Want to work in the high-paying, in-demand healthcare management field? Discover the best master’s in healthcare management programs to help you reach your career goals.
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Contributing Writer
An award-winning historian and writer, Genevieve Carlton, Ph.D., has published multiple scholarly articles and a book with the University of Chicago Press. She currently works as a writer and consultant. She holds a Ph.D. in history from Northwestern...
Published on June 28, 2024
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Editor & Writer
Tyler Epps is an editor for BestColleges. He writes and edits content about higher education, specializing in degree planning and college rankings. He is passionate about helping students prepare for college and navigate their educational journey. He...
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Reviewed by
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Dr. Courtney Haun serves as the Director of the Healthcare Administration Undergraduate Program at Samford University. She also serves as the Coordinator of NASA Open Science Virtual Training with Don't Use This Code, LLC.Before working in academ...
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By
Contributing Writer
An award-winning historian and writer, Genevieve Carlton, Ph.D., has published multiple scholarly articles and a book with the University of Chicago Press. She currently works as a writer and consultant. She holds a Ph.D. in history from Northwestern...
Edited by
Editor & Writer
Tyler Epps is an editor for BestColleges. He writes and edits content about higher education, specializing in degree planning and college rankings. He is passionate about helping students prepare for college and navigate their educational journey. He...
•
Reviewed by
Contributing Reviewer
Dr. Courtney Haun serves as the Director of the Healthcare Administration Undergraduate Program at Samford University. She also serves as the Coordinator of NASA Open Science Virtual Training with Don't Use This Code, LLC.Before working in academ...
Published on June 28, 2024
Learn more about our editorial process
www.bestcolleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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Best Online Master's Programs in Healthcare Management
It’s a good time to become a healthcare manager. Overall, management occupations are projected to grow faster than average between 2022 and 2032, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Healthcare manager positions, specifically, are projected to grow by 28%.
Earning your master’s in healthcare management online can prepare you for in-demand careers in this high-paying field. Our ranking can help you identify the healthcare management programs that best fit your schedule and career goals.
Featured Online Master's in Healthcare Management Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
10 Best Online Master's in Healthcare Management Programs
We use trusted sources like Peterson's Data and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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#1 Best Online Master’s in Healthcare Management Programs 2024
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT - 2 years
- Online
Programmatic Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
Cost per Term:
In-State | $4,955
Out-of-State | $4,955
Credits to Graduate: 26
Consider WGU's MBA in healthcare management degree if you want to develop your leadership, interpersonal, and data analysis skills. Core classes include managing organizations and leading people, operations management, and marketing. A final-semester capstone class requires you to develop and present a business proposal.
Application requirements include a bachelor's degree from an accredited college. WGU does not require standardized test scores or recommendation letters. Accelerated degree-seekers graduating in one year save about 66% on tuition compared to part-time students.
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$7,162
Out-of-state
$7,162
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$7,500
Out-of-state
$7,765
Retention Rate
73%
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Students Enrolled
150,116
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
Not provided
Accreditation
Yes
#2 Best Online Master’s in Healthcare Management Programs 2024
University of New Hampshire
Concord, NH - 4 years
- Online
Programmatic Accreditation: New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE) and Project Management Institute (PMI)
Cost per Year:
In-State | $22,396
Out-of-State | $23,347
Credits to Graduate: 30
UNH's online healthcare management program prepares you for a career as a compliance manager, health advocate, or healthcare consultant. The core curriculum features classes in project management, organizational behavior, and advocacy and health policy. The program also offers electives, letting you custom-tailor your education to your career goals.
UNH considers applications for the fall, spring, and summer terms. Admission requirements include a minimum 3.0 undergraduate or graduate GPA. You must also submit a 500-1000-word personal statement and two academic references.
