Discover the Best Online MHA Programs in Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin is the headquarters of the electronic health record platform Epic Systems. This opens the door to a variety of opportunities at the higher levels of healthcare administration on both the managerial and financial sides, as well as roles in the informatics sector. An online Master’s in Healthcare Administration (MHA) is the first step in landing high-paying leadership and executive-level jobs. Below, we’ll share a look at Wisconsin’s top MHA programs from cost to curriculum, and explore how they can take your career to the next level.
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School Spotlights: Inside Popular Wisconsin MHA Programs
Wisconsin’s healthcare administrators often work inside organizations that are simultaneously customers, testing grounds, and talent pipelines for the software running much of the country’s clinical and financial data.
The state’s online MHA offerings come from very different kinds of institutions, each bringing a unique experience to the table. From large public research universities leveraging networking at a massive scale to private institutions delivering flexibility for working adults, there is something for every prospective MHA student.
University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee
UWM’s Master of Healthcare Administration is Wisconsin’s only CAHME-accredited MHA program. The curriculum adheres to the American College of Healthcare Executives’ Healthcare Leadership Alliance framework with instruction from faculty who are active industry executives. Established in 2016, this is one of the newer programs around, but it has already turned out more than 200 graduates.
Students can choose between the standard 39-credit path or the Accelerated Executive Online track that condenses 33 credits into just 18 months. However, the latter is only open to applicants who already have professional healthcare administrative experience or another master’s degree in a related field. Both tracks can be completed entirely online or on campus.
Duration: 18 months to two years (track dependent)
Mode: Fully online or on campus
Cost: $810 per credit hour
Admissions Requirements:
- Completed online application
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Minimum GPA of 3.0
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
- Resume and two letters of recommendation
Herzing University
Headquartered in downtown Milwaukee, Herzing University’s Master of Science in Healthcare Administration is one of the fastest and most affordable MHA programs available online. Its 30-credit curriculum can be completed in as little as 16 months with full-time enrollment. The university is accredited through the Higher Learning Commission, though the MHA program does not hold CAHME accreditation.
Coursework revolves around hands-on learning to prepare graduates to solve problems in modern healthcare. Herzing’s credit transfer policy allows students to bring in up to 12 credits from prior college coursework to shorten their time to degree.
Notably, military veterans, active-duty service members, and their spouses qualify for a significant tuition discount.
Duration: As short as 16 months
Mode: Fully online
Cost: $630 per credit hour
Admissions Requirements:
- Completed online application
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
- Interview with Herzing admissions advisor
Concordia University Wisconsin
Concordia’s MBA in Healthcare Administration is a business-focused degree but comes with a dedicated healthcare concentration. For those pursuing a job in operations or executive leadership, this can be a good option. Coursework consists mainly of business and leadership classes with a 12-credit allotment of healthcare-focused courses.
The 36-credit curriculum offers maximum flexibility with both asynchronous and live online sessions. Rather than requiring previous healthcare work experience, the program culminates in a capstone project that lets students demonstrate their competencies firsthand.
Concordia also offers a related MBA in Healthcare Administration for Practitioners, built specifically for nurses already in upper-level management roles.
Duration: Roughly two years
Mode: Fully online (asynchronous or live)
Cost: $730 per credit hour
Admissions Requirements:
- Completed online application
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Minimum GPA of 2.75
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
- Personal essay, resume, and video introduction
FAQs About Online/Hybrid MHA Programs in Wisconsin
Are there CAHME-accredited online MHA programs in Wisconsin?
Yes, but only one. The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee holds the state’s only CAHME-accredited program for healthcare administration. Programs without CAHME accreditation typically rely on general institutional accreditation or business-related accreditation rather than one specific to healthcare.
Most jobs in administration or management are open to graduates from either type of program, but some employers do favor the CAHME seal of approval.
What are the general admissions requirements for Wisconsin MHA programs?
Wisconsin’s MHA programs require applicants to have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution at a minimum. Most also have some form of GPA requirement in the 2.75 to 3.0 range.
Those offering accelerated or executive tracks also tend to ask for some prior professional healthcare experience.
Your application packet will likely also contain a personal statement, resume, copies of your official transcripts for all college coursework, and sometimes a letter of recommendation.
Is financial aid available for MHA programs in Wisconsin?
Yes. Federal aid, including Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Grad PLUS Loans are available to all students regardless of which program they choose.
Most programs also offer some form of institutional aid, including scholarships and grants for high-achieving students. Military veterans can benefit further, with tuition discounts or credits for their service.
Finally, employer tuition assistance is common for prospective students already working in healthcare. This can come in the form of direct tuition payments or reimbursement, depending on your employer.
How long do MHA programs in Wisconsin take to complete?
Wisconsin’s MHA programs are faster to complete than those of several other states, with most full-time students able to earn their degree in under two years. Of course, that timeline depends on program structure and transfer credits.
Accelerated MHA programs can often be completed in as little as 16 to 18 months. More flexible programs allow students to set their own pace across asynchronous or live online coursework rather than following a fixed timeline. This is helpful for students who plan to continue working while going to school or those with other personal responsibilities that make a full courseload harder to manage.
Is it worth pursuing an MHA in Wisconsin?
Yes, for most students. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for medical and health services managers is nearly $118,000 and employment is projected to grow by 23% by 2034.
There is no shortage of traditional healthcare administration roles in Wisconsin across the state’s major health systems and hospitals. However, graduates may also be able to find higher-paying roles in the health tech sector or informatics that may not be readily available in other states without an anchor employer like Epic Systems.
How Much Will I Earn with an MHA in Wisconsin?
Medical and Health Services Managers
| Area ↕︎ | 10th Percentile ↕︎ | Median ↕︎ | 90th Percentile ↕︎ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | $90,440 | $128,320 | $274,310 |
| Appleton, WI | $81,620 | $122,660 | $208,490 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $92,760 | $130,670 | $300,970 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $80,860 | $120,300 | $173,030 |
| Green Bay, WI | $93,600 | $133,060 | $284,700 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $97,380 | $127,450 | $275,660 |
| Kenosha, WI | $82,500 | $122,610 | $183,810 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $96,960 | $126,880 | $198,560 |
| Madison, WI | $96,110 | $131,640 | $224,390 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $95,170 | $133,270 | $332,860 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $82,110 | $128,140 | $329,270 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $78,470 | $112,030 | $196,990 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $93,750 | $127,200 | $336,810 |
| Wausau, WI | $81,500 | $125,550 | $219,990 |
Source: Medical & Health Services Managers, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2025
Showing 1 – 10 of 14 entries | Data reflects national numbers, not school-specific information.
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