Why This Matters
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THE U.S. NEEDS ANOTHER 136,200 HEALTHCARE MANAGERS BY 2031
Because of rapid changes in how healthcare is delivered, the need for health and medical service managers is forecast to grow an astounding 28% over the next decade.
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THE SENIOR POPULATION WILL TOTAL 78 MILLION BY 2035
As the country’s senior population increases, so too does the need for high-quality care in rehabilitation centers, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes. An MBA will ready you to lead teams at these kinds of facilities.
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EARN A SIX FIGURE SALARY
Healthcare managers make an average salary of $101,340, with the top 10% earning more than $205,620.
Our Research
This list features some of the best MBA in healthcare management degree programs at top colleges across the country. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions. The programs on our list accredited by agencies like The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), both reputable organizations who assess business programs for educational excellence and a commitment to quality education.
We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation as well as the student resources provided for on-campus students. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of MBA in healthcare management degree programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like the U.S. News & World Report among others to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
The Top 50 MBA in Healthcare Management Degree Programs
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What You Should Know About This Degree
MBAs in healthcare management and healthcare administration may be used interchangeably in some contexts, but there are important differences between the foci of the two degree programs. Healthcare management combines healthcare and business, and professionals who have an MBA in healthcare management usually oversee big-picture items such as reimbursement systems, financial planning, marketing campaigns, information technology infrastructure, and leadership elections. Professionals who pursue an MBA in healthcare administration normally manage the actual day-to-day operations of a facility.
If you’re considering an online degree program, check whether the degree has any in-person requirements. Some online degrees require students to complete internships or attend periodic on-campus sessions. You’ll want to confirm that an online program, including any travel requirements, fits your availability and budget.
After you graduate from your academic program, you’ll have to pass a certification exam before most facilities will hire you. Several agencies offer certifications and specializations, such as information technology or accounts management. If you want to work in a nursing care facility, you’ll also need a state-issued license and should confirm that a specific program complies with your preferred state’s licensing requirements.
What’s Next?
Here are some questions to ask when considering an MBA in healthcare management:
- Am I eligible for this degree? Each program has its own admission requirements, but most expect that students have completed an undergraduate degree. The degree may have to be in a business-related field, or completing some business courses within another degree program might be sufficient. If you haven’t taken business courses, some programs may admit you but require that you complete a set of foundational business courses before officially enrolling.
- Does the program offer a dual degree or concentration? There are several ways to specialize within healthcare management, and you can focus on accounting, human resources, information technology, or another area. Some programs offer dual degrees or concentrations that help with specialization.
After you’ve identified potential programs, research each one’s admission requirements and application deadlines. The information is commonly available on programs’ webpages, or you can directly contact the programs for more information.
For help paying tuition and related costs, speak with the program about financial aid and scholarship opportunities. If you already work in the healthcare field, your employer might offer tuition reimbursement.