Best Online Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration Programs of 2024
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2024As a healthcare administrator, you probably won’t be cast as a main character in “Grey’s Anatomy.” But you will be a behind-the-scenes superstar keeping the whole healthcare machine running. And you’ll build valuable leadership skills while doing so.
So if you want to be a decision-maker with the power to impact patients and providers, consider getting a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration. There’s probably more to it than you think.
Popular Online Healthcare Administration Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online Healthcare Administration Programs
Florida International University
Miami, FL- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,721
- Out-of-state$16,529
- In-State$8,912
- Out-of-state$21,393
- Retention Rate90%
- Acceptance Rate64%
- Students Enrolled56,664
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment65%
- AccreditationYes
Drexel University
- Philadelphia, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$54,766
- Out-of-state$54,766
- In-State$36,234
- Out-of-state$36,234
- Retention Rate90%
- Acceptance Rate83%
- Students Enrolled23,216
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment50%
- AccreditationYes
University of Central Florida
- Orlando, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,478
- Out-of-state$19,810
- In-State$6,916
- Out-of-state$25,759
- Retention Rate92%
- Acceptance Rate36%
- Students Enrolled70,310
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment9%
- AccreditationYes
St. Joseph's University-New York
- Brooklyn, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$29,976
- Out-of-state$29,976
- In-State$20,250
- Out-of-state$20,250
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate80%
- Students Enrolled4,687
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment55%
- AccreditationYes
University of North Florida
- Jacksonville, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$3,996
- Out-of-state$16,799
- In-State$8,570
- Out-of-state$19,585
- Retention Rate79%
- Acceptance Rate77%
- Students Enrolled16,594
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment77%
- AccreditationYes
Fresno Pacific University
- Fresno, CA
- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$32,954
- Out-of-state$32,954
- In-State$15,000
- Out-of-state$15,000
- Retention Rate72%
- Acceptance Rate78%
- Students Enrolled3,524
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment43%
- AccreditationYes
George Fox University
- Newberg, OR
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$37,840
- Out-of-state$37,840
- In-State$14,158
- Out-of-state$14,158
- Retention Rate82%
- Acceptance Rate83%
- Students Enrolled4,285
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment49%
- AccreditationYes
Winona State University
- Winona, MN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$8,100
- Out-of-state$14,600
- In-State$8,000
- Out-of-state$12,080
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance Rate77%
- Students Enrolled6,545
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment57%
- AccreditationYes
East Carolina University
- Greenville, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,452
- Out-of-state$20,729
- In-State$4,749
- Out-of-state$17,898
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate94%
- Students Enrolled28,021
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment74%
- AccreditationYes
Loma Linda University
- Loma Linda, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$32,736
- Out-of-state$32,736
- In-State$27,382
- Out-of-state$27,382
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled4,390
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment33%
- AccreditationYes
How We Rank Schools
To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.
Why Should I Get an Online Degree in Healthcare Administration?
There are three main reasons to consider getting an online healthcare administration degree.
Second: Healthcare administrators make great money. If you want a degree that will pay off in job prospects and income potential, this is a good choice.
Third: Your work will matter. Not everyone gets the satisfaction of having a positive impact on others. But healthcare administrators do — they’re the driving force behind a system that saves lives.
Benefits of Getting a Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration
- Learn the ins and outs of the U.S. healthcare system
- Acquire a marketable skill set that translates into a variety of business organizations
- Qualify for coveted healthcare positions across the country
- Prepare for leadership roles with upward mobility
- Boost your earning potential in a growing field
- Lay the groundwork for an advanced degree
Benefits of Getting an Online Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration
- Save money: Many online degrees cost less than traditional on-campus programs. At the very least, you won’t have to pay for gas, on-campus fees, or limp salads in the dining hall.
- Save time: The flexible scheduling of online programs — many of which offer asynchronous classes and accelerated courses — allows you to complete coursework as quickly or as slowly as you want.
- Do it all: It’s also much easier to fit online coursework around family, hobbies, volunteer work, or other commitments.
What to Expect from an Online Healthcare Administration Degree
As a student in an online healthcare administration program, you can expect to learn important skills in planning, directing, and coordinating the delivery of healthcare services.Healthcare administration programs are accredited by either the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME).
In your new career as a healthcare administrator, you might work for acute care hospitals, independent physician practices, university health centers, or long term care, rehab, or ambulatory care facilities.
