One of the fastest, and largest, growing industries in the U.S. today is healthcare. For healthcare professionals who want to move into higher administrative roles, Best Health Degrees has researched accredited Health Care Management MBA degree programs and has provided the information we found to aid you in your choice of online healthcare MBA programs.
This ranking gives you an idea of a program’s curriculum, admission standards, estimated tuition costs (not including fees), and how it rates in national rankings or special recognitions. Our listing also links you with the school’s website for the program.
COVID-19 UPDATE: A note about the GMAT and GRE exams. Due to COVID-19, these exams may be taken in person or online, depending on your preference.
Our Method: Ranking the 15 Online Health Care Management MBA Degrees
To rank the 15 Online Health Care Management MBA Degrees, Best Degrees editors researched accredited, trusted programs of all kinds. From our initial pool, we ranked programs according to price, accreditation, reputation, and salary potential, using data from IPEDS and Niche, U.S. News and World Report, and other higher education rating publications.
1. Northeastern University
You can specialize your online MBA from Northeastern University’s D’Amore-McKim School of Business, with a Healthcare Management concentration and complete it in as few as 24 months.
Offered 100% online, you’ll study core business classes in finance, accounting, financial decision making, managing organizations and people, ethics, information analysis, as well as strategic thinking and more. Your healthcare concentration will cover personal health record management, studies in the U.S. healthcare system, healthcare specific finance, as well as health informatics.
You’ll need an undergraduate degree with at least a 3.0 GPA, submit academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, resume, and be currently employed and demonstrate at least five years of leadership experience for admission. If you don’t meet all the requirements, you may still apply. Contact the Admission Office to discuss your options.
Fast Fact: Northeastern University ranked #182 in Forbes Best Colleges 2019
Estimated Tuition Cost: $82,000 (total tuition)
For more information about this online healthcare administration MBA, click here!
2. University of Texas at Dallas
The Naveen Jindal School of Management at UT-Dallas, offers an Online MBA with a Healthcare Leadership and Management concentration.
This MBA requires 53 credit hours which includes core courses in organizational behavior, accounting, finance, statistics, economics, and more. For your concentration, you’ll choose from classes in The American Healthcare System, Healthcare Cost Management and Control, Healthcare Negotiation and Dispute Resolution, Electronic Health Records Applications, Healthcare Law, Policy and Regulation, etc. The curriculum uses projects, assignments, and case studies that relate to real world experiences.
You’ll need GMAT/GRE scores, academic transcripts from all colleges or universities attended, letter of recommendation, personal essay, resume, and conduct an interview for admission. You can start in the fall, spring, or summer semesters.
Fast Fact: Ranked #15 in its Top 25 Online MBA Programs by The Princeton Review (2020)
Estimated Tuition Cost: $1,723-$2,587/per hour (depending on residency status)
For more information about this online healthcare administration MBA, click here!
3. George Washington University
GW’s online Healthcare Master of Business Administration is offered part-time and 100% online and is flexible to fit with your home and work life.
Requiring 46.5 credit hours, the program offers you a healthcare concentration in courses such as HCQ Analysis, Health Information, Quality and Outcomes, Issues and Trends in Health Systems, Patient Safety Systems, and others. You’ll also be required to take core business courses in topics such as financial accounting, decision making, organizations, marketing, strategic management, etc.
For admission, you’ll need to provide documents showing an earned bachelor’s degree, transcripts, and at least three years of professional healthcare experience is preferred. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, GWU has waived the GMAT and application fee for Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 applicants.
Fast Fact: GWU is ranked in the top 40 as a Best Online MBA Program and #25 for Best Colleges for Veterans in 2019 by U.S. News & World Report.
Estimated Tuition Cost: $10,2998 (tuition total)
For more information about this online healthcare administration MBA, click here!
4. University of Arizona
The University of Arizona Eller College of Management offers a highly rated online MBA with a healthcare management specialty.
Offering six program start times each year, the program provides a curriculum in a “carousel format” (repeating every 12 months). Core business courses include business strategy, organizational leadership, communication, financial and managerial accounting, organizational ethics, and others. The healthcare concentration provides coursework in healthcare quality, health economics, healthcare leadership, project management, etc.
