An online bachelor’s degree in health sciences can prepare graduates for numerous career paths. By combining the study of science and healthcare, these programs prepare degree-seekers for careers in both clinical and administrative positions. Many students interested in this degree possess an associate degree in a related field and want to advance in their career, while others are new to college or the health sciences field.
Bachelor of health sciences online programs remain a popular option for learners who want to pursue better job titles, more responsibilities, and higher salaries without needing to visit campus multiple times per week. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of medical and health services managers to grow by 20% through 2026, making this degree a great option for students concerned about job stability. These roles also offered median salaries of $99,730 in 2018, well above the national average for all occupations.
Read on to learn more about what this academic path entails, common roles and average salaries, accreditation requirements, available concentrations, common courses, typical timelines, and professional membership groups.
The Most Affordable Online Bachelor's in Health Sciences Degree Programs
Affordable Online Bachelor's in Health Sciences Degree Program Ranking Guidelines:
We selected online health sciences programs based on the quality of the program, the types of online classes for health sciences offered, the faculty, rankings, awards, and reputation -- including the school's reputation for effectively providing quality online degree programs.
The Most Affordable Online Bachelor’s in Health Sciences Degree Programs
Rank | School | Location | Apply | More Information |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Indiana University-Kokomo |
Kokomo, IN Apply Now | ||
2 |
Texas Woman's University |
Denton, TX Apply Now | ||
3 |
Indiana University-East |
Richmond, IN Apply Now | ||
4 |
Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis |
Indianapolis, IN Apply Now | ||
5 |
Bellevue University |
Bellevue, NE Apply Now | ||
6 |
Seminole State College of Florida |
Sanford, FL Apply Now | ||
7 |
University of Iowa |
Iowa City, IA Apply Now | ||
8 |
The University of West Florida |
Pensacola, FL Apply Now | ||
9 |
Excelsior College |
Albany, NY Apply Now | ||
10 |
Missouri Southern State University |
Joplin, MO Apply Now | ||
11 |
Florida Gulf Coast University |
Fort Myers, FL Apply Now | ||
12 |
Northern Kentucky University |
Highland Heights, KY Apply Now | ||
12 |
West Virginia State University |
Institute, WV Apply Now | ||
14 |
University of North Carolina at Greensboro |
Greensboro, NC Apply Now | ||
15 |
Arizona State University - Skysong |
Scottsdale, AZ Apply Now | ||
16 |
Rutgers University - New Brunswick |
New Brunswick, NJ Apply Now | ||
17 |
University of Missouri-Columbia |
Columbia, MO Apply Now | ||
18 |
University of Colorado Colorado Springs |
Colorado Springs, CO Apply Now | ||
19 |
Ohio State University |
Columbus, OH Apply Now | ||
20 |
Northwestern State University of Louisiana |
Natchitoches, LA Apply Now | ||
21 |
Western Kentucky University |
Bowling Green, KY Apply Now | ||
22 |
Northern Arizona University |
Flagstaff, AZ Apply Now | ||
23 |
West Texas A & M University |
Canyon, TX Apply Now | ||
24 |
Old Dominion University |
Norfolk, VA Apply Now | ||
25 |
Washburn University |
Topeka, KS Apply Now |
End of list, bravo!
The Advantages of an Health Sciences Education
Earning an online bachelor’s degree in health sciences offers graduates numerous benefits, especially when compared to an associate degree in the same field. Students may first complete an associate degree in health sciences to ensure they enjoy the discipline or to begin work quickly. However, as the table below demonstrates, those with a bachelor’s degree tend to earn significantly higher annual wages than graduates with only an associate degree.
Individuals with a bachelor’s degree also qualify to take on a wider spectrum of roles and responsibilities, and they may compete for positions beyond support and assistant roles. While a baccalaureate credential opens many doors, some degree-seekers also decide to pursue graduate studies to work in academic, research, or leadership roles.
The following sections explore average salaries, common job titles, and what you can do with a bachelor’s degree in health sciences online.
Average Salary by Degree Level
Degree Level | Average Salary |
---|---|
Associate Degree in Health Sciences | $44,000 |
Bachelor's Degree in Health Sciences | $61,000 |
Source: PayScale
Health Sciences Degree Salary Information
Graduates of online bachelor’s degree in health sciences programs enjoy access to many different career paths, thanks to the versatility of the curriculum. Some individuals may feel a pull towards clinical work, while others know their skills lie in providing leadership and managerial services. A few potential jobs are listed below, but you should conduct additional research to find the perfect career for you. Remember that no degree guarantees a specific job or salary, but graduates of these programs often qualify for these careers.
- Medical and Health Services Manager
- These professionals direct the administrative functions of their area of responsibility and may oversee a single ward or an entire hospital. They manage employees, create schedules, develop and monitor budgets, liaise with medical staff, ensure all governmental and discipline-specific regulations are met, develop continuing education programs, and provide status reports to the board of directors.
