Key Takeaways:
- The #1 school on our ranking of online bachelor’s in healthcare administration is Brigham Young University-Idaho, followed by the University of Central Florida.
- It highlights core courses, such as healthcare policy and management, and emphasizes practical skills for real-world applications.
- The degree prepares graduates for diverse roles in healthcare settings, enhancing job prospects and potential salary increases.
This ranking explores our picks for the top online bachelor’s in healthcare administration degree programs.
If you are looking for a distance learning healthcare administration degree, then consider your search over. This article contains all the relevant information you need for pursuing a bachelor’s in healthcare administration online. You will find the list of the top colleges that offer this degree, along with answers to some commonly asked questions about a bachelor’s in healthcare administration. All of these programs are designed for aspiring healthcare professionals like you who are passionate about helping others. Healthcare degrees can be expensive. Thankfully you will find most colleges online accept fafsa.
Featured Programs
A typical healthcare administration bachelor’s degree online prepares students to be decision-makers and managers in various healthcare settings to help improve patients’ lives. It also leads to some of the highest paying jobs you can get with a 4-year degree. They are equipped with the knowledge and skills to plan, direct and coordinate health services. They are trained to work closely with medical staff to positively impact patient care in healthcare organizations such as hospitals, clinics, care facilities, nursing homes, and other healthcare organizations. They manage the people, operations, resources, and policies that make up dynamic healthcare systems and organizations. It’s often the case that professions that specialize in helping people don’t pay very well. Healthcare is a huge exception to this as healthcare is one of the five highest ROI majors.
A B.A. or B.S. in healthcare administration meets the demand for leaders, managers, and administrators in the healthcare industry who are knowledgeable in the best practices of both healthcare and management. The curricula are designed to support the professionals who are on the frontlines of patient care. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for healthcare administrators is growing every day. Jobs in this sector will grow 32% through 2029, faster than the average for all occupations. A healthcare administration degree is more than worth it.
Key skills that students learn in a healthcare administration bachelor degree include:
- Communicating effectively with stakeholders
- Creating strategic plans and enhancing operations
- Making decisions based on financial and economic data
- Improving the effectiveness of systems through data-based recommendations
- Promoting dynamic, diverse, and positive organizational cultures
- Assessing policies and regulations for ethical and practical decision-making
In this article, we have researched and shortlisted healthcare administration online schools known for providing comprehensive training in the field. The list contains the top 25 colleges that offer a healthcare administration degree online. The colleges have been ranked according to their affordability. Click here to learn more about our methodology.
#1 Brigham Young University–Idaho
Rexburg, ID
Online BSHA
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Points: 16
Brigham Young University–Idaho offers an online Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration. It prepares students for entry-level jobs in administering and managing different healthcare facilities or pursuing graduate studies in Healthcare Administration, Hospital Administration, or Business Administration. Course topics include:
- Hospital and Health Administration
- Managing Healthcare Provider Organizations
- Healthcare Strategy
- Manage Technology in Health Care Provider Organizations
- Healthcare Insurance Industry
Students learn to collaborate effectively with healthcare professionals and excel in high-frequency healthcare organizations. Graduates work as hospital administrators to ensure the organization is running safely, efficiently, and profitably.
Fast facts:
- 120 credits
- Offered through: Department of Health Services
- Format: Online
- Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Tuition per credit: $180
#2 University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL
Online BSHSA
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Points: 15
The University of Central Florida offers an online Bachelor of Science in Health Services Management. Students gain the knowledge and skills to manage and run healthcare facilities and health systems. They are trained to ensure that patients receive the highest quality of care while maintaining patient safety. Course topics include:
- Health Services Administration Cornerstone
- U.S. Health Care Systems
- Long Term Care and Administration
- Principles of Healthcare Reimbursement, Insurance, and Managed Care Plans
Students develop communication and critical thinking skills to solve real-world problems that they will face in the healthcare environment such as disease management. Along with running efficient healthcare organizations, graduates also positively impact community health outcomes.
