Most Affordable Online Bachelor's in Healthcare Management

Last Updated: Jul 01, 2019

By TBS Staff

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.

RANKING METHODOLOGY

Methodology for College Rankings

The motto of TheBestSchools.org is Finding the best school for you. Here is how we do it:

The value of any ranking list of schools and/or degree programs depends on having a methodologically sound assessment of each school’s/program’s characteristics, especially insofar as these can be objectively measured. A college or university is a complex entity, with numerous factors to consider, and distilling these down to the place where meaningful comparisons can be made to form a defensible ranking list becomes part science and part art.

To meet this challenge—and thereby provide you with the most useful and insightful educational rankings on the Internet — TheBestSchools.org formulates our rankings based on five informational categories (six, when considering online schools). The major metrics and qualities for which we rank are these (with expanded, detailed considerations and weights listed):

1. Academic excellence based on a school’s curriculum generally or within the selected discipline [weight = 25%]

• Weighs school against known leading schools in that discipline
• Weighs number of core curricula listed as advanced courses within that discipline and compares against introductory courses
• Weighs school’s curriculum against known knowledge needs of major employers in that discipline
• Considers number and types of specializations offered within that discipline
• Considers faculty expertise in that discipline
• Considers range of electives within that discipline
• Considers quality of online environment offered to students (if applicable), particularly within that discipline

2. Strength of faculty scholarship [weight = 25%]

• Considers education background of the faculty
• Considers years of faculty experience both inside and outside of academia.
• Considers faculty membership and leadership within relevant, prominent associations
• Considers academic papers published by faculty in relevant, prominent periodicals
• Considers awards and recognitions given to faculty members from prominent organizations and from other sources

3. Reputation [weight = 20%]

• Considers a school’s reputation among academic peers and employers regarding the following:
  • Faculty
  • Curriculum
  • “Freshness” of academic knowledge
  • Adaptability to changes in employment sectors
  • Suitability of graduates for the workplace

4. Financial aid [weight = 10%]

• Mandatory: Requires full accreditation from an agency endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education and listed on the federal register to accept student federal financial aid
• Considers range of school-sponsored financial aid such as scholarships and grants

5. Range of degree programs [weight = 20%]

• Considers range of degree levels: associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral and professional
• Considers range of degree subjects offered, such as art & design, computers & technology, education & teaching, criminal justice, and business

6. Strength of online instruction methodology (if applicable) [weight = 25%; subtract 5% from each of the above for online schools/programs]

• Considers the following of the online classes:
  • Types of online technology used to deliver content
  • Pedagogy style: asynchronous, synchronous, or both (depending on the degree)
  • Extent and quality of the online, community learning environment, including options for communication, interactivity, and collaboration between students and also between students and instructors
  • Variety, breadth, and depth of coursework, and its support, including project options and online tutoring
• Considers the following of instructors:
  • Extent of training for teaching within an online learning environment
  • Amount of timely, consistent feedback to students
  • Extent of collaboration with prospective employers to ensure suitability of instructional materials for achieving desired skills
  • Ratio to number of students in a class
• Number and quality of internships in a student’s geographical area for applicable degrees

Because students tend to review a variety of information when choosing a school, the weight a student gives any one criterion will vary. For instance, it’s not enough to offer a carefully constructed ranking of great schools if many are too expensive or too difficult to get into.

To better serve the needs of prospective students, we are therefore increasingly offering filters that help you better use our rankings to find the schools that match your specific needs. These supplement our ranking criteria and include:

• Accreditation
• Public or private status
• Acceptance rate
• Retention rate
• Graduation rate
• ACT/SAT requirements
• Cost in-state / out of state
• Undergrad, grad, or both offered
• Region
• State
• City

Get the best rankings here AND get them to suit your personal needs. That’s TheBestSchools.org advantage!

If you have any questions about our ranking methodology, please contact us.

