Home Online Schools Healthcare Administration Degrees Master’s MHA Programs Highest Acceptance Rates

The following professionals lent their expertise to this article:

NursingHealthcare Admin

Healthcare EducationOnline Learning

Updated: 08/20/2026

Discover Online MHA Programs with the Highest Acceptance Rates

MHA programs tend to have higher acceptance rates than most graduate programs, largely because they attract a smaller, more self-selected pool of applicants with relevant professional experience. That doesn’t mean admission is guaranteed. Below, you’ll find programs worth considering alongside what makes each one competitive to get into and worth attending.

The following professionals lent their expertise to this article:

Author: Abrie Edwards, BSN, MHA

NursingHealthcare Admin

Editor: Jordan Cosselman

Healthcare EducationOnline Learning

Updated: 08/20/2026

Jump To Section

Basic Details
Top Schools
Improving Your Application
FAQs

Jump ToSection:

Basic Details
Top Schools
Improving Your Application
FAQs

High Acceptance Rates and MHA Admissions

A Master’s in Healthcare Administration (MHA) degree is becoming increasingly in demand. That demand is reflected in the job market, with healthcare management roles expected to grow about 23% over the next decade, driven by the size and ongoing needs of the healthcare system.

Despite this growing interest, acceptance rates for MHA programs do not translate the same way as they do for undergraduate programs. An MHA is a specialized, career-focused degree, which naturally leads to smaller and more targeted applicant pools.

This makes higher acceptance rates common. But that doesn’t mean these programs are easier or lower quality. In most cases, they are intentionally designed to meet workforce demand and provide flexibility for professionals already working in healthcare or related fields.

Top 10 Online MHA Programs with High Acceptance Rates

AdventHealth University

Acceptance Rate: 91%

AdventHealth University’s fully online MHA offers dual entry pathways: a 60-credit track for associate-degree holders and a 54-credit track for bachelor’s-degree holders. Coursework emphasizes population health, emerging technology, and healthcare system leadership.

The program suits working healthcare professionals who want flexible, faith-informed training for management and executive roles within hospitals, clinics, and other care organizations nationwide.

Admissions Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution (or associate degree, via alternate pathway)
Minimum 3.0 GPA
Completed application and fee
Resume/CV
Essay or goal statement
Two letters of recommendation (one academic, one professional)
Current healthcare position or professional license (required only for associate-degree pathway applicants)
No GRE required

University of New Haven

Acceptance Rate: 91%

University of New Haven’s online MHA prepares working professionals for healthcare leadership through coursework in statistical analysis, business planning, and strategic problem-solving. The 36-credit program runs in 7-week terms and can be completed in 18 to 24 months.

Designed for flexibility, it lets students advance their careers without pausing full-time employment, while building skills applicable across hospitals, insurers, and other healthcare organizations.

Admissions Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
Minimum 3.0 GPA
Official transcripts from all previously attended institutions
Statement of purpose
Two letters of recommendation
Resume or CV
$50 application fee

George Mason University

Acceptance Rate: 89%

George Mason’s online Master of Health Systems Administration pairs flexible, asynchronous coursework with a capstone practicum. Students choose a concentration in health care quality, health care policy, or executive leadership.

The 45-credit program accepts up to 12 transfer credits and typically takes 26 to 32 months, preparing graduates for management and policy roles across hospitals, insurers, and health agencies nationwide.

Admissions Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
Minimum 3.0 GPA
Official transcripts
Resume or CV
Statement of purpose
Two letters of recommendation
$75 application fee (fee waivers available)
International applicants: translated transcripts, WES ICAP evaluation, English proficiency scores

Suffolk University

Acceptance Rate: 86%

Suffolk University’s online MHA blends asynchronous and synchronous learning across three tracks: Healthcare Operations Management, Quality & Patient Safety, and Healthcare Data Analytics. The 42-to-45-credit program takes about 27 months and includes an optional internship for students new to healthcare.

No GRE or GMAT is required; admissions instead weigh professional and academic experience, supported by live networking chats with faculty and peers.

