Best Online Master’s in Healthcare Administration (MHA) Programs of 2024
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Not everyone who wants to get into healthcare is destined to work directly with patients. Some people would rather build the operational infrastructure that makes patient care possible. And those are the people who should get a master's degree in healthcare administration (MHA).
If that sounds like something you're interested in, here's what you should do next:
- Explore this page to determine whether this path is the right choice for you.
- Check out the top-ranked MHA online programs, as well as our sponsored programs.
- Request more information from schools you're interested in to find the best fit for you.
Popular Online Healthcare Administration Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online Master’s in Healthcare Administration (MHA) 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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Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Lubbock, TX - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $265
Out-of-State | $685
Credits to Graduate: 36
TTUHSC’s online master of science in healthcare administration offers an accelerated yet flexible program for working professionals. Students can choose from three application periods and program start terms each calendar year.
Courses include management and leadership principles in healthcare, health informatics and data analytics, health law and ethics, healthcare operations and marketing.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $586
Out-of-State | $1,602
Credits to Graduate: 49
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's executive master of healthcare administration provides a comprehensive online learning experience. The program admits a small cohort of 30-40 students once per year in the fall. Prospective students should note that this program includes three mandatory on-campus residencies yearly.
The executive MHA program can be completed in 24 months. It utilizes a framework of 25 competencies, including leadership, policy, management, and professional, designed with the future of the healthcare industry in mind.
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education
Cost per Credit: $1,070
Credits to Graduate: 43.5
The University of Utah's online MHA program is a part-time program that students can complete in two years while still working full-time. The program is designed for those with administrative experience in the healthcare industry. Graduates can pursue leadership positions within healthcare delivery, public health, healthcare policy, and research. Core courses include healthcare financial management, telehealth modalities, and healthcare analytics.
Students who apply and are accepted before April 1 are guaranteed a $5,000 scholarship. Applicants need a prerequisite course in financial accounting.
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education
Cost per Credit: $930
Credits to Graduate: 45
Mason's online master of healthcare administration in health systems management offers asynchronous courses and a 6-8 week field-based capstone experience. Students can complete the program within 30 months and must choose between a healthcare quality or executive concentration.
The program focuses on competencies in five domains: knowledge of the healthcare environment, communications and relationship management, business knowledge and skills (and critical thinking), leadership, and professionalism (ethics).
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT - 4 years
- Online
Programmatic Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
Cost per Term: $4,755
Courses to Graduate: 11
WGU's online MBA in healthcare management helps prepare students for executive leadership positions in the healthcare industry. Students can graduate in as little as 12 months with a final capstone project. The curriculum includes courses in healthcare management, marketing, accounting, leadership, and finance.
Under the guidance of their program mentor, students can complete as many courses as they want in a six-month term. They must pass the course assessment before moving on to the next course.
Clarkson College
Omaha, NE - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit: $718
Credits to Graduate: 39
In Clarkson College's accelerated online master's in healthcare administration, students complete the program in 4-7 semesters in shorter, six-week courses. The curriculum focuses on diverse leadership strategies, including defining business problems and coming up with solutions.
Students can take courses in leadership ethics, data analytics, and leading change. The capstone experience requires students to complete a business plan. Applicants need a cumulative 3.0 GPA, transcripts, and a current resume or curriculum vitae.
University of Scranton
Scranton, PA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education
Cost per Credit: $965
Credits to Graduate: 47-52
The University of Scranton's online master of health administration offers two specializations: health informatics and global health.
The program received the CAHME Award for Sustainability in Healthcare Management Education and Practice. The curriculum is based on the American College of Healthcare Executives Healthcare Leadership Alliance model of 24 core competencies.
The MHA program features a 90% job placement rate and an 82% graduation rate. GRE/GMAT scores are not required to apply.
Purdue University-Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Administration Education
Cost per Credit: $485
Credit to Graduate: 52
Purdue's online master of healthcare administration helps advance students into administration and leadership positions in various healthcare settings. Students typically graduate in 1.5 years. The curriculum focuses on communication, critical thinking, healthcare systems, leadership, and professional development. Students complete a practice-focused capstone to apply what they learned to a real-world scenario.
Applicants need a bachelor's degree and official transcripts. Purdue offers a military tuition reduction and an international tuition reduction for eligible students.
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Cost per Credit (part time): $1,800
Credits to Graduate: 36
John Hopkins' master of science in healthcare management helps prepare students to become innovative, effective, and culturally competent healthcare leaders. The part-time program is offered through the Carey Business School, and students have six years to complete the program. The curriculum includes courses in business leadership and human values, healthcare decision-making, and frameworks for analyzing healthcare markets.
Students can complete two healthcare strategy consulting practicums to gain practical experience in the field. Required application materials include official transcripts, two essays, and GRE/GMAT scores.
George Washington University
Washington, DC - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education
Cost per Credit: $1,835
Credits to Graduate: 50
George Washington University’s online master’s in healthcare administration is offered within the Milken Institute School of Public Health.
The program includes eight 10-week learning modules. Students must also attend four in-person immersion experiences held on campus in the nation’s capital and at selected healthcare facilities.
All applicants must have two years of full-time employment in the healthcare sector and be currently employed in healthcare, or have three years of full-time experience in any other industry.
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.
What to Expect From an Online MHA Program
MHA online programs help you learn skills, concepts, and strategies in planning, directing, and coordinating the delivery of services in healthcare organizations.
Some online programs will require you to log into class at the same time each week, while others provide a self-paced curriculum. There are also hybrid and traditional on-campus programs.
