Best Online MHA Programs in Virginia

Virginia has a sprawling healthcare system consisting of private organizations and defense-related employers, thanks to its proximity to Washington, D.C. An online Master’s in Healthcare Administration (MHA) gives you a path to a leadership role in any of these settings without leaving your current job behind as you go back to school. Below, we’ll share a look at Virginia’s top MHA programs and give you a look at what you can expect from the curriculum, accreditation, and costs.

The following professionals lent their expertise to this article:

Author: Cody DeBos, RN, BSN

Healthcare EducationNursingPediatric Nursing

Editor: Jordan Cosselman

Healthcare EducationOnline Learning

Updated: 08/11/2026

Jump To Section

Degree Details
FAQs
Salary & Pay

Jump ToSection:

Degree Details
FAQs
Salary & Pay

School Spotlights: Inside Popular Virginia MHA Programs

Virginia has three CAHME-accredited MHA programs, and all of them offer an online learning option. This sets it apart from many other states, where accredited online options may be limited. Though CAHME accreditation isn’t mandatory, some employers do prefer candidates whose degree came from an accredited institution.

Aside from this, you’ll find that online MHA programs in Virginia vary in terms of pace and audience. Some are designed to move quickly and welcome applicants without a healthcare background. Others are geared toward working professionals with years of experience already behind them.

George Mason University

George Mason’s online MHA in Health Systems Management was named the 2025 recipient of the CAHME/Herzlinger Innovation Education Award, which recognizes programs that set the standard for the field. The 39-credit curriculum is mostly asynchronous, and students choose a concentration in Healthcare Quality or an Executive track focused on financial and strategic management.

A field-based capstone practicum in the final semesters offers an opportunity to apply coursework to a real organizational problem, with meetings held virtually or in-person depending on placement. Most students can complete their MHA in about 30 months, taking one course per semester, though George Mason allows up to six years for degree completion.

Although a background in healthcare isn’t required to apply, it can be a boost to your packet and is considered during the admission process.

Duration: 30 months

Mode: Fully online with mostly asynchronous coursework

Cost: $895 per credit hour

Admissions Requirements:

Completed online application
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
3.0 minimum GPA
Personal statement, resume, and two letters of recommendation

Virginia Commonwealth University

VCU’s Master of Science in Health Administration (MSHA) is also CAHME-accredited. It is designed specifically for clinicians and working healthcare professionals who are already several years into their careers.

Most coursework is delivered online and asynchronously, with the exception of three in-person sessions held over a long weekend each semester, adding up to six total on-campus days per year. This allows working professionals to complete their degree on their own schedule with an enormous amount of flexibility.

Full-time students are able to complete the program in just 22 months. This makes it a faster option than some since the curriculum can skip several entry-level topics due to the audience it’s designed for.

Duration: 22 months

Mode: Asynchronous online coursework with minimal on-campus days each semester

Cost: Total program cost $47,000 (VA resident); $76,000 (non-VA resident)

Admissions Requirements:

Completed online application
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
2.75 minimum GPA
Personal statement, resume, response to a critical thinking prompt, and two letters of recommendation
Three to five years of professional/managerial/healthcare experience required

Radford University – Carilion

Radford’s Master of Healthcare Administration, based out of its Carilion campus in downtown Roanoke, is the newest CAHME-accredited program of this trio, earning a four-year term in 2026. It’s also the fastest, offering students the ability to finish the entire degree in just 15 months. In addition to its new accreditation, Radford also maintains membership in the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA).

The 36-credit curriculum is delivered in either full-term or accelerated seven-week formats with synchronous online courses via Zoom. Students without at least a year of healthcare experience must complete an additional practicum course, while those with more experience can choose between the practicum or a capstone project.

Duration: 15 months

Mode: Fully online

Cost: $690 per credit hour (VA resident); $710 per credit hour (non-VA resident)

Admissions Requirements:

Completed online application
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
3.0 minimum GPA
Resume and two letters of recommendation

FAQs About Online/Hybrid MHA Programs in Virginia

Are there CAHME-accredited online MHA programs in Virginia?

