Your bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration and a few years of experience have laid the groundwork for your career, but now you’re eyeing a leadership role. As you browse senior positions, you notice nearly all of them require a master’s degree. So now, graduate school is officially on your radar.
The big question: Should you pursue a master’s in healthcare administration (MHA) or a master’s in business administration (MBA)? More importantly, which degree aligns better with your long-term career goals?
This guide clearly breaks down the differences between an MHA and MBA, exploring the unique benefits and career paths each degree offers.
MHA vs. MBA: Key Difference at a Glance
Both MHA and MBA degrees prepare you for leadership roles in healthcare, but they differ significantly in focus. An MHA specifically targets management within healthcare systems, while an MBA provides broad business skills applicable across industries, including healthcare.
What is an MHA Degree?
An MHA is tailored for individuals aiming for operational leadership roles within healthcare organizations. The curriculum emphasizes healthcare systems management, healthcare policy, compliance, and the business aspects of patient care delivery. If your primary career objective is leadership within hospitals, clinics, or public health agencies, an MHA is a direct and targeted path.
What is an MBA Degree?
An MBA covers fundamental business disciplines such as finance, marketing, strategy, and leadership – skills transferable to multiple sectors. For those interested in healthcare leadership but wanting broader career flexibility, an MBA provides strategic business acumen applicable to healthcare and beyond.
It’s worth noting that many MBA programs offer specializations in healthcare management, blending general business education with healthcare-specific courses. Additionally, there are even dual MHA/MBA degree programs.
Curriculum and Educational Focus
While both degrees will prepare you for leadership roles, their coursework is different to reflect their distinct goals. Here’s a look at what you might learn based on the degree you pursue:
MHA Curriculum Overview
MHA programs focus on how healthcare systems work, including how they’re structured, financed, and managed. Your program should cover topics like:
- U.S. healthcare system and insurance structures
- Healthcare finance and economics
- Legal and ethical considerations in healthcare
- Patient safety and quality improvement
- Healthcare analytics and information management
- Strategic management within health organizations
- Human resource management in healthcare
Depending on the school, you may also have the opportunity for hands-on internships in healthcare organizations.
MBA Curriculum Overview
MBA programs help develop business leaders who can think strategically, manage resources, and lead teams in any industry. Topics generally covered in an MBA program are:
- Financial and managerial accounting
- Marketing management and strategic planning
- Organizational behavior and leadership
- Operations management and quantitative analysis
- Asset valuation and risk management
- Business law, ethics, and communication
MBA programs usually offer electives or specializations, including healthcare management, allowing students to tailor their education to specific career interests.
Skills Gained in MHA and MBA Programs
MHA graduates should gain expertise in:
- Healthcare systems and policy
- Clinical operations oversight
- Patient care quality management
- Regulatory compliance and health finance
MBA graduates should know about:
- Business strategy
- Financial decision-making
- Organizational leadership and team management
- Market analysis and cross-industry adaptability
Career Paths and Job Opportunities
Where can each degree take you? Here’s a look at the kinds of jobs you can get with an MHA or MBA and what those roles typically involve.
Careers with an MHA
The healthcare sector continues to expand rapidly, creating increased demand for skilled leaders. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), roles for medical and health services managers are expected to grow by 29% from 2023 to 2033.
Potential MHA roles include:
- Hospital Administrator: Manages hospital operations, budgets, staffing, compliance, and regulations.
- Health Services Manager: Oversees healthcare departments to optimize efficiency and patient care standards.
- Clinical Operations Director: Coordinates clinical teams, ensuring adherence to protocols and effective patient care.
- Group Practice Administrator: Supervises operations of medical group practices, manages staff, finances, scheduling, and compliance.
Healthcare Career with an MBA
MBA graduates have valuable versatility within healthcare, combining strategic business knowledge with healthcare expertise. According to the BLS, administrative services and facility management positions, popular among MBA graduates, are expected to grow by 6% from 2023 to 2033, highlighting solid opportunities for advancement.
MBA-related healthcare roles include:
- Healthcare Consultant: Advises healthcare organizations on cost reduction, operations improvement, and strategic implementation.
- Healthcare Marketing Manager: Develops marketing strategies for healthcare providers, medical devices, or pharmaceuticals, driving growth and engagement.
- Product Manager: Oversees the development and launch of healthcare products, ensuring they meet user needs, regulatory compliance, and business objectives.
- Pharmaceutical Executives: Leads operations and strategic planning within pharmaceutical companies, navigating complex regulations and market demands.
Can You Work in Healthcare with Either Degree?
Yes, both MHA and MBA degrees can lead to rewarding healthcare careers. MHAs offer specialized healthcare leadership training, ideal for dedicated healthcare careerists. MBAs provide broader strategic skills, offering flexibility to pivot into other industries, though specialized roles may require additional healthcare experience or focused electives.
Consider your background when choosing: if you’re already established in healthcare, an MBA can complement your experience with strategic business insights. If newer to healthcare, an MHA provides foundational knowledge for leadership.
Which Degree is Right for You?
We’ve covered how both MHA and MBA can lead to in-demand healthcare leadership careers, and each has its advantages depending on where you see yourself in the healthcare world. The following lists may help you determine which path makes more sense for you based on your goals and interests:
Choose an MHA if you…
- Want direct leadership roles in healthcare
- Plan to have a long-term career in hospitals, clinics, or public health organizations
- Are passionate about patient care and improving healthcare delivery
- Aim for deep expertise in healthcare regulations and operations
Choose an MBA if You…
- Desire broad career flexibility beyond healthcare
- Prefer a comprehensive business curriculum with optional healthcare specializations
- Are interested in entrepreneurship or strategic business roles
- Valuable skills in finance, marketing, and organizational leadership
Still Not Sure? Consider …
- The type of organizations you envision leading
- Your preference for specialized versus flexible career paths
- Interest in patient care versus broader business strategy
- Your willingness to explore opportunities outside healthcare
FAQs: MHA vs. MBA
Is an MHA better than an MBA?
Neither is universally better. Ultimately, it depends on your career goals. MHAs are tailored specifically for healthcare management, while MBAs offer broad business skills with industry flexibility.
Which pays more, an MBA or an MHA?
BLS data from 2024 shows medical and health services managers (MHA grads) earn a median of $117,960 annually. Administrative services managers (common MBA roles) focusing on healthcare earn around $99,390.
Still, salaries vary widely based on experience, role, and location. MBAs might pursue higher salaries in consulting or pharmaceuticals, while MHAs see stable growth within healthcare.
Is a master’s in healthcare administration worth it?
A master’s in healthcare administration is worth it particularly for a focused healthcare management career. The field offers substantial job growth, stable career opportunities, and increasing demand for skilled healthcare leaders.
Is an MBA valuable in healthcare?
Absolutely, an MBA can be valuable in healthcare. The business leadership, strategic planning, and operational management skills are highly valuable in healthcare administration roles. MBAs often hold executive and strategy-focused healthcare positions.
Are there dual MBA/MHA programs?
Yes, some schools offer combined MBA/MHA programs, typically completed in two to three years. Additionally, specialized MBA programs in healthcare management provide a focused business curriculum tailored for healthcare leadership.
Making Your Decision
Deciding between an MHA and an MBA hinges on your career aspirations, interests, and flexibility preferences. Each degree offers distinct advantages: specialized healthcare leadership versus broader strategic business skills.
Reflecting on your long-term goals will clarify which path is best suited to guide your future.