Fast facts:
- 122 credits
- Offered through: College of Community Innovation and Education
- Format: Online
- Accreditation: AUPHA certified; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Tuition per credit: $212.28
#3 Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT
Online BSBA-Healthcare Management
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Points: 14
Western Governors University offers an online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Healthcare Management degree. It is designed for working professionals who wish to gain an advanced degree and knowledge in healthcare as they continue with their day jobs. Students gain the skills and training to assume leadership roles in various healthcare settings like clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, residential care facilities, and government agencies. Course topics include:
- Best Practices in Management: Projects, Staffing, Scheduling, and Budgeting
- Finance Skills for Managers
- Managing in a Global Business Environment
- Innovative and Strategic Thinking
- Emotional and Cultural Intelligence
The online program has been developed with experts who serve on the school’s Business Program Council.
Fast facts:
- 41 courses
- Offered through: College of Business
- Format: Online
- Accreditation: ACBSP; Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Tuition per 6-month term or 12-units: $3,575
#4 King University
Bristol TN
Online BSHA
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Points: 13
King University offers an online Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management. It is designed to help students become and excel as healthcare professionals. It is geared towards adult learners who have completed some college-level coursework and wish to complete their education as they work. Students gain the expertise to direct and manage healthcare organizations effectively. Course topics include:
- Financial Management of Healthcare Organizations
- Population-Based Health
- Informatics for Healthcare Leaders and Decision-Makers
- Human Resource Management
- Marketing and Understanding Sustainability in Healthcare
Graduates assume leadership roles and llearn to run healthcare organizations effectively and enhance the quality of patient care while ensuring patient safety. By earning this degree, they can pursue different rewarding career paths or pursue graduate studies at various healthcare or business schools.
Fast facts:
- 124 credits
- Offered through: Department of Health Sciences
- Format: Online
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Tuition per credit: $305
#5 Charter Oak State College
New Britain, CT
Online BSHA
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Points: 12
Charter Oak State College offers an online BS in Healthcare Management. It provides healthcare industry professionals with the knowledge and skills to excel in healthcare settings. They learn to design, plan, implement and efficiently administer programs and services for various health care organizations through resource planning and productivity management. Course topics include fundamental concepts like:
- Health Care Systems and Administration
- Health Care Quality Concepts and Principles
- Economics of Health and Health Care
- Contemporary Ethical Issues in Health and Health Care
- Regulatory and Accrediting Requirements
The program is designed to offer students a comprehensive understanding of the health care industry’s legal, economic, ethical, and customer service aspects.
Fast facts:
- 120 credits
- Format: Online
- Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education
Tuition per credit: $319
#6 Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, NH
Online BSHA
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Points: 12
Southern New Hampshire University offers an online BS in Healthcare Management. It equips students with the knowledge and skills to develop their careers in leading healthcare organizations while improving organizational outcomes. Students’ key competencies in the program are communication and computational skills, critical thinking, project management tools, human resource management, and social and analytical skills. Students can tailor their degree by choosing a concentration. Concentration options include:
- Health Information Management
- Patient Safety & Quality
Graduates obtain leadership roles to work in the health care environment, including hospitals, clinics, physician offices, elder care facilities, and other healthcare organizations. The online health administration degree aligns with the curriculum principles established by the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA).
Fast facts:
- 120 credits
- Format: Online
- Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education
Tuition per credit: $320
#7 Jackson State University
Jackson, MS
Online BSHA
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Points: 11
Jackson State University offers an online BS in Healthcare Management degree program. It offers students a sound theoretical and practical education, along with opportunities for hands-on field experience. It trains students for entry-level management positions in healthcare. They are also prepared for graduate school and long-term career advancement. Course topics for this and related programs include:
- Introduction to Healthcare Organizations
- Medical & Administrative Terminology
- Public Health and Epidemiology
- Healthcare Services Management
Graduates are health care professionals who work in diverse health-related settings, like hospitals, managed care organizations, nursing homes, physician group practices, government health agencies, health insurance companies, and home health agencies.
Fast facts:
- 122 credits
- Offered through: College of Health Science
- Format: Online
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Tuition per credit: $345
#8 Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO
Online BSHA
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Points: 11
Colorado State University offers an online Bachelor’s Degree in Healthcare Management. It provides students a thorough understanding of healthcare systems and prepares them for an exciting career in a competitive industry. They also learn to track and follow new rules and regulations by government agencies to help organizations adapt to challenges. Course topics include:
- Operations management and supervision
- Policy management
- Human resources
- Project management
- Managed care
Students get a detailed understanding of the healthcare industry and the complex nature of the tasks required of a professional healthcare administrator. The program provides students with the knowledge of the best practices important to manage in a demanding healthcare environment.
