Healthcare represents one of the fastest-growing fields in the U.S. due to shifting government policies, technological improvements, and the growing medical needs of the baby-boomer population. Healthcare administrators and managers may occupy hospital and clinic positions, overseeing patient service delivery and ensuring organizational effectiveness. These professionals can also act as community advocates and educators, working to improve the accessibility, affordability, and quality of health services. With additional training, healthcare professionals can become dedicated researchers, policy consultants, and postsecondary teachers.
Students who pursue an online bachelor’s degree in healthcare management gain the core medical knowledge and adaptive leadership skills needed to pursue entry-level and mid-level careers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 16% increase in positions for health educators and community health workers between 2016 and 2026. Additionally, the number of medical and health services managers should experience an even greater growth of 20%. Undergraduate training also prepares students for master’s and doctoral programs.
The best online schools for healthcare management offer affordable tuition rates that ignore residency status. These colleges and universities also deliver flexible schedules through asynchronous online classes and hybrid coursework. The following guide provides the information prospective students need to find the program that best suits their goals and interests. Learners can also gain insight into career options and professional development resources.
Bachelor’s in Healthcare Management Degree Online Ranking Guidelines
We selected the following online healthcare management programs based on quality, curricula, faculty, rankings, awards, and reputation, including the school’s reputation for providing quality online programs.
The Most Affordable Online Bachelor’s in Healthcare Management Degree Programs
Rank | School | Location | Apply | More Information |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Western Governors University |
Salt Lake City, UT Apply Now | ||
2 |
Seminole State College of Florida |
Sanford, FL Apply Now | ||
3 |
Colorado State University-Global Campus |
Greenwood Village, CO Apply Now | ||
4 |
Midland College |
Midland, TX Apply Now | ||
5 |
Mississippi University for Women |
Columbus, MS Apply Now | ||
6 |
Bellevue University |
Bellevue, NE Apply Now | ||
7 |
Ottawa University-Online |
Ottawa, KS Apply Now | ||
8 |
Southeast Missouri State University |
Cape Girardeau, MO Apply Now | ||
9 |
SUNY College of Technology at Canton |
Canton, NY Apply Now | ||
10 |
Granite State College |
Concord, NH Apply Now | ||
11 |
East Carolina University |
Greenville, NC Apply Now | ||
12 |
Saint Peter's University |
Jersey City, NJ Apply Now | ||
13 |
University of Minnesota-Crookston |
Crookston, MN Apply Now | ||
14 |
Norfolk State University |
Norfolk, VA Apply Now | ||
15 |
University of Maryland-University College |
Adelphi, MD Apply Now | ||
16 |
National Louis University |
Chicago, IL Apply Now | ||
17 |
University of the Southwest |
Hobbs, NM Apply Now | ||
18 |
Park University |
Parkville, MO Apply Now | ||
19 |
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale |
Carbondale, IL Apply Now | ||
20 |
Oregon Institute of Technology |
Klamath Falls, OR Apply Now |
End of list, bravo!
The Advantages of a Healthcare Management Education
Students who obtain a healthcare management degree online are prepared to pursue administrative careers at hospitals, community health centers, physician clinics, and government health agencies. They may also apply their knowledge of the U.S. health system and related policy processes as insurance agents and consumer representatives. Furthermore, many graduates find success as registered nurses and lawyers who specialize in healthcare legislation and patient advocacy.
At the bachelor’s level, degree candidates can pursue specializations in areas like public health and business informatics. The latter path enables students to access positions in one of the fastest-growing U.S. industries. The BLS projects that management analyst positions will grow by 14% between 2016 and 2026. Operations research analysts can expect even greater increases; these positions are projected to grow by 27% and create approximately 31,300 new jobs over that same time span.
As the table below details, earning advanced degrees expands career opportunities and improves salary potential. The BLS also reports that higher levels of educational attainment correlate with lower unemployment rates. Bachelor’s degree holders often pursue graduate credentials in business and allied health fields to access high-ranking management positions.
