8
Programs Ranked
$26,122
Avg Tuition
$139,350
HR Manager Salary (VA)
2
SHRM-Aligned
Virginia has 8 ranked master's HR programs led by Regent University (SHRM-aligned, ACBSP, 64.4/100) and George Mason University (AACSB, SHRM-aligned, 60.9/100). The state's defense-tech-finance triad across 25 Fortune 500 headquarters drives demand for senior HR leaders who manage cleared workforces, navigate evolving noncompete law, and design total rewards packages competitive with the D.C. metro market.
Master's in Human Resources Programs in Virginia: Overview
Virginia has 8 accredited master's HR programs, according to IPEDS 2023 data. Regent University (Virginia Beach) leads with SHRM alignment, ACBSP accreditation, and flexible online/campus/hybrid delivery. George Mason University (Fairfax) provides AACSB accreditation and SHRM alignment in the heart of the defense corridor. University of Richmond's MHRM offers small cohorts of 12-15 students with practitioner faculty.
The state's 25 Fortune 500 headquarters, 11 of which sit in Fairfax County and collectively generated $339 billion in fiscal year 2024 revenue, create a labor market where master's-level HR professionals manage defense contractor compliance (OFCCP, ITAR, security clearances), federal workforce regulations, and compensation structures that compete with the broader D.C. metro for talent.
Virginia's 2025 legislative changes raise the stakes for senior HR. The noncompete ban expansion to all FLSA non-exempt employees (effective July 1, 2025) requires policy audits across every employment agreement. Healthcare employers face new workplace violence reporting mandates. HR directors at defense and healthcare employers need both legal knowledge and change management skills to implement these requirements. Capital One (McLean), Hilton (McLean), and Dollar Tree (Chesapeake) add financial services, hospitality, and retail HR leadership tracks outside the defense sector, and Virginia's HR managers earn a median $139,350, ranking among the top five states nationally (BLS 2024).
Source: Fortune 500, 2025
NoVA vs. Richmond vs. Hampton Roads: Senior HR Market
Senior HR Roles by Virginia Industry
General Dynamics ($31B+ revenue), Northrop Grumman, Leidos, Booz Allen Hamilton, SAIC, and CACI International collectively employ over 100,000 in Northern Virginia. Senior HR leaders manage OFCCP compliance, security clearance workforce planning, and total rewards packages that compete with the D.C. federal pay scale.
Key Skills
Common Roles
- VP of Human Resources
- Director of Talent Acquisition
- Senior HR Business Partner
Capital One (Fortune 500 No. 82) and Freddie Mac (No. 38) anchor the Tysons financial corridor. Senior HR professionals design compensation structures that compete with Big Tech, manage hybrid/remote work policies across states, and lead organizational development during rapid growth cycles.
Key Skills
Common Roles
- CHRO
- VP People Operations
- Director of Total Rewards
Inova Health System, Sentara Healthcare, and VCU Health are among the largest Virginia employers. The 2025 healthcare workplace violence reporting mandate requires HR directors to design incident tracking systems, de-escalation training programs, and risk assessment frameworks.
Key Skills
Common Roles
- VP of HR (Health System)
- Director of Employee Relations
- Chief People Officer
Virginia Employment Law: Key Regulations for HR Leaders
Noncompete Ban Expansion (SB 1218)
Bans noncompetes for all FLSA non-exempt employees regardless of salary. $10,000 civil penalty per violation. Requires audit of all existing employment agreements.
Healthcare Workplace Violence (HB 2269/SB 162)
Healthcare employers must document, track, and analyze workplace violence incidents. Records maintained 2+ years. Requires de-escalation training and risk assessment.
At-Will Employment
Virginia is an at-will state. Employers can terminate for any non-discriminatory reason.
Right-to-Work
Employees cannot be required to join a union or pay dues. Virginia's unionization rate is among the lowest nationally.
Virginia Human Rights Act
Prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status.
