Colleges and universities understand that students want to earn a high-quality degree in human resource management that is both efficient and budget-friendly. To meet this demand, many schools have created a five year (4+1) accelerated bachelor’s to master’s degree in HR management. This unique format allows students to earn both degrees in just five years, saving time and money. We researched schools offering this innovative format to find the best affordable programs. Schools are ranked by their average graduate tuition rate published by the National Center for Education Statistics.
#10 – Manhattanville College – Purchase, New York
B.S. Business Management / M.S. HR Management
Average Graduate Student Tuition: $17,190/year
Manhattanville College features a top, cost-effective, accelerated 4+1 degree in HRM. The Accelerated Professional Programs for Evening Adult Learners (APPEAL) is designed for adult learners with evening and weekend courses. Students complete their bachelor’s degree requirements in the earlier semesters and then move on to graduate-level coursework. Required HRM courses include:
- Employee and Labor Relations
- Navigating the HR Legal and Regulatory Environment
- HR Technologies
New students are admitted at six different points each year. To be considered for admission, students should submit a resume, two letters of recommendation, transcripts, and a personal essay.
#9 – Temple University – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
4+1 Bachelor’s to Master’s in Human Resource Management
Average Graduate Student Tuition: $16,956/year in-state and $23,346/year out-of-state
The Fox School of Business at Temple University features a rigorous, low-cost 4+1 business management major with a focus on HR management. Students apply to the program during the spring semester of their sophomore year. This budget-friendly program allows students to take 12 graduate credits during their junior and senior years at the low undergraduate tuition rates. Courses include:
- Business Transformation through Big Data
- Building Human Capital in High-Performance Organizations
- Leadership in Organizations
To be considered for admission, students should have at least a 3.25 GPA in their last 45 credits of coursework and be able to complete their junior and senior years in four full-time semesters.
#8 – Regis University – Denver, Colorado
Combined Bachelor’s/Master’s in HR Management
Average Graduate Student Tuition: $14,441/year
Do you enjoy helping people find their niche and achieve personal success? Earning a high quality 4+1 BS to master’s in HRM from Regis University can help you achieve your professional dream. Students can take courses online and on-campus in short, eight-week terms. Courses include:
- Talent and Performance Management
- Organizational Behavior
- Ethical Decision Making in Business
Graduates are successful in a variety of roles including organizational consultant, recruitment manager, and performance analyst.
#7 – Baldwin Wallace University – Berea, Ohio
Dual Degree 3/2 Program in HR Management
Website
Average Graduate Student Tuition: $13,514/year
Baldwin Wallace University features a combined affordable bachelor’s in HRM and a human resources MBA. The top-value degree program is recognized by the SHRM and the curriculum is based on the Human Resource Certification Institute requirements. Students in the bachelor’s degree program can apply for the MBA human resources program during their junior or senior year of study. Courses include:
- Employment Law
- Staffing and Development
- Compensation
Course size is intentionally kept small to provide a rich learning experience. Students can attend class online in real-time, on-campus, or online by viewing recorded sessions. Graduates are well poised for leadership roles.
For More Information: Baldwin Wallace University
#6 – Webster University – Saint Louis, Missouri
Combined Bachelor’s/Master’s in HR Management
Average Graduate Student Tuition: $13,500/year
The high value combined BS/MS in human resources development is an accelerated 4+1 degree program that saves students both time and money. Students complete 12 credit hours of coursework that are applied to both the bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. To be considered for admission, students should have between 64 and 98 credit hours of coursework completed with a minimum of a 3.3 GPA. Graduate courses include:
- Group Development and Change
- Organizational Behavior
- Research and Assessment Methods in Human Resources Development
The program is offered at the St. Louis area locations.
For More Information: Webster University
#5 – Baker College – Owosso, Michigan
4+1 HR Management Bachelor’s to Master’s Program
Average Graduate Student Tuition: $12,510/year
Baker College, Michigan’s largest private, not-for-profit college offers an inexpensive 4+1 human resource management program. Students can apply 12-15 credits to both degrees, saving time and money. This flexible and low-cost online BBA/MBA program features courses taught by experienced HR and business professionals. The online degree program is open to students new to the area of HR and those interested in advancing their careers. To be considered for admission to the program, students should have at least a 3.0 GPA.
