Healthcare Administration Bachelor’s Degrees in Florida
Learn how to advance your career by earning a healthcare administration degree in Florida. Discover what the best programs provide, explore online learning options, and find answers to questions about cost and accreditation.
Healthcare administrators supervise personnel and oversee daily operations. They play a vital role in treatment facilities, and their work is in high demand in states like Florida. The Sunshine State is home to over 5.5 million people aged 60 and over, more than the next 20 states combined. State agencies expect that figure to grow by nearly three million through 2045. When this population turns to the healthcare system for support, skilled administrators can connect them with quality resources and care.
Designed for aspiring students looking to enter this job sector, this guide explores what healthcare administration degree programs in Florida offer. It overviews what you can expect to learn, looks at online degree availability, and spotlights several programs. Keep reading to get started by seeing who made our list for the best programs going into 2024.
| # | School Name | Type | Tuition | Online Programs | More Details | School Information | Online Students | Academic Counseling | Career Placement | Students w/Institutional Aid | Median Earnings 10yrs After Entry | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DeVry University-FloridaMiramar, FL | Private for-profit | $$ | 1 | Students looking for a Bachelor's in Healthcare Administration with multiple specialties should consider the program from DeVry University. This flexible online degree consists of fundamental courses in business, IT, and healthcare administration. It also allows students to specialize in one of four areas: health services information systems, health insurance and managed care, health services management, and health rights and responsibilities. Program Highlights: Bachelor's in Healthcare Administration
| Academic CounselingYes | Career PlacementYes | Student/ Faculty Ratio21/1 | Online Student %100% | |||
| 2 | State College of Florida-Manatee-SarasotaBradenton, FL | Public | $ | 1 | State College of Florida offers a robust Bachelor of Applied Science in Health Services Administration at their Manatee-Sarasota campus. While the program is handled through this campus, students can complete the entire degree online, if desired. Coursework consists of public health, business, and technology courses. By the end, students know how to plan and manage healthcare services. To enter this program, applicants need to have completed 60 credit hours at the higher education level, with an associate degree preferred. Program Highlights: Bachelor of Applied Science in Health Services Administration
| Academic CounselingYes | Career PlacementYes | Student/ Faculty Ratio21/1 | Online Student %72% | |||
| 3 | University of North FloridaJacksonville, FL | Public | $ | 1 | The University of North Florida offers a Bachelor of Health Administration with two tracks. The first is a more general track comprising business, public health, and technology classes. The second offers this same curriculum, but with a specialization in aging. For both tracks, the entire program can be completed virtually, without students ever stepping on campus. Students who wish to continue their education can move into the university's Mater's in Health Administration program upon graduating. Program Highlights: Bachelor of Health Administration
| Academic CounselingYes | Career PlacementYes | Student/ Faculty Ratio19/1 | Online Student %79% | |||
| 4 | Florida International UniversityMiami, FL | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes | Career PlacementYes | Student/ Faculty Ratio24/1 | Online Student %68% | ||||
| 5 | City College-Fort LauderdaleFort Lauderdale, FL | Private not-for-profit | $$ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes | Career PlacementYes | Student/ Faculty Ratio10/1 | Online Student %100% | ||||
| 6 | St Petersburg CollegeSt. Petersburg, FL | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes | Career PlacementYes | Student/ Faculty Ratio22/1 | Online Student %76% | ||||
| 7 | University of Central FloridaOrlando, FL | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes | Career PlacementYes | Student/ Faculty Ratio30/1 | Online Student %64% | ||||
| 8 | Saint Leo UniversitySaint Leo, FL | Private not-for-profit | $$$ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes | Career PlacementYes | Student/ Faculty Ratio16/1 | Online Student %82% |
What Are Popular Healthcare Administration Degree Programs in Florida?
The schools identified below are popular among students in Florida, and they’ll give you a better idea of what to look for during your own program search.
Florida International University
Florida International University offers an online Bachelor of Health Services Administration degree ideal for students interested in leadership positions within hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and long-term care facilities. Administered by FIU’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences, the 120-credit program focuses on management practices for healthcare professionals by examining different approaches to organizational behavior and evidence-based care. Students also receive hands-on training in cultural competency, conflict resolution, and professional ethics.
Electives for this online healthcare administration degree in Florida look at a diverse array of topics, including information systems and medical terminology, managerial communication, psychology, and strategic leadership. Students enjoy 24/7 access to interactive course content with real-time faculty feedback, and most complete their studies in four years or less. Each student also receives an individual personal success coach as a part of the onboarding process, and the program extends start dates through the summer, fall, and spring.
