How Much Does Human Resources School Cost?
Human Resources School Prices
Human Resource (HR) professionals are responsible for managing and developing the personnel of a company or organization. This may include finding, hiring, and training employees, overseeing employee benefit and compensation packages, and managing outgoing employees. Human resource assistants may not require a bachelor's degree, while a minimum of a bachelor's degree and in some cases a master's degree is needed to work as a senior HR professional.
Human Resources Career Considerations
Interested in a career in HR? Read on to find out how much workers in this field make and what types of education programs are offered.
Salary and Job Prospects
The salary of an HR professional correlates with their levels of responsibility and experience. HR assistants—who assist HR directors by keeping employee records, creating managerial reports, researching job applicants, and more—earn a median annual income of $37,510 ($18.03 per hour) according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Human resource specialists work directly with workers and prospective workers. They might interview applicants, check applicants' references, hire candidates, and perform new employee orientation. BLS estimates that human resource specialists have an average income of $55,800 per year ($26.83 per hour).
Human resource managers lead an organization's HR department. Job duties include coordinating and supervising HR specialists and assistants, developing and implementing recruitment, hiring processes, and employee training programs, and resolving work-related issues. HR managers have a median annual income of $99,720, although the highest earners in the field can earn nearly double that.
BLS predicts a better-than-average job growth rate for HR specialists between 2010 and 2020. Job prospects in that same time frame are about average for HR managers and somewhat below average for HR assistants.
Getting a Job in Human Resources
The following education requirements are typically desired for positions in HR. Note, however, that actual requirements may vary from employer to employer.
- HR Assistant: A high school diploma or G.E.D
- HR Specialist: A bachelor's degree in human resources, business, or a related field (learn more at bls.gov) is usually preferred, although some employers might accept work experience in lieu of formal training.
- HR Manager: Managers more often than not need a bachelor's degree in human resources or business administration and a master's degree may be required for some positions. For senior positions, work experience may be required in addition to a B.A. and/or a B.S.
Because undergraduate programs in human resources aren't offered by all schools, a degree in another field (such as business, education, or finance) coupled with human resource coursework, may be sufficient to quality for some higher-level HR positions. Voluntary professional certification from organizations such as the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) can also improve job prospects.
Human Resources School Average Costs
The actual cost of degree programs varies significantly between schools. The prices below are national averages and only meant to provide a general overview of higher education costs.
- The College Board, in its 2012 “Trends in College Pricing 2012,” estimates the following tuition and fees (excluding room and board) for 2 and 4 year colleges and universities:
- Public two-year college (i.e. community college; associate's degree): $3,000-$3,500 per year (or $6,000-$7,000 over 2 years)
- Public four-year college (in-state students): $8,500-$9,000 per year ($34-$36,000)
- Public four-year college (out-of-state students): $21,000-$22,000 per year ($84-$88,000)
- Private four-year institution: $29,000-$30,000 per year ($116-$120,000)
- Earning a Master of Science in Human Resource Management might cost $25,000 to $75,000 or more.
- Loans and scholarships can defray education costs. To find out more, contact the financial aid department of schools you're interested in. Information can also be found at studentaid.ed.gov.
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