Best Affordable Online MHA Programs of 2025
Research the top affordable online MHA programs for 2025. Explore key factors to consider when comparing schools, tuition rates, and student outcomes.
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2025At a Glance: BestColleges’ Top Affordable Online MHA Programs
- #1: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill — UNC Chapel Hill’s cohort model program has one of the lowest costs-per-credit on this list.
- #2: Florida Atlantic University — You can earn your MHA degree in as little as 15 months with this accelerated program.
- #3: Auburn University at Montgomery — Auburn’s online MHA program has a 7-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio.
The online master of health administration (MHA) programs featured on this list are among the most affordable. However, keep in mind that they’re not necessarily the cheapest.
Our methodology uses a custom scoring system that emphasizes factors most important to students. To identify these, we conducted comprehensive surveys that determined students prioritize:
- Affordability
- Acceptance and graduation rates
- Accessibility
- Program flexibility
- Reputation
- Student diversity
So, while tuition cost is important, you’ll find that the online MHA programs on this list strike a balance between affordability and educational value.
Best Affordable Online MHA Programs
How We Rank Schools
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Chapel Hill, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
UNC at Chapel Hill's Executive MHA program is designed to foster community and prepare you for a rewarding career in healthcare. As a UNC student, you will experience your degree program in a cohort model, allowing you to really get to know your peers.
The program follows UNC's competency model, which ensures you graduate with a complete understanding of the 24 healthcare competencies, including health equity improvement, human resources management, and healthcare system structure and financing. You will receive individual feedback on your competency development throughout the two-year program.
Each term, you will take a journaling course designed to help you reflect on your learning. In your first year, you will take courses on the business of healthcare like healthcare accounting and economics. In your second year, you complete higher-level classes on law and data analysis. You finish your degree program with a capstone project.
Highlights
- UNC has one of the lowest per-credit costs of MHA programs
- 100% retention rate in 2022
- 94% graduation rate in 2023
Know Before You Apply
- Must have at least three years of full-time experience working in healthcare
- Must maintain employment in healthcare during the program
- Some required in-person sessions
25%
$10,552
97%
$28,844
- Acceptance Rate
- 19%
- Students Enrolled
- 32,496
- Institution Type
- Public
Florida Atlantic University
- Boca Raton, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
You can complete an accelerated MHA at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) and earn your degree in as little as 15 months. The program is 100% online and you can enroll starting in the fall, spring, or summer semester. This 30-credit degree is taught by the same faculty who teach the traditional in-person courses.
As an FAU online student, you have access to student support services, workshops and seminars, and coaching and professional services.
All students begin with a leadership bootcamp course which focuses on leadership skills needed for healthcare in the 21st century. Other notable courses include global health issues, public health in pandemics, and healthcare operations.
Highlights
- Many corporations may be willing to nominate and sponsor you for FAU's MHA program
- You can complete your degree in 15 months
Know Before You Apply
- Tuition is $900 per credit hour, regardless of state residency
- GRE/GMAT required unless you pass a credential evaluation
- No summer breaks
68%
$ 5,467
84%
$16,695
- Acceptance Rate
- 73%
- Students Enrolled
- 30,849
- Institution Type
- Public
Auburn University at Montgomery
- Montgomery, AL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
At Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM), you can take advantage of small class sizes. AUM’s MHA program boasts a 7-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. With rolling admissions, you can apply throughout the academic year and get started with your degree right away. You can even finish in as little as three semesters.
The program requires 12 courses, 36 credits, and is fully online. Courses include planning and marketing in healthcare, quality improvement and patient safety, and policy in healthcare.
As an online student, you will still have access to student resources, including career and academic support services.
Highlights
- Transfer up to 12 credit hours
- Finish in as little as three semesters or up to two years
- In-state tuition is $465 per credit
Know Before You Apply
- Less elective opportunities
- Out-of-state tuition is $511 per credit
- Limited online degree options
61%
$ 7,812
66%
$17,550
- Acceptance Rate
- 93%
- Students Enrolled
- 5,190
- Institution Type
- Public
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
- La Crosse, WI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
The MHA program at University of Wisconsin La Crosse is a 13-course degree that is offered entirely online. This 37-credit program includes 11 healthcare administration courses along with a capstone prep course and a culminating capstone project.
