.edu |
Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
59 | Pewaukee, Wisconsin | Public | wctc.edu |
Strayer University (SU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
58 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | strayer.edu |
Georgetown University (GU) |
Master's
|
54 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | georgetown.edu |
Southern Crescent Technical College (SCTC) |
Other Award
|
54 | Griffin, Georgia | Public | sctech.edu |
The University of Tennessee |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
54 | Knoxville, Tennessee | Public | utk.edu |
Nova Southeastern University (NSU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
53 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Private | nova.edu |
University of Hawaii (UHM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
53 | Honolulu, Hawaii | Public | manoa.hawaii.edu |
University of Idaho (U of I) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
53 | Moscow, Idaho | Public | uidaho.edu |
Troy University (TROY) |
Master's
|
52 | Troy, Alabama | Public | troy.edu |
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota (SMUMN) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
52 | Winona, Minnesota | Private | smumn.edu |
University of Toledo (UToledo) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52 | Toledo, Ohio | Public | utoledo.edu |
Upper Iowa University (UIU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Other Award
|
51 | Fayette, Iowa | Private | uiu.edu |
Indiana Wesleyan University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
|
51 | Marion, Indiana | Private | indwes.edu |
Faulkner University |
Bachelor's
|
50 | Montgomery, Alabama | Private | faulkner.edu |
Western Carolina University (WCU) |
Master's
|
50 | Cullowhee, North Carolina | Public | wcu.edu |
Universidad Ana G. Mendez (UAGM Gurabo) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
|
50 | Gurabo, Puerto Rico | Private | uagm.edu |
Columbia College |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
49 | Columbia, Missouri | Private | ccis.edu |
Columbia University in the City of New York |
Master's
|
48 | New York, New York | Private | columbia.edu |
South Texas College (STC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
48 | McAllen, Texas | Public | southtexascollege.edu |
Universidad Ana G. Mendez (UAGM Cupey) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
47 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Private | uagm.edu |
Golden Gate University (GGU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
46 | San Francisco, California | Private | ggu.edu |
Grand Valley State University (GVSU) |
Bachelor's
|
46 | Allendale, Michigan | Public | gvsu.edu |
Athens State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
|
45 | Athens, Alabama | Public | athens.edu |
Pima Community College (PCC) |
Other Award
|
45 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | pima.edu |
Washington University in St Louis (WashU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
44 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | wustl.edu |
Edison State Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
44 | Piqua, Ohio | Public | edisonohio.edu |
Miami University |
Bachelor's
|
44 | Oxford, Ohio | Public | miamioh.edu |
University of South Carolina (USC) |
Master's
|
43 | Columbia, South Carolina | Public | sc.edu |
Oakland University (OU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
42 | Rochester Hills, Michigan | Public | oakland.edu |
Normandale Community College |
Other Award
|
41 | Bloomington, Minnesota | Public | normandale.edu |
Texas Woman's University (TWU) |
Bachelor's
|
41 | Denton, Texas | Public | twu.edu |
University of Wisconsin |
Bachelor's
|
41 | Whitewater, Wisconsin | Public | uww.edu |
Pepperdine University |
Master's
|
40 | Malibu, California | Private | pepperdine.edu |
Atlanta Technical College (Atlanta Tech) |
Other Award
|
40 | Atlanta, Georgia | Public | atlantatech.edu |
Western Iowa Tech Community College (WITCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
40 | Sioux City, Iowa | Public | witcc.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Human Resources Management programs
How much can I earn with a Human Resources Management degree?
Salaries for Human Resources Management graduates vary by role and location. Compensation and Benefits Managers earn a median of $140,360 annually, while Human Resources Managers earn around $140,030. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $115,751 compared to $67,407 in Arkansas. Approximately 2,373,710 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Human Resources Management programs?
Currently 531 accredited institutions offer Human Resources Management degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Phoenix (UOPX), Arizona (1,008 graduates), Western Governors University (WGU) (941 graduates), and Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) (886 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Human Resources Management growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 13,920 in 2010 to 17,602 in 2023-24. This represents a 26% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Human Resources Management degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Compensation and Benefits Managers, Human Resources Managers, and Training and Development Managers. Related occupations employ approximately 2,373,710 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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