Citations: For a broader account of our ranking methodology, especially as it relates to TheBestSchools.org's underlying educational philosophy and, in other ranking articles, looks beyond academic excellence (as here) to such factors as return on investment or incidental benefit, see our article "Ranking Methodology: How We Rank Schools at TBS." Reputation of schools and degree programs can at least in part be gauged through the school or department's publishing activity, citations, and desirability. At TheBestSchools.org, we keep track of such social and peer validation: "Making Sense of College Rankings." For nuts-and-bolts information about colleges and universities, we look to the National Center for Education Statistics and especially its College Navigator. Insofar as salary and inflation data are relevant to a ranking, we look to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Finally, nothing beats contacting schools and degree programs directly, which our researchers often do, with the result that all the entries in this article should be considered as belonging to this citation!

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The Best Online Bachelor’s in Healthcare Management Degree Programs

1. Western Governors University

Salt Lake City, Utah

Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, WGU is an online university that enrolls over 81,000 undergraduate students in 28 programs. Its academic catalog includes an online bachelor of science in business - healthcare management. This program trains students to integrate contemporary business skills with industry-specific concepts and methodologies. Graduates can go on to work as nursing home administrators, health information specialists, and social services coordinators.

The degree plan totals 120 credits, which students complete entirely online through asynchronous coursework powered by the Desire2Learn platform. Core topics comprise management principles, business communication, and introduction to human resource management. Candidates also analyze information systems, which are an integral resource for companies and organizations.

Distance learners take advanced coursework like healthcare values and ethics, quality improvement and risk management, and operations management. They examine the U.S. healthcare systems, including delivery methods and the complexities of government regulations and compliance issues. The program culminates with a capstone project, in which students synthesize accumulated knowledge to demonstrate managerial proficiencies.

WGU holistically evaluates an applicant’s academic achievements and career experience. The university does not require GPA minimums or standardized test results. Distance learners pay term-based tuition and can access financial assistance. Award opportunities include the Women in Leadership Scholarship and the Healthcare Partners Fund. The university also operates a generous transfer policy, with the average student applying 34 transfer credits toward degree completion.

2. Seminole State College of Florida

Sanford, Florida

Seminole State serves 33,000 students annually, making it the eighth-largest member of the Florida College System. The institution operates comprehensive academic programming, including an online bachelor of science in health sciences with a specialization in healthcare management and professional services. The curriculum of this program receives input from 50 healthcare partners, ensuring the competencies students develop align with what employers want in skilled professionals.

Distance learners can earn their credentials entirely online through asynchronous classes facilitated by Canvas. They may also follow a hybrid learning structure by combining flexible courses at the school’s Sanford campus. The degree plan includes required coursework in management of strategic human resources, health information systems, and communication for healthcare professionals. Students also examine legal and ethical aspects of healthcare, which cover U.S. health delivery systems, HIPAA privacy, and health law.

Building upon these foundational classes, students engage with advanced topics as part of their specialty track. These courses include healthcare financial management, client education in healthcare, and emerging trends and issues. Degree candidates explore healthcare accreditation and related practices in continuous quality monitoring and assessment. They also learn to manage medical emergencies by integrating public health practices.

Seminole State operates this program as an online completion track and requires applicants to possess a regionally accredited associate degree earned with a minimum 2.0 GPA. The college’s tuition rates for online learners ignore residency status. Distance learners can access scholarship, grant, and work-study opportunities.

3. Colorado State University Global

Greenwood Village, Colorado

Through the Canvas platform, CSU-Global offers many remote degree opportunities, including an online bachelor of science in healthcare administration and management. Students gain the program planning and leadership skills needed to ensure health facilities deliver accessible and high-quality patient services. Graduates may occupy positions like managed care specialist, hospital HR generalist, and medical staff credentialing analyst.

The degree plan totals 120 credits, which distance learners complete through asynchronous classes. Online courses start every month and the accelerated format allows some students to obtain their bachelor’s in under three years. Required courses include applying leadership principles, healthcare laws and ethics, and quality and risk management. Students also examine the U.S. healthcare system with an emphasis on historic shifts in delivery models.