University of Central Florida
Over 70% of graduates from the University of Central Florida’s Bachelor of Science in Health Services Administration launch a new career within six months of completion. The program builds core competencies in community health and healthcare policy, patient record-keeping, human resources, and information management. Each student also completes a hands-on capstone course that typically involves a local internship placement in healthcare administration.
The program requires 120 credits, but the school accepts up to 60 or more transfer credits earned elsewhere. This allows you to move through the program more quickly by focusing on core courses in medical management and healthcare administration. This Florida healthcare administration degree also extends multiple pathways to completion, including online, hybrid, and campus-based options for increased flexibility and accommodation. The online option combines self-paced learning with synchronous components, so you can complete assignments at your convenience while also benefitting from peer interaction and instructor contact.
University of West Florida
At the University of West Florida, aspiring professionals can earn a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences in Healthcare Administration in 48 months or less. The program uses fully online delivery methods, and most courses last just eight weeks making it an ideal format for busy students looking to balance work, life, and study. Coursework looks at contemporary issues in health care, examines key administrative concepts and practices, and builds transferable skills in marketing and strategic management. Students learn to lead and coordinate a team of healthcare professionals and to navigate applicable laws and medical regulations.
Applicants to the program need a 2.5 cumulative GPA and must complete prerequisites in science, math, and psychology. Students can pursue electives in public health, global health sciences, and healthcare operations. Capstone requirements include a comprehensive exam and an original project that engages contemporary research in medical science and healthcare administration.
What Will I Learn in a Healthcare Admin Bachelor’s Degree Program in Florida?
Requirement specifics always vary by school, but most healthcare administration degree programs in Florida share a common set of learning outcomes. These outcomes equip you for advanced leadership and administrative roles in treatment centers and other organizations that deliver patient-centered, evidence-based care. When you enroll in a healthcare administration program in Florida you can expect to:
- Develop skills in organizational leadership and strategic planning.
- Build a working knowledge of the key processes and procedures that govern healthcare delivery in the U.S.
- Examine contemporary social, political, and ethical problems in health science.
- Receive expert training in healthcare marketing, finance, and legal regulation.
- Gain hands-on experience through individualized internship placements and capstone experiences.
Along the way, you’ll also have ample opportunity to further hone your communication and critical thinking skills by assessing recent case studies and networking with faculty and cohort peers.
The programs administered at Florida Gulf Coast University and the University of Central Florida, for example, begin by developing knowledge foundations in general content areas like science, math, and healthcare fundamentals. Most other programs follow a similar trajectory. Core courses completed in the later stages of study focus on administrative essentials in healthcare operations, quality control, and human resource management.
What Are the Admissions Requirements for Healthcare Administration Programs in Florida?
Common requirements and admissions criteria for these programs bear some resemblance to similar four-year healthcare degree programs with a few notable differences. Prospective applicants should be prepared to submit the following items:
- Evidence of a high school diploma or GED
- Official SAT or ACT scores
- Official TOEFL or IELTS test scores (international applicants only)
- Transcripts for any previous college-level credits earned
Applications with transcripts indicating a 2.0 GPA or higher often receive greater consideration. In addition, some schools prefer applicants who possess a relevant associate degree or a substantial amount of transfer credits. The programs at State College of Florida and Florida International University offer good examples of what you can expect, including possible course prerequisites in subjects like statistics, economics, and accounting.
Can I Earn My Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration Online in Florida?
Quite a few schools offer an online healthcare administration degree in Florida, and several extend multiple pathways for completion, including hybrid and fully online options. These programs fulfill the same set of learning objectives as campus-based alternatives with the same levels of quality and accreditation. The added benefits of online learning, however, include increased flexibility and convenience. These advantages allow working professionals in healthcare to continue accruing work experience while building new skills in assessment and evaluation that help further their careers.
Some schools, like Saint Leo University, give students the option to tailor a hybrid experience that meets their individual needs. In those cases, you can select from a range of online courses and prioritize which experiences you want to reserve for in-person learning. A more popular option is the fully online pathway. This mode involves self-paced or real-time learning experiences, depending on the school, or sometimes a combination of the two. Some programs, like the Bachelor of Health Administration at the University of North Florida, use 16-week sessions to deliver courses while others, like State College of Florida and St. Petersburg College, follow more accelerated timelines using sessions lasting five to eight weeks.
Quality Examples of Online Healthcare Administration Degree Programs in Florida
- State College of Florida (Fully Online)
- University of North Florida (Fully Online)
- Saint Leo University (Fully Online; Partially Online)
- St. Petersburg College (Fully Online; Partially Online)
- Florida International University (Fully Online)
What’s the Healthcare Administration Job Market Like in Florida?