Average Salary by Degree Level
Degree Level | Average Salary |
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Associate Degree in Healthcare Management | $38,000 |
Bachelor’s Degree in Healthcare Management | $57,000 |
Master’s Degree in Healthcare Management | $75,000 |
Source: PayScale
Healthcare Management Degree Salary Information
Healthcare management online programs provide the core business competencies and specialized medical knowledge that students need to pursue careers as hospital administrators, human resources specialists, and community health coordinators. Graduates can also find work with government agencies, insurance firms, and nonprofit associations. Generally, healthcare professionals are organized and detail-oriented, working to bolster organizational functions while facilitating quality patient services. The list below describes five common careers for graduates with an online bachelor’s degree in healthcare management.
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Health Educator:
Working for government agencies and community centers, these educators develop programs to improve individual and group health. They often act as a liaison between patients and healthcare providers, offering information on services and payment support. Health educators can focus their work on a particular population, like helping children understand proper nutrition or connecting women with low-cost reproductive health services. -
Health Services Manager:
Also referred to as healthcare administrators or executives, these professionals coordinate and assess an organization’s health and medical services. They may manage a single department or oversee an entire facility. In addition to implementing programming, health services managers recruit, train, and evaluate staff. They also work with legal experts and data analysts to ensure their organization satisfies industry standards and government regulations. -
Human Resource Specialist:
With the guidance of company managers, human resource specialists recruit healthcare personnel. They manage the interview process, including initial screenings and reference confirmations. These business professionals also oversee onboarding to ensure new employees understand their duties and restrictions. On a day-to-day basis, human resource specialists handle payroll, administer benefits, and collaborate with other leaders on strategic planning initiatives. -
Operations Research Analyst:
These information technology specialists gather, evaluate, and present data to help clients identify challenges and improve business functions. Within the healthcare field, operations research analysts assess patient records to develop strategies that strengthen service delivery and lower costs. While students may pursue this profession with a bachelor’s degree, many professionals obtain master’s credentials so that they can access better pay and freelance consulting positions. -
Social and Community Service Manager:
These business leaders typically work for nonprofits and government bodies, coordinating health programs for their communities. Programming may tackle chronic hunger, unemployment and poverty, mental health challenges, and substance abuse. Managers also collaborate with health educators to teach the public about communicable diseases, nutrition and wellness, and family planning.
Salary by Experience for Healthcare Management Careers
Job Title | Entry Level (0–1 year) | Early Career (1–4 years) | Midcareer (5–9 years) | Experienced (10–19 years) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Health Educator | $39,000 | $41,600 | $45,000 | $51,600 |
Health Services Manager | N/A | $60,000 | $64,000 | $72,000 |
Human Resource Specialist | $43,000 | $48,000 | $53,000 | $56,000 |
Operations Research Analyst | $61,000 | $70,000 | $85,000 | $106,000 |
Social and Community Service Manager | N/A | $49,000 | $52,000 | $55,000 |
Source: PayScale
Choosing an Online Healthcare Management Degree Program
The best online schools for healthcare management should align with a student’s financial situation, academic interests, and professional goals. In most instances, in-state colleges and universities provide the lowest tuition prices and the most scholarship opportunities for residents. In-state students may also benefit from more flexible transfer pathways that allow them to earn less expensive credits at community colleges and apply them toward bachelor’s degree completion.
Alternatively, many online schools try and attract distance learners by providing per-credit tuition rates that ignore residency status. This enables students to consider programs offered by schools far from their homes. The following section details the factors that prospective students should consider when choosing an online health management program.