As with most admission applications, you’ll need to provide academic transcripts, a professional resume, recommendation letter, and official GMAT/GRE scores. These test scores can be waived under particular conditions described on the website, but includes waivers for veterans, Peace Corps volunteers, PhD, MD, or JD degrees. Check with the Admissions Office for details.
Fast Fact: U.S. News and World Report ranks the University of Arizona in the Top 40 of its Top Public Schools and top 100 for Best Colleges for Veterans
Estimated Tuition Cost: $51,525 (total tuition)
For more information about this online healthcare administration MBA, click here!
5. Clarkson University
This is a 48-credit hour MBA in Healthcare Management provided through Clarkson University’s David D. Reh School of Business.
You can enroll full-time or part-time for this online program and will take seven core, seven advanced, and two elective courses. Among the foundational courses you’ll take are Health Systems Management, Health Systems Marketing, Statistical Methods for Data Analytics, etc. Advanced coursework includes studies in healthcare finance, informatics, economics, policies, as well as a strategic issues capstone project.
College transcripts, GRE/GMAT scores, letters of recommendation, a resume, and a personal statement are included in the admission process. Of course, an application and an application fee are required as well.
Fast Fact: Named one of “10 Great Colleges for Business Majors” by TIME magazine
Estimated Tuition Cost: $56,352 (total tuition)
For more information about this online healthcare administration MBA, click here!
6. University of Kentucky
UK’s Gatton College of Business and Economics has a real-time, online or blended, Professional MBA designed specifically for healthcare leaders.
The curriculum includes 8 business courses studies in topics such as quantitative analysis, organization management, business policy and strategy, and so on. There are healthcare-specific classes included in economics, finance and health service, and system organization. You can also choose from electives which include conflict resolution, marketing research, supply chain management, as well as others.
UK has a rolling admission policy, and you’ll need to submit GMAT/GRE scores (offered online), all undergraduate transcripts, a letter of recommendation, resume, and personal statement. If your undergraduate studies didn’t include Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Financial Accounting, and/or Managerial Accounting, you may need to take these classes as prerequisites.
Fast Fact: Forbes named UK #308 Top Colleges and #105 Public Colleges in its 2019 rankings
Estimated Tuition Cost: $34,214 (total tuition)
For more information about this online healthcare administration MBA, click here!
7. University of Scranton
Here’s a MBA: Healthcare Management Specialization degree offered online and requiring 36 credit hours.
Among the healthcare classes you’ll take are Hospital Administration, Health Care Law, Health Services and Systems, Global Health Management, and Introduction to Health Informatics. You’ll complete core business courses in accounting, finance, analytics, marketing, and others. Depending on your prior academic work, you may be able to waive some of the business core courses.
The program doesn’t require the GMAT/GRE for admission, but you will need to provide other documents. Some of those documents are academic transcripts, hold a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA, 3 years of supervisory/professional experience, letters of reference, and statement of intent.
Fast Fact: Ranked #40 in U.S. News and World Report’s Best Value Schools 2020
Estimated Tuition Cost: $34,740 (program total)
For more information about this online healthcare administration MBA, click here!
8. Ball State University
You can earn an MBA with a Healthcare Administration degree from Indiana’s Ball State University.
Offered online, you’ll take 33 credit hours. These credits include core business classes in statistics, quantitative methods, accounting, finance, marketing, information systems, and others. Your concentration studies are Introduction to Healthcare Administration, Financial Management and Performance Evaluation in Healthcare Organizations, and Strategic Management in Health Administration. Ball State also offers a Health Economics Policy and Administration concentration.
Requirements for admission to this MBA are that you hold an undergraduate degree with a minimum 2.75 GPA, GMAT/GRE test scores, letters of recommendation, resume, and academic transcripts from previous schools attended.
Fast Fact: Niche rates Ball State University #638/1,572 in its Best Value Colleges in America
Estimated Tuition Cost: $14,817-$21,813 (total tuition, depending on residency)
For more information about this online healthcare administration MBA, click here!
9. Ohio University
Here’s a completely online MBA with a Health Care concentration from Ohio University which requires 35 credit hours to complete.
Among the core business courses you’ll take are strategic marketing, finance, information systems, organizational behavior, and Human Resources, as well as descriptive analytics, and others. The healthcare concentration is comprised of 9 credit hours in Health Care Finance, Health Law, and Introduction to the U.S. Health Care Delivery System. The program should take about two years to complete.
