Between 2019-2029, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates 2.4 million new jobs will be created in the U.S. While many of those positions will be clinical in nature, one of the fastest growing healthcare careers is Health Care Management, with the BLS reporting a much faster than average 32% rate. An online healthcare management degree can put you in that company.
In 2019, in excess of 16 million people worked in some area of healthcare. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), has reported that more than $3.6 trillion was spent on healthcare services in 2018. Healthcare managers/administrators are critical oversight members of any healthcare organization.
Best Health Degrees has searched accredited colleges and universities offering online Health Care Management undergraduate degrees that should give you an idea of the programs available.
Note: The Covid pandemic of 2020, has caused some schools to waive the SAT/ACT test score requirements and you’ll want to be sure to check with the admission office.
Our Method: Ranking the Best Online Health Care Management Bachelor’s Programs
To rank the 15 Best Online Health Care Management Bachelor’s Programs, 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. Purdue University Global
Purdue Global is affiliated with Indiana’s well known, Purdue University. This B.S. in Health Care Administration requires 180 credit hours and can be completed in four years.
Each course is offered in 10-week terms and includes 45 credit hours of general education courses in the humanities, arts, science, social sciences, communications, etc. Classes in this B.S. major include Information Technology and Systems for Health Care, Health Care Policy and Economics, Leadership and Ethics in Health Care, Strategic Planning and Organizational Development for Health Care, Finance for Health Care, and a Capstone in Health Care Administration.
Purdue Global offers a unique, ExcelTrack™ Online Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration option, which is a terrific option for students with 3 years healthcare administration experience and completion of at least 3 courses at a college or university. This program offers a flat tuition rate per term. You should check with the Admissions office for additional information on your options for this degree.
Fast Fact: Purdue Global ranks #114 in U.S. News and World Report’s Best Global Universities
Estimated Tuition Cost: $66,780/program total
Click to learn more about this healthcare administration degree!
2. Pennsylvania State University
Familiarly known as Penn State, the Penn State World Campus awards a B.S. in Health Policy and Administration.
The 120-credit hour curriculum offers a robust selection of classes in topics in health systems management, finance, microeconomics analysis, health care needs, professional development, statistics, health care leadership, human resource management, quality healthcare, and management of physician individual or group practices. You’ll also participate in a field experience with an experienced proctor. This practicum is conducted in a healthcare organization located near you.
Admission to Penn State Global is straightforward and offers Self-Reported Academic Records (SRAR) for first-year students. If you have previous college credit, you’ll want to apply as a transfer student and follow specific transfer requirements.
Fast Fact: Ranked in the top ten of U.S. News and World Report’s 2020 Online Bachelor’s Degrees
Estimated Tuition Cost: $69,120/program total
Click to learn more about this healthcare administration degree!
3. University of Central Florida
This online Health Services Administration Bachelor of Science degree requires 120 credit hours through the College of Community Innovation and Education.
In addition to general education classes, you’ll take 48 advanced level credits in the Health Services Administration major. Among those classes are Health Care Economics, Community Health, Health Care Finance, Organization and Management for Health Agencies, Long Term Care Administration, Medical Terminology, Quality Management, and more. You’ll complete an internship in health care administration in a health care facility or organization. A capstone project is also required, integrating what you learned in classes, to evaluate a health care organization.
You’ll need to make application for admission as a first-year or transfer student. There’s a $30 nonrefundable application fee, submit academic transcripts, ACT/SAT scores, etc. as part of the admission process. Transfer students will want to pay particular attention to transfer requirements.
Fast Fact: UCF has been recognized as a Best Online Bachelor’s Programs and Best Online Bachelor’s for Veterans by U.S. News and World Report
Estimated Tuition Cost: $21,480-$85,920 (depending on residency)/program total
Click to learn more about this healthcare administration degree!
4. Oregon Institute of Technology
Oregon Tech awards a B.S. in Health Care Management that has three options, but for our purposes, we’ll look at the administration/management option.
The online health care management option is provided entirely online and has two tracks from which you can choose. You may take either a Health Data Analytics or Psychology track. This degree is designed to prepare you for an entry or mid-level position in health care administration. Among the topics taught in this program are finance, accounting, marketing, health care systems and policies, human resource management, quality in health care, business law, health care information systems, and more. The curriculum also calls for two senior projects and an Applied Management Internship.
First year students will need to make admission application and self-report courses and grades with the application. ACT/SAT scores are not required. Transfer students must have at least 24 semester hours (36 quarter hours) from a previous college or university and demonstrate a 2.25 GPA.
Fast Fact: Founded in 1947 and was named #143 of Forbes‘ Public Colleges
Estimated Tuition Cost: $270/per credit
Click to learn more about this healthcare administration degree!
