Best Online Master’s in Healthcare Administration Programs of 2025
An online master of healthcare administration (MHA) program can give you the tools you need to take the next step in your career and become a leader in your healthcare organization. At their core, MHA programs teach you how to apply business skills while supporting patient care and improving the quality of healthcare organizations.
When pursuing an MHA degree, you can consider specializations like healthcare finance or medical records management. Upon graduation, you could pursue a career as a healthcare administrator, hospital operations manager, consultant, or nursing home administrator.
Read on to discover the best healthcare administration programs and learn about average MHA costs, associated careers, and classes you can expect to take.
10 Best Online MHA Programs
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA- 4 year
- Campus + Online
What You'll Like:
The University of Southern California's online executive MHA program builds transformational management skills to prepare you for a career in a leadership position. The curriculum emphasizes executive decision-making skills, sound planning, analytical capabilities, and strong interpersonal communication skills.
- Credits Needed to Graduate: 36
- Programmatic Accreditation: Commission of Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education
Things We Love:
- The executive MHA is designed to prepare you for leadership roles.
- USC offers executive-level support through a network of other students and alumni from diverse healthcare sectors to help you succeed.
- Online coursework and project scheduling allow you to balance assignments with work and your personal life.
What to Know Before You Apply:
- There's a residency requirement in year two of the program.
- For the 2024-2025 school year, the total program cost is over $100,000 for a full-time student.
- In-State$63,468
- Out-of-state$63,468
- In-State$63,468
- Out-of-state$63,468
- Retention Rate97%
- Acceptance Rate12%
- Students Enrolled48,945
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment34%
- AccreditationYes
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Chapel Hill, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
What You'll Like:
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers an online executive MHA specializing in thoughtfully designed experiences, from team-based activities in a curated cohort to real-world applications of classroom learning. The flexible program aims to create the next generation of healthcare leaders while allowing you to work full time.
- Credits Needed to Graduate: 49
- Programmatic Accreditation: Commission of Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education
Things We Love:
- You'll have the chance to connect with executive alumni leaders and innovate while performing rigorous self-reflection and completing transformative in-person experiences.
- UNC faculty include top researchers and healthcare leaders.
What to Know Before You Apply:
- UNC uses a competency model of student assessment. Over two years, you'll need to build your ability across 24 competencies.
- There are three required on-site sessions each year.
- In-State$7,020
- Out-of-state$37,360
- In-State$10,552
- Out-of-state$28,844
- Retention Rate97%
- Acceptance Rate19%
- Students Enrolled32,496
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment25%
- AccreditationYes
Georgetown University
- Washington, DC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
What You'll Like:
Georgetown University's MS in health systems administration is a two-year, part-time program that equips you with the skills to take on leadership roles as you shape the future of healthcare. The curriculum is framed by Jesuit values and delivered in a dynamic hybrid format.
- Credits Needed to Graduate: 47
- Programmatic Accreditation: Commission of Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education
Things We Love:
- This program is designed for early-career professionals, exposing you to industry leaders and subject matter experts.
- You'll learn from nationally renowned industry leaders and faculty active in public health, research, and systems-of-care leadership.
- The practice-centered curriculum helps you build the real-world skills needed to adapt to an ever-changing healthcare environment.
What to Know Before You Apply:
- You must participate in online, synchronous coursework and attend on-site campus and thematic global comparative immersions.
- As of the 2024-2025 school year, the total program tuition is over $115,000 for a student enrolled full time.
- In-State$61,872
- Out-of-state$61,872
- In-State$56,592
- Out-of-state$56,592
- Retention Rate97%
- Acceptance Rate13%
- Students Enrolled20,392
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment24%
- AccreditationYes
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
- La Crosse, WI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
What You'll Like:
The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse offers a 100% online MS in healthcare administration that builds key competencies through 13 required courses, including a capstone course. This program does not require electives, but you may choose to earn an additional certificate in senior living and services leadership.
