Changes in technology, government policy, and patient population are contributing to a 28% increase in the need for healthcare administrators in the next decade.
You’ll need an advanced degree to qualify for the best-paying jobs in this field, like director of nursing, oncology coordinator, and chief healthcare technology officer.
A healthcare administrator with a master’s earns an average salary of $79,000 per year, compared to $65,000 per year for someone with a bachelor’s.
This list features some of the best online master’s in healthcare administration 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. Many programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME). This ensures that the program meets standards for quality healthcare management education and that employers and certification boards will recognize the degree.
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 online 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 online master’s in healthcare administration 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.
Healthcare administration is a dynamic field that requires leadership, organizational, interpersonal, analytical and technical skills that come as much from experience as education. Most MHA programs expect students to have some professional clinical or administrative experience in a healthcare center.
Individuals with several years of experience may qualify for executive MHA programs, which eliminate some admissions requirements and prerequisite coursework. Either way, if you wish to pursue an MHA, plan on gaining some hands-on experience first.
Certain programs, while delivered primarily online, require attendance in either a real or virtual classroom. In low-residency programs, students must attend in-person sessions occasionally throughout the program; the exact number of sessions and when they are held vary by program. Students in hybrid programs live-stream classes that other students attend in person.
While these programs offer more flexibility than on-campus MHA programs, it’s important to consider how the time and financial commitments of attending or live-streaming classes fit into your education plans.
Once you complete your degree, you will need to pass a certification exam to be eligible for most employment opportunities. Multiple agencies offer certification, and certain specializations, such as accounts management or information technology, require specific certifications. Additionally, individuals working in nursing care facilities must obtain a state-issued license. Find out if your program complies with your state’s licensing requirements.
Here are some questions to ask when researching MHA programs:
Once you have identified the programs that interest you, research their application deadlines, processes, and requirements, including work experience and standardized tests like the GRE or GMAT. This information is typically available on the program’s webpage; you can also contact the program directly if you have questions.
Funding your graduate education is another important consideration. Ask the schools you are applying to about scholarship and financial aid opportunities and deadlines. For individuals already employed in the healthcare field, your employer might offer tuition reimbursement or other financial support options for earning your master’s degree.