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$7,536
Out-of-state
$8,760
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$9,684
Retention Rate
75%
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Students Enrolled
1,692
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
100%
Accreditation
Yes
#3 Best Online Master’s in Healthcare Management Programs 2024
Stevenson University
Stevenson, MD - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $685
Out-of-State | $685
Credits to Graduate: 36
Stevenson's master's in healthcare management degree can help you develop in-demand skills, such as managing resources and communicating with stakeholders. You can also choose a concentration in either quality management and patient quality or project management in healthcare.
Core classes in both concentrations include project and resource management, healthcare policy, and teamwork in healthcare settings. Admissions requirements include a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA and one recommendation letter from a work supervisor. You must also submit a personal statement.
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$35,504
Out-of-state
$35,504
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$8,340
Out-of-state
$8,340
Retention Rate
77%
Acceptance Rate
84%
Students Enrolled
3,873
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
67%
Accreditation
Yes
#4 Best Online Master’s in Healthcare Management Programs 2024
Baker College
Owosso, MI - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $600
Out-of-State | $600
Credits to Graduate: 36
Consider Baker's healthcare management MBA if you want an accelerated curriculum that lets you graduate in less than two years. The curriculum features classes in quality management in healthcare organizations, accounting for the contemporary manager, and strategy in a global environment.
You need a minimum 2.5 undergraduate GPA to apply. You can submit standardized test scores if you feel they would improve your application. Although you do not qualify for institutional scholarships as an online student, you can still receive federal financial aid by submitting the FAFSA.
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$12,180
Out-of-state
$12,180
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$12,510
Out-of-state
$12,510
Retention Rate
63%
Acceptance Rate
41%
Students Enrolled
4,969
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
72%
Accreditation
Yes
#5 Best Online Master’s in Healthcare Management Programs 2024
New England College
Henniker, NH - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $599
Out-of-State | $599
Credits to Graduate: 40
In NEC's online MBA in healthcare management program, you benefit from a custom-tailored curriculum. You take courses like quality and lean for healthcare, the principles of health informatics, and comparative healthcare systems. Most students graduate in fewer than two years.
Application requirements include a minimum 2.75 undergraduate GPA, a resume, and a 750-word personal statement. Active-duty service members, veterans, and dependents receive a 10% tuition discount. You can work with an NEC financial aid advisor to research and apply for institutional scholarships and grants.
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$27,108
Out-of-state
$27,108
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$14,568
Out-of-state
$14,568
Retention Rate
61%
Acceptance Rate
96%
Students Enrolled
2,815
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
45%
Accreditation
Yes
#6 Best Online Master’s in Healthcare Management Programs 2024
Mid-America Christian University
Oklahoma City, OK - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: N/A
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $650
Out-of-State | $650
Credits to Graduate: 42
MACU's online MBA in healthcare management program provides a foundation in strategic business management, healthcare legal environment, and healthcare information systems. You'll take core classes in managerial accounting and legal environment and ethics.
Career opportunities after completing this program include hospital administrator and public health policy analyst. MACU does not require standardized test scores. You take only one six-week class at a time. Other benefits include free tutoring and the same student support services that on-campus students receive.
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$17,568
Out-of-state
$17,568
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$14,832
Out-of-state
$14,832
Retention Rate
64%
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Students Enrolled
2,237
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
95%
Accreditation
Yes
#7 Best Online Master’s in Healthcare Management Programs 2024
Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, MO - 2 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $428
Out-of-State | $428
Credits to Graduate: 30
Apply to Southeast's online MS in healthcare management if you want to concentrate in administration, informatics, or quality and patient safety. You can also customize your education by completing an applied research project or internship in the final semester. All degree-seekers take classes in organizational behavior in practice, applied human resource management, and health administration policy.
Prospective students with a 2.5-2.99 undergraduate GPA may apply if they hold five years of relevant work experience or a healthcare provider license. Incoming learners with a minimum 3.25 undergraduate GPA may enroll in the accelerated master's program.