- Credits Needed to Graduate: 37
- Programmatic Accreditation: None
Things We Love:
- The courses are ideal for anyone who wants to improve the internal functioning of a healthcare system and deliver high-quality patient care and services.
- The program's asynchronous format allows you to watch lectures, participate in online forums, and do homework whenever is convenient for your schedule.
What to Know Before You Apply:
- With a total program cost of less than $30,000 for full-time students as of the 2024-2025 school year, this is one of the least expensive online master's degrees in healthcare.
- The senior living and services leadership certificate requires an additional 12 credits.
- In-State$9,773
- Out-of-state$18,813
- In-State$8,651
- Out-of-state$18,637
- Retention Rate84%
- Acceptance Rate80%
- Students Enrolled10,307
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment55%
- AccreditationYes
Boston College
- Chestnut Hill, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
What You'll Like:
Boston College's MHA program focuses on the development of ethical leaders to drive organizational change within the fast-changing healthcare ecosystem. The curriculum emphasizes emerging trends in healthcare innovation through a societal perspective to address contemporary challenges.
- Credits Needed to Graduate: 46
- Programmatic Accreditation: None
Things We Love:
- The program offers unique electives, including medical device regulations, product development and marketing, and health ethics and law.
- You can build a custom career pathway, such as a regulatory affairs focus in the pharmaceutical, medical device, and biotechnology industries or a specialization in healthcare administration and provider organizations.
- Courses are structured in a seven-week format, with 12 courses in the entire program.
What to Know Before You Apply:
- You can enroll full time or part time in the 100% online and asynchronous curriculum.
- As of the 2024-2025 school year, you can expect the total tuition cost for the two-year curriculum to be around $66,000 if you're enrolled full time.
- In-State$62,950
- Out-of-state$62,950
- In-State$33,912
- Out-of-state$33,912
- Retention Rate93%
- Acceptance Rate17%
- Students Enrolled14,734
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment17%
- AccreditationYes
Clarkson College
- Omaha, NE
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
What You'll Like:
Clarkson College offers a dynamic, 100% online MHA. The curriculum is designed to develop the critical thinking skills to help you succeed in advanced healthcare roles. Clarkson reports an impressive near 100% employment rate achieved by graduates in the past five years.
- Credits Needed to Graduate: 39
- Programmatic Accreditation: None
Things We Love:
- The accelerated program means you could complete your degree in as few as four semesters.
- Elective options allow you to build a customized program for your interests and goals.
- With six- or seven-and-a-half-week courses, you can focus on one class at a time.
What to Know Before You Apply:
- At just $740 per credit, the total program tuition was less than $30,000 for full-time students for the 2024-2025 school year.
- The MHA degree culminates in a capstone project in the form of a business plan, which prepares you for real-world applications.
- In-State$14,880
- Out-of-state$14,880
- In-State$12,294
- Out-of-state$12,294
- Retention Rate73%
- Acceptance Rate56%
- Students Enrolled1,133
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment98%
- AccreditationYes
The Pennsylvania State University
- University Park, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
What You'll Like:
The Pennsylvania State University's online MHA in health policy and administration is built on a cohort model with students from diverse healthcare settings. The curriculum focuses on organizational change and problem-solving in various healthcare environments and aims to prepare you for challenging leadership positions with a strong business management education.
- Credits Needed to Graduate: 49
- Programmatic Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education
Things We Love:
- The cohort model allows you to network, connect, and collaborate with peers and faculty throughout the program.
- You can build your professional skillset with a curriculum emphasizing strong ethics, finance, organization, communication, and critical thinking skills.
What to Know Before You Apply:
- You'll need to attend two in-person intensives, one in August of your first year and one before graduation.
- At $1,027 per credit as of the 2024-2025 school year, you can expect to pay around $50,000 for the whole program as a full-time student.
