Best Online MBA in Healthcare Management Programs of 2021
As colleges and universities navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, we're continuing our efforts to provide you with useful student resources and the latest online program information. Check our coronavirus resources page to learn more.
Healthcare is the fastest growing industry in the U.S. due to the continual evolution of medical technology and practice, as well as the needs of the aging baby-boom generation. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 15% job growth for healthcare occupations between 2019 and 2029.
You can advance your health and medical services career by earning an online MBA in healthcare management. This guide can help you pick the right graduate school by exploring admission requirements, course offerings, student outcomes, and career paths.
What Are the Best Online MBA in Healthcare Management Programs of 2021? Here Are Our Top 10:
Is your school on this list? Get the BestColleges ranking seal.
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Johns Hopkins University | Baltimore, MD |
| 2 | Pennsylvania State University-World Campus | University Park, PA |
| 3 | Florida International University | Miami, FL |
| 4 | Purdue University | West Lafayette, IN |
| 5 | Webster University | Saint Louis, MO |
| 6 | University of North Carolina Wilmington | Wilmington, NC |
| 7 | University of Delaware | Newark, DE |
| 8 | Bethel University | Saint Paul, MN |
| 9 | Marist College | Poughkeepsie, NY |
| 10 | Ball State University | Muncie, IN |
- How We Rank Schools
-
At BestColleges, we believe a college education is one of the most important investments you will make. We want to help you navigate the college selection process by offering school rankings that are transparent, inclusive, and relevant for online students.
Our rankings are grounded in a few guiding principles and use the latest statistical data available from trusted sources. Read our Ranking Methodology. We hope our approach helps you find the school that is best for you.
2021 Best Accredited Online MBA in Healthcare Management Programs
Is your school on this list? Get the BestColleges ranking seal.
| Rank | School | Location | Graduation Rate | Description | Toggle | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Johns Hopkins University |
Baltimore, MD | Graduation Rate: 93% |
Located in Baltimore, Maryland, Johns Hopkins offers an online MBA in health systems management and MSN dual degree through its Carey Business School and the School of Nursing. The program caters to full-time employees in the healthcare field seeking to advance their careers. Courses include statistical analysis, health systems management, and program development and evaluation in healthcare. Students develop critical leadership and business skills, preparing to work in administrative positions for a variety of healthcare institutions. Students enrolled in this dual-degree program learn alongside both nursing and business students. Johns Hopkins is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Program Snapshot Program Name: MBA in Health Systems Management and MSN Dual Degree Admission Requirements GPA: No minimum specified Contact the School |
||
| 2 |
Pennsylvania State University-World Campus |
University Park, PA | Cost: $$$$$ | Graduation Rate: 71% |
Based in University Park, Penn State World Campus offers an online master of business administration with a concentration in healthcare business. The curriculum emphasizes the importance of teamwork, and students work together to solve real-word business problems. In addition to business courses, students customize their degree track with healthcare courses such as an introduction to health economics and financial management in health institutions. The program offers students options to extend their learning by adding a graduate certificate or earning a second master's degree. Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution. Penn State World Campus holds regional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, and its business school is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Program Snapshot Program Name: Master of Business Administration With a Concentration in Healthcare Business Admission Requirements GPA: No minimum specified Contact the School |
|
| 3 |
Florida International University |
Miami, FL | Cost: $$$$$ | Graduation Rate: 58% |
Located in Miami, FIU offers an online master of business administration in healthcare. Most students can complete the program in about 18 months. The program teaches learners about legal issues in the healthcare industry. Participants also develop the effective decision-making skills needed to serve as healthcare leaders. The program requires three residencies, and students can also opt to pursue advanced certification in global healthcare administration. Courses include operations management and managerial decision-making in health economics. The curriculum builds critical leadership skills, and the program's travel abroad option enhances skills from a global perspective. FIU is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Program Snapshot Program Name: Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Admission Requirements GPA: 3.0 minimum required over a student's last 60 credits Contact the School |
|
| 4 |
Purdue University |
West Lafayette, IN | Cost: $$$$$ | Graduation Rate: 81% |