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Program Cost:
Although online students may enjoy lower tuition rates than their on-campus peers, the cost of earning a college degree remains substantial. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, for the 2016-2017 school year, the average undergraduate student pays almost $9,000 annually to attend an in-state college or university. Out-of-state students pay almost $25,000 every year. -
Transfer Policies:
In general, online schools allow candidates to transfer 60-90 credits toward bachelor’s degree completion, catering to the needs of returning students and working professionals. Some schools only award credits based on prior college work, while other institutions also give transfer credits for career experience, military training, standardized test scores, and volunteer work. -
School Size and Type:
Private colleges typically have smaller student bodies than public universities. The total number of learners does not necessarily affect a distance learner’s program experience since most candidates take asynchronous coursework and do not need to visit campus. However, prospective students should confirm average class sizes and find out if an institution limits this number to encourage more peer-to-peer learning. -
Program Length:
Conventional bachelor’s programs take four years to complete. Candidates can expedite degree completion by enrolling in accelerated tracks that use shorter terms. Online students with prior college or work experience may seek degree completion pathways. This guide covers program length in greater detail in a later section. -
On-Campus Requirements:
For healthcare management programs that advertise a fully online experience, on-campus requirements may be optional. However, some online colleges require campus residencies for orientation, practicums, and/or capstone experiences. Prospective learners should confirm these requirements with an academic advisor prior to pursuing enrollment.
Accreditation for Online Healthcare Management Degrees
Colleges and universities must maintain national or regional accreditation to confer valid degrees, and regional accreditation is typically viewed as more prestigious. Postsecondary schools become regionally accredited through one of seven organizations, depending on location. For example, Minnesota colleges apply for regional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission, while Texas universities gain this designation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
In addition to national and regional accreditation, the best online schools for healthcare management obtain industry-specific support in the form of programmatic or specialized accreditation. Since most programs in this field emphasize business competencies, specialized accreditation may come from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, or the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education.
Healthcare management programs can also pursue specialized accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education and the Association of University Programs in Health Administration. By attending an accredited online school for healthcare management, students know that the skills they cultivate will match what employers expect of qualified candidates.
Healthcare Management Concentrations
Students who pursue healthcare management degrees online receive training in core business skills like marketing, human resources, and professional communication. They also study the U.S. healthcare system, health laws and policies, and risk management and compliance. Beyond these fundamental areas, program outcomes differ based on the electives that distance learners choose. The table below covers five degree concentration options.
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Project Management: A popular concentration for business-oriented students, project management covers topics like procurement, project risk, and quality management. Students also learn to define and control major aspects of the project cycle, including time, scope, cost, and risk. Candidates who complete this concentration are prepared to pursue professional certification from organizations like the Project Management Institute.
- Careers This Concentration Prepares For: Healthcare services manager, information technology manager, healthcare program director
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Nonprofit and Public Administration: This concentration suits students who want to work in community and mission-oriented organizations. In addition to management fundamentals, the nonprofit and public administration concentration trains students about ethical/legal issues and policy analysis. Additional coursework covers community economic development, volunteer management, and public sector organization theory. Candidates also examine international nongovernmental organizations.
- Careers This Concentration Prepares For: Social and community service manager, health educator, public health specialist
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Human Resource Management: Students who pursue this concentration develop the conceptual and technical competencies needed to implement effective, strategic, and legally defensible HR strategies. They learn how to recruit talent, train and coordinate personnel, and retain employees using integrative incentive packages. Courses also cover employment law, labor relations, and global workforce management.
- Careers This Concentration Prepares For: Human resource specialist, human resource manager, nonprofit manager
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Patient Care and Quality: Students who pursue this concentration cultivate the medical knowledge and interpersonal skills needed to act as patient advocates in hospitals, nonprofits, and government agencies. Specialized courses cover financial management, strategic planning, and health and human rights. Candidates also conduct research on global healthcare disparities with a focus on strategies to increase equitability for underserved populations.
- Careers This Concentration Prepares For: Health educator, risk manager, healthcare quality consultant
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Healthcare Informatics: This interdisciplinary concentration teaches students to apply IT and business concepts to solve healthcare challenges. Candidates collect health data and use digital information for decision-making purposes. They also learn how to support healthcare administration with computer and telecommunication technologies.
- Careers This Concentration Prepares For: Information technology manager, healthcare data analyst, operations research analyst
How Long Does It Take to Get a Degree in Healthcare Management?
