Best colleges for Human Resources Management and Services
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Human Resources Management and Services by graduate earnings are Benedictine University ($83,475), University of Michigan-Ann Arbor ($82,714) and Northwestern University ($82,255), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Benedictine University (Lisle, IL): $83,475, 36 graduates a year
- University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (Ann Arbor, MI): $82,714, 40 graduates a year
- Northwestern University (Evanston, IL): $82,255, 31 graduates a year
- Cornell University (Ithaca, NY): $73,436, 342 graduates a year
- Concordia University - Saint Paul (Saint Paul, MN): $65,730, 33 graduates a year
Compare 657 U.S. colleges offering Human Resources Management and Services by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 52 states.
Human Resources Management and Services programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $49,441 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 52.10 and the Human Resources Managers occupation (BLS SOC).
About Human Resources Management and Services programs
The Human Resources Management and Services program prepares students for effective management of people within organizations. This program focuses on policies and systems related to employee recruitment, training, performance appraisal, and benefits management. It is ideal for individuals looking to build a career in human resources and contribute to organizational success through strategic personnel management. Students in this program will gain a comprehensive understanding of labor relations, organizational behavior, and human resources development. With a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical skills, graduates will be equipped to handle various HR functions and serve as a vital link between management and employees.
Core coursework in this program covers essential skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication. Students will also learn about personnel and human resources management, labor laws, and customer service, preparing them for diverse roles within the HR field.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Benedictine University Lisle, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $83,475 | 36 | 50% | $23,570 | $31,872 |
| 2 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $82,714 | 40 | 93% | — | $14,225 |
| 3 | Northwestern University Evanston, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $82,255 | 31 | 95% | $14,799 | $38,832 |
| 4 | Cornell University Ithaca, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $73,436 | 342 | 95% | $17,613 | $15,000 |
| 5 | Concordia University - Saint Paul Saint Paul, MN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $65,730 | 33 | 46% | $17,328 | $28,666 |
| 6 | Baylor University Waco, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $62,562 | 41 | 80% | $35,682 | $20,475 |
| 7 | Idaho State University Pocatello, ID Public · Bachelor's degree | $62,033 | 42 | 39% | — | $31,660 |
| 8 | Southern Nazarene University Bethany, OK Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $61,939 | 38 | 51% | $19,619 | $25,750 |
| 9 | Brigham Young University Provo, UT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $59,842 | 55 | 81% | $13,712 | — |
| 10 | Ohio State University Columbus, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $58,991 | 84 | 88% | — | $19,500 |
| 11 | Concordia University - Wisconsin Mequon, WI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $58,982 | 22 | 68% | $24,409 | $37,050 |
| 12 | Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $58,884 | 329 | 86% | — | $27,000 |
| 13 | Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $58,528 | 33 | 79% | $34,418 | $23,970 |
| 14 | University of the Incarnate Word San Antonio, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $58,499 | 122 | 51% | $21,745 | $36,007 |
| 15 | George Washington University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $57,219 | 150 | 84% | $29,789 | $20,793 |
| 16 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $56,501 | 166 | 81% | — | $23,475 |
| 17 | University of Michigan-Dearborn Dearborn, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $55,944 | 20 | 58% | — | $22,831 |
| 18 | University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Oshkosh, WI Public · Bachelor's degree | $55,263 | 25 | 46% | — | $20,000 |
| 19 | Colorado Christian University Lakewood, CO Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $55,261 | 20 | 64% | $23,447 | $43,274 |
| 20 | University of Richmond University of Richmond, VA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $55,123 | 81 | 85% | $24,049 | $19,500 |
| 21 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $53,339 | 88 | 85% | — | $22,000 |
| 22 | Saint Leo University Saint Leo, FL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $53,258 | 43 | 45% | $18,986 | $37,625 |
| 23 | University of Iowa Iowa City, IA Public · Bachelor's degree | $52,945 | 126 | 75% | — | $23,149 |
| 24 | Walsh University North Canton, OH Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $80,566 | 6 | 58% | $18,964 | $29,812 |
| 25 | Waldorf University Forest City, IA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $77,897 | 42 | 21% | $22,328 | $32,111 |
Top certificate or associate program
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Rhode Island Kingston, RI Public · Graduate degree | $73,191 | 26 | 73% | — | $23,984 |
Specializations within Human Resources Management and Services
7 of the 7 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 52.10 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Human Resources Management/CIP 52.1001
Personnel Administration 18,033 graduates / yr518 institutions51 states - Human Resources DevelopmentCIP 52.10053,502 graduates / yr76 institutions36 states
- Organizational Behavior StudiesCIP 52.10033,311 graduates / yr116 institutions37 states
- Labor and Industrial RelationsCIP 52.10021,363 graduates / yr26 institutions15 states
- Human Resources Management and ServicesCIP 52.1099906 graduates / yr31 institutions19 states
- Labor StudiesCIP 52.1004137 graduates / yr13 institutions7 states
- Executive/CIP 52.1006
Career Coaching New in CIP 2020partial data93 graduates / yr9 institutions7 states
Offered across 52 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 11-3121, Human Resources Managers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Human Resources Management and Services program can expect a favorable job outlook, with a growth rate of 5% and approximately 17,900 annual openings. The median wage for HR professionals is $140,030, and a typical education requirement is a Bachelor's degree, making this a promising career path for aspiring HR specialists.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Human Resources Management and Services
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 52.10.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 52.10 (Human Resources Management and Services) maps to 13 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-3111 | Compensation and Benefits Managers |
| 11-3121 | Human Resources Managersprimary |
| 11-3131 | Training and Development Managers |
| 13-1041 | Compliance Officers |
| 13-1071 | Human Resources Specialists |
| 13-1075 | Labor Relations Specialists |
| 13-1141 | Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists |
| 13-1151 | Training and Development Specialists |
| 21-1012 | Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors |
| 21-1019 | Counselors, All Other |
| 25-1011 | Business Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1112 | Law Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 43-4161 | Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Human Resources Management and Services programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Serve as a link between management and employees by handling questions, interpreting and administering contracts and helping resolve work-related problems.
- Plan, direct, supervise, and coordinate work activities of subordinates and staff relating to employment, compensation, labor relations, and employee relations.
- Perform difficult staffing duties, including dealing with understaffing, refereeing disputes, firing employees, and administering disciplinary procedures.
- Represent organization at personnel-related hearings and investigations.
- Negotiate bargaining agreements and help interpret labor contracts.
- Advise managers on organizational policy matters, such as equal employment opportunity and sexual harassment, and recommend needed changes.
Common questions
What is human resource management?+
Human resource management (HRM) is the strategic approach to managing people within organizations, focusing on policies and systems.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, communication, and knowledge of personnel management and labor laws.
What are the career opportunities after graduation?+
Graduates can pursue various HR roles, including recruitment, training, and labor relations, with a strong job outlook.
What is the typical salary for HR professionals?+
The median wage for HR professionals is $140,030.
How much do Human Resources Management and Services graduates earn?+
Human Resources Management and Services graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $49,441, College Scorecard (2019); the Human Resources Managers occupation pays about $164,230 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Human Resources Management and Services?+
Human Resources Management and Services maps to CIP 52.10 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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