Advanced classes comprise healthcare supervision and population health management. Students can personalize the curriculum by pursuing a degree specialization, choosing from options like project management, strategic communication, emergency management, and public and nonprofit administration. The program culminates with a practicum experience. Candidates also complete a capstone seminar in healthcare analysis and policy development.

The standard admissions process requires applicants to possess two years of work experience and at least 12 transferable credits. They also need a minimum 2.3 GPA. Prospective students who do not meet these criteria may still enroll if they first complete the CO Global Rises Pilot Program.

4. Midland College

Midland, Texas

Originally formed as a member of the Permian higher education network, Midland College became an independent institution in 1975. The school offers comprehensive certificates and degrees to over 7,000 students. Its academic catalog includes an online bachelor of applied science in health services management. This program targets students with prior academic experience in allied health, business, and/or information technology. Degree candidates gain the healthcare knowledge and organizational skills necessary to work in hospitals, insurance firms, group practices, and physician clinics.

Canvas powers distance education at Midland College, enabling students to earn their bachelor’s through asynchronous classes. The 120-credit curriculum contains required classes in U.S. healthcare delivery, legal issues in healthcare, and financial management for health professionals. Students develop individual leadership styles applicable to strategic planning at the managerial level. They also explore public health topics, like epidemiology, health education programming, and wellness promotion practices.

Setting itself apart from other online bachelor’s degrees in healthcare management, the Midland College program enables distance learners to choose from one of three specialty tracks. Options include healthcare administration and health information managers. Candidates may also pursue a health informatics specialization, learning to improve service delivery through the integration of secure information technology and workflow efficiency.

Midland College operates a point-based admissions process. Applicants gain points by fulfilling criteria, such as a minimum 2.0 GPA, work experience, veteran/active military status, associate degree completion, and/or prerequisite coursework completion. Students pay tuition based on residency status. The college offers general awards and scholarships that specifically target allied health candidates.

5. Mississippi University for Women

Columbus, Mississippi

Founded in 1884 as a women’s college, MUW now offers coeducational academic programming to almost 3,000 students. Its catalog includes remote degrees, such as an online bachelor of science in business administration - healthcare management. Students develop the skills needed to deliver efficient and quality medical services in the midst of healthcare reform, a growing global population, and ongoing technological advances. MUW graduates can find success as hospital administrators, medical records coordinator, and nursing home managers. They can also occupy leadership positions in insurance firms and public health organizations.

The degree plan comprises 35 general education credits and 40 credits in required technical and career topics. The remaining credits relate to major coursework, such as accounting principles, healthcare information technology, and management fundamentals. Students delve into healthcare law with regard to shifting delivery methods and government regulations. They also examine the economic and financial factors that affect how facilities deliver care and the types of insurance coverage consumers can access.

As one of the best online schools for healthcare management, MUW trains distance learners about quality management principles that target underserved and at-risk patients. Students also examine innovation and entrepreneurship in healthcare, preparing for careers as consultants, educators, and community advocates. The program culminates in a research-oriented business capstone seminar. This is a 2+2 online program, where students must complete two years of study at a community college before undertaking two years of online study to earn their bachelor’s degree.

First-time students need to meet correlating GPA and standardized testing requirements. For example, applicants with a 2.0 GPA must earn a minimum score of 17 on the ACT. MUW accepts up to 90 transfer credits, as long as candidates possess a minimum 2.0 GPA. Tuition rates are based on enrollment status.

6. Bellevue University

Bellevue, Nebraska

BU was established in 1966 and bases its institutional mission on providing accessible education to working professionals. The school delivers remote degree opportunities through Blackboard, including an online bachelor of science in healthcare management. The curriculum of this BS emphasizes a practical and project-based approach to learning, preparing students to immediately apply skills and concepts in their workplace. Graduates are well-prepared to occupy roles like home health aides, medical records technicians, and healthcare social workers.