Admissions Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree (unofficial transcripts accepted at application)
Minimum 3.0 GPA
Resume
Goal statement
Two letters of recommendation
$50 application fee (waived for campus visitors)
No GRE/GMAT required
International applicants: TOEFL/IELTS/PTE scores and a 2-minute video essay

Robert Morris University

Acceptance Rate: 86%

Robert Morris University’s fully online MHA prepares students for upper-level healthcare management through a cohort-based, two-year curriculum. Admitted each fall, students complete 42 credits alongside classmates who progress through the program together, building a strong professional network.

Admissions emphasize prior academic performance and professional healthcare experience over a fixed GPA cutoff, making the program accessible to working professionals from varied educational backgrounds.

Admissions Requirements:

Undergraduate transcripts
Two letters of recommendation
Short reflective essay on interest in the degree
No minimum GPA set â€” evaluated holistically on academic and professional record
Fall-only cohort admission

University of Washington

Acceptance Rate: 86%

The University of Washington’s Executive MHA develops healthcare leaders through a part-time, 69-credit curriculum delivered online or in hybrid format over roughly two years. Students collaborate with peers who are practicing healthcare leaders, gaining perspective from real-world case discussions.

The program suits professionals seeking to advance into senior administrative roles while continuing full-time work, with strong emphasis on complex healthcare delivery systems.

Admissions Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
Minimum 3.0 GPA (last 60 semester or 90 quarter credits)
Transcripts from every college/university attended
Resume or CV
Written personal statement
Three letters of recommendation
$85 application fee ($75 for non-matriculated applicants)
English proficiency proof for non-native speakers

Texas State University

Acceptance Rate: 85%

Texas State University’s online MHA gives students an active, faculty-guided curriculum plus a healthcare organization internship for real-world application. The 49-credit program spans seven semesters and prepares graduates for leadership roles across hospitals, clinics, and long-term care settings.

Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout to stay in good standing, making it well-suited to working professionals building administrative careers in Texas and beyond.

Admissions Requirements:

Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university
Undergraduate coursework in statistics, economics, and financial accounting (grade C or better)
GRE waived with a 3.5+ GPA in last 60 hours
Three letters of recommendation
Statement of purpose
Transcripts
International applicants: TOEFL iBT 78+ or IELTS 6.5 overall (6.0 minimum per section)

Ferris State University

Acceptance Rate: 82%

Ferris State University’s online MHA builds healthcare leadership skills through a 42-credit, two-year curriculum capped by a customizable capstone project completed in a healthcare setting of the student’s choice. The program blends coursework in finance, policy, and management with practical, hands-on experience.

It’s designed for career-driven students who want a shorter, focused path toward leadership roles in hospitals, clinics, and healthcare systems.

Admissions Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
Minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA
Completed application, official transcripts, and current resume/CV
Three professional references
College-level math course (equivalent to MATH 115) with a grade of C or higher
Basic statistics course with a grade of C or higher
Undergraduate coursework in biology, chemistry, and general science

University of Missouri

Acceptance Rate: 82%

The University of Missouri’s MHA blends online coursework with periodic on-campus visits over a two-year, 42-credit curriculum. Designed for professionals with three to five years of clinical or administrative healthcare experience, the program covers policy, finance, and law, culminating in a capstone project addressing a real-world healthcare issue.

Graduates pursue leadership roles in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care organizations nationwide.

Admissions Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, minimum 3.0 GPA (probationary admission possible below 3.0)
Official baccalaureate transcript showing degree conferral date
Resume
Two letters of recommendation
Prior healthcare or health sciences experience
Application fee: $65 (US/permanent residents) or $90 (international)
No GRE required

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Acceptance Rate: 81%

UNLV’s Executive Master of Healthcare Administration is a fully online, 40-credit program designed for working professionals, completed in as little as 15 months.

Two mandatory in-person immersion sessions bookend the program, offering networking, field trips, and guest lectures alongside primarily online coursework. The cross-functional curriculum prepares graduates for senior leadership roles across hospitals, health systems, and other healthcare organizations in Nevada and nationwide.

Admissions Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree (or recognized equivalent) from a regionally accredited institution
Minimum 3.0 GPA (probationary admission possible below 3.0)
Resume
Two letters of recommendation
Personal statement outlining professional goals

How to Increase Your MHA Application Profile

Applying to an MHA program can feel overwhelming, especially since applications go beyond transcripts alone. The key thing to remember is that most programs take a holistic approach — no single component will make or break your application.

