For working adults and other students who want to earn a bachelor’s degree in training and development, cost can be an important factor. There are certainly affordable training and development degree programs out there, but even when the program is affordable, it’s still possible to save more money on a bachelor’s. Many students who want to save money and find affordable training and development degree programs immediately start looking at online options. But starting with community college, choosing a small, regional public college, or other lower-cost option can be a smart tactic.
Applicants should seek grants, scholarships, tuition reimbursement programs, tuition reduction programs, and other financial aid. There are quite a few options out there for potential students willing to do the legwork to find these savings beforehand. Speaking to someone at the school or program the applicant wants to consider can also help. Often, staff members will know a great deal about where to find tuition savings.
Methodology: Ranking the Most Affordable Training and Development Degree Programs
Great Business Schools editors are dedicated to leading students to the best options for their educational and career needs. Even though the Most Affordable ranking is based on tuition cost (according to current IPEDS data), cost isn’t everything. GBS selects only accredited institutions with a track record of quality.
1. Oakland University
Oakland University offers one of the most affordable training and development degree programs in the state of Michigan and beyond. Oakland University’s Bachelor of Science degree (BS) in Human Resource Development (HRD) requires degree candidates to complete 124 credit units to graduate. Core coursework included in this human resource development degree program is ethics in HR, instructional design, work, and the law, and staffing, performance, and evaluation, to name a few. Training and development classes include program evaluation, e-learning in organizations, and instructional methods, among others.
Oakland University is a research higher learning institution that was established in 1957. This space-grant school serves approximately 19,000 students across its 1,400+ acre campus and online. Oakland University is a student-centric school that offers doctoral opportunities.
Highlight Oakland University was created by a donation from the heir to Dodge automaker fortune, Matilda Dodge.
Degree BS in Human Resource Development
2. University of California, San Diego
The University of California, San Diego offers two affordable training and development degree programs available along the western coast of the United States. Students can opt for UC San Diego’s Bachelor of Science degree (BS) or the Bachelor of Arts degree (BA) in Human Development Sciences (HDS). Additionally, students enrolled in either of the affordable training and development degree programs can opt for a specialization in equity & diversity or healthy aging.
UC – San Diego is a space-grant, sea-grant, and land-grant institution of higher education that was established in 1960. The University of California, located in San Diego, is one of the eleven-member schools of the state’s university system, with a student enrollment of approximately 40,473.
Highlight UC – San Diego is a large research school with nearly 20 research units across the state covering many fields of study.
Degree BS/BA in Human Developmental Sciences
3. Purdue University
The Technology Leadership and Innovation Department at Purdue University offers a Human Resource Development bachelor’s. Purdue University’s affordable training and development degree programs prepare degree candidates for rewarding careers as HR specialists, talent managers, HR analytics specialists, recruiting specialists, or compensation/benefits specialists, among others. In addition, the curriculum for training and development.
Founded under the Morrill Land Grant Act, Purdue University was established as a land grant research school in West Lafayette in 1869. Purdue University is also a space-grant and sea-grant higher learning institution with a student enrollment of approximately 43,360 students.
Highlight Purdue University has been recognized among the top five innovative institutions of higher education at the national level.
Degree Human Resource Development
4. University of Illinois at Chicago
The University of Illinois at Chicago offers a BA in Human Development and Learning that allows degree candidates to customize the degree plan to meet their career objectives. The University of Illinois – Chicago’s University’s affordable training and development degree programs offer degree candidates will complete this program in four years if studying full-time. The University of Illinois – Chicago allows eligible credits to be transferred and is a participating member of the Illinois /Articulation Initiatives. Students graduate and enter the work force working for various education sectors, community-based organizations, or elder care facilities, to name a few.
The University of Illinois at Chicago is a research higher learning institution that is also recognized as a Hispanic-serving school. Established in 1982, The University of Illinois Chicago maintains dual campuses in the Windy City that serve approximately 33,250 students.
Highlight The University of Illinois was created by the combining of several private health schools.