You don’t need GMAT test scores for admission, but you will need to complete a pre-qualifying application to determine if you meet the criteria for the program.
Fast Fact: Fortune ranks this program as its #3 Best Value MBA
Estimated Tuition Cost: $8,400-$8,505 (tuition total, depending on residency)
For more information about this online healthcare administration MBA, click here!
10. Marist College
Located in the Hudson Valley of New York, Marist College’s MBA Healthcare Administration is provided 100% online.
You’ll take courses in 8-week segments that include core coursework, electives, and concentrations studies. As with other business programs, the core coursework covers finance, marketing, accounting, economics, operations, and strategic management. The healthcare concentration provides you with a well-rounded curriculum in Ethical/Legal Issues in Health Care, Managing Organizational Change, Critical Issues in Health Care, and U.S. Health Care Policies and Systems.
You don’t have to have an undergraduate business degree to apply for this MBA, but you will need to provide academic transcripts from all schools you’ve attended, for consideration,. Additionally, you’ll be asked for a current resume, GMAT or GRE test scores, and a personal statement. You’re encouraged to contact the Admissions Office with any questions.
Fast Fact: Ranked “Best Online Education Program” in U.S. News and World Report rankings for 2019
Estimated Tuition Cost: $850/per credit
For more information about this online healthcare administration MBA, click here!
11. Concordia University St. Paul
This MBA Healthcare Administration is provided 100% online and requires 39 credit hours for completion.
Using a cross-curriculum design, the program incorporates business and health management courses in its 39 credit requirement. The program includes studies in Organizational Leadership and Development, Strategic Human Resource Management, Organizational Leadership and Development, Integrated Marketing Communication, Applied Ethics for Health Care Leaders, Health Care Informatics, Applied Ethics for Health Care Leaders, and more.
You’ll be asked to submit a 400-1000 words personal statement. The statement should include a detailed employment history and why you’re pursuing an advanced degree. An official transcript from any prior school attended is required and no GRE/GMAT scores are required.
Fast Fact: Founded in 1893, Concordia St. Paul is ranked #50/308 Best Online Colleges in America by Niche
Estimated Tuition Cost: $24,375 (tuition total)
For more information about this online healthcare administration MBA, click here!
12. University of North Carolina Wilmington
You’ll want to explore this 100% online MBA in Healthcare Management which you can complete in 12 months or less.
Offered through UNCW’s Cameron School of Business, this MBA provides a Healthcare Management concentration which includes studies in Health Care Analytics and Introduction to Healthcare Systems. The business classes will provide you with a solid curriculum in accounting, economics, management, marketing, finance, and more. Courses are 7-weeks in length and no prerequisite classes are required.
To qualify for this program, you’ll need a minimum of two years of professional experience, letters of recommendation, academic transcripts demonstrating a 3.0 GPA in a baccalaureate degree, and GMAT/GRE scores.
Fast Fact: U.S. News and World Report ranks UNCW one of its Best Graduate Schools in the Nation 2020
Estimated Tuition Cost: $15,855-$40,260 (total tuition depending on residency)
For more information about this online healthcare administration MBA, click here!
13. West Texas A&M University
This MBA with a healthcare management specialization offers 100% asynchronous courses, specifically designed for working professionals. The specialization requires 37-46 credit hours for completion.
You’ll need to demonstrate proficiency in statistics, accounting, and finance (i.e., undergraduate degree) prior to starting your MBA. The degree requires you to take core business classes in Accounting, Corporate Finance, Quantitative Analysis, Management, Economic Theory, Marketing, Business Integration, International Business, and a Capstone Project. Specialization courses require 9 credit hours in topics such as Legal Aspects of Health Care, Legal Aspects of Health Care, Health Care Marketing and Public Relations, and more.
GMAT scores, academic transcripts with a 3.0 GPA, resume, letters of recommendation, and a statement of your personal goals are needed for admission.
Fast Fact: The Princeton Review named this one of its Top 25 Online MBA Programs
Estimated Tuition Cost: $14,000-$16,800 (tuition total depending on residency)
For more information about this online healthcare administration MBA, click here!
14. Central Michigan University
The Global Campus of CMU, has an MBA with a Health Systems Leadership concentration which can be completed in 36 credit hours.