Fast facts:
- 120 credits
- Format: Online
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Tuition per credit: $350
#9 Capella University
Minneapolis, MN
Online BSHA
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Points: 11
Capella University offers an online BS in Healthcare Administration. Students gain leadership skills to influence change in the healthcare field and improve patient outcomes. They also gain insights to lead teams and excel in challenging and dynamic health care environments. Course topics span management principles such as:
- Present and Future State Developments within the United States HealthCare System
- Leadership and Communication in Health Care Organizations
- Strategic Leadership and Workforce Planning in Health Care
- Managing Population Health
- Health Care Systems and Operations
The program provides a foundational knowledge of planning and marketing, change leadership, health care economics, human resource management, patient safety and quality improvement, and wellness promotion.
Fast facts:
- 180 quarter credits
- Format: Online
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Tuition per credit: $357
#10 National University
San Diego, CA
Online BSHA
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Points: 10
National University offers an online BS in Healthcare Administration. It prepares students for entry-level careers in healthcare administration and management and supervisory roles in diverse healthcare environments. Students learn analytical and conceptual skills that they would need to manage healthcare organizations with limited resources and regulate healthcare delivery according to relevant healthcare policy. Course topics comprising healthcare administration classes include:
- Foundations of HC Leadership
- Issues & Trends in Healthcare
- Case and Outcomes Management
- Intro to Health Economics
- Basic HA Budgeting & Finance
Students develop managerial skills as well as problem-solving skills to pursue career opportunities in the modern healthcare organization, in the public or private sector at a local, state, or federal level.
Fast facts:
- 180 quarter units
- Offered through: College of Professional Studies
- Format: Online
- Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission
Tuition per quarter unit: $370
#11 Purdue University Global
West Lafayette, IN
Online BSHA
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Points: 10
Purdue University Global offers an online BS in Healthcare Administration. It prepares students to gain the skills needed to lead, administer, and manage hospitals, clinics, healthcare corporations, and healthcare systems. Course topics include:
- Health Policy and Law
- Operational Principles of Human Resources in Healthcare Organizations
- Impacts of Use of Electronic Health Records
- Foundational Ethical Theories
- Evidence-Based Public Health
Students have the option to choose the ExcelTrack™ health care administration degree program, which allows them to complete their degree sooner. It consists of 174 single-credit courses along with a 6-credit capstone course.
Fast facts:
- 180 credits
- Format: Online
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Tuition per credit: $371
#12 Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
Online BSHA
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Points: 10
Liberty University offers an online BS in Healthcare Administration. It is designed for students passionate about serving in the healthcare administration field and prepares them to excel in careers in the healthcare management field. Students learn from professionals with real-world experience in clinical healthcare delivery, business, and leadership settings. Course topics include:
- Legal and Ethical Issues in Healthcare
- Introduction to Healthcare Administration
- Management of H.R. and Health Professionals
- Public and Community Health for Business
The program provides a mix of practical business skills and healthcare expertise. It blends business content and specialized healthcare industry studies. Students get the training needed to tackle challenges in the field and respond to career opportunities.
Fast facts:
- 120 credits
- Offered through: School of Business
- Format: Online
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Tuition per credit: $390
#13 University of St. Francis
Joliet, IL
Online HCM-BS
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Points: 10
The University of Saint Francis offers an online BS in Health Care Management. This healthcare management degree online is an adult degree completion program that provides students with the knowledge and skills to excel in high-demand healthcare management positions as well as the business environment. They gain leadership skills in team building, interpersonal communication, and change strategies while learning to respect healthcare policy. Course topics include:
- Ethics in Healthcare
- Health Care Delivery
- Health Information Management
- Health Care Accounting & Budgeting
- Health Care Law, Regulation and Policy
- Healthcare Finance
The quality administration degree program is designed to fit into the busy lives of adult learners so that they can complete a bachelor’s degree in an accelerated modular format while continuing to work.