Although there are no elective courses, you can also earn an additional certificate in senior living and services leadership by adding on four courses to your MHA degree.
The program at UW-La Crosse is extremely flexible. You can take 1-2 courses a semester. You can choose to take classes during the summer session, but it is not required. Most students graduate in 2-3 years.
Highlights
- GMAT/GRE test scores are not required
- Can begin during the fall, spring, or summer semesters
- No extra course fees or technology fees
Know Before You Apply
- No elective courses
- $725 per credit, regardless of state residency
- Prerequisite courses include public speaking, medical terminology, and statistics
55%
$ 8,651
84%
$18,637
- Acceptance Rate
- 80%
- Students Enrolled
- 10,307
- Institution Type
- Public
Appalachian State University
- Boone, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
As a full-time student, you can complete Appalachian State University's MHA degree in two years. The program is 100% online, with mostly asynchronous learning requirements. Some courses have a few synchronous components. The program has an option for part-time students, which you can finish in three years. You can choose a concentration in either health care leadership or health informatics.
ASU hosts an annual fall MHA student community event and online students are encouraged to come to campus and network with professionals in the field and connect with classmates.
Highlights
- Offers concentrations in healthcare leadership and health informatics
- No required admissions exams
- $494 per credit tuition for North Carolina residents
Know Before You Apply
- Blended delivery model with synchronous requirements
- Non-residents have higher tuition rate
- 46 credits required
56%
$ 4,839
85%
$19,849
- Acceptance Rate
- 89%
- Students Enrolled
- 21,253
- Institution Type
- Public
Western Kentucky University
- Bowling Green, KY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
Western Kentucky University (WKU) offers a fully online MHA program for working students with at least two years of career experience in healthcare. The degree entails 42 credits. Courses include Strategic Management and Marketing of Health Services, Biostatistics for Public Healthcare, and Rural Health.
If you haven’t yet completed an undergraduate degree, you could apply to WKU’s joint undergraduate master’s program, which allows you to earn an undergraduate and graduate degree in healthcare administration in an accelerated format.
The MHA course of study ends with your choice of an approved internship or a thesis research paper.
Highlights
- Many elective options
- Tuition rate is the same for part-time and full-time students
- Some courses are offered on-demand
Know Before You Apply
- Must have two years of experience working in healthcare
- $707 per credit tuition
- 56% graduation rate
58%
$12,140
78%
$18,340
- Acceptance Rate
- 97%
- Students Enrolled
- 16,759
- Institution Type
- Public
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
- Stevens Point, WI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point’s MHA program can be completed entirely online. This 13-course program includes 11 classes in healthcare administration and ends with a capstone prep course and a culminating capstone project. There are no elective courses in this 37-credit degree. By adding four extra courses to your MHA degree, you can earn an additional certificate in senior living and services leadership.
As an online student with UW-Stevens Point, you still have access to all the same student support services that campus students receive. Resources include mental health help and academic and career guidance.
Highlights
- 90% retention rate
- Three yearly enrollment dates
- Access to student support services like academic support, mental health support, and career services
Know Before You Apply
- 56% graduation rate
- Small online enrollment
- Less graduate-level course offerings
58%
$ 8,066
75%
$19,282
- Acceptance Rate
- 89%
- Students Enrolled
- 8,018
- Institution Type
- Public
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
- Platteville, WI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
Offered entirely online and with three start dates, the MHA program at University of Wisconsin Platteville is flexible and makes it easy to start your degree faster. You can complete this 37-credit degree in as little as two years. The program’s design allows you to enroll part-time and gives you the option to take summer courses.