An online healthcare administration program gives you a flexible and convenient educational experience. If you have a lot of personal responsibilities, you can do your online learning at your pace and in your own time.
How Long Does an Online Healthcare Administration Degree Take?
If you pursue an online healthcare administration degree full-time, it may take you 2- 3 years. A part-time MHA program might take you 3-4 years or more.Online programs are offered in synchronous or asynchronous formats. For synchronous programs you have to be in front of your computer for classes at specific times, while in asynchronous programs you can complete classes on your own schedule.
Average Time to Complete a Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration
2-3 years (Full Time)
3-4 years (Part Time)
Required Course Credits*
120 credits
*Varies depending on your school/program
What Classes Will I Take While Earning a Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration?
Courses offered in healthcare administration programs prepare you for the complex nature of leadership in the 21st century:
- Organizational Behavior: Understanding group dynamics and organizational structure.
- Healthcare Finance: Guiding a facility to financial stability is informed by understanding healthcare economics.
- Medical Terminology: If your previous career wasn’t in healthcare, you must understand medical terminology.
- Healthcare Ethics: Savvy leaders approach difficult ethical decisions with sensitivity and critical thinking.
- Healthcare Policy: Governmental healthcare policies have a direct impact on how you steer your organization.
- Healthcare Quality Management: Measuring outcomes and quality of care can improve the patient and staff experience and a facility’s financial bottom line.
How Much Does an Online Bachelor’s Degree in Healthcare Administration Cost?
Weighing the cost of an online degree? There are a few things that will affect your bottom line.
- Tuition: Online programs can save you money. But they aren’t always your cheapest option. You can keep your tuition costs down by picking in-state, public schools.
- Financial aid: Remember, you’ll have to pay loans back at some point (usually with interest). But if a school offers grant-based assistance, that can reduce your net cost and raise your return on investment (ROI). Scholarships and work/study options can also make a big dent in the final ticket price.
- Unexpected costs: Some schools charge additional online learning or technology fees for distance learners — be sure to ask about costs you may not be aware of.
Average Annual Cost of an Online Bachelor’s Degree in Healthcare Administration
According to the NCES, the average annual cost of tuition and fees for an online bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration is $7,784. This is based on the average annual tuition cost of all online bachelor’s degrees in health.
Average annual tuition and fees at in-state public universities was $9,596 and $34,051 for private universities in the 2021-22 school year.
Public Institution | 2021-2022
$9,596
Private Institution | 2021-2022
$34,051
Read More:
What Jobs Can I Get With a Bachelor’s Degree in Healthcare Administration?
Once you graduate with your bachelor’s in healthcare administration, you’ll have choices of what administrative jobs you might apply for. Note that high-paying leadership roles in healthcare administration may require a master’s in healthcare administration (MHA).
Several positions you might consider include:
| Job | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Healthcare Administrator | $75,724 according to Payscale, Sept. 2024 |
| Medical Marketing Manager | $73,161 according to Payscale, Sept. 2024 |
| Medical and Health Services Manager | $110,680 according to the BLS, May 2023 |
| Nursing Home Administrator | $99,569 according to Payscale, Sept. 2024 |
| Health Policy Analyst | $67,591 according to Payscale, Sept. 2024 |
| Clinic Administrator | $62,087 according to Payscale, Sept. 2024 |
How Much Can I Make With a Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration?
Your earning potential with a bachelor’s in healthcare administration will be influenced by many factors, including the city, state, or region where you work. Bear in mind that higher wages in some popular cities might be offset by a much higher cost of living.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 29% job growth (much faster than average) is expected for medical and health services managers between 2023 and 2033, so you can rely on jobs being available in many regions of the country.
With an average salary of $70,000 per year — or $21.56 per hour — there’s definitely room for growth and opportunity if you decide to further your education.
Average Salary with a Bachelor’s in Healthcare in Administration
Average Annual Salary
$70,000
Average Hourly Salary
$21.56
Many students also choose to go on to pursue their master’s in healthcare administration — which can considerably increase your earning potential. According to the BLS, the highest 10% of earners in this field make more than $216,000 a year.
A flexible online master’s program can help you gain that additional expertise while still working in the field, earning money, and racking up years of experience.
Projected Growth for Medical and Health Services Managers, 2023-2033
29%
Everything Else You Need to Know About a Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration
While requirements may vary slightly, undergraduate healthcare administration programs typically look for the following:
- Application
- Test scores
- Recommendation letters
- Personal statement or essay
- Transcripts
- High school diploma or GED certificate
Some schools may also require a personal interview.
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