Best Cheapest Online MHA Programs

Behind every good physician is a team of administrators who ensure a health institution functions smoothly.

Healthcare administrators run the organizational tasks needed within a health system. That includes organizing the delivery of care, handling the finances of an office, navigating staffing difficulties, and adapting to new laws and regulations thrown at the healthcare industry.

The cheapest MHA programs online can equip you with the skills needed to be a leader in this space, all from the comfort of your home.

Worcester State University caps this ranking with its M.S. in healthcare administration, which is available for less than $3,000 in yearly tuition. For that price, WSU’s classes are within reach of even the most budget-conscious students. Core courses include Healthcare Systems, Marketing the Healthcare Organization, Financial Management, Accounting and Budgeting, Ethical Issues in Healthcare, and much more. Electives help students broaden their horizons and gain an understanding of less common topics, from politics and policy to epidemiology. Princeton Review includes Worcester State on its selection of America’s “Best Value” colleges, giving students seeking a master’s degree in healthcare administration yet another motivation to attend.

Texas Woman’s University marks the fourth school on this list to reside in the Southwestern state. The master’s degree in healthcare administration at TWU serves full-time workers already employed in the surrounding community. The program works to keep students engaged through a variety of teaching styles, even bringing in guest lecturers and helping near-graduates prepare a personal portfolio. The extensive curriculum requires students to complete six foundation courses, another 15 core classes, and two electives. A 2012 report indicated that TWU is one of the nation’s leading providers of healthcare workers.

Who says a private school education has to cost an arm and a leg? Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota offers a quality, spiritually focused academic experience for less than $7,500 a year. Curriculum facilitators design classes around an understanding of the biggest challenges facing the industry. For example, classes in finance and human resources help graduates address the personnel shortages and complicated revenue streams currently affecting hospitals and large clinics. Graduates of the master’s degree in healthcare administration program also earn leadership positions in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, nonprofit agencies, and behavioral health institutions. SMU holds the #181 spot on U.S. News’ 2015 list of top national colleges, as well as the #63 spot on the same publication’s “Best for Vets” ranking.

Wilmington University’s MSM in Healthcare Administration focuses on two essential program outcomes: teach students how to 1) conduct analysis and make sound decisions related to healthcare, and 2) demonstrate proficiency in policy, reimbursement, and insurance. Traditional classes are available at three separate regional locations, but program members can also enroll in distance education courses. Affordable Colleges Online named Wilmington the #1 most affordable college in Delaware, and this cheap master’s degree in healthcare administration is available for a mere $7,600 per full time year. Between 18 credits of business management core classes, 12 concentration courses, and six credits of electives, full-time students could easily complete the program in less than two years.

Kansas state residents might want to consider Wichita State University for their healthcare education needs. The accredited master’s degree in healthcare administration operates as a concentration within the MBA program, allowing students to access a broad spectrum of both health- and business-related courses. Required classes include Health Economics, Healthcare Policy, Operations Management, Information Systems, and Social and Behavioral Aspects of Health. Because of its relationship with the business school, the HCA program gives participants unique international opportunities, including the “Berlin Experience.” This semester-long course sends students to Germany, where they work on real consulting projects and gain unparalleled management experience. Forbes lists WSU as the #135 university in the Midwest.

The University of Nebraska’s Omaha location provides an MBA degree with an optional concentration in healthcare management. The program distinguishes itself through its interdisciplinary approach, drawing from a wealth of resources across multiple departments and the university medical center. Even within this concentration, students have the opportunity to focus more specifically on management, research, or public policy, thus offering greater customization options than the typical master’s degree in healthcare administration. Faculty members find it imperative that students understand key topics in the industry, and classes cover everything from health economics to public health advocacy. College Prowler notes UN’s high quality professors and highly satisfied students as top reasons to attend.

Students with either a business background, experience in healthcare, or both are eligible to apply to Salve Regina University’s master’s degree in healthcare administration and management. The program features IACBE accreditation and focuses on churning out graduates who will be fiscally responsible, attentive to patients, and focused on clinical outcomes. Like any quality program, SRU blends theory and practical application to help aspiring healthcare managers launch their careers. Students can take courses at multiple locations, including the Newport Campus, the adult education center in Warwick, and an online classroom. Those interested in a less-intensive program might opt for the HCAM certificate instead.