Fast facts:
- 120 credits
- Offered through: College of Business & Health Administration
- Format: Online
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Tuition per credit: $399
#14 Touro University Worldwide
Los Alamitos, CA
Online BSHS-Management
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Points: 9
Touro University Worldwide offers an online BS in Health Sciences with a management concentration for the aspiring healthcare manager. It is designed for working adults and prepares them for a rewarding career in one of the fastest-growing job sectors. It provides a theoretical and philosophical foundation to principles of management and healthcare administration. Course topics include:
- Leadership in Health Services Administration
- Policies and Ethics in Health Care
- Development and Evaluation of Health Programs
- Non-Profit Organizations in Health Care
- Research Methods for Health Care Administration
Students can choose a concentration to tailor their degree according to their career interests and intended business environment.
Fast facts:
- 120 credits
- Offered through: Edith Neumann School of Health and Human Services
- Format: Online
- Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission
Tuition per credit: $400
#15 Baker College
Owosso, MI
Online BSHA
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Points: 9
Baker College offers an online BS in Healthcare Administration. Students develop a broad range of knowledge and skills to excel in the field as health services managers. The curriculum for the healthcare management degree program is developed by healthcare professionals and addresses the demands of the real world. Students learn to effectively manage the delivery, quality, and costs of healthcare services while adhering to relevant healthcare policy. Course topics comprising the curriculum for this healthcare administration program include:
- Introduction to Healthcare
- Health Law and Regulations
- Planning and Evaluation of Health Services
- Healthcare Administration
- Ethics for Health Professionals
Graduates are trained to plan, direct, manage and coordinate medical and health services in various healthcare organizations, employ risk management, and improve health services quality while demonstrating cultural competence.
Fast facts:
- 120 credits
- Offered through: College of Health Science
- Format: Online
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Tuition per credit: $425
#16 Herzing University
Milwaukee, WI
Online BSHA
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Points: 9
Herzing University offers an online Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration for prospective health services managers. This healthcare management degree program is designed for students and current healthcare professionals looking to begin training or advance in healthcare careers. Students enrolled in this healthcare administration program learn from industry leaders in allied health and develop professional health administration and professional management skills to reach their career milestones. Concentration options include:
- Leadership
- Managed Care
These concentrations allow students to customize their healthcare administration and management per their career interests. They are thus prepared to excel in their work armed with specialized knowledge. Students start their careers in various health settings or go into graduate studies in nursing or business schools to become a healthcare leader.
Fast facts:
- 120 credits
- Format: Online
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Tuition per credit: $475
#17 Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ
Online BSHA
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Points: 9
Grand Canyon University offers an online BS in Healthcare Administration for aspiring healthcare providers. Designed for prospective health services managers, the program teaches students to work strategically within contemporary healthcare organizations and effectively manage health-related organizations. Students focus on high-level theoretical concepts that impact healthcare organizations such as risk management and change management. Course topics comprising the healthcare management program include:
- Health Care Systems and Transcultural Health Care
- Spirituality and Christian Values in Health Care and Wellness
- Health Information Technology and Management
- Research and Communication Techniques in HealthCare and Science Organizational Behavior and Leadership in Health Care
Students enrolled in this healthcare administration program focus on high-level theoretical concepts that impact healthcare workplaces and gain specific job skills to run a healthcare organization effectively.
Fast facts:
- 120 credits
- Offered through: College of Nursing and Health Care Professions
- Format: Online
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Tuition per credit: $477
#18 Maryville University
St. Louis, MO
Online BSHM
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Points: 8
Maryville University offers an online Bachelor in Healthcare Management for future health services managers. It teaches students the key skills to run or manage a successful healthcare business. The curriculum covers the leadership and general management of hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Students learn to provide optimal support and direction to various departments, health units, or services within these facilities. They gain insights to deliver quality healthcare to patients. Course topics comprising the healthcare management program include:
- Introduction to Healthcare Industry and Management
- Patient Partnership & Population Health Management
- Healthcare Compliance and Quality
- Health Care Systems
- Health Insurance
The healthcare administration program also offers an optional certificate in senior living management. Students can thus develop more specialized leadership skills and grow in their careers within healthcare environments.
