Best Online Master’s in Health Informatics Programs of 2024

Prepare yourself for a rewarding career at the intersection of health, computer science, and technology with a master's degree in health informatics.
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Updated on January 23, 2024
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Best Online Master's Degree Programs in Health Informatics

During the pandemic, we learned just how powerful and necessary it is to handle health data properly. This is why people who study health informatics are so important. They play a major role in tracking, collecting, and analyzing health data in order to optimize healthcare solutions and improve patient care.

If you want to work at the intersection of healthcare, data analysis, and technology, an online healthcare informatics degree offers a strong job outlook and good pay.

Featured Health Informatics Programs

Online Master's in Health Informatics Programs Rankings Summary

Rank School In-State Tuition Out-of-State Tuition Acceptance Rate
#1 The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Houston, TX
$8,524 $32,673 Not provided
#2 University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
$6,970 $24,607 95%
#3 George Mason University
Fairfax, VA
$13,035 $34,347 91%
#4 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC
$10,552 $28,844 20%
#5 University of San Diego
San Diego, CA
$27,936 $27,936 53%
#6 University of South Florida
Tampa, FL
$8,350 $19,048 49%
#7 Northwestern University
Evanston, IL
$56,067 $56,067 7%
#8 Rutgers University-New Brunswick
New Brunswick, NJ
$18,180 $30,900 68%
#9 Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT
$7,500 $7,500 Not provided
#10 Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN
$9,228 $25,368 84%

Best Online Master's in Health Informatics Programs

We use datasets from sources like 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. from our partners appear among these rankings and are indicated as such. All data is current as of the date this article was published. Program-specific information may vary.

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 Health Informatics Programs of 2024

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

  • Houston, TX
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Programmatic Accreditation: The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)

Cost per Program:

In-state | $18,900

Out-of-state | $42,663

Credits to Graduate: 39 

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston's master of science in biomedical informatics program offers two online tracks: research or applied biomedical informatics. Students learn skills related to electronic health records, security protocols, project management, and applying biomedical data to clinical decision-making. Each enrollee completes a practicum/capstone under the supervision of a biomedical informatics preceptor. 

Admission requirements include a baccalaureate or higher degree, a minimum 3.0 GPA, a resume or CV, three letters of recommendation from educators or employers, and a goal statement.

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$8,841
Out-of-state
$34,020
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$8,524
Out-of-state
$32,673
Retention Rate
Not provided
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Students Enrolled
5,796
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
6% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#2 Best Online Master’s in Health Informatics Programs of 2024

University of Utah

  • Salt Lake City, UT
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Programmatic Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

Cost per Credit:

In-State | $900

Out-of-State | $900

Credits to Graduate: 40.5

University of Utah's master of science in nursing informatics program prepares nurses for careers such as nurse informaticist, clinical systems analyst, and chief clinical informatics officer. For admission, each candidate must provide a 3.0 GPA, resume/CV, references, and goal statement. 

Students can complete this full-time program in five semesters, with summer terms available. Learners participate in group projects, peer review activities, online forum discussions, Zoom meetings, and experiential internships. Coursework explores informatics, systems analysis, leadership skills, and systems thinking.

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$7,749
Out-of-state
$27,201
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$6,970
Out-of-state
$24,607
Retention Rate
87%
Acceptance Rate
95%
Students Enrolled
34,464
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
66% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
#3 Best Online Master’s in Health Informatics Programs of 2024

George Mason University

  • Fairfax, VA
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Programmatic Accreditation: The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)

Cost per Credit:

In-State | $800

Out-of-State | $800

Credits to Graduate: 36

George Mason University's online master of science in health informatics prepares students to pursue careers in business-focused healthcare roles. 

The health data analytics concentration focuses on theoretical and practical skills in data science and machine learning. Enrollees in the health informatics management concentration learn to manage health information systems and consider the increased use of electronic health records in 21st-century healthcare.

Prior experience in healthcare or IT is not required but can strengthen students' applications. 

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$9,510
Out-of-state
$32,970
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$13,035
Out-of-state
$34,347
Retention Rate
84%
Acceptance Rate
91%
Students Enrolled
38,628
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
78% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#4 Best Online Master’s in Health Informatics Programs of 2024

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

  • Chapel Hill, NC
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Cost per Credit:

In-State | $961

Out-of-State | $1977

Credits to Graduate: 35

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's master of professional science in biomedical and health informatics program prepares graduates for roles in developing, managing, and analyzing health information systems. Courses focus on core informatics knowledge, biomedical informatics, and business skills.

Students may complete the program in 1-4 years. The program includes a 400-hour internship, which provides hands-on experience in analytics, machine learning, and software development under the supervision of preceptors from local IT and biotech companies. 