The University of Evansville is another great choice for current healthcare professionals who aspire to management positions in the field. Full-time faculty members use a multidisciplinary approach to instruct students in the essential skills that lie at the intersection of business and healthcare. Students may enroll in this accredited master’s degree in healthcare administration full- or part-time, and many choose the latter option in order to continue their work in the community. Most classes are available in the evenings, although those with extra time can also participate in a 10-day study abroad program! In fact, its study abroad trips currently hold the #1 ranking on BestCollegeReviews.org’s list of best programs in America.

Texas State University touts another CAHME-accredited program in healthcare management. The school has held this distinction since the early 1990s, signaling its long-standing commitment to providing quality curriculum. TXST works hard to ensure that accepted applicants experience an education that will best challenge them, and so provides options based on a student’s work history. Those new to the industry are required to complete a field experience, while those whose resumes already include a list of healthcare administration positions can spend that time writing a thesis. In order to give as many students as possible access to HCA classes, Texas State also offers an MBA concentration, minor, and special cognate in healthcare management topics. Military Times EDGE magazine ranks TXST as the 13th best school for veterans.

Rounding out the list of Texas universities on this list, Texas Southern University offers a graduate program that rivals some of the best master’s degrees in healthcare administration in the nation. Aside from academics, College Prowler reports that students at TSU love the knowledgeable professors and stellar career services. Students starting the program in 2015 and later will enjoy a newly updated curriculum. The changes give participants more class options, while retaining the basic structure that allows for both thesis and non-thesis tracks. Courses include Healthcare Economics, Information Systems, Managerial Finance, Health Policy Analysis, and of course much more. U.S. News awards TSU the 49th spot on its ranking of top historically black colleges.

An online MHA program should teach you how to facilitate and improve care for diverse patients. Courses will focus on more than just the medical side of healthcare. Instead, healthcare administration programs place a heavy emphasis on business, finance, marketing, leadership, and other administrative functions in the healthcare system.

The tools you’ll need in your job may depend on your workplace setting, but the lessons learned during an MHA program are designed to apply to many industries. MHA programs generally don’t have a practicum requirement. Some programs may, however, offer concentrations to teach more specific roles and responsibilities.

Some concentrations you might find within an online MHA program include:

An online master’s degree is often cheaper than in-person or hybrid programs.

A BestColleges analysis of tuition data found that the average total cost of a fully online master’s program is about $24,290 a year. Median prices for fully online programs are more than 30% cheaper than the median cost of an in-person or hybrid program.

Not all affordable MHA programs are high quality, the same way that not all high-quality programs are affordable.

Read on to learn how to ensure the MHA online program you choose is both.

The Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) is the sole accreditation body for MHA programs. Accrediting agencies oversee degree programs to ensure they offer the necessary courses and services for a proper education in a given subject.

You should check CAHME’s database of schools to ensure the program you are interested in is accredited, or else you may find yourself with a degree that holds little value in the eyes of employers.

The cost of your MHA degree may vary depending on the type of institution you attend. For example, a program at a public institution typically costs less — at least before financial aid — than a program at a private, nonprofit institution.

Tuitions may also vary depending on whether you’re an in-state or out-of-state student, but this isn’t always true for fully online programs. This is why it’s important to compare online programs to determine which ones best fit your specific needs.

You can sometimes view student outcome data, such as median salary after graduation, for master’s degree programs. The College Scorecard offers you a look into how much money you can expect to make after graduating with a master’s degree from a specific school program.

However, it’s worth noting that data may be limited in some instances, so you won’t have salary information for every school you’re interested in. Data from the College Scorecard only includes students who received federal financial aid.

MHA programs may differ not just in cost and quality but in the additional services they provide. One program may have a career counselor to help you find a high-paying job after graduation. Another program may have robust support for student veterans or students with disabilities.

It’ll be up to you how you want to weigh these additional online student services against each other based on your individual needs and goals.

Master’s program costs will vary depending on a number of factors, including location, type of institution, and prestige of the institution. No matter the cost, there are a few things you should consider when trying to figure out the best way to pay for your master’s in healthcare administration degree.

You should always fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before every academic year.

Completing the FAFSA will make you eligible for many federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs. The FAFSA is free to fill out and submit, and applying early could make you eligible for first-come, first-serve scholarships or grants.

Scholarships can help lighten the load of college tuition but often require more work to obtain. It’s important to keep in mind that some scholarships are aimed at students in a certain demographic, while others may be merit-based, meaning they’re awarded based on academic success.

Some MHA programs offer accelerated timelines, allowing you to earn your degree in as little as 12 months. These programs, however, are generally more selective.

You may have to meet certain prerequisites, like minimum years of work experience, in order to join an accelerated cohort. If you do qualify, however, you can cut down on the time it takes to earn the degree, thus cutting down on the total costs of the program.