- In-State$15,400
- Out-of-state$25,084
- In-State$23,189
- Out-of-state$39,248
- Retention Rate87%
- Acceptance Rate92%
- Students Enrolled88,914
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment54%
- AccreditationYes
Virginia Commonwealth University
- Richmond, VA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
What You'll Like:
Virginia Commonwealth University's online MS in health administration aims to prepare, support, and connect exceptional leaders who can shape the healthcare industry. The program is intended for self-motivated professionals seeking advanced preparation for leadership roles in complex health services organizations.
- Credits Needed to Graduate: 41
- Programmatic Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education
Things We Love:
- VCU reports an average five-year job placement rate of 95.9% for MHA program graduates, with alums earning a median annual wage of $85,000.
- The program is designed for working professionals who are aiming to level up into management and leadership positions.
What to Know Before You Apply:
- Each semester is composed of both on-campus and off-campus sessions. You must attend six on-campus sessions of about one week each during the degree program.
- As of the 2024-2025 school year, full-time in-state tuition came in under $28,000 for the total program, excluding housing and travel costs for on-campus requirements.
- In-State$12,850
- Out-of-state$34,744
- In-State$12,618
- Out-of-state$25,956
- Retention Rate86%
- Acceptance Rate93%
- Students Enrolled28,238
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment67%
- AccreditationYes
Arizona State University Digital Immersion
- Scottsdale, AZ
- 4 year
- Online
What You'll Like:
Arizona State University's MS in healthcare administration and policy prepares you to address multifaceted healthcare challenges with expertise. Through ASU's curriculum, you'll build a comprehensive understanding of how policies directly impact patient care, access, and outcomes.
- Credits Needed to Graduate: 30
- Programmatic Accreditation: None
Things We Love:
- You'll have the chance to learn from faculty with research expertise in cutting-edge fields.
- Out-of-state students don't pay more in tuition. As of the 2024-2025 school year, total tuition for all full-time online students was just $10,576.
- This MS program can be a good choice if you're considering medical school. It offers a unique gap-year opportunity that gives you time to gain insights and better understand the full scale of healthcare delivery.
What to Know Before You Apply:
- With seven-and-a-half-week courses and 11 courses total, you could finish the degree in just a year.
- For acceptance, you must have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 credit hours of your bachelor's degree program.
- In-State$10,978
- Out-of-state$13,248
- In-State$9,972
- Out-of-state$9,972
- Retention Rate74%
- Acceptance Rate64%
- Students Enrolled62,551
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment98%
- AccreditationYes
Webster University
- Saint Louis, MO
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
What You'll Like:
Webster University's MHA is a live, virtual, synchronous degree program. The curriculum is heavily business-focused, emphasizing a broad understanding of the healthcare industry. You can also pursue a dual MBA/MHA to expand your career possibilities.
- Credits Needed to Graduate: 42
- Programmatic Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education, Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
Things We Love:
- You can choose a full-time or part-time schedule, taking one or two courses per term to graduate in 16 to 33 months.
- The program is structured as a cohort model, so you can benefit from the collaboration and support of around 20 working healthcare professionals.
- Webster reports that 94% of MHA graduates were employed within three months of graduation in 2023.
What to Know Before You Apply:
- You'll need to attend live virtual classes one night per week via Zoom.
- An impressive 82% of students who enter the MHA program graduate within four years.
- In-State$29,640
- Out-of-state$29,640
- In-State$12,600
- Out-of-state$12,600
- Retention Rate76%
- Acceptance Rate59%
- Students Enrolled4,324
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment69%
- AccreditationYes
Why Get a Master’s in Healthcare Administration Online?
Whether you’re a working professional or a full-time student seeking your first job, attending an online MHA program can give you flexibility as you study. Find some benefits of earning an MHA degree and pursuing it specifically online below:
Benefits Specific to Online MHAs
- Work at Your Own Pace: Many online programs run asynchronously, allowing you to complete your studies on your own time and earn the degree without leaving your career.
