Human Resources Development: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Human Resources Development is a dynamic field focused on enhancing workforce performance and organizational success through strategic learning and development initiatives. This program equips professionals with the expertise to design, implement, and assess programs that boost employee engagement, career growth, and overall productivity.
- Psychology: Explores cognitive and behavioral principles that influence workplace motivation, decision-making, and interpersonal dynamics.
- Organizational Behavior: Examines how individual and group actions impact workplace culture, leadership effectiveness, and team performance.
- Principles of Adult Education: Focuses on learning theories and instructional strategies tailored to adult learners in professional settings.
- Occupational Counseling: Develops skills in guiding individuals through career transitions, goal setting, and workforce readiness.
- Skill Testing and Evaluation: Involves designing and interpreting assessments to measure competencies and inform development planning.
- Program Design: Teaches systematic approaches to creating effective training and development initiatives aligned with organizational objectives.
- Consulting Practice: Builds competencies in advising organizations on change management, performance improvement, and workforce strategy.
- Organizational Development: Addresses methods for fostering innovation, adaptability, and long-term sustainability within complex institutions.
- Applications in Training and Management Development: Applies core concepts to real-world scenarios involving leadership pipelines, onboarding, and skill advancement.
- Customer Service Excellence: Integrates service-oriented strategies to enhance client satisfaction and employee engagement in service-driven environments.
- Total Quality Management: Emphasizes continuous improvement, process optimization, and data-informed decision-making across all levels of operations.
Human Resources Development Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Human Resources Development Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Human Resources Development degrees, including Training and Development Specialists. 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 436,610 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Training and Development Specialists 13-1151 | $65,850 | $37,510 - $120,190 | 436,610 | $31.66 |
Human Resources Development Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $48,330 in Arkansas to $84,460 in District of Columbia—a 75% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Wyoming, and Washington. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 436,610 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 Development by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 78 institutions offering Human Resources Development 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 Development is found at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (LSU) (218 graduates), Villanova University (107 graduates), University of Houston (UH) (106 graduates), Boise State University (BBU) (94 graduates), and Texas A & M University, College Station (84 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,604 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (LSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
218 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Public | lsu.edu |
| Villanova University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
107 | Villanova, Pennsylvania | Private | villanova.edu |
| University of Houston (UH) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
106 | Houston, Texas | Public | uh.edu |
| Boise State University (BBU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
94 | Boise, Idaho | Public | boisestate.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Bachelor's
|
84 | College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| Oakland University (OU) |
Bachelor's
|
71 | Rochester Hills, Michigan | Public | oakland.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
67 | Tyler, Texas | Public | uttyler.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) |
Bachelor's
|
62 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Public | uwm.edu |
| Idaho State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
|
41 | Pocatello, Idaho | Public | isu.edu |
| Clemson University |
Master's
|
41 | Clemson, South Carolina | Public | clemson.edu |
| Clackamas Community College (CCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
37 | Oregon City, Oregon | Public | clackamas.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
37 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | worldcampus.psu.edu |
| University of Arkansas (U of A) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
31 | Fayetteville, Arkansas | Public | uark.edu |
| University of Southern Mississippi (USM) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
30 | Hattiesburg, Mississippi | Public | usm.edu |
| University of Houston (UHCL) |
Master's
|
28 | Houston, Texas | Public | uhcl.edu |
| George Washington University (GW) |
Postbac Cert.
|
26 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | gwu.edu |
| University of Wisconsin (UWO) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
26 | Oshkosh, Wisconsin | Public | uwosh.edu |
| Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
24 | Chicago, Illinois | Public | neiu.edu |
| Roosevelt University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
24 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | roosevelt.edu |
| Webster University |
Master's
|
24 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | webster.edu |
| Pepperdine University |
Master's
|
22 | Malibu, California | Private | pepperdine.edu |
| Park University |
Postbac Cert.
|
22 | Parkville, Missouri | Private | park.edu |
| Dakota County Technical College (DCTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
21 | Rosemount, Minnesota | Public | dctc.edu |
| Bowie State University (BSU) |
Master's
|
19 | Bowie, Maryland | Public | bowiestate.edu |
| Indiana University (IU Indianapolis) |
Postbac Cert.
|
18 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | indianapolis.iu.edu |
| Pittsburg State University |
Master's
|
18 | Pittsburg, Kansas | Public | pittstate.edu |
| Barry University |
Master's
|
17 | Miami, Florida | Private | barry.edu |
| Western Michigan University (WMU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
16 | Kalamazoo, Michigan | Public | wmich.edu |
| University of San Francisco (USF) |
Master's
|
15 | San Francisco, California | Private | usfca.edu |
| Towson University (TU) |
Master's
|
14 | Towson, Maryland | Public | towson.edu |
| Sacred Heart University (SHU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
13 | Fairfield, Connecticut | Private | sacredheart.edu |
| Eastern Illinois University (EIU) |
Master's
|
13 | Charleston, Illinois | Public | eiu.edu |
| Southwestern College (SC) |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Winfield, Kansas | Private | sckans.edu |
| Tusculum University |
Master's
|
13 | Greeneville, Tennessee | Private | tusculum.edu |
| Champlain College |
Master's
|
12 | Burlington, Vermont | Private | champlain.edu |
| California Intercontinental University (CalUniversity) |
Master's
|
12 | Sioux Falls, South Dakota | Private | caluniversity.edu |
| University of St Francis (USF) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
10 | Joliet, Illinois | Private | stfrancis.edu |
| Queens University of Charlotte |
Postbac Cert.