Located in West Lafayette, Indiana, Purdue offers an online master of business administration with a concentration in healthcare management through its global campus. Students can take advantage of flexible scheduling to finish their degree without quitting their current jobs. Learners take courses on a six-week rotation and study a variety of business topics. Choosing the healthcare administration concentration adds a series of technical electives, including health policy and healthcare marketing. This pathway does not feature any residency requirements. Purdue holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission, and its business school is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Business Schools and Programs. Program Snapshot Program Name: Master of Business Administration With a Concentration in Healthcare Management Admission Requirements GPA: No minimum specified Contact the School |
|
| 5 |
Webster University |
Saint Louis, MO | Graduation Rate: 59% |
Based in St. Louis, Missouri, Webster offers an online master of business administration with a concentration in healthcare administration. Students learn core business competencies throughout the curriculum, including how to develop and implement a plan, manage business processes, and provide decision support. Students begin their program with business foundation courses. They then take classes in the healthcare administration concentration, covering topics like health administration law and financial management in health administration. Webster's curriculum blends business competencies with important soft skills, such as communication and collaboration skills, to prepare students for leadership roles. Webster is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Program Snapshot Program Name: Master of Business Administration With a Concentration in Healthcare Administration Admission Requirements GPA: 2.5 minimum required Contact the School |
||
| 6 |
University of North Carolina Wilmington |
Wilmington, NC | Cost: $$$$$ | Graduation Rate: 73% |
UNCW offers an online master of business administration with a specialization in healthcare management. The healthcare management track prepares students to assume leadership roles within the healthcare industry. Participants take foundational business courses, such as strategic management, as well as electives, including healthcare analytics and introduction to healthcare systems. Applicants must have at least two years of professional work experience to qualify for admission. UNCW holds regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, and its business school is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Program Snapshot Program Name: Master of Business Administration With a Healthcare Management Specialization Admission Requirements GPA: 3.0 minimum required Contact the School |
|
| 7 |
University of Delaware |
Newark, DE | Cost: $$$$$ | Graduation Rate: 81% |
Located in Newark, Delaware, UD offers students the opportunity to complete an online master of business administration with a concentration in healthcare management. Students take a variety of courses with a business focus and then move on to courses in their chosen specialization. Healthcare electives include population health informatics, patient experience and engagement, and policy and finance for healthcare delivery. Students gain vital business knowledge from a healthcare-specific standpoint. Applicants must show evidence of at least two years of work experience to qualify for admission. UD holds regional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, and its business school is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Program Snapshot Program Name: Master of Business Administration With a Concentration in Healthcare Management Admission Requirements GPA: 2.8 minimum required Contact the School |
|
| 8 |
Bethel University |
Saint Paul, MN | Graduation Rate: 77% |
A Christian university located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Bethel offers an online master of business administration with a concentration in healthcare administration. Students study business principles through the lens of their faith. Courses start every six weeks. Participants take foundation in business courses and learn about specialized healthcare administration topics, such as legal aspects in healthcare, healthcare policy and economics, and health informatics and application. Applicants must possess two years of professional work experience to qualify for admission. The program also requires a statement of purpose outlining professional goals as evidence of graduate writing ability. Bethel is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Program Snapshot Program Name: Master of Business Administration With a Concentration in Healthcare Administration Admission Requirements GPA: 3.0 minimum required Contact the School |
||
| 9 |
Marist College |
Poughkeepsie, NY | Graduation Rate: 83% |
Based in Poughkeepsie, New York, Marist offers students the chance to complete an online master of business administration with a concentration in healthcare administration. Students take courses in foundational business topics to prepare them for leadership roles in a variety of healthcare institutions. Concentration course topics include ethical and legal issues in healthcare, U.S. healthcare policies and systems, and critical issues in healthcare. There are five starting dates throughout the year, and courses are taught in eight-week sessions. Marist holds regional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, and its business school is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Program Snapshot Program Name: Master of Business Administration With a Concentration in Healthcare Administration Admission Requirements GPA: 3.0 minimum required Contact the School |
||
| 10 |
Ball State University |
Muncie, IN | Cost: $$$$$ | Graduation Rate: 63% |