- Human Resources Manager
- HR managers oversee all the business functions related to staff. They assess company needs, create job postings, select interview candidates, manage the hiring and firing processes, analyze data and implement programs around training, oversee all benefits programs, organize vendors for continuing education offerings, and hire consultants and support staff as needed.
- Social and Community Services Manager
- Working in hospitals and local community clinics, these individuals ensure members of the neighborhood have easy access to services. They create programs based on communal needs, manage administrative staff at the center, ensure programmatic effectiveness, make improvements as needed, and oversee outreach activities to further involve local clients.
- Health Educator
- Health educators work in clinics, long-term care facilities, in-patient care centers, and community health centers to educate clients about behaviors and habits that improve or harm wellness. They assess the needs of clients, create programs matched to those needs, hire staff and train volunteers, evaluate programmatic effectiveness, manage budgets, and schedule events.
- Dietician or Nutritionist
- These professionals work one-on-one and in group settings to help clients develop and maintain healthier eating habits. They may work with individuals experiencing eating disorders, gastrointestinal issues, food intolerances, and/or allergies, or other food-related issues. Their practices may be focused on in-patient or outpatient care.
Salary by Experience Level for Health Sciences Careers
Careers | Entry Level (0-12 Months) |
Early Career (1-4 Years) |
Midcareer (5-9 Years) |
Experienced (10-19 Years) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Medical and Health Services Manager | $61,950 | $59,821 | $65,028 | $74,166 |
Human Resources Manager | $49,730 | $58,278 | $66,786 | $71,888 |
Social and Community Services Manager | $39,833 | $43,452 | $49,527 | $58,064 |
Health Educator | $38,871 | $41,407 | $49,289 | $50,986 |
Dietician or Nutritionist | $48,188 | $49,055 | $51,720 | $53,513 |
Source: PayScale
Choosing an Online Health Sciences Degree Program
With so many online health sciences bachelor's degrees available, students can afford to be selective about their choice of school. Narrowing down all the options can feel overwhelming, but students can use several metrics to determine which factors are most important in terms of budget, academic needs, and professional goals. The following list can help you narrow your schools and find the perfect degree.
- Program Cost: Public schools that offer in-state tuition tend to offer the best value, while private schools tend to be more expensive. Some state schools only offer in-state rates to learners actually living in the area, while others allow all online degree-seekers to pay this reduced rate.
- Transfer Policies: Because so many degree-seekers first complete an associate program, finding an institution with friendly transfer policies is critical. Look for schools that maintain transfer agreements with community colleges in the area or speak to the registrar before enrolling.
- School Size and Type: Some students prefer the buzz of a large campus with many thousands of learners, while others feel better suited to a small, intimate campus where they know almost everyone they see. While these factors matter less for an online program, school size can still impact the student-to-faculty ratio and class size. Consider which better suits your personality and learning style before choosing accordingly.
- Program Length: Traditional undergraduate programs usually take four years to complete, but there are other options available. If you need a bit more time, find programs that offer part-time learning paths. Conversely, if you want to graduate as quickly as possible, look for a school with accelerated degree pathways.
- On-Campus Requirements: The majority of online bachelor’s degree in health sciences programs can be completed without ever visiting campus, but some schools have occasional on-campus meetings or events. If your schedule doesn’t allow for campus-based study, ensure the program is fully online before accepting an offer of admission.
Accreditation for Online Health Sciences Degrees
Before enrolling at a school, potential learners should ensure that their chosen institution maintains proper accreditation. There are two main forms of accreditation: institutional and programmatic. Institutional accreditation reviews all facets of a school or university to ensure students receive a quality education. Most four-year schools hold regional accreditation -- usually considered more rigorous and prestigious -- while community colleges and vocational schools hold national accreditation. Institutional accreditation applies to every degree offered by the school.
Programmatic accreditation reviews individual degrees and/or departments to ensure they prepare graduates to enter their discipline. In the field of health sciences, the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education serves as the gold standard. If unsure about the accreditation status of a school or program, review the U.S. Department of Education’s Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation’s accredited institution search engine.
Health Sciences Concentrations
Given the vast nature of the discipline, many schools offer concentrations to help baccalaureate learners specialize their knowledge in a particular focus area. Master's programs typically go more into detail in these areas and offer more nuanced courses of study. Students pursuing an online bachelor’s degree in health sciences can often choose from the options listed below. Review the concentrations highlighted, but also check out individual school websites to find a concentration that aligns with your career goals.
