Best Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) Online Programs 2024
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2024Not 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 – perfect for getting a master’s degree in healthcare administration (MHA).
If that sounds like something you’re interested in, explore this page to determine whether this path is right 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
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Lubbock, TX- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$6,665
- Out-of-state$19,344
- In-State$6,360
- Out-of-state$16,176
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled5,378
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment64%
- AccreditationYes
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Chapel Hill, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,019
- Out-of-state$34,882
- In-State$10,552
- Out-of-state$28,844
- Retention Rate97%
- Acceptance Rate20%
- Students Enrolled31,641
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment29%
- AccreditationYes
University of Utah
- Salt Lake City, UT
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,749
- Out-of-state$27,201
- In-State$6,970
- Out-of-state$24,607
- Retention Rate87%
- Acceptance Rate95%
- Students Enrolled34,464
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment66%
- AccreditationYes
George Mason University
- Fairfax, VA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,510
- Out-of-state$32,970
- In-State$13,035
- Out-of-state$34,347
- Retention Rate84%
- Acceptance Rate91%
- Students Enrolled38,628
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment78%
- AccreditationYes
Western Governors University
- Salt Lake City, UT
- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$7,162
- Out-of-state$7,162
- In-State$7,500
- Out-of-state$7,500
- Retention Rate63%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled150,116
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online EnrollmentN/A
- AccreditationYes
Clarkson College
- Omaha, NE
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$14,880
- Out-of-state$14,880
- In-State$12,294
- Out-of-state$12,294
- Retention Rate59%
- Acceptance Rate96%
- Students Enrolled1,180
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment95%
- AccreditationYes
University of Scranton
- Scranton, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$48,062
- Out-of-state$48,062
- In-State$11,580
- Out-of-state$11,580
- Retention Rate87%
- Acceptance Rate80%
- Students Enrolled4,692
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment14%
- AccreditationYes
Purdue University-Main Campus
- West Lafayette, IN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,718
- Out-of-state$28,520
- In-State$9,718
- Out-of-state$28,520
- Retention Rate91%
- Acceptance Rate69%
- Students Enrolled50,344
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment47%
- AccreditationYes
Johns Hopkins University
- Baltimore, MD
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$58,720
- Out-of-state$58,720
- In-State$58,720
- Out-of-state$58,720
- Retention Rate96%
- Acceptance Rate8%
- Students Enrolled32,049
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment80%
- AccreditationYes
George Washington University
- Washington, DC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$57,894
- Out-of-state$57,894
- In-State$32,850
- Out-of-state$32,850
- Retention Rate91%
- Acceptance Rate50%
- Students Enrolled26,457
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment26%
- AccreditationYes
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.
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.
| Job | Average Pay (Sept. 2024) | Entry-Level Salary (less than 1 year) | Mid-Career Salary (5-9 years) | Experienced Salary (20+ years) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Administrator | $78,816 | $64,000 | $82,000 | $96,000 |
| Hospital Administrator | $95,466 | $67,000 | $93,000 | $119,000 |
| Clinical Director | $86,237 | $77,000 | $84,000 | $92,000 |
| Nursing Home Administrator | $99,569 | $78,000 | $107,000 | $114,000 |
| Hospital CEO | $168,113 | $103,000 | $114,000 | $199,000 |
| Clinical Trial Manager | $108,141 | $74,000 | $117,000 | $127,000 |
| Healthcare Consultant | $87,202 | $74,000 | $93,000 | $111,000 |
| Operations Manager | $73,068 | $57,000 | $73,000 | $86,000 |
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
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.
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