Degree BA in Human Development and Learning
5. Granite State College
Granite State College offers a BS in Applied Studies in Education and Training that has been developed for professionals working with adult learners. Granite State College’s affordable training and development degree programs prepare graduates for careers as senior training specialists, training & development consultants, and facility educators, to name a few. Coursework includes the psychology of occupational stress, program development, advanced critical analysis, and learning in adulthood, among others. Granite State College has a generous transfer credit policy that allows for up to 90 eligible credits.
Granite State College is a multiple campus public and a member school of the state’s university system. The college’s various campuses throughout New Hampshire that serve approximately 2,100 students. US News has recognized Granite State College’s online baccalaureate degree programs.
Highlight Washington Monthly has previously recognized Granite State College as the top college in New England.
Degree B.S. in Applied Studies – Education and Training
6. University of Texas at Tyler
The University of Texas at Tyler offers a BS in Human Resource Development (HRD) that is among the state’s most affordable training and development degree programs. Classes for the University of Texas, Tyler’s undergraduate degree in training and development program include human relations, job analysis, introduction to information systems, total quality management, and technology & communication, plus a capstone project or internship, to name a few. Degree candidates must complete 120 semester credits to graduate.
The University of Texas (UT) is a public school that was founded in the early 1970s. The Tyler campus at UT – the University of Texas is a member of the state’s university systems with a student enrollment that nears 10,000 students vying for academic degrees.
Highlight The University of Texas offers students a student to faculty ratio of 19 students to 1.
Degree BS in Human Resource Development
7. Valdosta State University
Valdosta State University’s Dewar Education and Human Services College offers a Bachelor of Science (BS Ed) in Workforce Education and Development (WED) that requires students to complete 120 semester credits to graduate. Valdosta State University’s College’s affordable training and development degree programs include coursework in contemporary skills for the workplace, ethics & liability, principles of adult & career education, classroom management, and methods of instruction, to name a few. VSU’s Workforce Education baccalaureate degree program offers two other academic concentrations – technical leadership or secondary career-technical education.
Established as a teacher’s training school in 1906, Valdosta State University now operates a campus in Valdosta and on nearby Moody Air Force Base, including a number of online academic options. The university’s 150+ acre campus is home to approximately 11,350 students.
Highlight Before becoming Valdosta State University, the school was also an all-women’s school.
Degree BS in Workforce Education and Development
8. Amridge University
Amridge University offers a BS in Human Development (HD) that requires students to complete 128 credit units to meet program requirements. Amridge University’s affordable training and development degree programs include coursework like management intervention, seasons of life, psychology in life, motivation and performance, and thinking about race, class, and gender, to name a few. Amridge University offers educational opportunities while maintaining and honoring the university’s Christian heritage.
Amridge University was established as a school of religion in Christianity in 1967. The university’s campus is located near Auburn University and serves as the administrative offices for its approximately 1,000 students studying online, exclusively vying for academic degrees offered by the university’s five colleges/schools.
Highlight Amridge University is accredited by the Southern Assoc of Colleges & Schools and the Commission on Accrediting of the Assoc. of Theological Schools.
Degree BS in Human Development
9. Georgia State University
Georgia State University’s Education & Human Development College offers a Bachelor of Integrated Studied degree (BIS) in Human Learning and Development (HLD) that is among the state’s most affordable training and development degree programs. Georgia State University’s undergraduate degree in training and development is available on the school’s Atlanta campus. Classes for this baccalaureate degree in training include career and lifespan development, special topics in special education, introduction to applied behavior analysis, and infusing co-teaching strategies across the content areas, to name a few. Georgia State University requires students to complete a minimum of 39 semester credits directly from Georgia State University.
Established as a research school in 1913, Georgia State University is a member school of the state of Georgia’s university system. Georgia State University (GSU) has the largest student enrollment in the state, with approximately 52,750 students.
Highlight Georgia State University’s location in Atlanta, GA – one of the nation’s foremost cities – make it a perfect location for job-seeking graduates.
