Best Online Doctorate in Healthcare Administration Programs
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- A doctorate in healthcare administration offers leadership and management training.
- Graduates work as hospital administrators, healthcare administrators, and college professors.
- The median healthcare administration salary exceeded $100,000 per year in May 2021.
- An online healthcare administration doctorate prioritizes flexibility.
Want to be a doctor in healthcare without attending med school? A doctorate in healthcare administration might be a good fit. Earning a doctorate in healthcare administration can prepare you for leadership positions in academia and research.
Healthcare administrators set policies for medical facilities, manage complex budgets, and analyze health records. And professionals with a doctorate can work in the top healthcare administrator jobs.
Healthcare management jobs report salaries in the six figures. And the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects much faster-than-average growth from 2021-2031.
If that sounds like the kind of career you want, an online doctorate in healthcare administration might be the best fit. Here's how to get started:
- Explore this page to determine whether this path is the right choice for you.
- Check out the top-ranked online doctorate in healthcare administration programs, as well as our sponsored programs.
- Request more information from schools you're interested in to find the best fit for your schedule, pocketbook, and career goals.
What Can You Do With a Doctorate in Healthcare Administration?
Earning a doctorate in healthcare administration provides the skills and credentials you need to progress your career. These programs prepare you to take on advanced roles in healthcare administration and to contribute to scholarship and research in the field.
A Ph.D. in healthcare administration enables you to work in hospitals, outpatient care facilities, physicians' offices, and residential care facilities. You may also work in local, state, and federal government or fill teaching and research roles in academia.
Featured Online Doctorate in Healthcare Administration Programs
Should You Get a Doctorate in Healthcare Administration?
As the highest degree in healthcare administration, a doctorate prepares you for leadership roles. You'll also gain an advanced understanding of healthcare practices and policies. Plus, earning a doctorate in healthcare administration online can help you reach your academic and career goals on your time.
Benefits of a Doctorate in Healthcare Administration
- Complete doctoral-level courses that build healthcare leadership and management skills.
- Focus your studies with a concentration in healthcare financial management, healthcare policy, or healthcare informatics.
- Qualify for leadership positions like hospital administrator, healthcare financial manager, or research director.
- Stand out on the job market with the highest degree in healthcare administration.
4 Reasons to Get Your Doctorate in Healthcare Administration Degree Online
- An online format makes it easier to balance coursework with your career and schedule classes around work or family.
- You can choose an online program with specializations that match your professional interests.
- With online degrees, it's easier to compare programs and find an affordable option that fits your budget.
- You can take classes on a flexible schedule with many enrollment options, including hybrid and part-time programs.
Is an Online Doctorate in Healthcare Administration Worth It?
A doctorate in healthcare administration is worth pursuing if you're interested in advancing into leadership or academic roles within the field. A doctorate in healthcare administration can also boost your earning potential.
Before applying to healthcare administration programs, weigh the cost against the payoff of completing the degree. Consider reaching out to doctoral students and healthcare professionals for advice. Ultimately, the decision to pursue a doctorate depends on your circumstances and goals.
How Much Money Can I Make With a Doctorate in Healthcare Administration?
Median annual wage for medical and health services manager
$101,340
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2021
Many career paths with a doctorate in healthcare administration degree report median salaries in the six figures as of 2021. And some healthcare administration jobs report salaries of over $200,000 per year. Salaries vary depending on the job title, with academic roles typically reporting lower salaries than management roles.
Your salary and earning potential depend on a variety of factors. Experience and the amount of time spent working in the field often have the biggest impact on salary. However, your education level and location also have an effect on earnings.
What Are the Best Online Doctorate in Healthcare Administration Programs?
Rankings compiled by the BestColleges Ranking Team
How We Selected the Best Online Doctorate in Healthcare Administration Programs
We are committed to helping students find the program that best fits their needs, and we know that is different for every student. To help students get started with their search, we feature the top online doctorate in healthcare administration programs in alphabetical order. To learn more about our different rankings, read our ranking methodology.
These rankings were compiled by our
BestColleges Ranking Team
and include
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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A.T. Still University of Health Sciences
Kirksville, MO - 4 years
- Online + Campus
100% Online | Self-Paced Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $1,000
Out of State | $1,000
Credits to Graduate
62
School Information
School Accreditation | Higher Learning Commission
ATSU's online doctorate in healthcare administration emphasizes concepts like health policy, healthcare law, and management science. The doctor of health administration allows you to choose between a theoretical or applied dissertation.
You need a master's degree or higher from an accredited school and a minimum 2.5 GPA for admission into the doctoral program. You also need at least three years of healthcare experience. ATSU offers four start dates throughout the year.
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Hybrid | Self-Paced Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $850
Out of State | $850
Credits to Graduate
63
School Information
School Accreditation | Higher Learning Commission
CMU's doctor of health administration follows a cohort format. You can choose from full- or part-time enrollment options, leading to completion in 3-5 years. The doctorate in health administration combines online coursework with six intensive seminars held on campus.
The program culminates in a comprehensive exam and an applied research dissertation. You must hold a master's degree in health administration or a related field from an accredited school to qualify for admission. You also need at least three years of mid- to senior-level experience in health administration.
Franklin University
Columbus, OH - 4 years
- Online + Campus
100% Online | Self-Paced Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $748
Out of State | $748
Credits to Graduate
58
School Information
School Accreditation | Higher Learning Commission
Franklin's innovative three-year doctorate in healthcare administration includes an accelerated one-year dissertation. You can choose from 10 optional focus areas, including health informatics, management, or information technology.