You will follow a 13-course plan with classes such as population health and epidemiology, health law and policy, and healthcare financial management. You will finish the degree with a capstone project.
Highlights
- Can earn credit for professional experience
- Accepts up to 12 transfer credits
- Additional certificate options available
Know Before You Apply
- Small online enrollment numbers
- $725 per credit tuition cost
- No elective courses
33%
$ 7,831
78%
$17,191
- Acceptance Rate
- 85%
- Students Enrolled
- 6,486
- Institution Type
- Public
University of North Texas
- Denton, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, University of North Texas's (UNT) MHA program maintains high academic standards and emphasizes integrity in healthcare leadership.
In order to graduate, you will take 13 classes, or 39 credits. Courses include theories and measures of hand wellness, healthcare law and ethics, and financial issues in healthcare administration. You will also complete a capstone project.
If you are interested in an accelerated program, UNT offers a separate, accelerated master’s in business administration health service management degree. Both degree options are 100% online.
Highlights
- High online enrollment numbers
- Holistic admissions process
- Access to online student support and extras like virtual events
Know Before You Apply
- Higher out-of-state tuition rate
- No option for a specialized area of study
- Student-faculty ratio of 25-to-1
65%
$ 6,350
77%
$13,694
- Acceptance Rate
- 72%
- Students Enrolled
- 47,507
- Institution Type
- Public
University of Arizona
- Tucson, AZ
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
With six start dates to choose from, starting the MHA program at the University of Arizona (UA) is easy. It’s also designed to be completed in as little as 12 months. The student-to-teacher ratio at UA is 17-to-1, and 90% of students would recommend UA online.
The degree is made up of 30 credits: seven core classes and nine electives in an area you want to study. You can pick between a concentration in healthcare leadership, healthcare innovation, or healthcare informatics. Focused courses include data mining for business intelligence, healthcare entrepreneurship, and health analytics. Each course runs for 7.5 weeks. In your last session, you will complete a capstone project.
Highlights
- Can be completed in 12 months
- Nine elective options
- No GRE/GMAT scores required for admissions
Know Before You Apply
- Tuition is $1,000 per credit
- 66% graduation rate
- Average graduation time is 1.6 years
60%
$12,348
88%
$32,290
- Acceptance Rate
- 86%
- Students Enrolled
- 53,187
- Institution Type
- Public
Why the Cheapest Online MHA Program Isn’t Always the Most Affordable
Tuition is a major indicator of program affordability, but it doesn’t tell the whole story in the long run. The online degree programs with the lowest “sticker price” might not necessarily offer the best overall value after you consider financial aid options, program quality, and overall return on investment (ROI).
For instance, higher-priced programs generally offer better student support through experienced faculty, a rigorous curriculum, and professional-development services. This can lead to better employment rates for students after graduation. In simple terms, a better education can help you generate a higher ROI by improving your job prospects and earning potential.
Also, keep in mind that financial aid — scholarships, grants, tuition discounts, and work-study opportunities — can greatly reduce the net price of tuition. The net cost of college is the amount of money that actually comes out of your pocket to cover tuition. The table below illustrates how different a program’s advertised “sticker price” can be from its net price:
| Institution Name | Northwestern University | University of Missouri-St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Avg. Yearly Cost of Tuition | $87,804 | $32,289 |
| Avg. Net Tuition After Aid | $23,341 | $11,577 |
| Avg. Savings from Aid | ~73% | ~64% |
Benefits of Getting an Affordable MHA Online
- 99% of online master’s students and graduates say they would recommend online education to others, according to our 2025 Online Education Trends Report.
- The Population Reference Bureau projects a 47% increase in the number of U.S. adults aged 65 and up from 2022-2050. This suggests sustained long-term demand for healthcare administrators.
- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 23% job growth for medical and health services managers from 2024 to 2034.
- In 2024, the BLS found that medical and health services managers earned a median annual base salary of nearly $118,000.
How Much Does a Master’s in Health Administration Cost?