Unlike many healthcare management online programs, BU operates a cohort learning structure. Candidates complete coursework at the same rate as a group of their peers and graduate in under four years. This cooperative format engenders peer-to-peer collaboration and helps learners develop professional relationships with their instructors. In lieu of a fully online degree plan, students have the option to take certain classes on campus to create a hybrid experience.

The degree plan totals 127 credits and includes classes like healthcare management principles, health information technology, and human resources in healthcare. Building on core leadership skills, students train in evidence-based management functions. They also learn to integrate data analytics to make informed managerial decisions for diverse healthcare organizations. Degree candidates round out their undergraduate training with a capstone project, in which they conduct research and give a presentation based on a pertinent challenge in the health and medical services field.

To enroll in this completionist track, applicants need an associate degree or 60 transferable credits earned with a minimum 2.0 GPA. BU’s per-credit tuition rate disregards residency status. The university offers merit-based awards to all students and the Nebraska Opportunity Grant to state residents.

7. Ottawa University - Online

Ottawa, Kansas

Although OU’s flagship campus is based in the eponymous Kansas city, the school offers career-relevant certificates and degrees to roughly 4,000 students worldwide. Its academic catalog includes a 124-credit online bachelor of arts in healthcare management. Through a highly customizable curriculum, students gain the leadership and technical skills needed to work as community service coordinators and insurance underwriters. Blackboard powers distance education at OU, enabling online learners to earn their credentials by taking asynchronous classes.

Setting itself apart from many other accredited online schools for healthcare management, OU offers students clinical and nonclinical tracks. Clinical tracks prepare candidates for careers as administrators and educators, while nonclinical options give students the foundational training needed to work in nursing, ambulatory services, and physical therapy. Both tracks include core classes in planning and budgeting, human resource management, and healthcare laws and ethics. Distance learners also develop management skills to help them plan, control, and organize health service delivery.

Degree candidates may further personalize their degree plans by pursuing one of five concentrations. Options include economics, finance, human resources, and marketing. Students can also pick a leadership and management concentration, taking advanced classes like project management and leadership of creativity and change. All candidates finish the program by completing an integrative research project.

Distance learners benefit from an open admissions policy that does not enforce GPA or ACT/SAT requirements. OU accepts up to 80 transfer credits based on prior academic and work experience. The university provides on affordable per-credit tuition rate for all online students.

8. Southeast Missouri State University

Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Founded in 1873 as a teacher training academy, SEMO now provides roughly 200 academic programs to over 11,000 students annually. Offerings include remote degrees like an online bachelor of science in healthcare management. This program targets active professionals who want to pursue their undergraduate credentials part time while maintaining work obligations. Graduates may pursue leadership positions within hospitals, healthcare technology companies, and counseling centers. Faculty use Blackboard to deliver asynchronous online classes. Students pick from traditional 16-week sessions or accelerated eight-week courses.

Learners earning this healthcare management degree online must complete 120 credits. Required coursework includes healthcare economics, community health, and foundations of human resource management. Students develop computer application competencies that prepare them for advanced classes in research design and analysis. They also cultivate the ethical leadership and professional communication skills required to work with diverse personnel and patients.

Students choose a specialization in either quality and patient care or informatics. The former track emphasizes patient safety and quality standards, while the latter trains students to gather and analyze medical information for insurers, advocacy groups, and healthcare providers. All participants must also complete an internship.

First-time students with high school GPAs of 3.5 or higher do not need to submit ACT or SAT scores. SEMO operates a transfer admissions process for applicants who hold at least 24 college-level credits earned with a minimum 2.0 GPA. The university charges tuition based on residency status, with discounts available to veterans, their spouses, and their dependents.

9. SUNY College of Technology at Canton

Canton, New York

SUNY Canton was established as a two-year school in 1906. Today, the institution delivers comprehensive academic programs to more than 3,000 students. Offerings include an online bachelor of science in healthcare management that trains candidates to improve service quality and accessibility in their communities. Graduates are prepared to occupy entry-level positions in long-term care administration, community health, and outpatient care settings.