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Pre-Nursing:
This specialization helps students prepare for the rigors of nursing school by walking them through many of the foundational and prerequisite courses required in master's programs. This concentration particularly benefits those who want to move into an MSN after graduating.- Careers this concentration prepares for: Registered nurse; nurse practitioner
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Public Health:
This concentration familiarizes learners with many of the top topics in public health, including community health and wellness initiatives. Coursework addresses epidemics and other health crises, as well as how non-governmental organizations work to improve public health in developing countries.- Careers this concentration prepares for: Public health educator; public health program manager
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Geriatric Studies:
This concentration prepares learners to work in clinical and administrative functions for hospitals and healthcare facilities that serve aging populations. Students learn how to develop geriatric programs, coordinate social activities, and manage long-term care clinics.- Careers this concentration prepares for: Geriatric counselor; aging health program manager
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Health Management:
This concentration prepares degree-holders for careers as health services administrators or managers. Courses explore administration, human resources, ethical and legal regulation competency, office management, insurance processing, and public policy.- Careers this concentration prepares for: Health services manager; clinic director
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Health Information Technology:
Learners interested in using data to move the health sciences field forward often pursue this concentration. Students examine how informatics and data management technologies impact the field. Topics include IT software and hardware, discipline-specific programs, and ethical and legal considerations around patient data privacy.- Careers this concentration prepares for: Health informatics director; hospital technology manager
How Long Does It Take to Get a Degree in Health Sciences?
The amount of time it takes to complete an online bachelor’s degree in health science depends on several factors. While the majority of full-time learners complete these programs in four years, others may need more or less time to complete the required 120-128 credits. Degree-seekers enrolled on a part-time basis usually need approximately six years of study, while those who already possess an associate degree or who select an accelerated program can graduate in 2-3 years.
Students hoping to finish rapidly can opt for an accelerated path, which allows them to move through credits more quickly -- often while following a year-round schedule -- and enter the job field with immediacy. While tuition costs the same regardless of the path you choose, part-time learners should note that they will pay more in semester-based fees since they need to be in school longer.
Courses in an Online Bachelor's in Health Sciences Program
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Health Promotion Concepts
Designed for students interested in working as health educators, this course prepares learners to promote healthy lifestyles, create illness prevention programs, manage intervention tactics, and change community views towards health and health management. -
Health Informatics
Recognizing the ever-growing trends within healthcare towards digital data management, this course provides an introductory look at how raw data can be used to deliver better patient outcomes. Learners consider storage methods, security procedures, ethical and legal requirements, and the emergence of e-health services. -
Environmental Health
Students in this class explore how environmental factors affect human health and how providing better care for our surroundings helps us live healthier lives. Specific topics include management of natural resources, pollution control and prevention, environmental health regulations, and methods for investigating environmental health concerns.
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Health Program Evaluation
This course provides students with the evaluative skills to create and continually improve health programming. Whether focused on illness prevention, chronic pain management, or end-of-life care, all program managers should continually improve what’s offered. This class teaches students about various modes of evaluation. -
Public Health
This course introduces students to some of the most common public health crises, including issues related to population and community health. Students consider how to create large-scale change, the role of governments and nonprofit organizations, and where to find funding.
Paying for Your Online Bachelor's in Health Sciences Degree Program
Degree-seekers pursuing an online bachelor's degree in health sciences can explore different ways to help pay for tuition. All learners should begin by filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form enables prospective students to determine what types of federal aid and how much of it they can receive, including loan and grant opportunities. In addition to federal aid, learners should consider pursuing scholarships earmarked specifically for students in health sciences programs, based both on merit and financial need.
Scholarships for Accounting Students
Amy Hunter-Wilson, MD Scholarship Fund
Who Can Apply: The Amy Hunter-Wilson, MD Scholarship Fund, sponsored by the Wisconsin Medical Society, provides financial assistance to American Indians enrolled at an accredited college or university and pursuing a degree in a health sciences or medical program. Applicants must intend to pursue a career in the healthcare field and belong to a federally recognized American Indian tribe.
Amount: $3,000
Bill and Mary Russell Healthcare Scholarship
Who Can Apply: Offered through the Heartland Foundation, the Bill and Mary Russell Healthcare Scholarship awards funds to full-time college students pursuing an undergraduate or graduate health sciences degree through an accredited college or university. Applicants must complete a minimum of 12 credits each semester and demonstrate work experience in a health sciences field.
Amount: $1,000
CBCF General Mills Health Scholarships
Who Can Apply: This scholarship is available to African American students pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in health sciences or services, including those pursuing a health sciences bachelor's degree online. It is offered by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation to applicants with demonstrated financial need. Candidates must meet a 2.75 minimum GPA requirement and have a strong academic record, extra-curricular participation, and volunteer work experience.
Amount: $2,500
Frederick J. Krause Scholarship
Who Can Apply: The American Association on Health and Disability offers the Frederick J. Krause Scholarship to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a degree in health sciences, public health, disability services, health promotion, or disability research. Applicants must submit two letters of support, a three-page personal statement, official college transcripts, and medical documentation of their disabilities.
Amount: $1,000
George M. Burditt Scholarship Award
Who Can Apply: Offered by the Association of Food and Drug Officials, the George M. Burditt Scholarship Award supports undergraduate students studying health sciences. Applicants must plan to pursue a career dedicated to improving food, drug, and consumer product safety. Qualified candidates must hold a 3.0 minimum GPA and demonstrate financial need.
Amount: $2,500