- Location: Online programs allow you to complete your studies from anywhere, meaning you can attend out-of-state schools without having to move or commute.
- Cost: Online MHA programs can be more affordable than in-person courses, as you can avoid campus housing, transportation, and university fees.
MHA Degree Benefits
- Career growth: The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects jobs for medical and health service managers to grow by 29% from 2023-2033, much faster than average.
- Competitive salary: The BLS reports medical and health service managers earn six-figure salaries with a median annual salary of $117,960 as of May 2024.
- Diverse applications: An MHA degree can allow you to work in large hospitals, private clinics, assisted living facilities, and many other medical settings.
How Much Does an Online MHA Degree Cost?
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the average tuition was $11,827 for graduate students at public universities and $20,515 at private universities during the 2023-2024 academic year.
This means that the total average tuition cost for a two-year master’s program ranges from around $24,000 to $41,000, depending on the kind of school you attend. Your total costs can vary further based on several factors, including your enrollment and residency status.
For example, online master’s in health-related programs cost about $5,000 less in tuition, on average, than their traditional, on-campus counterparts, according to the NCES Postsecondary Student Aid Study.
Median Annual Tuition for Master’s in Health Programs
Online Programs
$9,310
On-Campus Programs
$14,245
Keep in mind that you may have to travel to campus or a local facility to complete your MHA program’s residency or clinical requirements. Check program requirements and be sure to budget for lodging and travel costs if needed.
Master’s in Healthcare Administration Classes
Master’s in healthcare administration programs cover specialized topics like healthcare service administration, healthcare information systems, and healthcare finance. You’ll have the opportunity to develop your leadership, financial, and business skills through this program.
While your MHA courses may vary, especially if you choose a specialization, foundational courses are similar across programs. Common classes include:
- Healthcare Finance: This class helps students develop strong financial analysis and planning skills including cost-to-profit analysis and time-value analysis, budgeting, and financial reporting standards.
- Healthcare Services Administration: In this introductory course, you’ll explore healthcare structure, organization, performance and delivery systems to problem-solve related issues.
- Healthcare Information Management: In this core course, you’ll learn to use healthcare information systems to store and analyze healthcare data. You’ll have the chance to gain skills in healthcare information management (HIM) systems evaluation and management.
How to Become a Healthcare Administrator
If your goal is to work as a healthcare administrator, an MHA degree can help get you there. The following steps outline how to become a healthcare administrator:
Step 1: Earn a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration, nursing, business, or a related field.
Step 2: Gain experience by working in various medical settings. Some MHA programs may require up to three years of work experience.
Step 3: Choose an MHA program based on the total cost, specializations offered, program format, schedule, and other considerations.
Step 4: Complete your master’s degree program, which could take 1-2 years of full-time study and up to four years of part-time study.
Step 5: Earn industry certifications, such as the American Association of Healthcare Administration Management (AAHAM), Certified Healthcare Financial Professional (CHFP), or nursing home administrator credentials.
Healthcare Administration Salary and Career Outlook
Your healthcare administration salary will vary depending on your role, employer, geographic location, and experience. According to Payscale, professionals with an MHA earned an average of $84,000 annually as of October 2024.
In addition to working as a healthcare administrator, you can also work as a healthcare operations manager, hospital chief financial officer, director of patient safety, or healthcare consultant.
| Job | Annual Median Wage (2024) | Projected Growth (2023-2033) |
|---|---|---|
| Medical and health services manager | $117,960 | 29% |
| Administrative services and facilities manager | $106,880 | 6% |
| Management analyst | $101,190 | 11% |
| Human resources manager | $140,030 | 6% |
Frequently Asked Questions About Master’s in Healthcare Administration Programs
Medical and health service managers earned a median annual salary of $117,960 in May 2024, according to the BLS. However, in some areas of the country, you can make substantially more than that. These professionals earned an average of $177,230 in New York and similarly high salaries in Massachusetts, Delaware, and D.C. in May 2024.