Fast facts:
- 128 credits
- Offered through: Myrtle E. And Earl E. Walker College of Health Professions
- Format: Online
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Tuition per credit: $500
#19 The University of Arizona Global Campus
San Diego, CA
Online BAHA
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Points: 8
The University of Arizona Global Campus offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Health Care Administration for up and coming healthcare professionals. It is designed for prospective health services managers passionate about improving the lives of current and potential patients. The curriculum provides graduates of this healthcare administration program with the academic and professional skills for a variety of healthcare administration positions. Course topics for the healthcare management program include:
- Accounting
- Business
- Health Care Administration
- Health Information Management
- Sociology
- Ethical Decision Making
The program features an interdisciplinary and integrated learning approach. Students explore the US healthcare system’s social, ethical, legal, political, and economic influences. They also learn about health administration, quality control in medical care, regulation and financing, healthcare planning, and health policy.
Fast facts:
- 120 credits
- Offered through: College of Arts & Sciences
- Format: Online
- Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission
Tuition per credit: $510
#20 Florida Institute of Technology
Melbourne, FL
Online BA in Business Administration/Healthcare Management
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Points: 8
Florida Institute of Technology offers an online BA in Business Administration with a Specialization in Healthcare Management. It is designed for working adults interested in administrative, planning, management, or other business-focused careers in the healthcare industry. Available 100% online, this online healthcare management degree program covers various issues in modern-day healthcare delivery like community health, patient care, and medical ethics. Course topics comprising the curriculum for this healthcare administration program include:
- Managed Care
- Quality Improvement Methods in Healthcare
- Health Planning and Policy Management
- Continuous Quality Management
- Organizational Behavior and Development
- Health Insurance
The healthcare management program integrates foundational knowledge of business with effective strategies in specialized healthcare administration and healthcare policy. Aspiring healthcare managers explore disciplines of management, including leadership, strategy, organization, management systems and planning as well as managerial accounting principles.
Fast facts:
121 credits
- Offered through: Nathan M. Bisk College of Business
- Format: Online
- Accreditation: IACBE; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Tuition per credit: $510
#21 AdventHealth University
Los Alamitos, CA
Online BSHA
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Points: 7
AdventHealth University offers a BS in Healthcare Administration online. The 100% online healthcare management degree program allows students to pursue their education anytime, anywhere as they continue to work. The curriculum prepares them to make an impact and drive positive change in the healthcare industry while minimizing healthcare costs. Course topics comprising the healthcare administration program include:
- Healthcare Strategic Program Planning and Decision Making
- Healthcare Information Systems Management and Informatics
- Healthcare Data Analytics
- Principles of Managed Care, Insurance, and Reimbursement
- Marketing and Social Media in Healthcare
- Health Insurance
Graduates excel as change leaders in healthcare management and financial management, healthcare marketing, business analytics, or management systems, for example.
Fast facts:
- 121 credits
- Format: Online
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Tuition per credit: $540
#22 Mercy College of Ohio
Toledo, OH
Online BSHA
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Points: 7
Mercy College of Ohio offers an online Bachelor in Science. A preparatory program for health services managers, this BS option provides students with foundational knowledge in healthcare management skills, patient safety, and the healthcare business. The healthcare administration program emphasizes critical skills like strong communication skills and organizational competence that are essential for health care managers. They can choose an elective practicum experience to help them advance in current or future management positions in healthcare facilities. Career options for graduates of this online healthcare management degree program include:
- Mid-Level Hospital Manager
- Managed Care Organization Administrator
- Long-Term Care Administrator
- Clinic Administrator
- Public Health Administrator
The online education program balances business and leadership courses and professional development that prepare students to be effective administrators in hospitals or health centers.
Fast facts:
- 120 credit hours
- Format: Online
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Tuition per credit: $540
#23 Northeastern University
Boston, MA
Online BSHA
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Points: 7
Northeastern University offers an online Bachelor’s Degree in Healthcare Administration. Designed for working adults, this healthcare management degree prepares students with the skills and hands-on experience to become highly skilled administrative professionals within health organizations. It combines world-class academics with professional practice, allowing students to learn from a faculty of real-world experts and thought leaders. Course topics include:
- Foundations of Healthcare Management
- Ethical Issues in Healthcare
- Health Law and Regulation
- Healthcare Policy
- Health Insurance
Students enrolled in this healthcare administration program acquire relevant, real-world skills in the rigorous, multidisciplinary curriculum to immediately apply in their work. They gain practical knowledge of basic principles like project management and conflict management through diverse experiential learning opportunities. They also develop skills such as analytical, conceptual, and problem-solving skills that they can apply to various healthcare professions in the global environment.
