Best Accelerated Healthcare Administration Degrees Online of 2024
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Doctors and nurses care for patients. But what is healthcare administration, and why is it important for the healthcare system? In hospitals, doctor’s offices, and other healthcare settings, administrators take on the non-clinical jobs that keep the healthcare system running smoothly.
Earning an accelerated healthcare administration degree online prepares you for these high-paying, in-demand roles. Whether you’re interested in an undergraduate or graduate degree, an accelerated program will get you into the workforce faster.
Ready to get started? Learn what to expect from accelerated healthcare administration programs and your career opportunities after graduation.
Best Online Accelerated Healthcare Administration Degrees of 2024
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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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Mercy College of Health Sciences
Des Moines, IA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $722
Out-of-State | $722
Credits to Graduate: 45 in the major (120 total)
Mercy College's online BS in healthcare administration allows you to complete your degree in as little as one year. The 45-credit program features courses in healthcare economics and biostatistics, plus a 45-hour internship and a capstone project. You can also complete your remaining general education and electives online.
As a distance learner, you enjoy flexible online classes with no campus requirements, along with three start dates to choose from. Mercy College does not limit transfer credits, though transfer students need a minimum 2.25 GPA for admission.
Winona State University
Winona, MN - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $353
Out-of-State | $353
Credits to Graduate: 50 (120 total)
Winona State University's online BAS in healthcare leadership is a 50-credit degree-completion program that allows you to earn your bachelor's degree in less than two years. Along with the leadership emphasis, the program includes courses in management and leadership education.
At WSU, online classes run asynchronously in eight-week sessions. For admission, you need an associate degree in a health-related field or have at least 45 undergraduate credits with some work experience in the field.
Roberts Wesleyan College
Rochester, NY - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $617
Out-of-State | $617
Credits to Graduate: 37 (120 total)
In Roberts Wesleyan College's online BS in health administration, you can complete your degree between 1-2 years. The degree-completion program includes core courses in bioethics and operations management, along with an applied research capstone project.
As an online student, your classes typically run asynchronously in eight-week sessions and typically comprise less than 20 students. For admission, you need at least 60 undergraduate credits with a minimum 2.0 GPA, plus a recommended two years of professional experience.
Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Standish, ME - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $378
Out-of-State | $378
Credits to Graduate: 120
Saint Joseph's College of Maine's online BS in health administration features accelerated courses in topics like healthcare financial management and legal aspects of healthcare administration. Even with no transfer credits, you can complete your degree in less than two years (with full-time enrollment).
Most of SJC's online programs feature asynchronous classes running in 10-week terms and five annual start dates. Program graduates may qualify for the digital health professional certification examination. You can also put your credits toward an accelerated master's in health administration.
Seton Hill University
Greensburg, PA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $639
Out-of-State | $639
Credits to Graduate: 120
In Seton Hill's online BS in healthcare administration, you study topics in healthcare marketing, human resource management, and budgeting and finance. At the end of the program, you complete a practical capstone experience. Once you graduate, you have the option to pursue an accelerated MBA in healthcare administration.
Your online classes at Seton Hill run through accelerated eight-week sessions. You can take two classes in each of the six annual sessions to fast-track your program or slow it down with part-time studies. Seton Hill has no GPA requirement for applicants and accepts up to 90 transfer credits.
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Accelerated Healthcare Administration Degree Overview
Accelerated healthcare administration programs prepare you for in-demand careers. You'll build industry-specific skills in your core health administration courses.
Many programs also offer electives to prepare for specialized career paths. For example, take courses in financial management to work on the finance side of healthcare. Or study informatics and analytics to work in data management roles.
By earning an accelerated healthcare administration degree online, you'll enter the workforce faster — and start seeing the payoff of your degree sooner.
10 Common Healthcare Administration Specializations
- Business Analytics
- Financial Management
- Gerontology Management
- Health Policy
- Health Services
- Health Informatics
- Healthcare Marketing
- Organizational Leadership
- Project Management
- Quality Improvement
Featured Online Bachelor's in Healthcare Administration Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Accelerated Bachelor's in Healthcare Administration
Many healthcare administration careers require a bachelor's degree. And an accelerated healthcare administration program can shave years off the typical four-year schedule. If you've got an associate degree or bachelor's in another major, you can complete a bachelor's in healthcare administration in 1-2 years.