Degree BIS in Human Learning and Development
10. Bellevue University
Bellevue University offers a BS in Adult Education – Training and Development concentration that is available on-campus as well as through the university’s distance learning platform. Bellevue University’s affordable training and development degree programs require students to complete 127 semester credits over a four-year academic study. Classes for this undergraduate degree in training and development include adult learning theory, critical thinking, learning styles fundamentals, learning assessment & evaluation, and instructional design strategies, to name a few. Bellevue University offers military (active duty and spouses) discounts include the National Guard and Coast Guard.
Founded in 1966, Bellevue University is a private institution of higher education that was established to focus on adult education and educational outreach. Bellevue University’s campus in Bellevue, Nebraska, is home to approximately 10,250 students.
Highlight Bellevue University offers associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs in traditional and accelerated formats.
Degree BS in Adult Education: Training and Development
How Do I Save Money on a Bachelor’s in Training and Development?
An online degree from an accredited university, college, or singular program offers just as much benefit as an offline degree. However, it’s possible to save money on the degree by going online in several ways.
- Less transportation costs
- Easier to work while learning
- Some employers help with tuition costs
- Cost of living will remain the same
There are many other benefits to choosing an online degree program, but it’s just as possible to save money on a bachelor’s in training and development in other ways as well. All the traditional ways to save money and cut costs associated with colleges and universities still apply.
In these and other ways, affordable training and development degree programs can become obtainable by anyone who really wants to pursue their bachelor’s degree in this discipline. Taking the time to find as many avenues of financial aid as possible will go a long way.
How Much Can I Make with a Bachelor’s in Training and Development?
Salary can vary based on education, location, industry, title, and various other factors. Even entry level training and development salary can look different in different places. Nevertheless, there are some average and median salaries obtainable by those who hold a bachelor’s in training and development.
When looking at the numbers, it’s also important to remember the job title also holds a great deal of importance. According to Glassdoor, the national average Training and Development salary is ~$52.8k. The same report shows average highs of $74k, but also show that, depending on the employer, some people are making upwards of $90k.
Also, from Glassdoor, there is an entry level training and development salary with a national average of ~$43.5k if the applicant has the title of training and development associate, rather than training and development specialist. This is an example of why titles matter.
It should go without saying that training and development managers and directors have a much higher average salary. While those titles may only come with a master’s degree, rather than a bachelor’s it’s certainly possible for a bachelor’s degree holder with some experience to gain those titles.
According to PayScale, the average salary for training and development specialists rises sharply with every few years of experience. This means that even if someone doesn’t pursue extra certifications or additional education, they can still earn good money if they stick to their field.
Will a Certification Help My Career?
Certifications for training and development can vary by location and industry. Not all certifications in training and development can help with all careers in this field. Nevertheless, certifications in training and development can never hurt an applicant’s prospects. The key is to find the right certifications for training and development that will help an applicant get the job they want or pursue the specific career they desire.
It’s possible to earn a training and development certification from a university, college, specialized program, or through a business. In some cases, certifications for training and development can help someone who already has a bachelor’s degree in a different field without them having to pursue a second degree.
Applicants should understand there are some certifications for training and development that will absolutely benefit their careers. There are also some certifications in training and development that applicants should consider having under their belt in general.
Applicants that want to work for a specific industry or company should always check to see if that industry or company offers training and development certification. Some businesses want training to happen in a specific way or at a specific level, so they may offer their own courses or certification programs.
There are also professional groups that certify training and development applicants. Some of these programs to look out for include:
Certification isn’t always necessary, but it can always help and can definitely help a career at any stage.
In many cases, when a business requires a certain type of certification, they will give applicants some time to earn it after hiring them. This means applicants don’t always need to try to anticipate which certification they may need beforehand. Still, applicants should do some research on which certifications have the most prevalence in their desired career field.
Carrie Morris
Author
Warren Dahl
Editor-in-Chief