With base business courses in data analysis, marketing, strategic management, managing information systems, finance, risk management, managerial accounting, and others. You’ll choose three courses to satisfy your healthcare concentration from Administration and Ethical Compliance, Operations and Structure, Compliance and Risk Management, Planning and Marketing, Economics and Policy Implications, or Health Care Finance.
You need to have a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 2.7 GPA, personal statement, and resume. CMU also requests you have a background in the principles of economics, finance, accounting, and statistics. The school’s website doesn’t mention whether GMAT/GRE scores are required, so you’ll want to check with an admissions counselor.
Fast Fact: Niche rates CMU #200/676 in its Top Public Universities in America ranking
Estimated Tuition Cost: $23,832 (tuition total)
For more information about this online healthcare administration MBA, click here!
15. Southeast Missouri State University
Completely online, Southeast Missouri State University has an MBA: Health Administration degree requiring 21 credit hours in business coursework and 12 credit hours in healthcare-related topics.
On the business side, you’ll study economics, finance, decision making, marketing, organizational behavior, research methods, and more. Your concentration coursework will cover health operations, healthcare quality, informatics, budget and reimbursement, healthcare policy, and an applied research project.
There are some undergraduate business prerequisites required for this program. You can demonstrate proficiency in the prerequisites by either CLEP or relevant work experience as determined by the director of the program. GMAT/GRE scores are required in addition to the typical admission requirements of transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc.
Fast Fact: The Princeton Review ranks this school as one of the Best Midwestern Universities in its 2021 Best Colleges: Region by Region
Estimated Tuition Cost: $12,045 (tuition total)
For more information about this online healthcare administration MBA, click here!
Why Should I Get My Healthcare Administration MBA Online?
Among the reasons you may want to consider getting your MBA online is, of course, the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. Concerned about student, faculty, and staff safety, many schools have taken classes out of the classroom and are offering them online instead. Same courses. Same faculty. Different delivery.
Online degree programs have been available for years and technology has improved the way these programs are offered. Courses may be offered in an asynchronous format, providing pre-recorded lectures and digital course materials. Some classes may be offered via computer programs such as Zoom or Meetings by Google. It depends on the instructor and the school.
Why get your degree online?
The pandemic aside, online degrees allow you to earn a degree while you continue to work and meet family obligations. You’ll take the same courses, taught by the same faculty, and awarding the same degree as the more traditional, on-campus academics.
You set your schedule and take classes that work for you, either full-time or part-time. Online programs provide you with greater access to your instructor via emails, chat rooms, and more.
You’ll have a greater choice of schools with online degree programs. Online schools participate in National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), an agreement among states that establishes standards for interstate distance education.
Finally, cost. Many online programs don’t charge out-of-state tuition for distance students, but may charge, reasonable, fees for online students.
How Do I Choose an Online Healthcare MBA?
With the numerous online MBA programs available, you’ll want to find a program that not only provides you a broad MBA curriculum in areas like finance, accounting, communications, statistics, and organizational development. You’ll want to pay special attention to the healthcare specialization curriculum. You might want to look for programs which provide coursework in healthcare disciplines you might be need, such as health informatics, risk management, health law and ethics, marketing, healthcare economics and finance, etc.
Tuition and fees are always a consideration. You’ll want to find a program that fits your budget. Some business colleges may offer grants, scholarships, or other financial assistance, so you’ll want to talk to either an Admissions or Financial Aid Counselor to see what may be available.
MBA programs can range from 30 to 50 credit hours. You’ll want to find a program which works with your time schedule and, perhaps, offers course waivers for prior academic or work experience.
What Can I Do with an Online Healthcare MBA for Management?
A MBA in Healthcare Management is an attractive degree if you currently work in healthcare as a manager, supervisor, or administrator. If you have a MBA, you’ll demonstrate additional skills employers may find attractive.
This graduate degree is also flexible and provides you skills in finance, accounting, supply chain management, marketing, and more, which you can use to move into a variety of positions.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the need for healthcare administrators and managers will increase at a rapid 32% rate between 2019-2029. A MBA with a healthcare concentration will put you at the top of the list.
You’ll be able to find administrative positions in hospitals, healthcare systems, government agencies, outpatient, and physician groups. The BLS also cites salary estimates to be between $86,820-$111,520, depending on where you work and live.
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