Cheapest Online MHA Programs of 2025

A master of healthcare administration (MHA) could catapult you into leadership positions at healthcare facilities across the U.S.

An online MHA degree program allows you to study from the comfort of your own home. After you graduate, your degree can qualify you to work at high-level positions running administrative tasks within a health system. Common job responsibilities include ensuring system quality, handling the system’s finances, navigating staffing difficulties, and adapting to new laws and regulations.

The cheapest online MHA programs allow you to earn this popular credential without having to break the bank.

A typical MHA program takes two years to complete.

During this time, you’ll learn skills like finance, management, health policy and law, and business strategy. Many affordable online MHA programs also let you pursue a concentration within the field.

Lastly, many online MHA programs require you to complete a capstone course or thesis. You’ll likely work with faculty to undertake a research project based on your career interests. Some programs may also require an internship course; however, these programs likely include some in-person requirements.

An online master’s degree is often more affordable than in-person or hybrid programs.

A BestColleges analysis of tuition data found that the average total cost of a fully online master’s program is about $24,300 a year. Median prices for fully online programs are more than 30% cheaper than the median cost of an in-person or hybrid program.

For online master’s degrees in health professions and related fields, the National Center for Education Statistics reports an average net price of just under $10,000 per year.

The easiest way to afford an online MHA program is to apply for financial aid.

Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year you’re in school. The FAFSA helps determine your eligibility for federal loans and grants based on financial need and other factors.

You should also search online for scholarships. Many scholarships are merit-based, meaning you’ll need a particular GPA and/or test scores to qualify.

Finally, consider an accelerated master’s degree. Some online MHA programs offer faster timelines, allowing you to earn your degree in as little as 12 months. This can help you cut down the total cost of your graduate education.

Not all affordable online MHA programs are high quality, the same way that not all high-quality programs are affordable.

Here are three tips to ensure the MHA online program you choose is both.

Although programmatic accreditation isn’t required to work in healthcare administration, you may find it easier to qualify for certain jobs by attending an accredited MHA program. Some scholarships and other forms of financial aid are tied to your program’s accreditation as well.

The Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education(CAHME) is the sole accrediting body for MHA (and master’s in healthcare management) programs.

Check CAHME’s database to ensure the MHA program you’re interested in is accredited.

It’s important to compare online programs to determine which MHA program will best fit your needs, especially when it comes to affordability.

One key point: The cost of your online MHA degree can vary a lot depending on whether you attend a public or private school. In general, public universities cost less, so you might want to prioritize online MHA programs offered by public schools in your state.

Looking for student outcome data, such as median salaries after graduation, for online MHA programs can help you determine the return on investment, or ROI, of potential schools.

The Department of Education’s College Scorecard estimates how much money you can expect to make after graduating from certain colleges.

You can also check school and program websites.

The healthcare administration field is booming.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that jobs for medical and health services managers will grow 29% between 2023 and 2033. That’s significantly faster than the average growth rate for all jobs in the U.S. (4%) and for all management jobs (6%).

Medical and health services managers earned a median salary of nearly $111,000 in 2023, according to the BLS.

Those with an MHA degree can work in a variety of settings. While hospitals tend to be the biggest employers of healthcare managers and administrators, you could also work for a government agency or at a doctor’s office, nursing home, or outpatient care facility.

Pharmaceutical companies also need administrators to oversee clinical trials.