Located in Muncie, Indiana, Ball State offers an online master of business administration with a concentration in healthcare administration. Students complete a business core, gaining a critical understanding of the role business plays in healthcare administration. Emphasis courses include an introduction to healthcare administration, financial management and performance evaluation in healthcare organizations, and strategic management in healthcare administration. Students may apply up until two weeks before a new session begins. Ball State holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission, and its business school is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Program Snapshot Program Name: Master of Business Administration With a Concentration in Healthcare Administration Admission Requirements GPA: 2.75 minimum required Contact the School |
|
| 11 |
University of Massachusetts-Amherst |
Amherst, MA | Cost: $$$$$ | Graduation Rate: 80% |
UMass Amherst offers an online master of business administration with a focus on healthcare administration. Students complete a combination of business and public health courses to prepare for management careers in healthcare settings. Courses in the concentration include ethical issues in public health, health disparities, healthcare data analytics, and healthcare quality and performance improvement. Students may replace up to three healthcare elective credits with a "flex" elective to further focus their healthcare administration training. Applicants must possess 3-5 years of professional work experience to qualify for admission. UMass Amherst is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. Program Snapshot Program Name: Master of Business Administration With a Concentration in Healthcare Administration Admission Requirements GPA: No minimum specified Contact the School |
|
| 12 |
Florida Atlantic University |
Boca Raton, FL | Cost: $$$$$ | Graduation Rate: 52% |
Based in Boca Raton, FAU offers students an online master of business administration with a concentration in health administration. Students specializing in healthcare administration take business courses to prepare for leadership positions before moving on to healthcare electives. Courses in the concentration include an introduction to healthcare systems, organizational behavior in healthcare, and health policy. Students learn about planning, marketing, finances, and legal issues in the healthcare field. Applicants must possess four years of professional work experience to qualify for admission. FAU holds regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, and its business school is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Program Snapshot Program Name: Master of Business Administration in Health Administration Admission Requirements GPA: 3.0 minimum over a student's last 60 credits is preferred Contact the School |
|
| 13 |
University of Mary |
Bismarck, ND | Graduation Rate: 55% |
Located in Bismarck, North Dakota, UMary offers an online master of business administration with a specialization in healthcare. Students study relevant topics in healthcare administration through the lens of the Catholic faith. Participants learn how to handle complex business and ethical challenges to prepare for roles like hospital director, pharmaceutical executive, and insurance analyst. Healthcare-specific course topics include healthcare law and policy, contemporary issues in healthcare administration, and healthcare organizations and finance. UMary holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission, and its business school is accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education. Program Snapshot Program Name: Master of Business Administration With a Healthcare Specialization Admission Requirements GPA: 2.75 minimum required Contact the School |
||
| 14 |
Messiah University |
Mechanicsburg, PA | Graduation Rate: 78% |
A Christian university located in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, Messiah offers students an online master of business administration with a concentration in healthcare management. MBA in healthcare management course topics cover the economics of healthcare, health informatics, and health policy and legal aspects of healthcare. Students learn the necessary business and management skills required to pursue such roles as healthcare administrator, development director, and healthcare manager. Messiah holds regional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, and its business school is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. Program Snapshot Program Name: Master of Business Administration With a Concentration in Healthcare Management Admission Requirements GPA: 3.0 minimum required Contact the School |
||
| 15 |
Anderson University |
Anderson, SC | Graduation Rate: 59% |
Based in South Carolina, AU offers an online master of business administration with a specialization in healthcare leadership. Students take 12 core business courses, such as financial management, global business operations and management, and organizational behavior. They also complete three six-week courses in healthcare leadership. Students may also participate in an optional one-credit internship to gain additional experience. AU holds regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, and its business school is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. Program Snapshot Program Name: Master of Business Administration With a Healthcare Leadership Specialization Admission Requirements GPA: 2.75 minimum preferred Contact the School |
What Can I Expect From an Online MBA in Healthcare Management Program?
