Why This Matters

  • 2.4 MILLION MORE HEALTH WORKERS ARE NEEDED

    Thanks to an aging population and more emphasis on preventative care, the demand for workers in the healthcare industry is up 18%, much faster than the average for other occupations.

  • CHOOSE FROM OVER 20 DIFFERENT CAREER PATHS

    A Bachelor of Health Science opens doors to many careers, including medical and health services manager, medical sales, and nursing home administrator, as well as graduate degree programs.

  • JOBS FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANTS WILL RISE 29%

    Assistants who can help physicians with routine administrative and clinical duties are in high demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 183,900 new jobs will be added in this area by 2026.

Our Research

This list includes both Bachelor of Health Science and Bachelor of Science in Health Science degrees. Both degrees are similar, and they will prepare you for non-clinical healthcare jobs or graduate study in a healthcare-related field.

Most programs are geared towards working individuals who already have college credits or an associate’s degree in a healthcare-related field; exact eligibility requirements vary per program.

All of the programs on our list are offered by regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation guarantees that programs meet high quality standards.

Once we narrowed our list, we reviewed each program’s courses, cost, reputation, and flexibility. Using this information, we calculated the Intelligent Score for each program on a scale of 0 to 100. For a more extensive explanation, check out Our Ranking Methodology.

  • 66 hours to write this article
  • 122 universities and colleges we assessed
  • 327 education programs we compared

The Top 45 Online Bachelor’s in Health Science Programs

Best Online Bachelor's in Health Science Degree Programs
01
Intelligent Pick
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
01
Best Psychiatric Focus
Rutgers University
01
Most Transfer-Friendly
Northern Arizona University
01
Best Optionality
University of South Dakota
01
Best Interdisciplinary Curriculum
Florida Gulf Coast University
01
Best Advisors
University of the People
01
Best in the South
Nova Southeastern University
01
Best Concentration Options
Western Kentucky University
01
Fastest Completion Time
Northern Kentucky University
01
Most Affordable
West Texas A&M University
01
Best Student Resources
Bay Path University
01
Community Health Focus
West Virginia State University
01
Pre-Professional Focus
Nicholls State University
01
Best Degree-Completion Program
Fort Hays State University
01
Best Grad School Prep
Missouri State University
01
Best for Veterans
The Ohio State University
01
Best Public Research School
University of Missouri
01
Good Value
University of West Florida
01
Best Public University
University of Florida
01
Best Online University
Southern New Hampshire University
01
Best Private University
Bellevue University
01
Best in the Southwest
Arizona State University
01
Best For-Profit University
American Military University
01
Best in the Midwest
University of Cincinnati
01
Best in the Southeast
Old Dominion University
01
Public Health Focus
Trident University International
01
Best Student-Centered Program
Indiana University East
01
Best in the Northwest
Eastern Washington University
01
Most Specialization Options
Indiana University Kokomo
01
Best in the Northeast
Wilmington University
01
Best Private Research School
George Washington University
01
Nationally Recognized
Keiser University
01
Best Christian University
Grand Canyon University
01
Best Concentration Options
Washburn University
01
Emergency Health Focus
University of Texas, Health Science Center
01
Best for Multiple Start Terms
Touro University Worldwide
01
Best for Small Class Sizes
Pacific University
01
Best Concentration Options
Indiana University - Online
01
Most Experienced Faculty
Alvernia University
01
Best Catholic University
Saint Francis University
01
Most Transfer-Friendly
Excelsior University
01
Nationally Recognized
Kettering College
01
Most Diverse Curriculums
Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences
01
Most Flexible Electives
University of Vermont
01
Best Scholarships
New York Institute Of Technology

What You Should Know About This Degree

Bachelor of Health Science programs are designed for students who wish to enter the healthcare field in non-clinical roles, meaning they do not provide direct care, diagnosis, or treatment to patients. Non-clinical jobs include medical or pharmaceutical sales, medical and health services management, corporate wellness, and more.

If your interest in healthcare involves direct patient contact, you should consider another degree or plan on continuing on to a master’s degree in a clinical discipline.

Many graduates of health sciences programs do pursue master’s degrees in areas like occupational therapy, physical therapy, or dentistry. A Bachelor of Health Science is a good stepping stone for these careers, but note the additional time and financial commitment of graduate school, and make sure it fits into your lifestyle and budget.

Because Bachelor of Health Science programs do not include clinical components, they are not accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Depending on the area of healthcare you are looking to enter, a degree from a CAAHEP-accredited program may be preferred or required. Research your intended career path, and make sure you are selecting the type of degree program that best suits your needs.

What’s Next?

Here are some questions to ask when researching Bachelor of Health Science programs:

  • Am I eligible for this degree? Most programs on our list are intended for transfer students, particularly those who already have an associate’s degree in a healthcare related area. If you are entering the program directly from high school, there may be science prerequisites. Carefully review the program’s eligibility requirements to make sure you have the necessary coursework to enroll.
  • Does this program have the specialization that I want? Since health science is such a diverse field, many programs offer concentrations to help you get specialized knowledge for certain jobs. Specializations can include leadership and policy, health and wellness, and rehabilitation science.

You should also find out what the application processes and deadlines are for any programs that interest you. This information is typically available on the program’s website, or you can contact the school’s admissions office directly.

Financing your education is another important consideration. Talk to the school’s financial aid counselors to find out what type of financial aid, scholarship, and assistantship options are available to you. If you are currently employed, check with your employer to find out if they offer any kind of tuition assistance benefits.