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$7,761
Out-of-state
$14,331
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$6,205
Out-of-state
$11,186
Retention Rate
74%
Acceptance Rate
86%
Students Enrolled
9,927
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
61%
Accreditation
Yes
#8 Best Online Master’s in Healthcare Management Programs 2024
Fairmont State University
Fairmont, WV - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: N/A
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $531
Out-of-State | $531
Credits to Graduate: 36
You can work as an administrator, department manager, or program manager with a Fairmont State healthcare management MS. This five-semester program features classes in organizational leadership, medical-legal issues, and healthcare analytics. You can also concentrate in healthcare informatics and customize your education through electives.
Admission requirements include a minimum 2.75 undergraduate GPA. Unlike on-campus students, you do not pay out-of-state tuition rates as an online learner. West Virginia residents may qualify for state grants to finance part of their education.
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$5,946
Out-of-state
$14,992
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$5,946
Out-of-state
$14,992
Retention Rate
61%
Acceptance Rate
99%
Students Enrolled
3,562
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
65%
Accreditation
Yes
#9 Best Online Master’s in Healthcare Management Programs 2024
University of Michigan-Flint
Flint, MI - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: N/A
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $869
Out-of-State | $1,083
Credits to Graduate: 30
In UM-Flint's MS in healthcare management program, you benefit from a flexible curriculum and can graduate in 1.5-3.5 years. Core classes include applications of strategic management in healthcare, healthcare marketing strategies, and legal issues in healthcare. You stay in good academic standing by earning a minimum B- grade in all classes.
You need a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA to apply. UM-Flint also requires at least two years of work experience, two recommendation letters, and a statement of purpose.
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$11,868
Out-of-state
$23,604
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$12,740
Out-of-state
$19,080
Retention Rate
77%
Acceptance Rate
66%
Students Enrolled
5,985
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
87%
Accreditation
Yes
#10 Best Online Master’s in Healthcare Management Programs 2024
Endicott College
Beverly, MA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: N/A
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $870
Out-of-State | $870
Credits to Graduate: 36
Apply to Endicott's MS in healthcare program if you want a flexible degree with many annual start dates. Coursework covers American healthcare policy, healthcare finance, and health informatics. You can customize your education by selecting from four concentrations, such as operations management or public administration.
Application materials include one recommendation letter, a personal statement, and a current resume. The recommendation letter may come from a professor or work supervisor. Endicott does not require standardized test scores.
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$35,764
Out-of-state
$35,764
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$12,746
Out-of-state
$12,746
Retention Rate
85%
Acceptance Rate
73%
Students Enrolled
4,381
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
38%
Accreditation
Yes
How We Rank Schools
To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.
Ranking Methodology Summary
To qualify for our rankings lists, each school must be an accredited public or private, nonprofit institution. Each eligible school was then ranked based on a formula measuring:
- Affordability (30%)
- Student outcomes (30%)
- Reputation (20%)
- Diversity and social mobility (20%)
In addition, we only included colleges with graduation rates in the top third of all online colleges.
How to Choose the Right Online Master's in Healthcare Management Program for You
When it comes to choosing a grad school, your decision will influence your education and career options. That’s why it’s important to know how to research online programs. Here are some factors you can consider when comparing healthcare management master’s programs.
Cost
The cost of grad school is an important factor when researching universities, and an online format makes it easier to compare programs by affordability.
You can make a master’s degree more affordable by applying for scholarships and other forms of financial aid. In-state, public universities tend to charge the lowest tuition rates.
Accreditation
You should always choose an accredited institution for your master’s degree. For one, you can only obtain federal financial aid if you attend an accredited school.
Additionally, accreditation speaks to the quality of the education you receive, and it ensures your degree will be recognized by employers. This is especially important in the field of healthcare.
Look for programs accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME).
Program Type
At the graduate level, you can earn a master’s in healthcare management, a master’s in healthcare administration (MHA), or an MBA in healthcare management. While these programs overlap, they also differ in key ways.