Students who pursue their healthcare management degree online take asynchronous classes powered by Blackboard. Instead of a fully remote format, distance learners can create a hybrid structure by taking some classes on campus. The 120-credit curriculum includes required coursework in business law, medical terminology and coding classification systems, and professional writing and communication. Candidates examine healthcare economics, covering models for market costs and insurance policies. Students also delve into financial management, learning to analyze agency costs and maintain budgets for diverse organizations.

Advanced classes include managed care and legal/ethical healthcare challenges. Distance learners explore public health issues related to epidemiology, health promotion, program planning, and global health concerns. They also gain hands-on professional experience by completing an internship with either a local organization or a university partner. The program culminates in a research-based capstone seminar.

To enroll, first-time students must submit ACT or SAT scores. Transfer candidates need a minimum 2.0 GPA. Distance learners all pay the same tuition rate, regardless of where they reside. The university offers financial assistance, including foundational scholarships and need-based grants.

10. Granite State College

Concord, New Hampshire

Based in Concord, GSC is a member of the University System of New Hampshire. The institution enrolls over 3,000 students in diverse academic programs, including an online bachelor of science in healthcare management. On top of industry-specific competencies, this program helps students develop broad business skills. Graduates can go on to occupy positions in information management, employee recruitment, and hospital administration.

Learners pursuing this healthcare management degree online must earn 120 credits. Students cultivate core skills in statistics, communication, and critical inquiry. They take major classes like the emerging U.S. healthcare systems, health information systems, and fiscal management in healthcare. Distance learners also examine professional ethics and how social responsibility influences healthcare policy and managerial decision-making.

Advanced coursework comprises reimbursement/financing techniques in healthcare and applied human resources administration. Degree candidates also analyze how a population’s culture and community dynamics can influence individual and public health. Students learn to develop health promotion programs that integrate self-care and clinical activities to prevent communicable diseases. They round out their undergraduate training with a capstone seminar.

GSC accepts applications on a rolling basis. The college operates an open admissions process that does not require GPA minimums or ACT/SAT scores. Students can take advantage of a generous transfer policy and transfer in up to 90 credits of prior coursework earned with a "C-" or better. Financial aid is available and includes government grants and scholarships based on need, merit, and career factors.

11. East Carolina University

Greenville, North Carolina

Located in Greenville, ECU serves 30,000 students annually, which makes it the fourth-largest higher education institution in North Carolina. The school delivers remote certificates and degrees through Blackboard, with options like an online bachelor of science in health services management. This 124-credit program prepares students for mid-level management positions with home healthcare agencies, hospitals, and health research and clinical trial firms. Graduates also develop the foundational competencies needed to pursue master’s credentials in allied health fields.

ECU operates a full-time cohort learning structure that combines asynchronous coursework with campus-based classes. This collaborative format engenders peer-to-peer collaboration and relationship building. Learners also receive opportunities to gain hands-on work experience through faculty-assisted research projects and internships.

Required classes include healthcare delivery systems, written communication and documentation, and healthcare leadership. Candidates develop information and financial management skills to make data-supported decisions and oversee organizational payment systems. ECU delivers two degree tracks. Some students pursue a generalist plan, taking advanced coursework like healthcare marketing and human resource management. Alternatively, working professionals can complete an allied health management concentration, learning to control patient flow and oversee departmental operations.

As this is a degree completion program, ECU requires applicants to possess at least 33 transferable credits, earned with a minimum 2.5 GPA. The university bases its tuition prices on residency status. Students can apply for financial assistance, including assistantships and major-specific scholarships.

12. Saint Peter’s University

Jersey City, New Jersey

Saint Peter’s is based in Jersey City, New Jersey, and enrolls about 3,500 students every year. The institution provides more than 60 academic programs, including distance education options like an online bachelor of science in business administration with a concentration in healthcare management.