Fast facts:
- 120 credit hour
- Offered through: College of Professional Studies
- Format: Online
- Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education
Tuition per credit: $541
#24 Peirce College
Philadelphia, PA
Online BSHA
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Points: 6
Peirce College offers an online Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration program for healthcare students interested in distance learning. This healthcare management degree online prepares graduates for career growth and advancement in the management and administrative sectors of the healthcare industry. Students can specialize in financial management, health information systems, human resources, medical staff relations, and patient care services. Course topics comprising the bachelor’s degree program include:
- Cultural Awareness for Health and Human Services Professionals
- Advanced Quality Management and Performance Improvement in Healthcare
- Health and Human Services Research Methods
- Electronic Health Records and Health Information Exchange
- Strategic Planning and Organizational Development in Healthcare
Graduates of this healthcare administration degree program become talented leaders who make a positive impact in their organizations and patients’ lives through strategic management and process improvement.
Fast facts:
- 121 credits
- Format: Online
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Tuition per credit: $600
#25 Davenport University
Grand Rapids, MI
Online BSHSA
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Points: 5
Davenport University offers an online BS in Health Services Administration for individuals who wish to work as leaders in the health care industry or related industries. This healthcare administration program emphasizes research and hands-on learning opportunities via practicums and internships for a well-rounded education. It provides students with the professionally required knowledge and skills they need to excel in the health services field. Course topics include:
- Health Care Research
- Human Resource Management
- Cultural Issues in Health Care
- Healthcare Regulatory Compliance
- Health Information Systems
- Health Services Administration Practicum (Virtual or Onsite)
This healthcare management degree program is one of only three programs in Michigan to be AUPHA accredited. Graduates work in various health care settings like long-term care facilities, integrated health care systems, and community health organizations.
Fast facts:
- 120 credits
- Offered through: College of Health Professions
- Format: Online
- Accreditation: AUPHA certified; Higher Learning Commission
Tuition per credit: $836
More About the Top 25 Online Colleges for Healthcare Administration (Bachelor’s) for 2022
What does a healthcare administration degree online mean?
A healthcare administration degree offers students the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills they need without worrying about a commute, course timings, and balancing life and work. Online programs have become a popular choice, and not just for professionals looking to grow in their careers. An increasing number of students choose an online degree option and get into the workforce early on with entry-level jobs.
An online healthcare administration degree teaches students to focus on the business side of an organization. The various courses train them to oversee day-to-day operations, manage individual departments and budgets, and direct human resources. As healthcare administrators, they would focus on separate areas and departments and use healthcare knowledge to lead on issues related to organizational management.
The main goal of a healthcare administrator is to ensure that patients are getting quality healthcare. They are often responsible for keeping records for the staff and managing quality staff to ensure the organization is functioning smoothly and efficiently. They would also coordinate with healthcare management executives to ensure the facility runs efficiently.
Students learn to focus on what kind of services an organization offers to its patients, which will be their key role as healthcare administrators. They will not personally administer medical treatment to patients in the facility, but they play a significant role in treatments and options available to all patients.
What is the career outlook for a bachelor’s in healthcare administration?
Students who earn a bachelor’s in healthcare administration will find several job options. The BLS states there is increasing demand for medical and health services managers, including healthcare administrators. Jobs in this field will increase by 32% through 2028, and a total of 133,200 new jobs will be added during that time.
Graduates are trained to manage staff in any medical organization or related institution though healthcare administration professionals are most in-demand in hospitals and health clinics. They also work in government health agencies, physician offices, universities and research institutions, nursing facilities, and outpatient care centers.
Students who have graduated from a healthcare administration online school profoundly impact patients through their work. They oversee all staff and process management aspects within various units, floors, departments, or an entire facility within a healthcare setting.
What salaries can graduates expect with a bachelor’s in healthcare administration online?
Jobs with bachelor’s in healthcare administration online vary as they do their salaries. These depend on many factors such as education, location, organization size, experience, and employer. The median annual salary for a healthcare administrator in the United States is $104,280, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
With more experience and education, the median annual salary always increases. While bachelor’s in healthcare administration online students earn more than an associate degree holder, they have to pursue graduate studies to earn more and grow.