5. University of Minnesota Crookston
The University of Minnesota Crookston’s online health care management B.S. in Health Management degree combines healthcare with leadership training.
You’ll study liberal arts subjects in composition, algebra, public speaking, among others. Your major courses will include Introduction to Health Information Systems, Health Care Finance, Medical Terminology, Regulatory Management, Principles of Management, Human Resource Management, Health Care Policy and Comparative Systems, Health Care and Medical Needs, Principles of Marketing, Performance Improvement in Health Care, and more. An internship experience is part of the curriculum. On graduation, you’ll be eligible to sit for professional licensure exams, if needed.
First-year students will not need to supply ACT/SAT test scores, but will need to submit an application and $25 fee along with unofficial high school transcripts. You may later be asked for additional information to accompany your admission request. Transfer students will need to submit an application and official academic transcripts for all schools attended.
Fast Fact: This school ranks #1 in U.S. News and World Report’s Top Public Schools
Estimated Tuition Cost: $11,738/per semester
Click to learn more about this healthcare administration degree!
6. Florida Tech University
If you want an undergraduate degree in business, but have an interest in healthcare management, Florida Tech has an online health care management degree for you. This B.A. in Business Administration has a healthcare management concentration.
Offered 100% online, you’ll be able to enroll in coursework in Managed Care, Health Planning and Policy Planning and Policy Management, Finance for Managers, Organizational Behavior and Development, Management Information Systems, Strategic Management, etc. You’ll also take classes in Communication, Managed Health Systems, Health Services Planning, Health Policy Management, and Quality Management, and more. The program also includes studies in the Humanities, Physical/Life Sciences, Social Sciences, and elective courses, for a program total of 121 credit hours.
To apply for admission, you’ll complete an application (no fee), provide official academic transcripts, documentation of a high school or GED diploma, and other documents. Transfer students will need to have at least a grade of “C” in coursework to transfer to Florida Tech. You’ll also want to check for additional transfer requirements.
Fast Fact: U.S. News and World Report considers Florida Tech one of its Best Online Bachelor’s Programs
Estimated Tuition Cost: $510/per credit
Click to learn more about this healthcare administration degree!
7. Nebraska Methodist College
Offered completely online, this B.S. in Healthcare Management program requires 120 credit hours for completion.
In addition to healthcare-specific coursework, you’ll need to complete 45 hours in what the college calls an Educated Citizen Core of classes in Arts and Sciences. Major coursework will include business law, accounting and finance, healthcare marketing, organizational behavior, ethics, healthcare leadership, Human Resources, as well as two capstone projects in Strategic Management for Healthcare Professionals and Applied Strategic Management and Mentoring Experience, respectively.
Successful admission will include a minimum 2.5 GPA and a high school and/or college academic record. Non-Nebraska residents will need to meet State Authorization requirements. The school also asks you to provide a written statement, answering four questions. These questions are located on the school’s webpage.
Fast Fact: Nebraska Methodist College was founded in Omaha in 1891
Estimated Tuition Cost: $580/per credit hour
Click to learn more about this healthcare administration degree!
8. Old Dominion University
ODU Online provides a bachelor’s degree, a degree completion program, in Health Sciences: Healthcare Administration designed specifically for students with some college credits.
The 120-credit hour online health care management program requires you complete a minimum of 30 credit hours from ODU online. This program offers a wide variety of healthcare courses in the areas of ethics, finance and budgeting, marketing, informatics systems, public health, U.S. healthcare delivery, epidemiology, etc. You’ll take classes in written communication, math skills, and literacy/research. ODU has specific General Education courses required for the awarding of an undergraduate degree. You may be able to waive some of the coursework if you’re currently working the healthcare field, so be sure to ask an admission counselor what may apply to you.
You’re encouraged to contact an ODU Enrollment Coach to discuss your particular academic goals and previous college/university experience along with courses completed. Once you’ve talked with the coach, you’ll be ready to apply for admission.
Fast Fact: Niche ranks ODU Online #54/308 in its Best Online Colleges in America for 2021
Estimated Tuition Cost: $360/per credit (VA resident); $407/per credit (Non-resident)
Click to learn more about this healthcare administration degree!
9. University of Michigan Flint
You can earn a B.S. in Health Care Administration 100% online requiring 124-credit hours.
This is a well-rounded online health care management program that includes prerequisite courses in algebra, economics, computer information systems, English courses, ethics, sociology, and others. Health Care Administration Foundation courses offered includes studies in health care ethics, health insurance, public healthcare policy, etc. The curriculum also offers health care strategic planning, quality management, healthcare marketing strategies, human resources for health care, and more. This program offers a robust list of electives ranging from health and aging, basic nutrition, labor-management issues, politics and U.S. labor, and so on. You’ll need to complete either a capstone project or an internship.