In addition to core business skills like communication and project management, this program helps students develop health services competencies to pursue leadership positions in the field. Distance learners take asynchronous classes powered by Blackboard. Courses span eight weeks, enabling full-time candidates to earn their credentials in 2-3 years.

The degree plan totals 120 credits and includes core business classes in management principles, introduction to corporate finance, and statistics for business and economics. Students examine the U.S. legal system while emphasizing the nature and assignment of contracts. They also explore current and emerging leadership styles and how to apply these concepts in a professional environment.

As part of the healthcare management concentration, candidates delve into advanced business strategies. They learn how to make effective managerial decisions through an integrative process that evaluates cross-functional factors. Additional specialized classes comprise budgeting/financing in the healthcare industry, legal and ethical aspects, and healthcare marketing.

As one of the best online schools for healthcare management, Saint Peter’s operates an open admissions process that does not require GPA or ACT/SAT minimums. Prospective students only need to submit an online application and official academic transcripts. Distance learners pay tuition based on their enrollment status. The university offers annual, endowed, and external scholarship opportunities.

13. University of Minnesota - Crookston

Crookston, Minnesota

UMC serves almost 2,000 students from around the world. Powered by Canvas, the institution delivers remote degrees like an online bachelor of science in health management. Through a flexible curriculum, students gain the leadership experience needed to pursue career entry and advancement in the healthcare field. UMC graduates are well-prepared to occupy management positions in allied health agencies, hospitals and medical clinics, and medical equipment and supply companies.

Totaling 120 credits, students completing this healthcare management online program take classes year round. Candidates can earn their credentials entirely through asynchronous classes. Alternatively, they may create a hybrid learning structure by taking some courses on campus. Formally supported by the Minnesota Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators, this program enables students to sit for the state’s nursing home administration license exam.

Required coursework includes medical terminology, healthcare leadership and planning, and policy and comparative systems. Students cultivate advanced management skills that allow them to assess risk and maintain government regulatory/compliance mechanisms. They also learn to tackle contemporary healthcare challenges and improve access and quality of services. Distance learners fill out their remaining credits with guided electives, choosing from options like business writing and administration of the long-term care system.

UMC operates a holistic evaluation process that considers an applicant’s academic performance, professional experience, and career goals. First-time students must submit ACT or SAT scores. All distance learners pay the same tuition rate, regardless of where they live. The university provides scholarships that specifically target transfer candidates and online students.

14. Norfolk State University

Norfolk, Virginia

NSU opened its doors in 1985 to a class of 85 students. Today, the institution supports more than 5,000 learners and offers comprehensive academic programming. Its catalog includes an online bachelor of science in health services management that prepares students for graduate studies and entry-level occupations in medical facilities and community health centers. Blackboard powers distance education at NSU, enabling learners to obtain their credentials through asynchronous coursework.

The 120-credit degree plan comprises required classes in medical terminology, managerial accounting, and personal and community health. Students develop fundamental skills in computer concepts and applications. They build on these competencies in a healthcare information systems class, learning how to use data for decision-making and program evaluation purposes. These technological and analytical skills also support human resource management, preparing students to recruit, coordinate, and develop healthcare talent.

During their final year, candidates pursuing a healthcare management degree online take on specialized topics like comprehensive health planning and managerial epidemiology. They explore public health administration, which covers community wellness promotion and global health challenges. The program also requires students to complete an internship, and the university offers certain practicum opportunities through partner organizations. However, learners who want to pursue a long-term care administration license must coordinate their own internship experiences.

Applicants should submit academic transcripts, a personal statement, and 2-3 recommendation letters. Students under the age of 21 must also send in ACT or SAT scores. Transfer candidates need a minimum 2.0 GPA. The university bases its tuition prices on residency status.

15. University of Maryland - University College

Adelphi, Maryland

The flagship campus of UMUC is based in Adelphi but the school operates satellite locations all over the world. The institution enrolls more than 86,000 students in comprehensive academic programming, including remote options like an online bachelor of science in health services management. This program targets entry- and mid-level professionals who want to develop the advanced leadership and technical competencies required to occupy roles as departmental managers and program directors.

