Top Online Healthcare Administration Degree Programs
See who ranks highest this year, explore degree options, and start your path to a rewarding education and career in healthcare administration.
Many highly regarded colleges and universities now offer their healthcare administration programs in a convenient online format. In our annual rankings, we’ve highlighted some of the best online programs currently available. We’ve listed comprehensive programs with the accreditation, curriculum, and flexibility needed to earn a valuable academic credential and begin down the path to a career in healthcare administration. Read on to learn about the schools that stand out this year.
Colorado Christian University
Lakewood, Colorado
Private
Lakewood University
Cleveland Heights, Ohio
Private
Wichita State University
Wichita, Kansas
Public
University of North Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
Public
Arizona State University Digital Immersion
Scottsdale, Arizona
Public
Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, New Hampshire
Private
Purdue University Global
West Lafayette, Indiana
Public
New England College
Henniker, New Hampshire
Private
Indiana Wesleyan University
Marion, Indiana
Private
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, Missouri
Private
Minnesota State University Moorhead
Moorhead, Minnesota
Public
Park University
Parkville, Missouri
Private
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio
Public
University of St Francis
Joliet, Illinois
Private
Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia
Private
Regis University
Denver, Colorado
Private
The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, Pennsylvania
Public
Purdue University
West Lafayette, Indiana
Public
Saint Joseph’s College of Maine
Standish, Maine
Private
Northcentral Technical College
Wausau, Wisconsin
Public
Terra State Community College
Fremont, Ohio
Public
Iowa Central Community College
Fort Dodge, Iowa
Public
Manor College
Located in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, Manor is a private institution that features a fully-online associate degree in healthcare administration. This program prides itself on preparing learners to become effective leaders in medical care settings and serve as community health educators or health advocates. Online healthcare administration students need 61 credits for graduation. Most learners finish their degree in two years.
Students from other colleges or universities may be able to transfer credits toward the degree, provided they have a “C” grade or higher. Competitive applicants possess a 2.0 or higher GPA and at least a 720 on the SAT. The school subscribes to a rolling admissions policy, so applicants should apply sooner than later. Online students can apply for internal merit- or need-based scholarships through Manor to help offset the cost of tuition and expenses.
Online Healthcare Administration Learning Center
- Online Associate Degrees in Healthcare Administration
- Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Healthcare Administration
- Online Healthcare Admin. Degrees with Financial Aid
- Online MHA Programs
- Online Doctorates in Healthcare Administration
Choosing the Right Online Healthcare Administration Degree Program
Choosing a college is a highly personal decision. Make sure to give yourself enough time to organize your thoughts, make a list of must-haves, and vet all of your options so you can make an educated decision about which schools you want to apply to. Here are a few important things you should look for in an online healthcare administration program.
Earning Your Healthcare Administration Degree Online
The process of earning an online degree in healthcare administration can vary greatly between schools. For students who wish to pursue a degree with no on-campus obligations, the good news is that virtually every online program in healthcare administration can be completed entirely remotely. Students earning a doctoral degree, depending on their faculty or dissertation committee and departmental regulations, may need to attend in-person meetings on campus. Depending on the school, however, these advisory sessions may take place over video chat.
Online healthcare administration students may take classes presented in either a synchronous or asynchronous learning format. Synchronous coursework requires learners to attend class on a regular schedule, oftentimes alongside other online students, at specific times during the day or evening. In these cases, students can participate in online group activities such as message boards, chat rooms, and live video lectures. Asynchronous learning, on the other hand, allows students to work more independently on a schedule of their choosing. In most healthcare administration programs that feature asynchronous classes, students can access course materials, including lectures, assignments, and exams, at any time, although specific deadlines for homework and projects are still common. Regardless of the format, either fully-online or hybrid (a blend of on-campus and online classes), healthcare administration online students need to be proactive and organized self-starters.
Comparing Online Healthcare Administration Degree Options
The section below highlights program requirements, duration, and potential career options for associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs in healthcare administration. With this information, prospective students can quickly assess the time commitment and potential employment opportunities upon graduating with their degree.
Online Associate Degree in Healthcare Administration
Students in associate degree programs explore the different types of roles carried out by healthcare administrators and hospitals, nursing facilities, physician offices, and insurance companies. Associate students often enter a program to prepare for further study in a bachelor’s program or pursue entry-level positions in their field. Programs include introductory courses in business management, organizational behavior, principles of marketing, foundations of healthcare management, and business communications.
Program Requirements
Total Credits: 60
Other Common Requirements: N/A
Time to Complete
Part-Time Program: 3 years
Full-Time Program: 1.5 to 2 years
Popular Career Options
Medical Records and Health Information Technician
National Median Salary (2023)
$48,780
National Job Growth (2022 to 2032)
8%
Job Level
Entry-Level
Secretary or Administrative Assistant
National Median Salary (2023)
$46,010
National Job Growth (2022 to 2032)
-10%
Job Level
Entry-Level
Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Healthcare Administration
Bachelor’s degree students study similar topics as associate degree learners but on a deeper level. Bachelor’s students study real-world situations in case studies to understand and learn how to uphold the highest professional standards in the field. Additionally, bachelor’s degree seekers complete general education courses in the humanities, computer sciences, social sciences, history, science, and more. A bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration best serves learners interested in pursuing entry- and mid-level work in the field. Alternatively, this degree prepares undergraduates for further education at the graduate level.