With a fast-track healthcare administration degree plus experience, you can become a healthcare administrator or health services manager. Or work as a medical marketer, healthcare financial analyst, or nursing home administrator.
Other Accelerated Healthcare Administration Degree Programs
In addition to a bachelor's degree, you can also earn an associate, master's, or doctoral degree in healthcare administration. Each degree level leads to different healthcare administration career paths. For example, a master's degree helps you qualify for management-level roles. Or build foundational skills by earning an associate degree in healthcare administration.
Accelerated Associate in Healthcare Administration
Want to launch your healthcare career quickly? Then consider an associate degree in healthcare administration. While traditional programs take two years, accelerated programs take around 18 months.
With an associate degree, you'll qualify for support roles like medical assistant or patient intake clerk. Or transfer into a bachelor's program to increase your earning potential and career opportunities.
Featured Online Associate in Healthcare Administration
Accelerated Master's in Healthcare Administration
Hone your leadership skills with a master's in healthcare administration (MHA). During an MHA, you'll study healthcare budgeting, health policy, and healthcare regulations. Instead of the typical two-year timeframe, accelerated MHA programs take as little as 18 months.
With your master's, you can become a hospital administrator, healthcare consultant, or health services manager.
Featured Online Master's in Healthcare Administration
Accelerated Doctorate in Healthcare Administration
You'll qualify for leadership, policymaking, and academic careers with a doctorate in healthcare administration. And in an accelerated program, you can earn a doctorate in three years or less.
Work as a hospital CEO, research director, or healthcare administration professor after your fast-track healthcare administration degree.
Featured Online Doctorate in Healthcare Administration
Careers With a Degree in Healthcare Administration
After earning your accelerated healthcare administration degree, you'll qualify for administrative and managerial roles. Healthcare administrators report above-average salaries. The median pay for healthcare administrators exceeded $78,300 in 2024, according to Payscale data.
With a bachelor's degree, you can also work in healthcare finance, hospital administration, information management, or human resources. Trying to choose a healthcare administration career path? Learn more about the earning potential for different careers below.
| Job | Median Annual Salary (2023) | Entry-Level Education |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Managers | $156,100 | Bachelor's degree |
| Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers | $157,620 | Bachelor's degree |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $110,680 | Bachelor's degree |
| Facilities Managers | $102,340 | Bachelor's degree |
| Administrative Services Managers | $106,470 | Bachelor's degree |
| Hospital Emergency Management Directors | $83,960 | Bachelor's degree |
| Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $62,990 | Associate degree |
Frequently Asked Questions About Accelerated Healthcare Administration Degrees
Is healthcare administration a good degree?
Yes, healthcare administration is a good degree if you want to work in the fast-paced field of healthcare. With a degree in healthcare administration, you can qualify for a career as a medical and health services manager. These high-demand roles report a median pay of $110,680, according to May 2023 BLS data.
The BLS projects the number of medical and health services management jobs to grow 28% from 2022-2032, which represents much faster than average job growth. That means a healthcare administration degree can be a good investment.
What can you do with a healthcare administration degree?
With a bachelor's degree in healthcare administration, you'll qualify for roles like doctor's office manager, healthcare financial analyst, or health informatics specialist. After gaining experience in the healthcare industry, you can move into administrative roles like hospital administration, nursing home administrator, or health services manager.
You can also earn a master's in healthcare administration to move into supervisory roles and increase your earning potential.
How long does it take to become a healthcare administrator?
Healthcare administrators typically need a bachelor’s degree, which usually takes four years to complete, plus several years of relevant healthcare work experience.
You can become a healthcare administrator in less time by earning an accelerated healthcare administration degree online. Accelerated bachelor’s programs can take as little as 1-2 years, while accelerated master’s programs take as little as one year. Some employers may require a master's degree.
Is a master's in healthcare administration worth it?
Earning your master’s in healthcare administration can mean more job opportunities and a higher earning potential. Some employers prefer to hire candidates with a master’s degree for management-level roles. An MHA can also add specialized skills in healthcare finance, health informatics, or quality improvement to your resume.
When weighing whether to earn an MHA or pursue healthcare administration jobs with a bachelor’s degree, compare the cost of the degree with the increase in earning potential to determine your ROI.