Regent University
Regent University offers a 42-credit MBA in Human Resource Management with ACBSP accreditation and SHRM alignment. Available online, on campus, and hybrid with no GRE required.
Program Highlights
- SHRM-aligned curriculum
- ACBSP-accredited
- 42 credits
- Online/campus/hybrid
- No GRE required
Key Strengths
- SHRM-aligned
- ACBSP-accredited
- Flexible delivery
Sources
George Mason University
George Mason offers a 30-credit MS in Management with HR certificate through the AACSB-accredited School of Business. SHRM-aligned with online, campus, and hybrid delivery. Located in Fairfax County with direct access to 11 Fortune 500 headquarters.
Program Highlights
- AACSB-accredited
- SHRM-aligned
- 30 credits
- HR certificate option
- $10,095 in-state
Key Strengths
- AACSB-accredited
- SHRM-aligned
- Defense corridor location
Sources
University of Richmond
University of Richmond offers a 30-credit Master of Human Resource Management. Campus evening format with small cohorts of 12-15 students and practitioner faculty. 29 annual graduates.
Program Highlights
- Dedicated MHRM degree
- Small cohorts 12-15
- Practitioner faculty
- 29 annual graduates
Key Strengths
- Dedicated HR master's
- Practitioner faculty
- Personalized education
Sources
| 1 | Regent University | Virginia Beach, VA | Private | $18,986 | 6400% | 54 | 64.4 | true | false | true |
| 2 | George Mason University | Fairfax, VA | Public | $10,095 | 8000% | 21 | 60.9 | true | false | false |
| 3 | University of Richmond | University of Richmond, VA | Private | $62,600 | 9600% | 29 | 44.8 | false | false | false |
| 4 | Marymount University | Arlington, VA | Private | $37,400 | 9900% | 8 | 43.2 | false | false | false |
| 5 | Bridgewater College | Bridgewater, VA | Private | $40,300 | — | 13 | 25.3 | false | false | false |
| 6 | Virginia University of Lynchburg | Lynchburg, VA | Private | $8,448 | — | 8 | 23.1 | false | false | false |
| 7 | Strayer University-Virginia | Arlington, VA | For-Profit | $13,725 | — | 30 | 22.4 | false | false | true |
| 8 | ECPI University | Virginia Beach, VA | For-Profit | $17,424 | — | 9 | 17.3 | false | false | false |
Career Paths
Leads HR strategy for defense contractors and Fortune 500 employers managing multi-state, security-cleared workforces.
Sets enterprise HR policy at defense, tech, and financial services companies across Northern Virginia.
Designs total rewards programs competitive with D.C. federal pay scales and Big Tech compensation.
Aligns HR strategy with business objectives at Fortune 500 defense and finance employers.
Oversees compliance training covering noncompete rules, workplace violence prevention, and clearance protocols.
Salary by Experience Level
Virginia HR Master's Programs FAQ
Master's in HR Programs in Nearby States
IPEDS 2023, SHRM Academic Alignment, AACSB, ACBSP
HR degree completions from IPEDS 2023 (sqrt normalized, cap 300)
SHRM-aligned curriculum (+15 pts) and AACSB (+10) or ACBSP (+5)
6-year graduation rate from IPEDS 2023
Carnegie 2021 classification
Completeness of IPEDS reporting
Data Sources
Rankings based on program output (30%), curriculum quality (25%), student success (25%), institutional resources (15%), and data transparency (5%).
- 1.IPEDS 2023 — Program completions, tuition, and graduation rates
- 2.Bureau of Labor Statistics OES 2024 — HR occupation salaries
- 3.SHRM — HR curriculum standards
Last updated: March 2026
Related Resources
Taylor Rupe
Education Researcher & Data Analyst
B.A. Psychology, University of Washington · B.S. Computer Science, Oregon State University
Taylor combines training in behavioral science with data analysis to evaluate HR education programs. His research methodology uses IPEDS completion data, BLS employment statistics, and SHRM alignment data to produce evidence-based program rankings.