What are the different healthcare administration bachelor’s degree online careers?
- Hospital administrator
- Community health centers manager
- Medical staff directors
- Hospital manager
- Financial manager
- Database administrator
- Ambulatory care manager
- Medical coding and billing manager
- Senior care staff manager
A bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration is designed to prepare you for leadership and management positions within the healthcare field. The goal is to build your skills in human resources, organizational leadership, operations, and finance. Regardless of where you want to work or what you want to do in the field, the path almost certainly begins with a degree in healthcare administration.
Who can opt for a healthcare administration bachelor’s degree?
Anyone with a high school diploma is eligible to apply for a healthcare administration bachelor’s degree. Admission requirements vary by school and program, so students have to research the requirements for each healthcare administration online school. In addition to a high school diploma, minimum GPA requirements are often between 2.5 and 3.0.
Students who hold an associate degree in social work from an accredited school or college can also apply for a BS in healthcare administration. Their degree offers foundational knowledge that often covers the first-year courses. Most colleges recognize this and waive the first year, and students can graduate early if they want.
Students need to submit all (or most of) the following: an application for admissions, letters of recommendation, transcripts, ACT or SAT scores (though many online schools are waiving this), and an application fee.
What duties do bachelor’s in healthcare administration graduates perform?
Graduates of healthcare administration are trained to ensure that their facilities are equipped with enough supplies and staff to operate to treat patients efficiently. They work with the staff who work directly with patients and focus on helping them during stressful times. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, their key duties include:
- Creating schedules for employees and ensure ample staff during working hours to service patients
- Developing and implementing policies for the organization
- Perform human resource services for the organization
- Keep an inventory of the facility’s stock and supplies
- Communicating with employees about changes in policy
- Maintain patient records
- Measure risks and develop plans for risk management
- Ensure their facility or organization is up to code and always following regulations and laws
- Make sure that the facility and the departments within it are adhering to budgets and plans
- Develop a supply chain management plan to increase efficiency
- Create, maintain, and update filing systems for patient medical records
- Measure the population health of a facility’s patients to measure the success of the facility
- Hiring and training new employees to fill in new positions
BS in healthcare administration graduates become leaders who apply health care principles and methodologies to manage people and processes. They stay on top of trends related to:
- Healthcare news
- Healthcare economics
- Healthcare information systems
- Healthcare reimbursement
- Healthcare quality
- Regulatory compliance
- Health disparities
Students learn the ways to support policies for the delivery of care and services that impact patient populations.
How long does it take to complete a bachelor’s in healthcare administration?
Students need to hold a degree from an accredited healthcare administration online school to be healthcare administrators. This article lists some of the most affordable and well-known healthcare administration online schools, which prepare students to get into the workforce right after a four-year college education. It’s a great choice for students who are passionate about impacting healthcare and helping others through health care services.
The undergraduate degree is typically offered as a BS in healthcare administration. Some schools also offer it as a BA in healthcare administration as well.
Most bachelor’s in healthcare administration online degrees take four years to complete. Some schools offer the flexibility of an accelerated or extended format for students who are working professionals. Students can choose a pace of study that best matches their busy schedules.
The accelerated version is meant for students who wish to get their bachelor’s in healthcare administration sooner than later. They can opt for this format and get their degree in three years instead of four. It is a good idea to work with an enrollment advisor before deciding on a particular format. For the extended format, they can work with their advisors to stretch their schedules and complete them in five to six years.
A few questions to keep in mind and ask during the enrollment process for university programs are:
- What is the best match for my busy schedule, full-time, extended, or accelerated option?
- Are there any prerequisite foundation courses that I need to take and complete before starting? Will that affect my course duration?
- Can I roll over credits from my associate degree?
- How long is the program for, and what are flexible options for online students?
- May I enroll in an online BS in healthcare administration regardless of the courses I took during my associate degree?
- How many credit hours are required to complete a healthcare administration degree?
- Would the internships prepare me for entry-level careers, and how can I choose them?
- Do I have to complete a capstone as well to complete my degree online?
What will you learn in administration bachelor’s degree online?
A bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration provides students with foundational knowledge and prepares them for a successful career in the field. Topics for core courses may include:
- Economics of healthcare
- Healthcare ethics and law
- Healthcare finance and accounting
- Marketing and communications
- Organizational structure
Programs align with the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA) which identified four key competencies for healthcare administrators:
- Communication skills
- Computational skills
- Critical thinking
- Social and cultural context analysis skills
Students can start with entry-level jobs or graduate studies like a MA or MS in Healthcare Administration. Some schools also offer an MBA in Healthcare Administration.
How can a bachelor’s in healthcare administration specializations help?
Successful completion of a specialization or concentration within an online healthcare administration degree allows students to tailor their degrees to meet their career aspirations and interests. They can focus on a particular area of practice and look for jobs in that sector. Professionals and students who wish to improve their career prospects and grow in their careers can benefit from these specializations.
How to choose the right online healthcare administration degree?
Choosing the right bachelor’s in healthcare administration online degree can be a challenge with many options and choices of schools. Students need to do thorough research about the degree and healthcare administration online school, the time it takes to graduate, and the costs associated. They should consider all options before investing time and money into particular social work degree programs. These include the kind of degree offered, the choice of concentrations or specializations, the format and flexibility of the degree, the program’s cost, the type of student support offered, and accreditations.
Prospective students can make a checklist and choose the right online bachelor’s in social work depending upon their priorities and then speak to an enrollment counselor. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Format:
The format, whether it is a synchronous or an asynchronous format, is important for online degrees. In the former, students log in and attend class online together. The latter is flexible and allows the same cohort to log in and study whenever they choose. For busy professionals, the latter option often works better for it allows them to study and work at their own pace.
Through a bachelor’s in healthcare administration online program, students can gain the skills and knowledge they need to become effective healthcare administrators while studying at their own pace and time. With a 100% online format, they can select a healthcare administration online school that matches their career goals without worrying about the locations or commute.
While most of these are 100% online, some healthcare administration online schools may have in-person requirements sometime during the four-year program. They may require students to visit the campus once or twice during the program. Students can also opt for a 100% online format with no campus visits; however, they connect with enrollment advisors and find out about these criteria. During their conversation with the enrollment advisor, students should also ask about the program’s flexibility and options to stretch the duration of the time to complete the degree.
Coursework:
Students should carefully review the coursework, which means looking at the list of course topics, specializations or concentrations, research options, and internships. The topics provide the skills, foundational knowledge, and research capabilities of future healthcare administrators. Choosing the right specialization is important since it should align with one’s interests, career goals, and master’s degree choices.
Career outlook:
Students need to look at the growth potential and job prospects, the salary potential, and the value of the degree during their research. Healthcare administrators are in demand, and the number of jobs in the field is rising steadily. Choosing the right online B.S. in healthcare administration programs will help them stand out among the competition and grow their healthcare careers.
Accreditation:
Students must check each prospective school and the program’s accreditation status. Most colleges hold regional or national accreditation from an independent, nonprofit agency. Students should also look into the school’s regional reputation, recognition and rankings, and national rankings. Accreditations ensure that the program and university meet certain quality standards laid down by the state and the industry.
Cost:
The cost of the bachelor’s in healthcare administration online program differs between schools, especially between public universities and private universities. State universities or online programs are often more affordable. They offer quality instruction and are affordable at the same time. A good blend of cost and flexibility is important, especially for busy professionals. Also, be sure to speak to an enrollment counselor about available financial aid.
Related Resources:
- Master’s in Health Administration Online: Top 30 Values
- 30 Most Affordable PhD in Healthcare Administration
- 50 Best Online Business Degree Programs
- 50 Best Value Bachelor’s in Business Management Online Degree Programs
- Top MPA Programs Online
- What is the difference between healthcare management and healthcare administration?
- Top 5 Crucial Responsibilities of a Healthcare Administrator
- Online Health Science Degrees
- MSN in Nursing Administration Online
- Online Associate’s in Health Information Technology
- Nursing & Healthcare Degree Rankings
- Online Colleges for Medical Billing & Coding
- Master’s in Health Informatics Online
- Best Online Bachelor’s in Social Work
- Key Responsibilities of a Healthcare Administrator
Sources:
- The Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)
- U.S. News & World Report
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
- ZipRecruiter
- Indeed