Make sure you’re choosing the right program type for your career goals. Review the curriculum, graduation requirements, and graduate placements to see which program type is the best fit.
Location
Even when you’re choosing an online program, location matters. If you’re attending an out-of-state program, you might have to pay a higher tuition rate, for example.
some programs require in-person attendance at orientations, residency sessions, or other on-campus requirements. If you’d prefer a hybrid format or want to connect with the on-campus community, a local program could be the best fit.
Research Program Outcomes
When you invest in a graduate degree, it’s good to consider your return on investment (ROI). Reputable programs provide information on program outcomes, including recent job placements, employment rates, and salary outcomes.
Some programs may partner with healthcare facilities to offer career placement opportunities. Research program outcomes to find a good fit.
Looking for Other Healthcare Degrees? Explore Your Options
Best Online Master’s in Healthcare Administration (MHA) Programs Link
Best Online Master’s in Health Science Programs Link
Best Online Master’s in Health Services Programs Link
How Much Do Online Master's in Healthcare Management Programs Cost?
The cost of a master’s degree depends on the school, the program, and factors unique to you, such as your state residency and financial aid. For example, MBA programs may cost more than master’s in healthcare management programs.
According to NCES data, online health graduate programs cost around $9,300 per year in tuition and fees, while business and management programs cost around $8,000. You can also research the most affordable master’s in healthcare management programs to find an option that fits your budget.
Median Annual Tuition and Fees for Online Graduate Programs
Health Programs
$9,310
Business/Management Programs
$8,025
Is a Master's in Healthcare Management Worth It?
Earning an online management master’s degree costs around $8,000 per year, according to NCES data, while healthcare managers report a median annual salary of $110,680 per year, according to May 2023 BLS data.
Plus, healthcare managers are in high demand, and some employers prefer to hire candidates with a master’s degree. That means a master’s in healthcare management can pay off. However, you need to weigh several factors, including the total cost of your degree and the job market in your area.
If you already hold a bachelor’s in healthcare management and you want to move into a management role, some employers may pay for your master’s in healthcare management.
Featured Online Master's in Healthcare Management Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Frequently Asked Questions About Master's in Healthcare Management Programs
How much do healthcare managers make?
Healthcare managers earned a median annual salary of $110,680 as of May 2023, according to the BLS. Managers who work in hospitals earned the highest median salary: $128,740 per year.
Digging into healthcare management salary data reveals that a master's degree can pay off. According to Payscale data, professionals with a master's in healthcare management earn $15,000 more per year than those with a bachelor's in healthcare management.
Should I get an MBA or master's in healthcare management?
Both an MBA and a master's in healthcare management can prepare you for leadership roles in healthcare. However, an MBA incorporates core business courses in areas like finance, marketing, and human resources, while a master's in healthcare management focuses more exclusively on the healthcare sector.
You'll take healthcare-specific coursework in both programs, but it makes up a smaller number of credits in an MBA program. If you're interested in a broader business education or careers outside of healthcare, an MBA might make more sense.
What is the difference between an MHA and an MBA in healthcare management?
Healthcare management vs. healthcare administration might seem like the same field, but there are important differences between MHA programs and healthcare management programs.
Healthcare management focuses on long-term planning, including budgeting, staffing, and operations. Healthcare administration focuses on daily tasks and operations, such as overseeing clinical staff or patient health data. Healthcare management programs emphasize the business side of healthcare, while healthcare administration programs emphasize administering clinical departments.
What can you do with a master's in healthcare management?
A master's in healthcare management prepares you for roles on the administrative side of healthcare. For example, graduates work as health information managers, nursing home administrators, and hospital managers.
You can also specialize in healthcare finance, healthcare marketing, and healthcare HR. Some employers prefer to hire candidates with a specialized master's degree for these management-level roles in healthcare.
Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed June 22, 2024.