The top online MBA in healthcare management programs teach students how to address industry-specific challenges with advanced business strategies.
To earn a MBA in healthcare management, you must complete at least 30 credits of coursework, fieldwork, and capstone experiences. This process generally takes two years, but many graduate schools offer accelerated online tracks for dedicated full-time students. In these programs, learners take seven-week classes throughout the year to earn their degree in about 12 months.
The top online MBA in healthcare management programs teach students how to address industry-specific challenges with advanced business strategies. Learners develop specialized skills in data analytics, operations management, and program planning and evaluation. They examine issues like health inequities among underserved communities and the growing American mental health crisis.
Healthcare management is often offered as a specialization in MBA programs. Students may be able to concurrently pursue a second business concentration. Future health services leaders can learn to oversee public campaigning by concentrating in strategic marketing or improve organizational effectiveness through a concentration in management information systems.
In addition to an internship, some schools require distance learners to attend campus residencies, where they can network with potential employers and prepare to earn professional certification in areas like project management and Lean Six Sigma. MBA in healthcare management programs often culminate in a research-focused capstone project or cumulative exam.
Admission Requirements for Online MBA in Healthcare Management Programs
Online MBA in healthcare management programs accept students from all walks of life as long as they demonstrate the potential to succeed. Applicants must often meet a 2.5-3.0 minimum GPA requirement and submit GMAT or GRE scores. They may also need 2-5 years of full-time professional experience.
Prospective students can stand out by writing engaging personal statements and asking employers, professors, and mentors to craft equally captivating recommendation letters. Check out our graduate admissions guide for more information.
Still Looking for the Right Fit? Discover Similar Programs.
What Courses Will I Take in an Online MBA in Healthcare Management Program?
MBA in healthcare management curricula emphasize business theories and skills. Required courses cover topics like corporate finance and organizational leadership.
Students often complete courses in areas like population health informatics, healthcare quality and performance, and long-term care administration. Read on for descriptions of five common healthcare management courses.
- Financial Reporting and Analysis
-
Students learn how to evaluate financial data before presenting the information in official reports to help improve organizational performance. Covered topics include valuation, forecasting, and accounting analysis. Learners also develop the skills needed to determine the value of important personnel and evaluate future risks and opportunities in the healthcare field.
- Organizational Leadership
-
A crucial course for all MBA students, organizational leadership examines how factors like company culture and goals, individual ethics, and environmental characteristics affect a leader's effectiveness. The class teaches students how to conduct a needs analysis with regards to diverse leader-follower situations. Learners also gain the ability to apply personal, interpersonal, team, and organizational leadership strategies.
- Healthcare Law and Regulation
-
This course offers an overview of health laws, policies, and regulatory mandates at the local, state, and federal levels. Covered topics include laws for access and standards of patient care, reproductive rights, intellectual property, and infectious disease control interventions. Though case studies of antitrust and medical malpractice, students delve into the liabilities of health services institutions, providers, and staff.
- Comparative Health Systems
-
In this class, students gain an in-depth understanding of the health systems in other countries and their varying components, including the advantages and disadvantages of major healthcare financing models. They also learn how to assess a system's performance based on patient access, sustainable development goals, and other globally recognized standards.
- Long-Term Care Administration
-
Typically offered as an elective, this specialized course is designed for students who want to manage nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Covered topics include assistive technology, community resources, and financial issues that affect patient services. Students also learn how physical, cultural, cognitive, and psychosocial factors impact the aging process.