For More Information: Baker College
#4 – Thomas Edison State University – Trenton, New Jersey
Bachelor’s to Master’s Program-Human Resource Management
Average Graduate Student Tuition: $12,024/year
The bachelor’s to master’s 4+1 cost-effective HR management degree program from Thomas Edison State University is a great choice for undergraduate students who want to build their confidence and skills in HR. Thomas Edison State University is one of the oldest schools in the country designed with adult students in mind. They created an affordable degree program for students who want to earn their bachelor’s and master’s degree in human resource management in a timely and budget-friendly format. Courses include:
- Human Resources as a Strategic Partner
- Finance and Accounting for Managers
- Management Communications
The program conditionally admits students who have completed at least 60 credit hours toward their bachelor’s degree, have a GPA of at least a 3.0 and have more than three years of professional work experience.
For More Information: Thomas Edison State University
#3 – Purdue University – West Lafayette, Indiana
BS in Human Resource Development / MS
in Human Resource Management (MSHRM)
Average Graduate Student Tuition: $9,208/year in-state and $25,010/year out-of-state
Offered through the Krannert School of Management, the inexpensive, combined BS in human resource development and MSHRM is a great way to earn both degrees in an efficient way. Coursework covers a variety of critical HR areas including:
- managing behavior in organizations
- business analytics
- communications
Students can apply to this high-value degree program during the spring of their junior year and, if accepted, begin full-time graduate study during the fall of their senior year. Graduates are working with some of the top employers in the country including Amazon, Dell Inc, and PepsiCo.
For More Information: Purdue University
#2 – Rasmussen College – Rockford, Illinois
Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources and Organizational Leadership- Accelerated Master’s pathway
Average Graduate Student Tuition: $8,640/year
Rasmussen College features an inexpensive, accelerated Master’s pathway that allows students to complete their graduate degree in HRM in just one year after the completion of their bachelor’s in human resources and organizational leadership. Students will take up to four graduate-level courses while earning their bachelor’s degree, making this a great economical option for students on a budget. The curriculum follows the standards set by the SHRM so students can feel confident they are gaining the skills and knowledge employers demand. Rasmussen’s affordable accelerated program includes online coursework, self-directed assessments, and competency-based education making it possible to complete both degree programs in under five years!
For More Information: Rasmussen College
#1 – Wichita State University – Wichita, Kansas
Dual/Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s in HR Management
Average Graduate Student Tuition: $5,435/year in-state and $13,348/year out-of-state
Our top choice for a low-cost 4+1 accelerated BBA to MHRM is offered by Wichita State University. Students benefit from an innovative applied learning approach that helps prepare students for the workforce. Required courses cover areas like:
- Human Resource Staffing
- Training and Development
- Employment Law
To be considered for admission to this incredibly cheap accelerated program, students must have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least a 3.0 and have a recommendation from graduate faculty in either HRM or Management. Graduates have the knowledge and skills needed to work in HR in a variety of areas including health care, manufacturing, and government.
For More Information: Wichita State University
Other Rankings of Interest:
- Top 50 Best Online Master’s in HR Degree Programs (MSHR)
- 15 Best Bachelor’s Degrees for Future HR Professionals
- 50 Most Affordable Human Resource MBA Degree Programs
- Top 25 Bachelor’s in Human Resources Degrees Ranked by Graduation Rates
- 10 Best Careers for Human Resources Professionals
- Top 10 PhD Programs in Human Resources
- The Top 10 Best HR MBA Programs
- 50 Most Affordable Master’s in Organizational Behavior Degree Programs
- 20 Best HR Masters Programs in Human Resources 2021
- Top 10 PhD Human Resources Online Programs
- 25 Best Online Human Resources Degree Programs (Bachelor’s)