Master’s In Health Professions And Related Programs, 2019-2020
Online
Avg. Tuition & Fees: $11,229
Avg. Net Price: $9,621
On-Campus
Avg. Tuition & Fees: $19,144
Avg. Net Price: $16,428
Source: NCES PowerStats
Data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) offers several valuable insights into the cost of an MHA degree:
- Online MHA programs cost an average of $11,229 per year, while on-campus ones cost an average of $19,144.
- On average, tuition fees for online MHA programs are around 41% lower than campus-based programs.
- Financial aid can lower the “sticker price” of both online and on-campus programs by around 14%.
- On-campus students saved an average of $2,716 per year with financial aid, while online students saved $1,608.
Find Financial Aid for Your MHA Degree
What Is an Online MHA’s ROI?
An online MHA degree can lead to excellent long-term career and financial benefits.
To estimate your potential ROI, calculate how much you expect to pay for your degree. Then, compare that figure to your expected salary, with and without the degree. This will give you an idea of the financial value the degree could provide.
An MHA can lead to well-paying jobs, even for new graduates. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), 2023 graduates with master’s degrees in health and medical administration secured an average starting salary of $73,110.
In comparison, those with only a bachelor’s degree in the same field had an average starting salary of $54,510 — that’s an immediate salary difference of nearly $18,600 per year.
Based on these figures, and drawing on the average tuition rates discussed in the section above, you could recoup the costs of a two-year online MHA program in just over one year of employment.
However, note that the exact ROI of your degree over your career depends on several factors, such as the industry you work in, years of experience, and where you live.
How to Save Money on Your Online MHA
These strategies can help you reduce the cost of your studies, no matter how affordable a program’s tuition may already be:
1. Apply for Financial Aid
As a first step, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for federal financial aid and work-study programs. Many states and schools also use your FAFSA profile to verify your eligibility for their own funding programs.
Note that half-time enrollment rules may apply if you don’t study full time. This usually means you must take a minimum number of credits — around half of what’s considered full-time — to be eligible for financial aid.
2. Borrow Strategically (Take Only What You Need)
If you’re applying for private loans, you may be tempted to borrow the maximum amount you’re eligible for. However, this will be more expensive over the long run since larger loans mean higher interest payments.
With this in mind, try to limit the amount you borrow to what you strictly need to pay for tuition and other necessities. Also, make sure to compare your borrowing options since federal loans offer more advantageous terms than private ones.
3. Get Exempt from Credits
Graduate schools generally calculate tuition on a per-credit basis, so you can lower the cost of your degree by reducing the number of credits you must complete. If you have relevant credits from a previous college experience, you may be able to transfer your credits and get some course exemptions.
Some MHA programs also offer the option of taking competency exams to test out of general prerequisites. For example, you could take accounting or statistics exams to demonstrate you have enough knowledge in these areas and skip those courses.
4. Verify CAHME Accreditation And State Authorization
In some areas, MHA programs need state authorization or accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME).
Enrolling in a program that is state-authorized and CAHME-accredited means you can transfer your credits to other programs if you ever need to, and it can help you get access to field learning opportunities.
Before enrolling in a program, research your state’s requirements. You can also research a program’s CAHME accreditation status using the CAHME database.
5. Take Advantage of Employer Tuition Assistance
If you’re already working in a hospital, healthcare network, or healthcare-focused nonprofit group, you may qualify for employer-based tuition assistance programs. Also, some schools have partnerships with major health-related employers and provide reduced tuition rates to their employees.
Note that tuition assistance programs have certain conditions for eligibility. For example, you may need to work for the company for a set period of time (before and after enrolling), maintain a minimum GPA, and attend a program from a list of approved ones.
Also, keep in mind that some employers may provide the funds upfront, while others reimburse them after a set amount of time.
Frequently Asked Questions About MHAs
Yes, online MHA programs are often designed to accommodate working students. However, juggling a full-time job and graduate studies can make for a challenging work-life balance. You may want to consider part-time enrollment, especially if you also have family commitments to meet.
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