If your GPA is already strong, you are off to a good start. If it’s not, consider taking a college-level course to show you can handle graduate-level work. Certifications can also help reinforce your knowledge, especially if they align with healthcare, leadership, or operations.

Experience is often one of the most important factors. When updating your resume or CV, go beyond listing roles. Highlight specific projects, quality improvement work, leadership responsibilities, or team-based initiatives. Programs want to see how you think and contribute, not just where you’ve worked.

If you don’t have direct healthcare experience, you can still build a strong application by focusing on transferable skills like project management, leadership, and problem-solving. Volunteering or gaining exposure to a healthcare setting can further show your interest and commitment to the field.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do MHA programs with high acceptance rates have lower graduation rates?

Not necessarily. Graduation rates are influenced more by program design than selectivity. Factors like flexible scheduling, access to academic advising, and support services tend to play a bigger role in whether students finish.

Many MHA students are working professionals balancing jobs and families, so some may take longer to complete the program rather than drop out altogether.

Overall, motivation tends to be high because most students are pursuing the degree with a clear goal of advancing their careers.

Is it harder to get into a program with a high acceptance rate if I don’t have a healthcare background?

A lack of healthcare experience can be a disadvantage, but it’s rarely a deal breaker. Many programs intentionally look for students from a mix of backgrounds. If you’re transitioning into healthcare, it helps to highlight transferable skills such as:

Leadership
Data analysis
Operations
Project management

Being able to clearly explain why you’re making the shift and how the MHA fits into your long-term goals can make a big difference. Adding relevant exposure, like volunteer work or a short certification, can also strengthen your application.

Will a degree from a program with a high acceptance rate be viewed differently by employers?

In most cases, no. Employers are far more focused on what you can do than how selective your program was. Skills, internships, and real-world experience tend to carry more weight.

What does matter is whether the program is accredited, especially by organizations like CAHME. Accreditation signals that the curriculum meets industry standards.

In fact, according to a 2025 study from the University of North Carolina Wilmington, graduates from accredited healthcare management programs tend to have lower unemployment rates, sitting around the low 3% range versus 5% for non-accredited programs.

If I’m waitlisted or conditionally admitted, what should I do?

Start by carefully reviewing what the program is asking for. Conditional admission usually means they see potential but want to make sure you can handle certain coursework or prerequisites.

Respond directly and proactively. If additional classes are required, outline your plan for completing them. Submitting a short letter of continued interest can also help reinforce that the program is still your top choice.

If anything in your profile improves, like a promotion, new certification, or relevant project, it’s worth sharing those updates to strengthen your position.

Does applying to multiple programs make sense, or is one application usually enough?

Yes, applying to multiple programs is a smart move. Even with higher acceptance rates, admission isn’t guaranteed, and programs can vary quite a bit in format and expectations.

Applying to two or three schools that align with your goals gives you flexibility and a better chance of landing in a program that truly fits your schedule and career path. It also allows you to compare things like cost, time commitment, and support resources before making a final decision.

Abrie Edwards, BSN, MHA AUTHOR

Abrie Edwards is a registered nurse with over 15 years of experience spanning across clinical practice and administrative services. She developed clinical expertise working in various inpatient settings, including ICU, PACU, Medical/Surgical, endocrine/renal, and specialty clinics, before transitioning into leadership roles focused on quality improvement, clinical transformation, and data-driven performance management. Abrie has led enterprise-wide initiatives at major health systems, with a focus on value-based care strategies, and plays a key role in regulatory reporting for programs including MIPS, MA Stars, and MSSP. She earned her BSN from the University of Vermont and MHA from Champlain College. Abrie is also passionate about leveraging technology to improve healthcare outcomes and is pursuing a second Master’s degree in Information Technology. In addition to her clinical and operational work, Abrie has trained providers and care teams, facilitated quality improvement events, and served as faculty for a clinical residency program. Her combined experience in patient care, clinical operations, and health IT brings a grounded, systems-level perspective on healthcare delivery.

Jordan Cosselman EDITOR

Jordan Cosselman is an editor with a BA in English from the University of Nevada, Reno. Since joining EduMed in 2021, she has been focused on making nursing and allied health education more approachable for students at every stage of their journey. With three years of experience in healthcare education content, Jordan is especially interested in highlighting low-cost, fast-track pathways into the field.