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$7,019
Out-of-state
$34,882
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$10,552
Out-of-state
$28,844
Retention Rate
97%
Acceptance Rate
20%
Students Enrolled
31,641
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
29% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#5 Best Online Master’s in Health Informatics Programs of 2024

University of San Diego

  • San Diego, CA
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Cost per Credit:

In-State | $925

Out-of-State | $925

Credits to Graduate: 37

The master of science in healthcare informatics at the University of San Diego is a STEM-designated 24-month course with students from the healthcare and IT sectors. Enrollees can specialize through healthcare informatics or healthcare data analytics tracks. All learners must complete a 12-16 hour orientation course and a 14-week capstone project during the final term.

Admission requirements include a personal statement, interview, resume/CV, letters of reference, and official transcripts.

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$52,120
Out-of-state
$52,120
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$27,936
Out-of-state
$27,936
Retention Rate
92%
Acceptance Rate
53%
Students Enrolled
9,041
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
11% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
#6 Best Online Master’s in Health Informatics Programs of 2024

University of South Florida

  • Tampa, FL
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Programmatic Accreditation: The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)

Cost per Credit:

In-State | $907

Out-of-State | $907

Credits to Graduate: 32

University of South Florida's master's in health informatics is a two-year online program. Each applicant must submit transcripts demonstrating completion of a bachelor's degree, a minimum 3.0 GPA, a resume, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose. Students can provide GRE, MCAT, or VAT test scores to strengthen their applications. 

USF's Morsani College of Medicine has the first fully online master's in health informatics program in a medical school with healthcare and IT faculty. Coursework explores integrated electronic medical records, health data management, data management laws and ethics, and e-healthcare business models. 

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$4,559
Out-of-state
$15,473
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$8,350
Out-of-state
$19,048
Retention Rate
90%
Acceptance Rate
49%
Students Enrolled
49,708
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
66% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#7 Best Online Master’s in Health Informatics Programs of 2024

Northwestern University

  • Evanston, IL
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Cost per Course:

$4,981 per course

Credits to Graduate: 36

Northwestern University's master's in health informatics offers specializations in clinical informatics, health technology, and health administration. After the core curriculum, each student completes a mandatory hands-on capstone project averaging 50-100 hours during their final quarter. 

Admission requirements include a resume/CV, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and a writing sample. The university reports a 95% graduation rate, with graduates earning a mean annual salary of $71,900 six years following graduation. 

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$60,276
Out-of-state
$60,276
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$56,067
Out-of-state
$56,067
Retention Rate
99%
Acceptance Rate
7%
Students Enrolled
23,409
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
7% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Higher Learning Commission
#8 Best Online Master’s in Health Informatics Programs of 2024

Rutgers University-New Brunswick

  • New Brunswick, NJ
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Programmatic Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

Cost per Credit:

In-State | $1,040

Out-of-State | $1,523

Credits to Graduate: 37

Rutgers University's master of science in nursing informatics includes 37 credits and 225 in-person clinical hours, which each enrollee must complete with an approved preceptor in New Jersey. After completing nine credits of core coursework, the curriculum covers areas such as consumer healthcare informatics, nursing database design, and informatics project management.

Admission requirements include a BSN, minimum 3.2 GPA, current New Jersey RN license, two letters of reference, and two scholarly papers of which the applicant is the main author. 

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$12,536
Out-of-state
$29,737
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$18,180
Out-of-state
$30,900
Retention Rate
94%
Acceptance Rate
68%
Students Enrolled
50,804
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
74% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Middle States Commission on Higher Education
#9 Best Online Master’s in Health Informatics Programs of 2024

Western Governors University

  • Salt Lake City, UT
  • 4 years
  • Online

Programmatic Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

Cost per Term:

$4,795 per term

Western Governors University's nursing informatics RN-to-MSN program offers rolling admissions with all courses available at any time. Students pay a flat rate per six-month period, take one course at a time, and can complete as many courses as they choose within that period based on their mastery of the given subject area. 

Admission requirements include an associate degree or diploma in nursing, along with an unrestricted nursing license. Courses focus on data modeling, data science, database management, informatics system design and analysis, and the uses of informatics for transforming healthcare and care delivery. 

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$7,162
Out-of-state
$7,162
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$7,500
Out-of-state
$7,500
Retention Rate
63%
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Students Enrolled
150,116
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
Not provided
Accreditation
Yes Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
#10 Best Online Master’s in Health Informatics Programs of 2024

Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis

  • Indianapolis, IN
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Programmatic Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)

Cost per Credit:

In-State | $401

Out-of-State | $603

Credits to Graduate: 36

Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis' master of science in health informatics includes core health informatics courses, a three-course professional or thesis track, and electives. 

Admission requires a bachelor's degree, a 3.0 GPA, a personal statement, three letters of recommendation, and a resume/CV. 