Program Requirements
Total Credits: 120
Other Common Requirements: Capstone project or final paper
Time to Complete
Part-Time Program: 4 to 5 years
Full-Time Program: 3 to 4 years
Popular Career Options
Medical and Health Services Manager
National Median Salary (2023)
$110,680
National Job Growth (2022 to 2032)
28%
Job Level
Entry-Level / Mid-Level
Administrative Service Managers
National Median Salary (2023)
$104,900
National Job Growth (2022 to 2032)
5%
Job Level
Mid-Level / Late Career
Online Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) Degree
A master’s degree in healthcare administration allows learners to further explore a concentration or specialization in the field. Most colleges and universities expect incoming master’s students to possess a history of related undergraduate coursework or an undergraduate degree in healthcare administration. Some programs also require students to have at least three years of healthcare admin work experience. Master’s learners often move on to advanced careers in the field, including positions in hospitals, research facilities, and educational institutions. This degree is best for remote students interested in developing a specialization in the field and pursuing higher-level administrative and management positions. A master’s degree may also qualify healthcare administration graduates for some teaching positions at the college or university level.
Program Requirements
Total Credits: 60
Other Common Requirements: Master’s thesis or final research project
Time to Complete
Part-Time Program: 3 to 4 years
Full-Time Program: 2 years
Popular Career Options
National Median Salary (2023)
$103,840
National Job Growth (2022 to 2032)
3%
Job Level
Mid-Level / Late Career
Postsecondary Education Administrators
National Median Salary (2023)
$102,610
National Job Growth (2022 to 2032)
4%
Job Level
Mid-Level / Late Career
Online Doctoral Degrees in Healthcare Administration
Students interested in pursuing a doctoral degree in healthcare administration choose between two degrees: a Doctor of Healthcare Administration (DHA) or a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). While both degrees prepare learners for the highest-level jobs in the field, the DHA is best for those interested in direct administrative leadership positions. The PhD is a research-focused degree that readies learners for college and university teaching positions and academic research pursuits.
Online Doctor of Healthcare Administration (DHA)
The DHA is best for students who foresee a career as administrators, high-level managers, and healthcare executives. Students in online DHA programs train for these positions by studying areas such as health policy and regulations, economics, finance, and informatics. Required courses for DHA students typically include quantitative and qualitative research methods, research design methods, organization innovation and business strategies, and leadership theory. Most programs include multiple dissertation-focused classes to help walk remote students through the process, including coursework focused on academic writing and research methods, writing an annotated bibliography, and writing a literature review.
Program Requirements
Total Credits: 90-120
Other Common Requirements: Write a doctoral dissertation, pass qualifying exams, pass dissertation defense.
Time to Complete
Part-Time Program: 5 to 7 years
Full-Time Program: 3 to 5 years
Popular Career Options
National Median Salary (2023)
$110,684
National Job Growth (2022 to 2032)
28%
Job Level
Mid-Level / Late Career
National Median Salary (2023)
$69,050
National Job Growth (2022 to 2032)
18%
Job Level
Mid-Level / Late Career
Online PhD in Healthcare Administration
The PhD is a research degree that prepares learners to contribute to and advance the body of knowledge that currently exists in their field. It’s best for online learners who wish to pursue high-level teaching or research careers at colleges, universities, or research organizations. PhD graduates can also find fulfilling work at nonprofit and governmental organizations.
PhD programs in healthcare administration allow learners to develop a specialization in the field. Depending on the program, doctoral degree holders can pursue concentrations in areas such as quality management, financial management, and healthcare policy. Required coursework and areas of study typically include research methodologies, quality improvements, finance, and organizational analysis.
Program Requirements
Total Credits: 60
Other Common Requirements: Write a doctoral dissertation, pass qualifying exams, pass dissertation defense, attend several on-campus residencies.
Time to Complete
Part-Time Program: 5 to 7+ years
Full-Time Program: 4 years
Popular Career Options
College or University Professor
National Median Salary (2023)
$84,340
National Job Growth (2022 to 2032)
8%
Job Level
Mid-Level / Late Career
Medical Sociologist
National Median Salary (2023)
$101,770
National Job Growth (2022 to 2032)
5%
Job Level
Late Career
Paying for Your Online Healthcare Administration Degree
While the total cost of a healthcare administration degree can seem overwhelming at first, there are many ways to save money, especially by securing scholarships and grants. Students should consider all potential avenues to garner funding assistance, including awards from inside their department or school and those awarded by outside organizations or individuals. Scholarships can be need- or merit-based. Additionally, some awards are reserved for students from particular ethnic backgrounds or those pursuing a certain field of study. Students should apply for as many scholarships or grants for which they qualify in order to maximize their funding opportunities.
Find scholarships and other financial aid for your healthcare administration degree.
Recommended Healthcare Administration Degree and Career Resources
Check out our dedicated student resources page for healthcare administration students, where we’ve listed a variety of online resources that are helpful for both new learners to the field and seasoned professionals. You’ll find healthcare admin professional organizations that provide valuable resources for members (especially those who are students or new graduates), helpful online communities you can join, support resources specifically designed for online healthcare admin students, and much more.