|
10 | Charlotte, North Carolina | Private | queens.edu |
| Drexel University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
10 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | drexel.edu |
| Texas Tech University (TTU) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Lubbock, Texas | Public | ttu.edu |
| Columbia Southern University (CSU) |
Master's
|
9 | Orange Beach, Alabama | Private | columbiasouthern.edu |
| Dean College |
Other Award
|
8 | Franklin, Massachusetts | Private | dean.edu |
| Mercer University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Macon, Georgia | Private | mercer.edu |
| Hawaii Pacific University (HPU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Honolulu, Hawaii | Private | hpu.edu |
| McDaniel College |
Master's
|
6 | Westminster, Maryland | Private | mcdaniel.edu |
| Lipscomb University |
Postbac Cert.
|
6 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | lipscomb.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Stout |
Master's
|
6 | Menomonie, Wisconsin | Public | uwstout.edu |
| Charter Oak State College |
Bachelor's
|
5 | New Britain, Connecticut | Public | charteroak.edu |
| Mount St. Mary's University |
Postbac Cert.
|
5 | Emmitsburg, Maryland | Private | msmary.edu |
| Bellevue University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Bellevue, Nebraska | Private | bellevue.edu |
| Universidad Ana G. Mendez (UAGM Cupey) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Private | uagm.edu |
| Riverland Community College |
Other Award
|
4 | Austin, Minnesota | Public | riverland.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNO) |
Postbac Cert.
|
4 | Omaha, Nebraska | Public | unomaha.edu |
| SUNY Buffalo State University |
Post-Master's
|
4 | Buffalo, New York | Public | suny.buffalostate.edu |
| Zane State College (ZSC) |
Other Award
|
4 | Zanesville, Ohio | Public | zanestate.edu |
| Ana G. Mendez University (AGMU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Orlando, Florida | Private | agmu.edu |
| Rowan University |
Other Award
|
3 | Glassboro, New Jersey | Public | rowan.edu |
| Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Richmond, Virginia | Public | vcu.edu |
| Chicago State University (CSU) |
Master's
|
2 | Chicago, Illinois | Public | csu.edu |
| DePaul University |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | depaul.edu |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Champaign, Illinois | Public | illinois.edu |
| Anoka Technical College |
Other Award
|
2 | Anoka, Minnesota | Public | anokatech.edu |
| Rowan College of South Jersey |
Associate's
|
2 | Vineland, New Jersey | Public | rcsj.edu |
| Rowan College of South Jersey (RCSJ) |
Associate's
|
2 | Sewell, New Jersey | Public | rcsj.edu |
| Houghton University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Houghton, New York | Private | houghton.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Malvern, Pennsylvania | Public | greatvalley.psu.edu |
| Southern Wesleyan University (SWU) |
Master's
|
2 | Central, South Carolina | Private | swu.edu |
| Limestone University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Gaffney, South Carolina | Private | limestone.edu |
| Tennessee Technological University (TTU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Cookeville, Tennessee | Public | tntech.edu |
| University of North Texas (UNT) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Denton, Texas | Public | unt.edu |
| Universidad Ana G. Mendez (UAGM Gurabo) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Gurabo, Puerto Rico | Private | uagm.edu |
| Purdue University (PU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdue.edu |
| American Public University System (APUS) |
Other Award
|
2 | Charles Town, West Virginia | Private | apus.edu |
| Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) |
Master's
|
1 | Rochester, New York | Private | rit.edu |
| Oral Roberts University (ORU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Tulsa, Oklahoma | Private | oru.edu |
| Houston Christian University (HCU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Houston, Texas | Private | hc.edu |
| Midwestern State University (MSU Texas) |
Master's
|
1 | Wichita Falls, Texas | Public | msutexas.edu |
| University of Wisconsin (UWGB) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
1 | Green Bay, Wisconsin | Public | uwgb.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Human Resources Development programs
How much can I earn with a Human Resources Development degree?
Salaries for Human Resources Development graduates vary by role and location. Training and Development Specialists earn a median of $65,850 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $84,460 compared to $48,330 in Arkansas. Approximately 436,610 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 Development programs?
Currently 78 accredited institutions offer Human Resources Development degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (LSU) (218 graduates), Villanova University (107 graduates), and University of Houston (UH) (106 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 Development growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 1,621 in 2010 to a peak of 2,027 in 2020, before declining slightly to 1,604 in 2023-24. This represents a 1% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, 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 Development degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Training and Development Specialists. Related occupations employ approximately 436,610 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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