Why This Matters

  • THE U.S. NEEDS 136,200 MORE OF YOU BY 2031

    Changes in technology, government policy, and patient population are contributing to a 28% increase in the need for healthcare administrators in the next decade.

  • LAND A HIGH-PAYING JOB WITH AN MHA

    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.

  • EARN $14,000 MORE ANNUALLY WITH YOUR MHA

    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.

Our Research

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.

The Top 55 Master’s in Healthcare Administration Programs

Best Master's in Healthcare Administration Programs 2023
01
Intelligent Pick
UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health
01
Best Public Institution
Colorado State University Global
01
Best Private Institution
The George Washington University
01
Best Scholarships
Northcentral University
01
Most Innovative Curriculum
Florida International University
01
Most Affordable
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
01
Best Faculty
Penn State World Campus
01
Best Specialization Options
University of Minnesota
01
Most Flexible Admissions
Oklahoma State University
01
Best Hybrid Program
USC Sol Price School of Public Policy
01

American University
01

University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing
01

Trinity University
01

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
01

LSU Shreveport
01

Appalachian State University
01

University of Maryland
01

Western Carolina University
01

Saint Joseph's College of Maine
01

University of West Florida
01

Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences
01

University of California San Francisco
01

Rutgers Edward J. Bloustein School
01

Ohio University
01

University of Cincinnati
01

University of Michigan
01

Regis University
01

Trevecca Nazarene University
01

Western Kentucky University
01

Saint Joseph's University
01

University of Alabama at Birmingham
01

The University of Scranton
01

Central Michigan University
01

Roberts Wesleyan College
01

Champlain College
01

Southeast Missouri State University
01

Virginia Commonwealth University
01

Georgetown University
01

George Mason University
01

UTD Naveen Jindal School of Management
01

Utica University
01

Minnesota State University at Moorhead
01

Saint Louis University
01

Southern New Hampshire University
01

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
01

Briar Cliff University
01

University of Missouri

What You Should Know About This Degree

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.

What’s Next?

Here are some questions to ask when researching MHA programs:

  • Does this program offer the specialization I want? Some career paths require more specialized training in areas such as gerontology, informatics, or policy. If you want to concentrate in one of these areas, make sure that your program of interest offers the specialization you seek.
  • Is the program CAHME accredited? Earning your degree from an accredited program is a key advantage to obtaining future employment and certification, as it indicates a high standard of education and training.

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.