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Cheapest Human Resources Management and Services Colleges in Illinois

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Western Illinois University breaks the mold for Human Resources Management and Services programs in Illinois, offering graduates a pathway to $38,289 starting salaries while keeping net costs at just $11,592. This creates the largest gap between affordability and earnings potential among the state's 20 HR programs. Private institutions like Dominican University and University of St Francis command significantly higher net costs, reaching $15,113 and $16,284 respectively, but deliver graduation rates above 60%. Illinois' strong corporate presence in Chicago, home to major employers like Abbott, Boeing, and Caterpillar, creates steady demand for HR professionals across manufacturing, healthcare, and finance sectors. The state's MAP Grant program helps bridge affordability gaps for low-income students, making quality HR education accessible. While public options cluster around $12,000 to $14,000 in net costs, private colleges vary dramatically from $12,093 at Saint Xavier University to over $21,000 at Greenville University. Graduation rates tell an equally varied story, ranging from Northeastern Illinois University's concerning 16.8% to Trinity Christian College's solid 63.9%. This wide range gives students clear choices between budget-conscious public programs and potentially higher-return private alternatives.
24
Programs
$11,592 – $35,196
Net Price Range
$51,490
Avg. Program Earnings
56.1%
Avg. Graduation Rate

24 Human Resources Management and Services Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $11,592 $14,952 44.8% 75.0%
2 $12,093 $36,840 59.0% 84.1%
3 $12,313 $14,338 60.3% 78.7%
4 $13,550 $12,383 16.8% 62.7%
5 $15,113 $37,844 62.4% 89.5%
6 $16,157 $12,345 36.9% 92.1%
7 $16,284 $37,000 64.6% 58.4%
8 $16,381 $20,325 63.9% 70.7%
9 $16,774 $36,258 47.4% 93.0%
10 $17,945 $37,470 61.1% 77.2%
11 $18,191 $35,325 56.0% 68.0%
12 $18,370 $37,882 62.6% 74.1%
13 $18,470 $13,546 40.0%
14 $20,152 $20,280 41.0% 88.3%
15 $21,270 $30,598 51.4% 94.1%
16 $21,386 $12,320 45.7% 91.3%
17 $21,814 $26,758 52.4% 64.4%
18 $23,033 $44,394 71.1% 60.9%
19 $23,529 $34,290 51.0% 93.1%
20 $23,572 $39,680 72.1% 75.1%
21 $24,190 $34,070 59.5% 68.4%
22 $25,027 $30,910 53.3% 58.2%
23 $27,143 $65,997 95.9% 7.2%
24 $35,196 $51,716 76.9% 79.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Western Illinois University stand out among affordable HR programs?

Western Illinois University combines the lowest net cost at $11,592 with a 75% acceptance rate, making it highly accessible for students. Despite the low cost, graduates earn $38,289 starting salaries and face manageable debt of $21,875. The 44.8% graduation rate reflects the challenges many affordable programs face but still represents solid value for budget-conscious students.

How do private college costs compare to public options for HR degrees?

Private colleges in Illinois charge significantly more, with net costs ranging from $12,093 at Saint Xavier University to $21,270 at Greenville University. Public universities like University of Illinois Chicago and Northeastern Illinois University keep net costs under $14,000. However, private institutions often deliver higher graduation rates, with Dominican University achieving 62.4% compared to public averages around 40-60%.

Is the earnings potential worth the investment for Illinois HR graduates?

Earnings vary considerably across programs, from Western Illinois University's $38,289 to Concordia University-Chicago's $56,415 for graduates. University of St Francis offers strong value with $52,107 starting salaries against $16,284 net costs. The $18,000 earnings gap between highest and lowest-paying programs shows the importance of choosing schools with strong employer connections.

Does location within Illinois affect HR program quality and outcomes?

Chicago-area schools dominate the list, offering proximity to major corporate headquarters and internship opportunities. Schools like Saint Xavier University, University of Illinois Chicago, and Roosevelt University benefit from the city's finance and healthcare sectors. However, smaller cities like Macomb and Jacksonville still produce competitive graduates, often at lower overall costs.

What graduation rate patterns emerge among Illinois HR programs?

Graduation rates span from Northeastern Illinois University's troubling 16.8% to University of St Francis's solid 64.6%. Private colleges generally outperform public institutions, with Dominican University, Trinity Christian College, and Illinois College all exceeding 60%. Schools with rates below 45% may struggle with student support, while those above 55% demonstrate stronger program completion success.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.