Updated: Sep 27, 2023, 8:14am
Earning a master’s in healthcare administration online can help you develop the business skills you need to pursue high-level leadership and administrative roles in the healthcare industry.
Healthcare administration professionals work in hospitals, healthcare-related nonprofits, pharmaceutical companies and insurance organizations. They help healthcare organizations solve problems, make decisions, manage their finances and improve patient care.
The job outlook for healthcare administration professionals is excellent, and demand will likely grow as more Americans age and need more healthcare services. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the demand for medical and health services managers to grow at a much faster-than-average rate (28%) between 2021 and 2031.
Keep reading to explore some of the best online master’s in healthcare administration (MHA) programs.
Our Methodology
- Best Online Master's in Healthcare Administration Degree Options
- Should You Enroll in an Online Master's in Healthcare Administration Program?
- Accreditation for Online College
- How To Find the Right Online Master's in Healthcare Administration Program for You
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Online Master's in Healthcare Administration Degree
Best Online Master's in Healthcare Administration Degree Options
Should You Enroll in an Online Master's in Healthcare Administration Program?
Online programs can offer many potential benefits, including affordability and flexibility. Consider some of the following factors when deciding whether to choose an online degree or an in-person education.
Budget
Choosing an online program may help you stay on budget. As a distance learner, instead of incurring the expense of on-campus housing and transportation, you can earn your degree from the comfort of your own home.
Online tuition typically costs about the same as or less than in-person tuition rates. If you want to attend an out-of-state online program, you might save by attending online; many online colleges charge flat-rate tuition to all students, no matter their state residency status.
Accreditation
Accreditation is a crucial factor to consider, regardless of whether you choose an online or on-campus program. Find out whether your prospective university holds institutional accreditation by using the searchable directory from the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Consider programmatic accreditation as well, if it’s relevant to your field; programmatic accreditation does apply to healthcare administration degrees. We explore accreditation in more detail in a later section.
Flexibility
Scheduling flexibility is one of the biggest reasons to consider an online degree. Distance education can make it easier for you to fit your studies around a full-time job or other personal obligations that make in-person learning a challenge. An online degree might be a good option for you if you need a program that fits into your busy schedule.
Learning Preference
The way you learn is another factor to consider. Some people learn best in face-to-face environments with lots of structure. However, many students do just as well in more independent distance-learning situations. If you have strong time management and organization skills, an online program might work well for you.
Accreditation for Online College
Online colleges follow the same accreditation process as schools that offer traditional campus-based programs.
Institutional accreditation indicates that an independent accrediting agency has evaluated an institution as a whole to confirm that it offers a high-quality education. As mentioned above, look up your prospective school’s accreditation status using CHEA’s searchable directory.
Though there is no accrediting agency specifically for MHA degrees—and it isn’t required to get a job in the field—some individual departments or programs hold separate programmatic accreditation. Programmatic accreditation demonstrates that a program went through its own evaluation and meets industry standards for educational quality.
The agency accrediting your online master’s in healthcare administration depends on which department offers your degree. A program housed in a business school may hold accreditation from AACSB; a healthcare administration degree offered by a school of public health may be accredited by the Commission of Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education.
How To Find the Right Online Master's in Healthcare Administration Program for You
Consider Your Future Goals
Think about what you want to do with your degree before choosing where to get your MHA. Do you want to work in a specialized area, for a specific company or in a particular role? Research any recommended or required field experiences or professional certifications you might need to meet your goals; you can then seek programs providing relevant opportunities.
Moreover, if you plan to pursue further education in the future, prioritize programs offering the prerequisites you need.
Understand Your Expenses and Financing Options
The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reports that private graduate school tuition and required fees cost $26,621 on average during the 2020-21 school year. The average cost was significantly less at public universities—$12,394.
The cost of an online master’s in healthcare administration varies by college. Some of the degrees included on our list are significantly more affordable than the average reported by the NCES; others are much more expensive.
Looking at the schools on our list, the average cost of one year of graduate tuition and required fees starts at around $19,000 at the University of Saint Francis and goes up to nearly $80,000 at the University of Southern California. It’s important to note that all of the degrees included on our list are offered by private institutions.
To get help paying for your degree, fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as you enroll. The FAFSA helps determine your eligibility for federal student aid. Colleges and state-level governments may also use the FAFSA to determine eligibility for other financial aid programs. Popular financing options for graduate students include:
- Federal and private student loans
- Grants
- Scholarships
- Assistantships
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Online Master's in Healthcare Administration Degree
What is the salary of a master’s in healthcare administration?
Your salary after earning an online master’s in healthcare administration depends on your previous education, experience, employer and role. Payscale reports the average salary for someone with a healthcare administration degree was $82,000 as of August 2023.
What is the difference between an MBA and an MHA?
An MBA explores general business principles and practices and can prepare you for various fields. An MHA, on the other hand, focuses on the application of business skills to the healthcare industry. Some MBA programs offer healthcare administration as a concentration.
What is the difference between masters of healthcare administration and management?
This list includes both master of healthcare administration and master of healthcare management programs. Both degrees can prepare you for leadership roles in the healthcare industry. However, healthcare management focuses on a healthcare organization’s big picture, while healthcare administration emphasizes the day-to-day operations.