Distance learners take asynchronous classes through Desire2Learn. They can also engage in hybrid learning by taking flexible classes at one of the university’s campuses. The 120-credit online bachelor’s degree in healthcare management includes core classes like introduction to the U.S. healthcare sector and management in healthcare organizations. Students receive an overview of epidemiological concepts, which they apply to make managerial decisions and control patient service planning. Participants also delve into the ethical dimensions of healthcare and the major legal ramifications related to delivery and quality of services.

The remaining credits are spent on open electives, which many students use to pursue additional training in the major. Learners may also complete a complementary minor in areas like human resource management, healthcare analytics, and public health administration. The curriculum ends with a capstone course, in which candidates build a conceptual framework for strategic planning and leadership that directly supports their career objectives.

Distance learners benefit from an accessible admissions process that does not require GPA minimums or standardized test results. UMUC charges per-credit tuition prices based on residency status. The university accepts up to 90 transfer credits, enabling students to complete their bachelor’s in as few as 12 months.

16. National Louis University

Chicago, Illinois

NLU enrolls almost 5,000 students at its Florida and Illinois campuses. The institution also offers distance education opportunities powered by Desire2Learn. Its online selection includes an online bachelor of science in healthcare leadership. Through a comprehensive curriculum, students develop the specialized knowledge and skills necessary to pursue leadership roles in clinical, diagnostic, hospital, and private practice settings. Graduates are also prepared for master’s-level academics, particularly in the business and health administration fields.

Totaling 180 quarter credits, the degree plan includes required coursework in professional writing and presentation, healthcare team development, and ethical and legal issues. Students learn to manage physical and financial resources, emphasizing the importance of budget development and expenditure control. They also develop the data analysis skills needed to assess the quality of health service delivery and organizational operations.

Candidates who pursue their healthcare management degree online can use the curriculum’s 61 elective credits to align advanced coursework with their personal interests and goals. They can also take on a long-term care concentration, which includes classes like human resource leadership and quality resident services management. By completing this concentration, students qualify to sit for the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards’ licensure examinations.

NLU operates an open admissions process that does not maintain strict GPA or ACT/SAT requirements. Applicants submit an online application and official academic transcripts. The university charges tuition based on enrollment status. Financial aid is available and includes military benefits, need-based grants, and scholarships like the Louis and Baker awards for transfer candidates.

17. University of the Southwest

Hobbs, New Mexico

Based in Hobbs, New Mexico, USW was established in 1962 as a junior college. Today, the institution enrolls over 1,000 students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degree opportunities. Programs include an online bachelor of business administration with an emphasis in healthcare management that students may earn completely online through asynchronous classes powered by Blackboard. Distance learners can also mix in campus-based coursework for a hybrid experience. USW graduates may qualify for managerial roles within insurance firms, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, and community health centers.

The degree plan totals 120 credits and includes core topics like organizational behavior, business law, and accounting principles. Students examine fundamental managerial functions related to production, distribution, and personnel coordination. They also delve into business ethics, learning to apply decision-making paradigms to challenging patient rights and organizational governance scenarios.

As part of the healthcare management emphasis, distance learners examine advanced business procedures in diverse health service designs. Specialized coursework also includes healthcare informatics, which covers the use of data management systems to strengthen organizational effectiveness and patient care quality. Over the course of two capstone classes, degree candidates integrate marketing, finance, and management competencies to create a comprehensive business plan.

First-time students must satisfy two of three admissions criteria: a minimum 2.0 GPA, ranking in the top 50% of their high school class, and/or a minimum score of 18/940 on the ACT/SAT. Transfer candidates need to possess a GPA of 2.0 or better and be in good standing with their previous college or university.