For admissions, Freshmen students will need to submit an application, high school or GED diploma, ACT/SAT scores, and a $30 nonrefundable fee (if you use a paper application). There is no fee for online applications. Transfer students will be asked for the same information, with the addition of official academic transcripts from all colleges/universities attended.
Fast Fact: U.S. News and World Report notes UM-Flint as one of its 2020-21 Best Online Bachelor’s Programs
Estimated Tuition Cost: $492/per credit (MI resident); $977/per credit (Non-resident)
Click to learn more about this healthcare administration degree!
10. Maryville University
Maryville University, located in Missouri, provides an online B.S. in Healthcare Management developed to prepare you for leadership and management in a healthcare setting.
You’ll take core healthcare management classes in Healthcare Management, Healthcare Terminology, healthcare-focused Human Resource Management, Healthcare Compliance and Quality, as well as Healthcare Terminology. You can receive an optional certificate in Senior Living Management if you wish to specialize. This program requires 128-credit hours which requires general education classwork in addition to the above core healthcare management classes.
You don’t need ACT/SAT test scores for admission as a first-year student, but you will need to show proof of your high school or GED diploma and provide official academic transcript. Additionally, a minimum 2.5 GPA is necessary (if you don’t have a 2.5 GPA, you may qualify for provisional admission). Transfer students also have a minimum GPA requirement and will need to provide academic transcripts. If you have a military Joint Services Transcript , you’ll want to submit that as well.
Fast Fact: Forbes rates Maryville University #94 in its Top Colleges in the Midwest
Estimated Tuition Cost: $500/per credit hour
Click to learn more about this healthcare administration degree!
11. Dallas Baptist University
A Christian-centered university, DBU offers a hybrid program in Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Health Care Management comprised of 120-credit hours.
You’ll take 48 credit hours in general education classes, which includes Religious Studies and Kinesiology, along with the Humanities, English, Natural and Social Sciences, etc. Courses in your major will cover Principles of Management, Finance for Health Care Managers, Health Care Ethics, Management Communication, Organizational Behavior in Health Care Management, and more. The catalog suggests you must take 12 credit hours in residence on the Dallas campus (with 9 hours in upper-division coursework).
There is no fee to apply for admission to DBU and you’ll be asked to supply official academic transcripts (high school or any college/university you may have attended), and submit ACT/SAT scores for merit scholarship consideration. (NOTE: Due to Covid-19, Fall 2020 and Fall 2021 admission will not require ACT/SAT scores. You’re encouraged to submit test scores if you’ve previously taken the exam). You may want to talk with an Admission Counselor to help walk you through the process.
Fast Fact: Rated #38/308 in Niche’s Best Online Colleges in America for 2021
Estimated Tuition Cost: $1,023/per credit hour
Click to learn more about this healthcare administration degree!
12. Saint Leo University
The B.S. in Healthcare Administration curriculum recently finished a five-year review to assure the program will provide you the most current training.
You’ll take complete what Saint Leo University calls the Common Body of Knowledge. These courses involve studies in Introduction to Statistics, Principles of Management, Principles of Marketing, Business Law, Business Information Systems, and others. Among the major courses, you’ll find studies in Health Care Organizations, Quality Improvement Methods in Health Care, Health Information Technology Management, Contemporary and Critical Issues in Health Care, as well as an internship. Substitution of the internship experience may be considered under specific circumstances and with departmental approval.
Distance education students will be asked to provide proof of high school graduation or GED completion, submit academic transcripts, standard testing scores, as well as professional training documentation. Transfer students will be asked for an application and official academic transcripts from all schools attended.
Fast Fact: Saint Leo University ranks #4 in U.S. News and World Report’s Best Value Schools
Estimated Tuition Cost: $380/per credit hour
Click to learn more about this healthcare administration degree!
13. Jackson State University
This Mississippi school provides an online B.S. in Healthcare Administration degree requiring 122-credit hours.
You’ll take lower-division classes in sciences, humanities, communications, mathematics, and more. The upper division courses in your major will go in-depth on topics such as healthcare-specific information systems, statistics and healthcare finances, insurance reimbursement, healthcare law and ethics, policy and politics, and more. An internship experience is also required in approved healthcare organizations such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, insurance companies, public health agencies, etc. There’s a Health Professional Development Seminar designed to familiarize you with healthcare trends, job search skills, as well as application to healthcare graduate programs.
JSU requires certain high school coursework for first-year students and admission documents include an application, official high school transcript, and ACT/SAT test scores. Transfer applicants are required to be in good academic standing from the college/university from which transferring, submit official academic transcripts, and a JSU application.
Fast Fact: JSU ranks at #16 of U.S. News and World Report’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Estimated Tuition Cost: $366.00/per credit hour
Click to learn more about this healthcare administration degree!