To earn an online bachelor’s degree in healthcare management, students usually complete at least 120 credits, which typically takes four years. Some programs allow students to expedite graduation by enrolling in accelerated tracks, taking full course loads year round and graduating in less time. Many colleges and universities deliver degree completion pathways for students with prior college and work experience. These transfer options also allow candidates to expedite graduation.
Distance learners can slow the program’s pace by taking one or two classes at a time and graduating in 5-7 years. Part-time enrollment lets working professionals balance school with work and family obligations. However, a potential lack of financial aid could represent a major drawback -- many postsecondary schools do not allow part-time students to apply for institutional grants, scholarships, or work-study positions.
Lastly, a program’s structure affects the timeline. Some online schools allow students to individually pace their coursework, taking as few or as many classes as they want -- within reason. Other institutions operate a cohort learning format that requires candidates to advance through the program at the same pace as a group of their peers; this structure engenders more collaboration but may delay graduation.
Courses in an Online Bachelor’s in Healthcare Management Program
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Management Principles:
This foundational course trains students about the concepts, principles, and techniques necessary for managerial decision-making and analysis. Students learn to effectively plan, implement, and control projects with respect to internal and external business factors. They also develop integrative communication skills to engage diverse employees. Additional topics include ethics and corporate social responsibility. -
The U.S. Healthcare System:
In this core class, students examine the historical shift from an acute and hospital-based care system to services centered on chronic/preventative and ambulatory care. They also learn the differences between nonprofit and for-profit healthcare organizations, emphasizing how competition within the industry affects the quality and accessibility of services. -
Healthcare Financial Management:
In addition to an overview of accounting terminology, this class covers financial reports and the managerial components necessary for everyday functions of healthcare settings. Students also analyze the controversies surrounding government funding and regulation of health and medical services. This class benefits all healthcare managers, particularly professionals who want to specialize in human resources and strategic operations.
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Quality and Risk Management in Healthcare:
This advanced course trains students about the challenges faced by healthcare risk managers when handling occupational and patient-related liabilities. Candidates explore compliance and privacy issues related to medical records and sentinel events. The class also covers topics outside the hospital setting, including assisted living, behavioral health, ancillary services, and emergency care. -
Healthcare Information Systems:
This is an important class for students who want to pursue careers in data analysis and health informatics. Candidates delve into information management systems, focusing on the clinical and administrative applications used to provide services to designated populations. They also learn to use data and other digital assets to support managerial decision-making and strategic planning processes.
Healthcare Management Membership Associations
The best online schools for healthcare management provide students with the theoretical knowledge and applied skills necessary to pursue entry-level careers or graduate study. Learners can bolster these opportunities by joining professional organizations. Membership usually requires an annual fee but comes with financial benefits like academic scholarships, research grants, and travel funding. These organizations also offer professional development resources, such as webinars and in-person courses offered by the American Health Information Management Association.
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American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management:
Founded in 1968, AAHAM supports healthcare management professionals by engaging in regulatory and legislative issues. Members connect through local chapter meetings and national conventions. They also gain access to certification programs and skill-development workshops. The association operates a vast online job board. -
American College of Health Care Administrators:
Established in 1962, ACHCA provides members with educational programming and career development opportunities. Student resources include academic scholarships, a mentoring program, and the National Emerging Leadership Summit. The organization also facilitates webinars and certification programs, like the Certified Nursing Home Administrators credential. -
American Health Information Management Association:
AHIMA strengthens quality healthcare delivery through policy advocacy and research initiatives. In addition to online courses, members can cultivate advanced skills through a virtual lab and self-assessment tools. They may also pursue professional certification in areas like health information administration and health data analysis. -
Healthcare Financial Management Association:
HFMA connects leaders from physician practices, healthcare markets, and provider organizations to address pertinent challenges facing the U.S. healthcare system. Members can collaborate through forums and industry initiatives. The association offers dedicated career guidance, a job bank, online education resources, and certification programs. -
National Association of Healthcare Access Management:
NAHAM supports patients, payers, and providers. Resources include patient access courses, webinars, and certification opportunities. Members also benefit from a career center, a global listserv, and in-depth best practices data.