18. Park University

Parkville, Missouri

Established in 1875, Park enrolls more than 16,000 students in over 60 academic programs. Its catalog includes remote degrees like an online bachelor of science in healthcare management. Through a 120-credit curriculum, students cultivate fundamental business skills and specialized competencies in health compliance and administration. Graduates can find successful careers as healthcare network specialists, public health educators, and pharmaceutical project managers.

Park operates five start dates each year, allowing students to begin degree work at their convenience. Distance learners take asynchronous classes through Canvas and can graduate in under four years. Core classes include applied computer technology for business, financial management, and business policy. Candidates explore international business perspectives with an emphasis on the impact multinational corporations have on traditional societies and nationalistic governments.

The degree plan also covers the organization and administration of healthcare programs. Students delve into the complex processes of comprehensive health planning and corporate risk management. They also examine the relationship between hospitals and their communities, learning to develop educational outreach programs that target underserved populations. The remaining credits are spent on a capstone seminar and advanced electives like production/operations management and third-party reimbursements.

Park offers automatic admission to first-time students who possess a minimum 3.0 GPA or complete Missouri’s A-Plus Program. Applicants with GPAs below this threshold can still enroll if they submit adequate ACT or SAT scores. Transfer candidates need a minimum 2.0 GPA. The university provides financial aid opportunities, including scholarships for military families, transfer students, and minority women.

19. Southern Illinois University - Carbondale

Carbondale, Illinois

Founded in 1869, SIU is the oldest member of the Southern Illinois University System. The school serves 13,000 students and delivers remote academic programming through Desire2Learn. Distance-based offerings include an online bachelor of science in healthcare management that prepares students for administrative and supervisory roles in settings like hospitals, public health departments, nursing homes, and insurance companies.

Students who pursue their healthcare management degree online can complete their training entirely through asynchronous classes. They may also engage in a hybrid learning structure by taking some flexible campus-based courses. The 120-credit degree plan includes core classes like epidemiology/population health, statistics and research for healthcare professionals, and health policy and politics. Candidates examine ethical dilemmas in the allied health field, focusing on how a healthcare manager’s actions affect employees and patients.

As part of their advanced coursework, students tackle topics like gerontology/mortality and healthcare coding procedures. They also learn to apply Lean Sigma Six methodologies to improve organizational effectiveness and patient service delivery. SIU requires degree candidates to complete an internship with a local organization or university partner. During this practicum, students engage in at least 150 hours of training and oversee a managerial/analytical project.

First-time students submit official high school transcripts and ACT or SAT scores. To qualify as a full transfer candidate, applicants need at least 26 college-level credits earned with a minimum 2.0 GPA. Distance learners can access financial assistance, such as general scholarships and awards specifically for business majors.

20. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, Oregon

Based in Wilsonville, Oregon Tech enrolls about 5,500 students in more than 340 academic programs. Its catalog comprises remote degrees like an online bachelor of science in healthcare management. This comprehensive program benefits entry- and mid-level professionals who want to strengthen their technical and supervisory skills to expand career opportunities. Because the curriculum emphasizes research and analysis, graduates are also well-prepared to continue on and earn graduate-level credentials.

Oregon Tech students who pursue their healthcare management degree online choose from either a clinical or radiologic science option. The former program totals 182 quarter credits and includes required classes like medical terminology and organizational behavior. Students take advanced classes in total quality in healthcare, business research methods, and service management. They also complete an internship and a senior project.

Distance learners who choose the 205-quarter-credit radiologic science track take specialized classes like healthcare systems and policy. They train in spreadsheet software and healthcare information systems management. Like their clinical peers, these students also engage in practicum training and complete a research-intensive capstone project.

Both program options are offered as degree completion tracks that students can finish in 2-3 years. Clinical applicants must possess allied health licensure or certification, for which they earn 44 transfer credits. Radiologic science candidates must be registered with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists; they receive 89 transfer credits for these credentials. Distance learners benefit from ample scholarship opportunities.

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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
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

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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.

• 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

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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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.

• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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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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.

• 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.

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