Applicants must have strong backgrounds in biology, computer science, nursing, or biochemistry, along with having completed coursework in programming, databases, medical terminology, and anatomy and physiology.

Graduates can pursue roles like public health informatics analyst, clinical quality analyst, data engineer, and medical informaticist. Companies such as IBM, Anthem, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and Meta have hired graduates from this program.

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$8,883
Out-of-state
$30,940
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$9,228
Out-of-state
$25,368
Retention Rate
69%
Acceptance Rate
84%
Students Enrolled
27,690
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
55% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Higher Learning Commission

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

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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.

Why Should You Get a Master's in Health Informatics?

Getting a master's in healthcare informatics is a great way to capitalize on the growing demand for healthcare workers of all kinds. It's an excellent career for people who are data-minded and systems-thinkers.

You will also have the satisfaction of going into a field that makes a positive impact in the world. Your training will prepare you to help fix structural and technical problems in healthcare that lead to medical errors, inflated costs, treatment delays, and poor patient outcomes.

Benefits of Getting a Master's in Health Informatics Degree

  • Qualify for a number of healthcare and public health careers you can't access without an advanced degree
  • Opportunities in higher ed and applied research
  • Become an expert in health systems and information technology
  • Learn about IT systems and research within a booming industry
  • Develop strong interpersonal, analytical, and research skills
  • Create positive change in the healthcare system
  • Make patients' lives better

Benefits of Getting Your Master's in Health Informatics Online

  • Increased flexibility
  • Reduced opportunity costs
  • Complete coursework remotely
  • Ability to learn from anywhere
  • Great for career-changers

Read More:

How Much Does an Online Master's in Health Informatics Cost?

Average Annual Cost of Graduate Tuition and Fees, 2019-2020

Public Institution

$12,394

Private Institution

$26,621

Source: National Center for Education Statistics

Total Average Cost of a Master's Degree (Two Years)

Public Institution

$59,440

Private Institution (Nonprofit)

$85,400

Source: National Center for Education Statistics

When you're considering the costs of pursuing a master's degree, you need to think beyond tuition. While online students don't have to calculate room and board or most on-campus fees, they may encounter some other unexpected costs, like technology or virtual library fees.

If you want to lower the cost of your graduate degree, there are a few ways to go about it:

  • Attend public, in-state institutions
  • Apply for grants and scholarships
  • Transfer credits from a community college
  • Earn credits for work, volunteer, or military experience when applicable

Read More:

Featured Health Informatics Programs

How Long Does an Online Master's in Health Informatics Take?

Typically, an online master's in health informatics will take two years. Working students who attend part-time can expect to take longer. And some online schools offer accelerated programs to get you to the finish line early.

Average Length of Time*

2 years
*Varies depending on your school/program

Required Course Credits*

30-50 credits
*Varies depending on your school/program

Be sure to consider the program format when choosing a school. Choosing an asynchronous rather than synchronous program allows you more control over your schedule.

What Jobs Can You Get with a Master's in Health Informatics Degree?

There are several lucrative career paths you can pursue with a master's in health informatics.

8 Popular Jobs for a Master's in Health Informatics
(including average annual base pay)
Job Salary
Health Informatics Specialist $73,150
Health Information Management Director $78,830
Clinical Informatics Specialist $82,230
Nursing Informatics Specialist $88,630
Privacy Manager $100,870
Health IT Project Manager $100,980
Clinical Informatics Manager $103,710
Medical Information Officer $160,940
Source: Payscale, November 2023

The career outlook for health informatics grads is strong. The BLS projects a 16% growth rate for health information technologists and medical registrars between 2022 and 2032.

Health informatics students may also pursue careers in IT fields. The BLS projects that growth for all computer and information technology careers will be much faster than the average for all occupations between 2022 and 2032.

Read More:

Is a Master's in Health Informatics Worth It?

Yes. For people who are interested both in technology and healthcare, getting a master's in health informatics will most likely offer a good return on investment.

That's because healthcare organizations generate an overwhelming amount of data. According to RBC Capital Markets, approximately 30% of the world's data is produced by the healthcare industry. As that percentage continues to grow, so will the demand for IT specialists who can translate data into usable information.

Everything Else You Need to Know About a Master's in Health Informatics

What are the admission requirements for a master's in health informatics program?

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Most online master's in health informatics programs have similar admission requirements:

Are health informatics careers in demand?

Chevron Down

Yes! The BLS projects a "much faster than average" job growth for both healthcare occupations and computer and information technology occupations between 2022 and 2032. The increasing importance of data across the healthcare industry drives the demand for health informatics professionals.

How much money will you make with a master's in health informatics?

Chevron Down

According to Payscale, the average base salary of someone with a master's degree in health informatics is $73,000 a year.

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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