Graduates with a healthcare administration degree in Florida benefit from a bright job outlook overall. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, leadership roles in medicine and healthcare will increase by 28% over the next eight years, much faster than the nationwide average for other occupations. The numbers in Florida reflect this trend. Projections from state agencies show a higher growth rate for health services professions than other job sectors with work in administration increasing by over 10%.
Like other states, localized demand for healthcare administrators in Florida correlates with a significant increase in earning power. Nationally, degree-holders earn more than double their peers in other fields. Floridians enjoy those same margins with plenty of room for raises as they gain experience. As the table below indicates, the highest salaries cluster around populous areas like Gainesville, Naples, Miami, and Tampa.
Yearly Earnings for Medical and Health Services Managers in Florida
| 10th Percentile | Median Earnings | 90th Percentile | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $60,780 | $101,340 | $205,620 |
| Florida | $54,400 | $97,930 | $167,080 |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | $60,010 | $95,010 | $189,560 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $48,320 | $79,870 | $161,510 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | $48,670 | $92,690 | $151,200 |
| Gainesville, FL | $64,090 | $100,730 | $160,540 |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | $54,450 | $92,400 | $138,100 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $59,140 | $97,770 | $174,170 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $57,570 | $97,930 | $208,000 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $59,140 | $99,040 | $167,550 |
| Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL | $52,540 | $102,110 | $167,550 |
| North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL | $59,140 | $98,500 | $167,260 |
| Ocala, FL | $46,680 | $92,530 | $152,790 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $48,420 | $97,930 | $160,940 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $58,460 | $95,010 | $167,550 |
| Panama City, FL | $56,660 | $78,050 | $127,150 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | $58,900 | $92,780 | $150,240 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $48,790 | $95,580 | $154,740 |
| Punta Gorda, FL | $57,840 | $95,970 | $145,200 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach, FL | $47,620 | $79,680 | $150,340 |
| Sebring, FL | $52,900 | $81,090 | $126,600 |
| Tallahassee, FL | $58,040 | $97,930 | $150,660 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $48,790 | $98,560 | $200,790 |
| The Villages, FL | $46,160 | $94,360 | $190,110 |
FAQs About Healthcare Administration Degrees in Florida
How much time does it take to complete a healthcare admin bachelor’s degree program in Florida?
Most students graduate and launch or advance their careers in two to four years. A few key factors impact the length of your healthcare administration studies, however. If you’re able to take advantage of full-time enrollment, online learning, and other accelerated pathways, you’ll likely finish much faster. Programs like those at St. Petersburg College and the University of West Florida encourage this by prioritizing applicants with transfer credits or a two-year degree. Traditional students lacking general education credits need to complete those first before moving to core requirements. They follow a more extended timeline and typically finish in four years.
How much do Florida healthcare administration bachelor’s degrees cost?
The type of school you attend, the learning modality you use, and where you plan to live during your studies all affect the overall cost. Most private schools cost more than public colleges or universities, and some public institutions charge higher tuition rates for out-of-state residents. Some campus-based programs may be more expensive than online alternatives, but individual policies on this vary. The examples below give you a sense of the range of costs you can expect to hear your healthcare administration degree in Florida.
Saint Leo University
Bachelor’s Degree in Healthcare Administration
Total Credits: 120
$640/credit (campus); $410/credit (online)
University of South Florida
Health Sciences B.S. with Health Care Administration Concentration
Total Credits: 120
$211/credit (resident); $575/credit (non-resident)
Florida Gulf Coast University
Bachelor of Science in Health Administration
Total Credits: 120
$203/credit (resident); $838/credit (non-resident)
What type of accreditation should a Florida healthcare administration degree have?
All prospective programs should first possess institutional accreditation. Independent agencies grant this credential, and they receive their accrediting power from the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Institutional accreditation ensures quality across the college or university.
Some programs also hold specialized forms of accreditation that go beyond the institutional level. Specialized or programmatic accreditation doesn’t replace institutional accreditation, but it can provide extra clout and value. In healthcare administration, this credential typically comes from organizations like the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.
<span data-metadata="“><span data-buffer="“>Is financial aid available for my healthcare admin bachelor’s degree program in Florida?
While availability and specifics vary by school, many healthcare administration bachelor’s degree programs in Florida offer financial aid to new and returning students. Scholarships, grants, and other forms of aid like work-study placements and research assistantships can help reduce the financial burden you may face as an aspiring healthcare professional. The University of North Florida and Florida Atlantic University, for example, both extend scholarships specific to healthcare administration.
Professional organizations can be a great resource for financial aid as well. Agencies like the Medical Group Management Association and the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society provide funding for Florida students studying medical professions, including healthcare administration. Navigate to our main financial aid page and our healthcare administration scholarship guide for more information on how to take advantage of these opportunities.