Requiring up to 120 credits, MHA online programs can take an average of 2-3 years to complete depending on students’ full-time or part-time status. Full-time students may complete programs in as little as 12 months while part-time students can take as long as 4 years or more.
The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) accredit MHA programs.
Career paths include serving as an administrator of a hospital, nursing home, or other type of facility. Graduates can also pursue leadership roles related to quality and safety or risk and compliance, working in biopharmaceutical or other healthcare industries.
Further specialty certifications give MHA graduates expert training and knowledge in specific areas such as information systems or revenue cycle management.
MHA Curriculum
Coursework for an MHA degree often focuses on specific challenges in healthcare. Students may analyze case studies or healthcare policy statements as part of your assignments.
Before graduating, you'll typically complete a capstone project to address a real-world problem. Requirements vary by program, but you may complete a healthcare marketing plan or analyze hospital policies and procedures. Another option could involve developing a training program for healthcare administrators.
Common courses include:
- Healthcare Information Systems
- Healthcare Financial Management
- Healthcare Law and Compliance
- Leadership in Healthcare Administration
- Budgeting and Management
- Health Policy
MHA Program Specializations
Along with core coursework, you may be able to pursue a specialization or concentration to further develop your skills in a focus area.
Common specializations for a master's in healthcare administration include:
- Health Policy: Health policy covers issues related to healthcare access, medical insurance, and safety regulations. You may also use your knowledge to evaluate and analyze current health policy debates.
- Health Informatics: This concentration combines the study of data science, information security, and business as they apply within healthcare organizations. You may deal with electronic medical records, telemedicine delivery, or strategic data analysis.
- Healthcare Marketing: A marketing plan is essential for successful business ventures. And medical organizations must carefully consider how they market their brands and services. This concentration teaches you how to balance marketing strategies with hospital regulations.
- Project Management: This concentration enables you to pursue professional project management credentials. You'll learn about processes and tools that can help you define a project's scope, develop budgets, track task completion, and ensure quality control.
MHA Certifications
Some MHA students choose to pursue a certification in addition to their master's degree. A certification shows proficiency in a focus area. These credentials can set you apart from the competition when seeking a job in the healthcare field.
Common certifications related to healthcare administration include:
- Certified medical manager (CMM)
- Fellow of the American College of healthcare executives (FACHE)
- Certified professional in healthcare risk management (CPHRM)
- Certified healthcare administrative professional (cHAP)
- Certified revenue cycle executive (CRCE)
- Certified revenue cycle professional (CRCP)
- Certified healthcare financial professional (CHFP)
- Certified professional in healthcare information and management systems (CPHIMS)
- Certified healthcare access manager (CHAM)
- Certified professional in healthcare quality (CPHQ)
Still Looking for the Right Fit in Healthcare? Discover Similar Degree Programs
How Much Money Can I Make With a Master's in Healthcare Administration?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that medical and health services managers earned an average annual salary of $134,440, with the top 10% earning a median salary of $216,750 per year in 2023.
The states with the highest average salaries include:
- New York: $179,160
- District of Columbia: $170,710
- Delaware: $164,190
- New Jersey: $162,430
- Massachusetts: $158,540
Medical and health services managers are in demand. The BLS projects 28% job growth between 2022 and 2032, which is much faster than the 3% average growth rate for all jobs.
What Jobs Can You Get With a Master's in Healthcare Administration Degree?
An MHA online program provides you with the expertise and skills required for a variety of healthcare administration career paths and leadership roles. Plus, leadership roles tend to pay higher salaries.
Want to work in a hospital? An outpatient clinic? A nursing home? Or how about a pharmaceutical company or a rehab center? Maybe you're more interested in working for a mental health nonprofit or government agency.
Great: You can do it all with an MHA.
Popular Healthcare Administration Jobs
- Healthcare Administrator
- Nursing Home Administrator
- Health Services Manager
- Biopharmaceutical Manager
- Quality and Safety Manager
- Risk and Compliance Manager
- Hospital Administrator
- Hospital CEO
- Healthcare Consultant
- Clinical Director or Supervisor
- Clinical Trials Manager
- Operations Manager
Note that some of the above healthcare administration jobs may require extra or specialized training.
Everything Else You Need to Know About a Master's in Healthcare Administration Degree
What is the difference between an MHA and an MBA in healthcare administration?
An MBA in healthcare administration provides a broad business focus. It includes generalist courses on finance, strategy, economics, marketing, and accounting in addition to healthcare management courses. Students with an MBA in healthcare administration may find it easier to transition into roles in other industries.
Coursework for an MHA is more specialized. You'll study many of the same business fundamentals as an MBA student but will do so specifically through a healthcare lens. An MHA may be a better choice for people who want to become healthcare experts.
What can you do with an MHA?
After completing an MHA online program, you can pursue leadership and management positions across various functions and healthcare organizations. Places of employment may include hospitals, assisted living facilities, and doctor's offices. You could also work at outpatient care centers, pharmaceutical companies, and nonprofit or government agencies.
What are the admission requirements for a master's in healthcare administration?
Common requirements for applying to a master's in healthcare administration include:
- Bachelor's degree in a related field
- Minimum GPA (often 2.5-3.0)
- Professional resume
- Personal statement/essay
- Letters of recommendation
- Demonstrated commitment to or experience in healthcare (usually one year of work experience in the field)
- GRE test scores
What are the benefits of earning a master's in healthcare administration?
MHA graduates can pursue high-paying and in-demand careers in healthcare management and leadership. They can contribute to improved patient outcomes, increased employee well-being, healthier workplace culture, and more effective and efficient healthcare facilities.
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 November 29, 2023.