Find the Tools You Need to Get Started on Your Degree
What Can I Do With an Online MBA in Healthcare Management Degree?
With an online MBA in healthcare management, graduates can work as medical and health services managers, overseeing the daily operations of hospital departments and long-term care facilities. By pursuing an informatics concentration, MBA students prepare for careers as health information managers. Degree-holders can also find employment in pharmaceutical product development, medical writing, policy analysis, and healthcare consulting.
The BLS projects 15% job growth for healthcare careers between 2019 and 2029. See where an MBA in healthcare management can take you. Learn more about health services careers here.
- Hospital Management
-
Medical and health services managers who work for hospitals generally oversee a specific department, such as physical therapy, urology, or the intensive care unit. Working with executives and stakeholders, hospital managers set goals, maintain policies, and develop budgets. They also make sure that staff conduct and facility performance comply with laws and regulations.
- Nursing Home Administration
-
Long-term care administrators develop, implement, and supervise programming for the residential patients of assisted living communities and nursing homes. They collaborate with medical staff, family members, and governing officials to ensure these activities and events meet quality care standards. To work as a nursing home manager, professionals must earn state-specific licensure.
- Medical Informatics
-
Medical informatics concerns the application of data analytics and technological tools to improve organizational performance, quality of patient services, and overall population health. With an MBA or MS in health informatics, professionals can identify the IT needs of hospital departments, including clinical practice and personnel/staffing. Health information managers are also able to use data mining and coding techniques to support medical decision-making.
- Pharmaceuticals
-
Professionals with an online MBA in healthcare management may work for pharmaceutical companies, overseeing the development of new products and facilitating research on the effects of drug therapy. Pharmaceutical project managers also analyze investment data and market-penetration studies to create advertising campaigns that strengthen brand engagement among targeted consumer groups.
- Healthcare Consulting
-
Working as an independent contractor or for a firm, healthcare consultants provide guidance to insurance companies, biotech developers, pharmaceutical companies, and government agencies. They are usually hired by clients for short-term projects regarding the research and development of a drug or for commercial issues like the pricing and marketing of new products.
Healthcare Management Not for You? Check Out These Related Careers.
Frequently Asked Questions About MBA in Healthcare Management Programs
- Is an MBA in healthcare management worth it?
-
The value of an MBA in healthcare management varies based on a student's academic and professional background, as well as their short-term and long-term career goals. However, professionals who earn this degree gain access to some of the most in-demand and lucrative jobs in the fastest growing U.S. industry.
- What can I do with an MBA in healthcare management?
-
A healthcare management MBA prepares you to work as a medical and health services manager, an occupation that the BLS projects to grow by 32% between 2019 and 2029. These professionals oversee the operations of hospital departments, nursing homes, and community health centers. You can also pursue employment opportunities in many other occupations, including pharmaceutical project management and healthcare consulting.
- How many healthcare management majors get jobs?
-
MBA students traditionally enjoy great career prospects, but the COVID-19 global pandemic may lead to the U.S. economy shrinking by as much as 14%, according to J.P. Morgan. As a result, many companies will most likely scale back their MBA hiring efforts. However, healthcare workers will likely experience much stronger employment prospects than the general population. All the same, healthcare management majors should prioritize internships and other networking opportunities that can land them a job offer before graduation.
- How much money can I make with an MBA in healthcare management?
-
According to PayScale, the average annual salary for professionals with an MBA in healthcare management is $82,360. Pay differs based on specific position, with healthcare consultants making about $78,250 and nursing home administrators earning $88,390 each year. Earning potential also fluctuates based on factors like individual qualifications, employer, and location.
- What are the highest paying jobs with an MBA in healthcare management?
-
By a wide margin, the most lucrative healthcare management position is hospital chief executive officer. These CEOs enjoy a base average salary of $153,470, with the potential to earn up to $395,000 annually when factoring in commissions, bonuses, and profit shares. Chief financial officers come in second, earning about $136,110 per year.
