Discover the Best Online Health Science Degrees
A degree in health science can lead to a rewarding career in the healthcare industry, or to more advanced studies in the field. Review top schools and learn the ins and outs of this popular degree option.
If you’re looking to earn a health science degree online, you have plenty of options. More and more schools have added online health science to their program lists at all degree levels. But when reviewing these programs, how do you know which are right for you? Which ones have the best combinations of affordability, quality, and flexibility for today’s digitally-savvy students? Using data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), and from the schools themselves, EduMed.org has researched, analyzed, and ranked the schools with the best online health science degree programs for 2025. Review the colleges and universities that truly stand out.
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio
Public
Purdue University Global
West Lafayette, Indiana
Public
Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio
Public
Allen College
Waterloo, Iowa
Private
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, Maryland
Private
George Washington University
Washington, District of Columbia
Private
Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia
Private
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan
Public
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota
Public
Indiana Wesleyan University
Marion, Indiana
Private
Arizona State University Digital Immersion
Scottsdale, Arizona
Public
University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia, Missouri
Public
Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, New Hampshire
Private
Indiana University-Indianapolis
Indianapolis, Indiana
Public
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas
Public
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Greensboro, North Carolina
Public
Drexel University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Private
Roane State Community College
Harriman, Tennessee
Public
Cerritos College
Norwalk, California
Public
Northwest Technical College
Bemidji, Minnesota
Public
Holmes Community College
Goodman, Mississippi
Public
College of Southern Maryland
La Plata, Maryland
Public
Ridgewater College
Willmar, Minnesota
Public
CUNY Kingsborough Community College
Brooklyn, New York
Public
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, California
Public
San Bernardino Valley College
San Bernardino, California
Public
Pasadena City College
Pasadena, California
Public
Ogeechee Technical College
Statesboro, Georgia
Public
Online School Interview: Director of Health Sciences
To give you an inside look at online health science degrees, we reached out to university program directors and gave them the opportunity to share what makes their online programs special. Here’s what one had to say.
| University name | location | School type | online programs | Get more info | Program Description | |
| Touro University Worldwide | location: Los Alamitos, CA | School type: Private not-for-profit | online programs: 5 | Get more info |  Q&A with Lyzette Blanco
Director of Health Science Program and The Edith Neumann School of Health and Human Services
|
Choosing Your Online Health Science Degree Program
Picking the right program is different for everyone. Where one student’s needs more affordable tuition, another may be more focused on flexibility. Despite the personal nature of this decision, there are certain factors that every student should think about before applying to online health science programs. Make sure each program you’re vetting does the following:
Fits your schedule and career timeline
Online programs are known for their flexibility, but some programs make it easier to fit learning into a work or life schedule. Some programs make it easier to graduate at a faster or slower pace. Before enrolling, ensure a particular program’s online format will fit your schedule and professional goals.
Matches your interests and desired career outcomes
Health science is a fairly specialized degree, but there are variables within the degree program designed to tailor it to your unique professional or academic interests. For example, one program might offer a specialization that another does not. Or, it might make sense to earn a health science degree at the graduate level as opposed to the undergraduate level.
Qualifies you for professional certification
If you hope to earn a special certification or license, there might be specific education requirements. Be sure the school you’re interested in will prepare you to obtain that professional qualification or certification. Otherwise, you may find yourself back in school, delaying you professional advancement or missing out on certain opportunities.
Offers a strong student support system
Distance learning requires a significant amount of self-discipline. However, it’s very beneficial to have easy access to academic and professional support. Questions come up and problems arise; when they do, you want to be sure you’ll have someone easily accessible to help you figure things out.
Earning Your Health Science Degree Online
When enrolled in an online health science program, experiences can vary. For instance, some programs will be 100% online while others will be mostly or partially online. The exact amount of online classes will depend not only on the particular program, but on area of specialization.
Additionally, there will be varying degrees of flexibility. Some students will have almost complete control in how and when they take their classes, while others will have more structure in completing their academic requirements. Some things will be universal, however: for instance, one common feature among many health science programs can be found at the master’s level, with the capstone project. Students can expect to complete this project and demonstrate their understanding of the health science field by applying their knowledge to real-world scenarios.
Online Health Science Degrees by Level
Health science is a popular area of study, so it’s no wonder there are various degrees available for both graduate and undergraduate students. The three most popular health science degrees can be found at the associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree levels. Let’s take a closer look.
Online Associate Degree in Health Science
An online associate degree in health science is a great opportunity to gain a solid foundation in the field while still exploring more specific educational paths. The curriculum often focuses on providing a foundational level of knowledge that can be applied to a variety of medical and health settings. Many programs also provide opportunities for specialization for support, administrative, or technical roles in a hospital, clinic, or doctor’s office. Upon completion, graduates should have the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute to a healthcare team and move on to a more advanced degree later if they so choose.
