Obtaining a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. With the growing popularity of online education, there are now more affordable options available than ever before. Many online bachelor’s degree programs are inexpensive and offer the same quality education as traditional on-campus programs.
This article will explore some of the cheapest online bachelor’s degrees in healthcare administration available today. We’ll provide a breakdown of the costs associated with these programs, including tuition, distance education fees, and other expenses related to learning online.
Additionally, we’ll share some practical tips on how to make these programs more affordable, including scholarships, grants, work-study programs, and employer tuition reimbursement programs. By taking advantage of these opportunities, you can effectively reduce the cost of your degree program. So whether you’re just starting your college journey or are looking to advance your career, we’ve got you covered with our guide to the cheapest online bachelor’s degrees in healthcare administration.
How Much Do Online Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration Programs Cost?
An online bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration costs from $30,000 to $60,000. However, many factors can cause this amount to vary, such as the institution offering the program, the geographical location of the institution, and the duration of the program. While these factors can cause some programs to be expensive, there are many affordable options to consider.
Attending a relatively cheap option for an online bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration can result in substantial savings. For example, if the average cost of a program is $45,000 and you can find a program for $30,000, you could save $15,000. This savings can be even greater if you can find a program that offers scholarships, grants, or other types of financial aid.
Tuition
Tuition fees for online bachelor’s degree programs in healthcare administration can vary based on several factors, including whether the institution is public or private and whether the student is an in-state or out-of-state resident.
In general, public universities tend to offer lower tuition rates than private institutions. This is because public institutions are funded by the government, which allows them to offer affordable tuition rates. Private universities, on the other hand, do not receive government funding and must rely on tuition fees and donations to operate – therefore making them more expensive.
Furthermore, in-state residents also receive a lower tuition rate than out-of-state students. This is because they receive partial funding from the state where they are situated. As a result, they can provide lower tuition fees to residents of that state — these students and their families effectively contribute to the financing of public institutions through their state taxes.
Distance education fees
Many schools charge their online students a distance education fee designed to cover the costs of delivering online courses. This fee can vary in amount but is often set on a per-credit basis or as a flat fee per semester.
Developing and delivering high-quality online courses often requires a significant investment in course design and development. This fee may cover hiring instructional designers, purchasing software, and creating multimedia content for online courses.
In addition, delivering online courses requires a robust technology infrastructure, including learning management systems and video conferencing tools. The distance education fee can help cover the cost of maintaining and upgrading this infrastructure.
While this fee can add to the overall cost of tuition, it is often necessary to ensure that online students receive a comparable educational experience to on-campus students.
Other expenses
In addition to tuition and distance education fees, other expenses may impact the overall cost of obtaining your degree. These expenses can vary depending on the program and the specific courses that you take, but here are some common examples:
- Specific software and equipment: Some online courses may require students to purchase specialized software or laptops that can be expensive. These costs can add up over time, especially if the program requires multiple courses with its own required materials.
- Furniture and equipment for setting up a study area: Unlike on-campus courses, online courses require students to have a reliable internet connection, computer, and other equipment to complete coursework. Students who don’t have these items may need to purchase them, which can add to the program’s overall cost.
- Access codes for digital textbooks: Some online courses may require students to purchase access codes for digital textbooks or other course materials. These codes can be costly and may only be valid for a limited time, adding another expense to pursuing your degree.
While these additional expenses can be overwhelming, reviewing the course materials and requirements for each class before enrolling can help ensure that you are aware of any additional costs and can plan accordingly.
Financial aid
Pursuing an online bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration can be a significant investment in your future, but the cost can be a barrier for many students. Fortunately, many financial aid options are available, including scholarships, grants, work-study programs, and employer tuition reimbursement programs, to help you achieve your educational and career goals without breaking the bank.
Scholarships and Grants
Earning your degree can be expensive, and scholarships and grants can help reduce the financial burden. These forms of financial aid do not need to be repaid, and they are available from many sources, including government agencies, private organizations, and universities.
Several scholarships and grants are available for students pursuing a degree in healthcare administration, including the AHIMA Foundation Merit Scholarship. This scholarship funds students pursuing health information management or health informatics degrees and awards up to $5,000 annually for qualifying students.
Qualifying students should also consider applying for the HIMSS Foundation Scholarship. The HIMSS Foundation offers scholarships to undergraduate students pursuing healthcare information and management systems degrees, awarding $1,000 to $7,500 annually.
Work-Study Programs
Work-study programs can be an excellent way to reduce the expense of earning your degree. These programs allow students to work part-time while pursuing their studies, earning wages that can be put toward their tuition or other educational expenses. Universities, government agencies, and private organizations can offer work-study programs.
For example, the Federal Work-Study Program provides part-time jobs for undergraduate students with financial needs, allowing them to earn money to pay for their education. These jobs can be on or off-campus, and the pay rate varies depending on the job and location. In addition, many universities offer campus employment programs that provide part-time jobs to students. These jobs can be in various departments across the university, such as administrative offices or research labs.
Employer Tuition Reimbursement
For students pursuing a degree in healthcare administration, employer tuition reimbursement can be a significant source of financial assistance. Many healthcare organizations offer tuition reimbursement programs to employees pursuing degrees in healthcare-related fields, including healthcare administration. In addition, some employers may partner with universities or colleges that offer online degree programs, making it easier for employees to pursue their education while working full-time. By continuing to work for your employer after graduation, you can gain valuable experience in your field while advancing your education, leading to increased job opportunities and earning potential.
Career Outlook for Healthcare Administrators
Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration is a wise investment of time and money as this field offers one of the best undergraduate majors in terms of average pay and job growth.
Responsibilities and work environment
Healthcare administrators are responsible for managing healthcare organizations and ensuring they provide high-quality patient care. They typically work in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities. The work of healthcare administrators involves planning, directing, and coordinating various healthcare services to ensure smooth operations and efficient delivery of care.
Their specific responsibilities can vary depending on the type and size of the organization they manage. However, some typical responsibilities include managing budgets, developing and implementing policies and procedures, overseeing staff recruitment and training, and ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations and laws. Healthcare administrators may also work with medical professionals, government agencies, insurance companies, and other stakeholders to develop and implement healthcare programs and initiatives.
Average pay
Healthcare administration is one of the best undergraduate majors in terms of average pay. As of May 2021, the median annual wage for individuals in this field was $101,340. With experience, this salary can increase significantly over time.
Projected job growth
With the increasing demand for healthcare services due to the aging population and advancements in medical technology, the need for skilled healthcare administrators is expected to continue to grow. As a result, the job outlook for medical and health services managers, including healthcare administrators, is projected to grow by 28% from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all populations.
Our Research
This list features some of the cheapest online Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration programs in 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.
We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation. 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 the cheapest online Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications, such as U.S. News & World Report, to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
The 50 Cheapest Online Bachelor’s In Healthcare Administration Programs