Admission into Franklin's online doctor of healthcare administration requires a master's degree from an accredited school and at least a 3.0 GPA. If your GPA falls below a 3.0, you may petition Franklin for conditional admission status. You may apply transferable credits to satisfy up to 41% of the overall degree requirements.
National University
San Diego, CA - 4 years
- Online
100% Online | Self-Paced Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $921
Out of State | $921
Credits to Graduate
60
School Information
School Accreditation | WASC Senior College and University Commission
NU's online doctor of health administration takes an average of 44 months to complete. The doctorate in healthcare administration follows the standards set by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education. The program culminates in an applied dissertation manuscript project.
NU offers weekly start dates and does not require GRE or GMAT scores for admission. You need a master's degree from an accredited school and 3-5 years of experience in a mid- to senior-level healthcare administration leadership role.
University of Mississippi
University, MS - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Hybrid | Self-Paced Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $610
Out of State | $610
Credits to Graduate
N/A
School Information
School Accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Ole Miss' online doctorate in healthcare administration best suits part-time students. The program combines online coursework with a few on-campus sessions. The doctor of health administration culminates in a doctoral research project.
Admission requires a master's degree in a healthcare-related field from an accredited school, a minimum 3.0 GPA, and GRE scores. Ole Miss will accept five or more years of experience in healthcare in lieu of a master's in the field.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Hybrid | Self-Paced Classes and Scheduled Classes
Tuition Cost per Semester
In State | $9,667
Out of State | $18,530
Credits to Graduate
Varies by specialization
School Information
School Accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
UNC-Chapel Hill's online doctorate in healthcare leadership and administration combines online learning with on-campus immersion experiences and clinical placements. The DNP program curriculum explores healthcare policy and advocacy, human resources management, and organization theory.
You can apply to UNC-Chapel Hill's DNP program with either a BSN or MSN degree accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or the National League for Nursing. And you should hold a minimum undergrad or graduate GPA of 3.0 or 3.25, respectively. You also need a nursing license for admission.
How Much Does an Online Doctorate in Healthcare Administration Degree Cost?
On average, doctoral programs cost about $16,500 per year in tuition, plus other fees and expenses. When researching programs, check the credit requirement to estimate the total tuition cost. As a doctoral student, you may also qualify for financial aid, grants, and stipends to help offset costs.
Doctorate in Healthcare Administration Degree Costs
Average Cost of Tuition for a Ph.D. Program Per Year
$16,526
Average Cost of Non-Tuition Related Expenses Per Year
$16,320
Average Total Cost of a Ph.D. Per Year
$32,846
Total Cost of a Ph.D. (4-8 Years)
$131,000-263,000
How Much Does a Ph.D. Cost?
How Long Does It Take to Get an Online Doctorate Degree in Healthcare Administration?
Your enrollment status and degree requirements can impact a program's length. Many programs require 50-80 credits and can take anywhere from 4-8 years to complete. Some online programs may offer accelerated formats that can shorten the overall program length.
Required Course Credits
50-80*
*Depending on your program and specialization
Field Study Requirements
Yes*
*Depending on your program and specialization
What Jobs Can I Get With A Doctorate in Healthcare Administration?
Professionals with a healthcare administration degree work in multiple healthcare management roles. With a doctorate in healthcare administration, you can pursue director-level positions in hospitals, doctor's offices, and other healthcare facilities.
The degree also leads to opportunities in academia and research. For example, college professors typically hold a doctorate. By specializing in an area like financial management or healthcare policy, you can prepare for focused career paths after completing your degree.
Careers You Can Pursue With a Doctorate in Healthcare Administration
- Hospital administrator
- Healthcare administration professor
- Healthcare administration financial manager
- Medical and health services manager
- Hospital CEO or CFO
- Research director
Everything Else You Need to Know About Doctorate in Healthcare Administration Degrees
What does D.H.Sc. stand for?
D.H.Sc. stands for doctor of health science. This degree, like a Ph.D. in healthcare administration, places more emphasis on research and scholarship. It prepares you to pursue a career as a professor and educator.
Courses offered in this program type examine global health issues, clinical trials in medicine, and data analysis. You may also study research methods in health science.
Is there a Ph.D. in healthcare administration?
Yes. A Ph.D. in healthcare administration focuses more on research and scholarship and is better suited for students wishing to teach at a college or university.
What's the difference between a Ph.D. in healthcare administration and a doctor of health administration (DHA)?
Both a Ph.D. in healthcare administration and a doctor of health administration are doctorates in healthcare administration. And both degrees emphasize research and policy analysis. However, a DHA focuses on applied knowledge and healthcare leadership in practice, while a Ph.D. typically emphasizes research and academic skills.
While both doctorates can lead to healthcare administrator jobs, those considering academic or research positions may benefit from a Ph.D. rather than a DHA.
What courses do you take in an online doctorate in healthcare administration program?
During a doctorate in healthcare administration, online learners cover topics like healthcare operations management, quality and risk management, and healthcare administration research methods.
Many programs offer electives or concentrations to specialize the coursework. These can include healthcare finance, policy development, and healthcare informatics. Common healthcare administration courses include:
- Research methods and design
- Applied statistics
- Community and global health
- Healthcare regulations and policy
- Economics and finance in healthcare