Yes, Virginia has three CAHME-accredited MHA programs, and unlike some states, all three are available in an online or hybrid format. CAHME accreditation and online availability don’t always line up, so Virginia’s outlier status makes earning an MHA that much easier.

Before committing to any program, though, it’s important to double-check its current accreditation status directly on CAHME’s site, since standing can change over time.

What are the general admissions requirements for Virginia MHA programs?

Online MHA admissions requirements in Virginia vary based on who the program is designed for. Some are available to those who recently completed a bachelor’s degree in good standing, while others require several years of professional experience in a healthcare or managerial setting before you can even apply.

A 3.0 GPA is a common recommendation across the board, though it might not be a strict cutoff for otherwise strong candidates or those with more work experience. Personal statements and letters of recommendation are also common, and it’s a good idea to get the latter lined up well before you plan to apply.

Is financial aid available for MHA programs in Virginia?

Yes. The hunt for financial aid is best started at the federal level, where you can obtain Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Grad PLUS Loans regardless of which online MHA program you’re interested in.

Closer to home, you can also find plenty of support in Virginia, both from schools directly and from employers. The Healthcare Financial Management Association HFMA Virginia-DC Chapter offers its own scholarships to student members, including the annual Robert H. Thomas Continuing Education Scholarship.

If you’re already working in healthcare, there’s a good chance your employer will contribute to your degree either in the form of reimbursement or direct tuition payments. It’s also worth asking your admissions counselor about any financial aid programs offered by the university, since these can often be more generous than federal-level aid.

How long do MHA programs in Virginia take to complete?

Timelines for MHA programs in Virgina are a bit more varied than in most states. Some accelerated programs for mid-career professionals can be completed in as little as 15 months, while open-entry programs or those with a lighter course load each semester may take 30 months or more. Of course, part-time students should expect these timelines to stretch out further.

Is it worth pursuing an MHA in Virginia?

Yes, for most students. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for medical and health services managers is nearly $118,000 and employment is projected to grow by 23% by 2034.

Virginia’s healthcare demand is strong, and there is no shortage of major health systems hiring administrators. In addition to the private sector, proximity to Washington, D.C. means there is even more demand as well as pressure on organizations statewide to hire administrators who can manage both clinical and regulatory complexity.

How Much Will I Earn with an MHA in Virginia?

Medical and Health Services Managers

Area ↕︎	10th Percentile ↕︎	Median ↕︎	90th Percentile ↕︎
Virginia	$80,250	$129,270	$213,810
Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA	$62,510	$106,640	$159,120
Charlottesville, VA	$83,360	$131,540	$229,680
Harrisonburg, VA	$68,300	$109,840	$173,160
Lynchburg, VA	$79,420	$129,320	$216,510
Richmond, VA	$80,600	$129,660	$215,320
Roanoke, VA	$80,720	$128,800	$190,880
Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA	$80,500	$129,200	$202,020
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC	$67,800	$123,900	$207,160
Winchester, VA-WV	$81,650	$136,350	$183,040

Source: Medical & Health Services Managers, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2025

Data reflects national numbers, not school-specific information.

Best Online MHA Programs in Virginia

School Spotlights: Inside Popular Virginia MHA Programs

George Mason University

Virginia Commonwealth University

Radford University – Carilion

FAQs About Online/Hybrid MHA Programs in Virginia

Are there CAHME-accredited online MHA programs in Virginia?

What are the general admissions requirements for Virginia MHA programs?

Is financial aid available for MHA programs in Virginia?

How long do MHA programs in Virginia take to complete?

Is it worth pursuing an MHA in Virginia?

How Much Will I Earn with an MHA in Virginia?

Cody DeBos, RN, BSN AUTHOR

Jordan Cosselman EDITOR