Best for … anyone looking to gain a basic understanding of the health care field, yet wants to keep the option of earning a bachelor’s degree later on.
Program Requirements
Total Credits:
60 or 90
Other Common Requirements:
In addition to core or major related courses, students will take general education classes that comprise of roughly half of their total credits needed for graduation.
Time to Complete
Part-Time Program: 2-3 Years
Full-Time Program: 1.5-2 Years
Popular Career Options
Medical Assistant
National Median Salary (2023):
$42,000
National Job Growth (2022 to 2032):
14%
Job Level:
Entry-Level
Pharmacy Technician
National Median Salary (2023):
$40,300
National Job Growth (2022 to 2032):
6%
Job Level:
Entry-Level
Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Health Science
The online bachelor’s is one of the most popular health sciences degree tracks. The four-year degree allows graduates to meet the basic education eligibility requirements for many healthcare positions. It also delivers a well-rounded general education to accompany the more specialized coursework. And finally, it sets the stage for further learning later on, such as with a master’s degree. The core curriculum provides an extensive amount of healthcare training, with students learning basic knowledge from microbiology to health informatics to public health. When done with their degree, students should be prepared for taking on a number of roles in teaching, administration, management, and healthcare delivery.
Best for … someone who wishes to begin their career at more advanced levels, including teaching and management.
Program Requirements
Total Credits:
120 or 180
Other Common Requirements:
Students will encounter an extensive general education curriculum. Some programs may require a final capstone project that applies classroom knowledge to a real-world situation.
Time to Complete
Part-Time Program: 5-6 Years
Full-Time Program: 2-4 Years
(Note that the time to completion depends upon whether the student already has an associate degree)
Popular Career Options
Community Health Worker
National Median Salary (2023):
$48,200
National Job Growth (2022 to 2032):
14%
Job Level:
Entry-Level
Health Services Manager
National Median Salary (2023):
$110,680
National Job Growth (2022 to 2032):
28%
Job Level:
Mid-Level
Online Master’s Degrees in Health Science
Online health science master’s programs cover theoretical and strategic topics, such as leadership, policy and ethics. They also help to cultivate advanced skills, such as writing, research, and statistical analysis. Students also have the opportunity to specialize during their master’s program, diving deeper into areas such as environmental analysis, biostatistics, and ethics of healthcare.
Best for … established professionals who want to take the next step in their professional development in a health science field.
Program Requirements
Total Credits:
30 to 36
Other Common Requirements:
Many programs require students to complete a capstone project that contains a practicum element. This may require students to work under the supervision of a faculty member while working within an organizational environment to address a particular issue for a specific community.
Time to Complete
Part-Time Program: 2-3 Years
Full-Time Program: 1.5-2 Years
Popular Career Options
Social and Community Service Manager
National Median Salary (2023):
$7,030
National Job Growth (2022 to 2032:
9%
Job Level:
Mid-Level
Health Educator
National Median Salary (2023):
$62,860
National Job Growth (2022 to 2032):
7%
Job Level:
Mid-Level
Financial Aid for Your Online Health Science Degree
Earning a health science degree is a significant investment. In addition to tuition, there can be fees, room and board, parking, books, and more. Fortunately, there are ways to help drive these costs down so you don’t need to reach into your savings to pay for them. If you’re ready to apply for an online health science degree, explore health science scholarships and research financial aid before you get started.
Health Science Degree & Career Resources
To make the most of your health science degree, it helps to know the right people and have access to helpful resources. Establishing connections in school can provide a valuable head start for professional development.
Professional Health Science Organizations
Connecting with the right professional organization can provide guidance on not just choosing the most appropriate academic path while in school, but can also make it easier to achieve your professional goals. These organizations can introduce you to areas of practice you never considered or open doors to job prospects you wouldn’t otherwise have.
- American College of Healthcare Executives
- American Health Information Management Association
- American Medical Informatics Association
- American Public Health Association
- American Society for Microbiology
- Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology
- Association of Public Health Laboratories
- Council on Education for Public Health
- Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society
- Health Sciences Association
- National Commission for Health Education Credentialing
- National Consortium for Health Science Education
- National Environmental Health Association
- Society for Public Health Education
Resources for Health Science Students & Professionals
Whether you’re looking to succeed in school or in your chosen field of work, having access to information and individuals who know something you don’t is priceless. Numerous websites and organizations have a wealth of information to help you ace that next exam, understand course material, learn about a potential career or provide a few ideas on making the most of your upcoming networking event.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Delta Omega
- Healthcare IT News
- Health Resources & Services Administration
- Health Science Journal
- HOSA-Future Health Professionals
- National Health Association
- MERLOT-Health Science Community Portal
- National Healthcareer Association
- National Institutes of Health
- O*Net
