The best healthcare degrees are affordable and flexible! At The Best Health Degrees, our goal is to be your #1 source for information about health care degrees at all levels. We analyze data to find the best health programs. BHD evaluates associate programs that take two years, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and also PhDs.
We also seek to provide you with helpful information about healthcare careers so that you can make an intelligent decision about which undergraduate degree to pursue or graduate school to attend. Our editors rank and review programs, including traditional brick and mortar campus-based programs and health care degrees online. Some students need a part time program, while other students want a full time or accelerated format. We present many opportunities for higher education so our readers can pursue careers in high demand and earn a comfortable average salary. We have everything you need right here!
Featured Programs
Health Care Degrees
The healthcare industry has changed dramatically in the last 20 years. Most jobs are still in direct patient care, but a growing number of jobs are in health information management or health informatics. Getting the right health care degree from the right school can make a difference in many areas: personally, professionally, and financially. Our editorial team searches for and highlights the best programs in the most popular degree categories. So, the job of choosing a top health care degree programs easier for you. If you’re serious about getting your health care degree, then check out our health care degree program rankings. Check out our Top 10 Online Undergraduate Nursing Programs, Top 10 Online Colleges for Healthcare, and Top 10 Online Medical Billing and Coding Schools.
Health Care Careers
Health professions can range from public and community health education to treating health conditions in elderly patients. Which health care career is right for you? Healthcare fields can focus on direct care or the administrative side. What skills, interests, and training are needed for the career you’re targeting? How can you best position yourself for a desirable job in your field? Check out our Health Care Careers section, where you’ll find helpful how-to articles like How to Become a Nurse along with other resources like The Top 10 Cities With the Most Healthcare Jobs.
Highest Paying Health Care Careers
As part of exploring a career, you’ll want to know how well that particular career pays. Within health care, the pay can vary widely depending on the job and your training and education. But, most healthcare professionals in the US healthcare system are in demand and also earn a competitive salary. Our editors also compile lists of the best paying jobs in Health Care. For example, Registered Nurses have some of the highest paying careers. Other roles that pay well include Nurse Practitioner, Health Information Managers, Dental Hygienists, and Physical Therapists.
Online Healthcare Degrees
In recent years, online degrees have become a popular alternative to a traditional brick-and-mortar degree, particularly for busy working adults. Online degrees offer the adult learner the ability to plan their schoolwork around their own schedule. In some cases, an online degree can help a working professional advance in their current career path or switch careers entirely. Either way, we strongly encourage all prospective online learners to examine and verify for themselves the accreditation status of any institution they’re considering attending. For example an american college should have accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) or a similar organization. In addition, if your employer is providing tuition assistance, they likely have strict guidelines about which schools or which types of schools qualify.
What Jobs Can You Do with a Healthcare Degree?
There are many career opportunities in healthcare. Some roles require only an associate degree or diploma, while others need more education and training from master’s and doctoral degrees. Below are some popular jobs listed by degree level.
Associates Degree and Diploma Careers
- Respiratory Therapist – What is a Respiratory Therapist? more
- Radiologic and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Technicians
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographers – What is a Sonographer? more
- Cardiovascular Technologists
- Vascular Technologists
- Medical Transcriptionist – What is a Medical Transcriptionist? more
- Registered Nurse (RN)
- Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) – What is an LPN? more
- Medical Assistants – What Can You Do with a Medical Assistant Degree? more
- Nursing Assistant – CNA Degree and Educational Guide more
- Medical Coding and Billing – What is a Medical Biller? more
Bachelor’s Degree Careers
- Public Health & Community Health Educators
- Nutritionists
- Radiation Therapists
- Health Services Managers
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
Master’s Degree or PhD
- Physician Assistants
- Chiropractors
- Nurse Practitioners
- Physical Therapists
- Occupational Therapists
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurses
- Doctors or Physicians
- Healthcare Administrators
- Nurse Anesthetists
- Veterinarians
Careers in Direct Care
These healthcare providers are professionals that provide direct care to patients with health needs in various healthcare settings. Private practices, physician offices, nursing homes, and long term care centers are some locations where they work as part of a healthcare team. Services they offer include routine health assessment, exams for preventative care, physical therapy, acute care for chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease, genetic counseling, occupational therapy, mental health services, and treatment plans for better health. Nursing practice roles include a registered nurse and nurse practitioner. Other roles are physician assistant, respiratory therapists, occupational therapist, dental hygienist, and related programs.
Careers in Healthcare Management
Health care management professionals in work in healthcare facilities. They manage patient records, healthcare informatics, project management, financial management, and influence health care policy. Roles include health care informatics and information technology major.
Careers in Community or Public Health
These professionals work at community service agencies and healthcare organizations. They develop healthcare policy, offer health education and health promotion, promote disease control, conduct health assessments, and strive for environmental health. Roles include public health program director.
Why Should You Earn a Best Health Degree?
Healthcare is the largest employer, and the US Bureau of Labor Statistics expects jobs in healthcare to grow over the next ten years. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook projected growth indicates nearly twenty percent of new jobs from 2020 to 2030 will be in the healthcare sector. Jobs in healthcare administration, healthcare management, and healthcare operations management are newer roles but are also growing fast.
Additionally, some of the highest earners are nursing professionals with master’s and doctorate degrees. So, you have come to the right place to find out more. We have all the resources to help you find a new career or advance in your current job!
How Do You Afford College?
Most students today can’t afford to pay for a college education out of pocket. So, not only do they have to get accepted, they have to figure out how to pay for college. Finding financial aid, grants, student loans, and scholarships takes time and legwork. Furthermore, choosing a college to attend, what major to declare, and where to live can be overwhelming.
Savvy students consider all of the crucial factors like cost and program length. But, they also pick a school that is a good fit! Because it’s essential to know your education will be a good return on your investment. Because of our rapidly aging population and increased demand, the healthcare field is growing and offers a great job outlook on almost all levels.
Where Do You Start?
Begin with the end in mind! (Steven R. Covey) First, you need to decide what interest you. For example, dental hygiene is a popular program because of its return on investment. With a two-year associate degree, graduates earn a median salary that is more than most four-year graduates. Or, how about a healthcare career in Orthotists and Prosthetists? With a master’s degree, individuals learn to create prosthetic devices or artificial limbs to help disabled patients to cope with limb loss.
Career services at your college play an essential role in getting you from point A to point B. Do you have the correct science courses and social sciences classes to complete your degree? Are you taking classes that are the right prerequisite courses for the graduate degrees that interest you? Make a plan for graduation and ask for help. A bachelor’s degree typically takes four years to complete. You have time, and if you plan your journey, you won’t waste any of it.