14. Western Governors University
Western Governors University was created in 1997 by a group of 19 U.S. state governors wanting to provide online education for working adults at a low-cost. WGU Tennessee offers a B.S. in Business Administration- Healthcare Management that can be completed in 30 months.
The program was developed in cooperation with business and healthcare leaders. This degree offers healthcare subject areas in finance, strategic thinking, management best practices (staffing, scheduling, budgeting), marketing, healthcare information systems and technology, and a capstone project. General education coursework is also included in humanities, sociology, English composition, and economics. The curriculum offers classes in Human Resource management, employment law, benefits and compensation, as well as organizational behavior.
WGU has start dates at the beginning of each month. You’ll be asked to submit an application, official academic transcripts, make application for Federal Financial Aid, interview by phone with an Enrollment Counselor and make tuition payment arrangements. WGU has a unique, flat tuition rate per each six-month term regardless of the number of courses you take.
Fast Fact: Niche considers Western Governors University to be one of the Best Value Colleges in America
Estimated Tuition Cost: $3,225/per term
Click to learn more about this healthcare administration degree!
15. Concordia University Wisconsin
Here’s a B.A. in Healthcare Management calling for 120-credit hours, offered online. Concordia University is affiliated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
This degree is provided through the Department of Business and will qualify you to sit for the Nursing Home Administrator exam. You’ll take standard core courses in Speech Communications, Heritage of Faith, College Writing, Organizational Management, etc. Some of the classes in healthcare management include Health Care Marketing, Management Principles in Health Care, Finance and Accounting, Health Care Ethics, Elder Care, and a Health Care Practicum.
Admission is straightforward, including an application with a nonrefundable $60 fee and official academic transcripts from all schools and universities attended. A 2.0 GPA or above is desired. Following receipt of that information, you’ll receive an email or phone call from a Concordia University Wisconsin Admission Counselor to continue with the admission requirements.
Fast Fact: Concordia University Wisconsin ranks #16 in U.S. News and World Report’s Best Online Bachelor’s Programs
Estimated Tuition Cost: $526/per credit hour
Click to learn more about this healthcare administration degree!
Why Should I Get My Healthcare Administration Degree Online?
In 2020, a global pandemic disrupted the way many schools offered courses and degrees. Some schools scrambled to develop distance education programs, while other schools with long-established online programs were well prepared.
Online degree programs offer several advantages ranging from convenience, cost, and time involved. These programs are ideal for those adult learners who are able to continue to work and meet family obligations while earning their degree. Additionally, if you’re currently working in healthcare, many employers may offer tuition assistance for employees advancing their careers in healthcare.
You’ll study the same coursework, taught by the same faculty, as on-campus students. Programs may be asynchronous in nature, meaning you can study at your own pace on your own time. Because you aren’t hindered by location, you can apply for admission from a broader selection of schools across the country. The majority of online degree tuition costs are charged at in-state charges, which is another benefit.
Is Healthcare Management a Good Career?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Healthcare Management is an excellent career and growing. Between 2019-2029, it’s estimated that this field will grow at an incredible 32% rate which is much faster than other careers.
You’d have to search to find an entry-level career that offers the average salary range for an undergraduate degree that Healthcare Management provides. The BLS cites the annual salary range as being between $86,820-$111,520 in areas such as long-term care facilities, government agencies, hospitals and healthcare systems, outpatient care centers, and physician offices.
While the need is nationwide, the states with the greatest need for Healthcare Managers are California, New York, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. The BLS provides detailed, national employment information that gives a broad snapshot of the current job market for this career.
What Will I Learn in a Healthcare Administration Bachelor’s Program?
You can count on taking general education courses on your undergraduate track in Healthcare Administration. These classes will include studies in humanities, English, math, social and behavioral sciences, physical sciences, and electives.
Core courses in Healthcare Administration may include business classes in accounting, finance, budgeting, economics, etc. Other classes may involve studies in healthcare information technology, healthcare law and ethics, regulatory compliance, Human Resources, marketing, leadership, organizational behavior, and an internship and/or capstone project.
You may also find degrees in Business Administration with healthcare concentrations.
What Can I Do with a Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration?
The opportunities for an undergraduate with a B.S. or B.A. in Healthcare Administration are numerous.
Entry-level positions with this degree include clinical administration, marketing, long-term care or assisted living administration, Health Information Manager (HIM), government policymaker, government healthcare agencies, insurance compliance manager, reimbursement specialist, healthcare Human Resource manager, hospice administration, and a myriad of others.
In short, if you want a nonclinical career in healthcare, your first step is to earn an undergraduate degree in healthcare management/administration or business administration with a healthcare specialty.
Related Rankings: