Bachelor's in Human Resources Rankings

The Best Bachelor's in Human Resources Programs in Michigan for 2027

Key Points: Best Human Resources Bachelor's Programs in Michigan

  • University of Michigan-Dearborn ranks #1 in Michigan on an 83.5 Program Score, with a 58% graduation rate.
  • Grand Valley State University graduates the most students on this list (67%), from #2.
  • Public schools hold most of the places on this list.
  • Cost and quality are not opposites here: the lowest-tuition program on the list, Northern Michigan University, ranks #4.
Programs analyzed
6
In-state tuition range
$13,374-$23,376
Average graduation rate
57%
Median salary (BLS)
$99,080

We analyzed 6 business programs in Michigan on graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes to rank where a bachelor's in human resources actually pays off. In-state tuition among the 6 ranked programs in Michigan runs from $13,374 to $23,376 a year, a $10,002 spread for the same credential.

University of Michigan-Dearborn tops the list with an 83.5 Program Score on a 58% graduation rate, at $15,240 a year in-state. Across all 6 ranked schools, the average graduation rate is 57%, ranging from 47% to 67%. The national median pay in the field is $99,080 a year per the BLS, the same benchmark every ranked school here feeds into regardless of tuition paid.

How the Top Human Resources Bachelor's Programs in Michigan Compare

Michigan-Dearborn leads at 83.5, and Ferris State closes the chart at 65.3. Longer bars rank higher.

How We Rank Human Resources Bachelor's Programs in Michigan

Each Program Score runs from 0 to 100: outcomes count for 44%, selectivity and academics for 38%, and scale and value for 18%, all from federal data. See how the weights work.

The 6 Best Human Resources Bachelor's Programs in Michigan, Ranked for 2027

The 6 best Human Resources Bachelor's Programs in Michigan, ranked by outcomes.

University of Michigan-Dearborn

Dearborn, MI · Public

83.5 Program Score
Grad rate
58%
Admit rate
56%
In-state
$15,240
Out-of-state
$32,496

The Human Resource Management BBA at UM-Dearborn pairs a 21-credit major with study abroad options in Italy or Taiwan and a student chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management.

  • Program Score 83.5
  • 58% graduation rate
  • $15,240 in-state tuition
  • Study abroad in Italy or Taiwan

The University of Michigan-Dearborn offers a Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resource Management through its College of Business. The program includes 29 credits of BBA prerequisites and 37 to 38 credits of BBA core courses in accounting, economics, statistics, business law, finance, marketing and strategic management. The 21-credit major has five required courses and two electives, covering human resource policy and administration, talent sourcing and acquisition, and compensation and performance management. Electives include labor in the American economy, negotiation and conflict management, and diversity in the workplace. Students can pursue internships through the Business Career Center, study abroad in Italy or Taiwan, and join the Society for Human Resource Management student group. A 15-credit minor is also available.

The program's Program Score is 83.5 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. Federal data show a 58% graduation rate and a 56% admit rate. In-state tuition is $15,240, compared with $32,496 for out-of-state students. It fits Michigan residents in particular, as well as students who want HR skills that also serve general management careers, since the school notes the courses apply to managers in any field.

View University of Michigan-Dearborn's Bachelor's in Human Resources Program →

Grand Valley State University

Allendale, MI · Public

80.3 Program Score
Grad rate
67%
Admit rate
83%
In-state
$15,502
Out-of-state
$21,894

Grand Valley's Human Resource Management BBA is offered in both Allendale and downtown Grand Rapids and builds in case studies, real company projects and internships.

  • Program Score 80.3
  • 67% graduation rate
  • $15,502 in-state tuition
  • Offered at Allendale and Grand Rapids

Grand Valley State University offers a 120-credit Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resource Management through the Seidman College of Business, taught face to face at Allendale and in Grand Rapids. The major covers recruitment and training, compensation, employee relations and labor law compliance. Listed course areas include benefits management, strategic HR management, international HR management, organizational development, staffing and development, and the dynamics of a diversified workforce. Learning combines case studies, real company projects and internships, and the school describes mentorship programs and networking with major corporations. The Grand Rapids setting places students in a downtown business environment. Admission to the college can be direct for first-year students with a 26 ACT or 1240 SAT and a 3.5 GPA, or secondary after 55 semester hours and a 2.5 GPA.

The program earns a Program Score of 80.3 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. Federal data show a 67% graduation rate and an 83% admit rate. In-state tuition is $15,502 and out-of-state tuition is $21,894. It fits students who want a business-college HR major with project work and internships, and who are prepared for the college's direct or secondary admission standards.

View Grand Valley State University's Bachelor's in Human Resources Program →

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, MI · Public

76.1 Program Score
Grad rate
58%
Admit rate
88%
In-state
$17,167
Out-of-state
$24,735

Oakland University's human resource development bachelor's is fully online and offers minors in leadership, employment systems and training.

  • Program Score 76.1
  • 58% graduation rate
  • $17,167 in-state tuition
  • Fully online with specialty minors

Oakland University offers a Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Development through its School of Education and Human Services, and the page describes it as fully online. The focus areas are organization development, training and development, career and leadership development, and employment systems and standards. Topics include instructional design, performance appraisal, personnel selection, recruiting, ethics, labor relations and employment law. Students can add one of the available minors, including Applied Leadership Skills, Employment Systems and Standards, and Training and Development, and a Lean Management minor is open to any student. Experiential options include an HRD internship, community service internships and the student chapter of SHRM. The program is offered through the Rochester and Macomb locations.

Federal data show a 58% graduation rate and an 88% admit rate at Oakland. Tuition is $17,167 for in-state students and $24,735 for out-of-state students. The Program Score of 76.1 out of 100 is the basis of this ranking. Note that the page presents this as a human resource development degree housed in education rather than a business school. It fits students heading into HR, training or organizational roles in corporate, government or nonprofit settings who want flexibility and a choice of specialty minors.

View Oakland University's Bachelor's in Human Resources Program →

Northern Michigan University

Marquette, MI · Public

71.3 Program Score
Grad rate
52%
Admit rate
84%
In-state
$13,374
Out-of-state
$18,996

Northern Michigan University's 120 credit HR bachelor's pairs a five course HR elective block with an internship option and a business core.

  • Program Score 71.3
  • 52% graduation rate
  • $13,374 in-state tuition
  • 120 credits with five HR electives

Northern Michigan University (NMU) offers a Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management through its College of Business. The 120 credit degree covers compensation, performance management, organization development, safety, wellness, benefits, training and discipline. The curriculum has 12 credits of major courses (quantitative business problem solving, human resource management and strategic management) and a 20 credit elective block where students choose five courses. Options include employment and labor law, methods of training, compensation design and administration, conflict management and negotiations, and an internship in management. A 32 credit business core adds accounting, financial management, operations, marketing and managerial communication, along with 30 to 40 credits of general education. The page frames the degree as preparation for entry level HR roles.

On the federal side, 52% of students at NMU graduate and the school admits 84% of applicants, so admission is accessible. Tuition is $13,374 for in-state students and $18,996 for out-of-state students. The Program Score of 71.3 out of 100 is the basis of this program's ranking. The degree fits students who want a general business foundation with an HR specialty and the option to add an internship. It suits those aiming at an entry level HR position after four years on a campus in Marquette.

View Northern Michigan University's Bachelor's in Human Resources Program →

Davenport University

Grand Rapids, MI · Nonprofit · online option

70.4 Program Score
Grad rate
57%
Admit rate
98%
In-state
$23,376
Out-of-state
$23,376

Davenport University's HRM bachelor's is SHRM-aligned, so students can sit for the SHRM-CP exam before or soon after graduating.

  • 57% graduation rate
  • Program Score 70.4
  • $23,376 in-state tuition
  • SHRM-aligned, online or on campus

Davenport University's Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resource Management is a 120-credit degree aligned with Society for Human Resource Management educational standards. Davenport says eligible students can prepare for and take the SHRM-CP exam in their senior year or soon after, rather than waiting two years for experience. The major carries 37 credits, including a field experience or HR internship, and courses such as Staffing Organizations, Training for Organizations, Negotiation and Dispute Resolution and Compensation Administration. The school says practitioner faculty with extensive HR careers teach the program, and that the degree qualifies for its Employment Guarantee. It can be completed online, on campus or through a blended approach.

Federal data show a 57% graduation rate at Davenport and a 98% admit rate. In-state tuition is $23,376, and out-of-state tuition is the same $23,376. The program earns a Program Score of 70.4 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It fits students who want a practical route into HR roles such as recruiting, employee relations or compensation, and who value an early shot at a SHRM credential. The flexible delivery options suit both traditional and working students.

View Davenport University's Bachelor's in Human Resources Program →

Ferris State University

Big Rapids, MI · Public

65.3 Program Score
Grad rate
47%
Admit rate
91%
In-state
$14,582
Out-of-state
$14,582

Ferris State University requires at least one HR internship and offers the Human Resource Management bachelor's on campus or fully online, with ACBSP accreditation reported by the school.

  • Program Score 65.3
  • 47% graduation rate
  • $14,582 tuition, in-state and out-of-state
  • Required HR internship, campus or online

Ferris State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management through its College of Business. Students study employment law, compensation, employee benefits, negotiations, recruitment and selection, cross-cultural business and labor economics, alongside a business foundation in management, marketing, accounting, finance, computer information systems and international business. The school states that at least one HR internship is required, and that the curriculum is aligned with SHRM recommendations. Ferris State reports that the program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). The degree can be completed in person at the Big Rapids campus, online, or in a mixed format, and a related Business Administration degree with an HR concentration is also listed.

The program has a Program Score of 65.3 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. Federal data show a 47% graduation rate and a 91% admit rate, so entry is broadly accessible. Tuition is $14,582 for both in-state and out-of-state students. The fit is strongest for students who want a required internship built into the degree, who value the choice between campus and online delivery, and who are comfortable at a school where fewer than half of entrants graduate within the federal measurement window.

View Ferris State University's Bachelor's in Human Resources Program →

Graduation Rates at the Ranked Human Resources Bachelor's Programs in Michigan

The median school on this list graduates 58% of its students. The highest rates belong to Grand Valley State University (67%) and University of Michigan-Dearborn (58%). The top graduation rate is not at the #1 school, because the score also weighs selectivity, cost, and earnings.

58% Median graduation rate across 6 schools
67% Highest on the list Grand Valley State University
  • 60% to 79% 1
  • 40% to 59% 5
  1. #2 Grand Valley State University67% graduation rate
  2. #1 University of Michigan-Dearborn58% graduation rate
  3. #3 Oakland University58% graduation rate

Institution-wide graduation rates reported to IPEDS. They describe the whole school, not this program alone.

How Selective Are the Human Resources Bachelor's Programs in Michigan?

Every school here that reports an admit rate takes at least half of its applicants; the median is 86%.

86% Median admit rate across 6 schools
56% Most selective University of Michigan-Dearborn
  • 50% to 74% 1
  • 75% and above 5
  1. #1 University of Michigan-Dearborn56% admitted
  2. #2 Grand Valley State University83% admitted
  3. #4 Northern Michigan University84% admitted

Institution-wide admit rates for first-time applicants, reported to IPEDS. Open-admission schools do not report one.

Public and Private Human Resources Bachelor's Programs in Michigan

This list holds 5 public and 1 private nonprofit schools.

5 Public highest ranked: #1 University of Michigan-Dearborn
1 Private nonprofit highest ranked: #5 Davenport University

Control (public, private nonprofit, for-profit) as reported to IPEDS. Public schools usually charge residents less; private schools charge everyone the same rate.

Campus Size Across the Human Resources Bachelor's Programs in Michigan

Enrollment on this list runs from 4,815 at Davenport University to 22,011 at Grand Valley State University. Of the 6, 1 enrolls 20,000 students or more and 1 enrolls fewer than 5,000.

9,032 Median enrollment students, whole institution
22,011 Largest Grand Valley State University
4,815 Smallest Davenport University

Total institution enrollment reported to IPEDS, all levels and programs.

What Graduates of the Human Resources Bachelor's Programs in Michigan Earn

Rank School Median earnings, 4 years outEarnings, 4 yrs Average net priceNet price
#1 University of Michigan-DearbornMichigan-Dearborn $76,343 $7,863
#2 Grand Valley State UniversityGrand Valley State $75,800 $16,495
#3 Oakland UniversityOakland $70,347 $11,815
#5 Davenport UniversityDavenport $67,854 $17,623
#6 Ferris State UniversityFerris State $66,054 $8,402

Graduates of Michigan-Dearborn earn the most four years after finishing, a median of $76,343; the lowest figure here is $66,054 at Ferris State.

Michigan-Dearborn leads on both counts: the top rank among these schools and the highest graduate pay.

Net price, what the average aided undergraduate pays after grants, ranges from $7,863 a year at Michigan-Dearborn to $17,623 at Davenport.

College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Earnings cover each school's programs in this field at this degree level; net price is for full-time first-time undergraduates receiving aid.

What a Bachelor's in Human Resources Costs in Michigan

In-state tuition among the 6 ranked programs in Michigan runs from $13,374 to $23,376 a year. Northern Michigan University anchors the low end at $13,374, while Davenport University sits at the top at $23,376. At public schools that in-state figure is the resident rate; out-of-state students can pay considerably more, which can reorder this list for anyone moving in from elsewhere.

Run the four-year math and the gap widens: about $53,496 in tuition at the low end against roughly $93,504 at the high end for the same bachelor's in human resources. Against the national median of $99,080 a year, the cheaper degree pays its tuition back far faster.

$15,371 Median in-state tuition across 6 schools
$15,240 Public schools, median 5 public

Published annual tuition and required fees reported to IPEDS. Private schools charge one rate regardless of residency; public schools charge non-residents the out-of-state rate shown on each card.

Online Human Resources Options in Michigan

1 of the 6 ranked Michigan programs, Davenport University, offers a confirmed online or distance-education option, which widens access for working students who cannot relocate. An accredited online HR degree carries the same standing as its on-campus version, since accreditation attaches to the program and school, not the delivery format.

Human Resources Careers and Pay After a Michigan Program

Every degree on this list points toward the same national labor market. The Bureau of Labor Statistics puts national median pay in the field at $99,080 a year, a figure that applies across the profession rather than to any single school here, and it holds whether a graduate paid $13,374 or $23,376 a year in tuition. That is the core tradeoff this ranking is built to expose: a higher price does not buy a higher starting salary in the federal wage data.

Keep Exploring

Human Resources Bachelor's Programs in Michigan: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best HR degree in Michigan?

By Program Score, University of Michigan-Dearborn ranks first among the 6 business programs in Michigan we analyzed, with an 83.5 score and a 58% graduation rate. The score weighs graduation rate, selectivity, in-state cost, and outcomes, so the top school balances all four rather than winning on any one.

How much does an HR degree cost in Michigan?

In-state tuition among the ranked Michigan programs runs from $13,374 to $23,376 a year. Most of these are resident rates at public schools; out-of-state students pay more at some of them, so confirm your residency status and check the out-of-state column before comparing.

Is an online HR degree respected by employers?

Yes, when the school is accredited. An accredited online degree lists the same on a transcript as the on-campus version, and accreditation, not delivery format, is what protects the credential. Every program ranked here is accredited and reporting to the federal IPEDS system.

What salary can graduates expect?

The BLS reports a national median of $99,080 a year for the field. That is a national benchmark, not an Michigan-specific figure or a promised outcome for any single school, but it is the number every tuition dollar on this page should be measured against.

Data Sources