Best Online Healthcare Administration (BHA) Programs in North Carolina
From Duke Health in Durham to Atrium Health in Charlotte, North Carolina’s biggest healthcare systems need skilled administrators working behind the scenes. An online Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration (BHA) puts you on the path to filling those roles. Below, we explore the top programs in North Carolina, answer common questions about earning an online BHA, and cover what you can expect to learn.
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Details of Popular BHA Programs in North Carolina
Not all online BHA programs are alike, even within the same state. Some concentrate on business fundamentals while others build in public health or community leadership coursework. Factors such as transfer credit requirements and residency status have a significant impact on the total cost and timeline.
Before committing to a BHA program, it’s worth comparing a few schools side-by-side to see which curriculum and price point best fits your goals. These three programs represent the wide range of North Carolina’s diverse higher education offerings.
University of Mount Olive
The University of Mount Olive’s Bachelor of Science in Business Administration: Healthcare Management is a fully online, ACBSP-accredited program built for working adults. Courses run on an accelerated 7.5-week timeline with multiple start dates throughout the year. This lets students begin whenever their schedule permits rather than waiting for a traditional semester.
The transfer-friendly curriculum pairs core business courses with more focused classes on health insurance, healthcare law and ethics, and quality management. Students also benefit from built-in preparation for the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s Quality and Safety certificate.
Duration: Full-time and part-time options available. Multiple start dates per year (time to degree depends on transfer credits and course load)
Mode: Fully online
Cost: $455 per credit hour, plus $200 in fees per semester
Admissions Requirements:
- Completed online application (no application fee)
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Official transcripts from each college or university previously attended
- Military transcripts if applicable
University of North Carolina (UNC) Charlotte
UNC Charlotte’s Bachelor of Science in Health Systems Management is a fully online, 120-credit-hour degree. The curriculum features 36 credit hours devoted to health system leadership, healthcare accounting, health information systems, and health policy and law.
UNC Charlotte is accredited by the SACSCOC, and its online Health Systems Management coursework aligns with competencies set by the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). New students are admitted in the spring, summer, and fall semesters, making it easy to get started any time of year. All courses are delivered fully online.
Duration: Four years with full-time enrollment (core classes can be completed in around six semesters with transfer credits)
Mode: Fully online
Cost: $200 per credit hour (NC resident); $953 per credit hour (out-of-state resident)
Admissions Requirements:
- Completed online application
- High school diploma or equivalent with overall 2.0 GPA or better
- 24 transferable credit hours with minimum 2.0 GPA preferred
North Carolina Central University (NCCU)
North Carolina Central University’s Bachelor of Science in Health Administration is the only HBCU-hosted BHA program in the UNC state school system. The program emphasizes community-centered leadership alongside core competencies in management, finance, health informatics, and policy. NCCU’s program is also affiliated with the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA).
Coursework is completed in a condensed, fully online format with multiple start dates throughout the year. Notably, the culminating Healthcare Seminar class lets students apply coursework to their real-world career goals in an immersive capstone experience.
Duration: Four years with full-time enrollment (core classes can be completed in around six semesters with transfer credits)
Mode: Fully online
Cost: $361 per credit hour (NC residents); $433 per credit hour (out-of-state residents)
Admissions Requirements:
- Completed online application (no application fee)
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Official transcripts of all previous college coursework with a 2.0 GPA or better
- Minimum 24 transferable credit hours
FAQs for Healthcare Administration Students in North Carolina
What are the admissions requirements for BHA programs in North Carolina?
Requirements vary by school, but most online BHA programs in North Carolina share a few common patterns.
- Public universities typically want to see at least 24 transferable credit hours with a minimum GPA requirement.
- Private schools are a bit more flexible, admitting students with just a high school diploma.
Across the board, expect that you’ll need to submit official transcripts from every college you’ve attended. Be sure to also confirm whether your target program has a GPA or credit minimum, and whether you can meet the requirement.
How much do healthcare administration programs in North Carolina cost?
Tuition varies widely based on your residency status and the type of school you want to attend.
- State schools are more affordable, especially if you’re a North Carolina resident, costing as low as under $200 per credit.
- Private options are more expensive and often charge the same rate regardless of residency, usually in the neighborhood of $400-$500 per credit hour.
These per-credit differences add up when considering the cost of a full degree. When choosing a school for your BHA, be sure to carefully weigh the costs versus the benefits.
How long does it take to earn a healthcare administration degree in North Carolina?
Most BHA programs in North Carolina require around 120 credit hours, the standard for a four-year bachelor’s degree. However, your specific timeline depends on how many transfer credits you bring with you.
Many BHA programs are designed for working adults or second-career learners. This means they have generous credit transfer policies and flexible semesters to help you move through the program faster.
Full-time students with significant transfer credits can sometimes finish a BHA program in just two to three years.
Can I get financial aid to help pay for my healthcare administration degree in North Carolina?
Yes. It’s generally best to start with the FAFSA to determine your eligibility for federal grants, loans, and work-study.
However, North Carolina residents attending a UNC system school may also qualify for the Next NC Scholarship. This combines the federal Pell Grant with state funding to guarantee at least $5,000 toward tuition and fees. You may also qualify for the UNC Need-Based Grant.
Be sure to ask your program’s counselor about school-specific financial aid as well. Many private programs offer their own packages and payment plans.
Is it worth pursuing a BHA in North Carolina?
For most students, yes. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for medical and health services managers are projected to grow 23% between 2024 and 2034, which is much faster than average. The median annual salary for these positions is nearly $118,000 as of May 2024.
North Carolina’s expanding hospital systems regularly hire for these roles. A bachelor’s degree won’t guarantee the highest-paying executive positions, which often require a master’s degree (MHA) and years of experience, but it’s a solid, affordable starting point into a growing field.
Salary & Outlook with a BHA in North Carolina
Medical and Health Services Managers
| Area ↕︎ | 10th Percentile ↕︎ | Median ↕︎ | 90th Percentile ↕︎ |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | $70,680 | $114,410 | $217,420 |
| Asheville, NC | $72,500 | $122,710 | $199,390 |
| Burlington, NC | $75,860 | $110,090 | $201,320 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $71,840 | $111,080 | $216,300 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $83,590 | $133,970 | $276,280 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $76,840 | $120,310 | $186,640 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $63,730 | $115,000 | $320,010 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $72,330 | $115,130 | $205,860 |
| Greenville, NC | $76,980 | $133,220 | $210,760 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $64,310 | $106,590 | $207,420 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $63,920 | $105,450 | $184,910 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $63,730 | $106,850 | $214,930 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $69,670 | $113,710 | $248,570 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $61,930 | $104,570 | $196,560 |
| Wilmington, NC | $72,250 | $106,630 | $210,650 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $74,610 | $118,440 | $218,700 |
Source: Medical & Health Services Managers, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2025
Showing 1 – 10 of 16 entries | Data reflects national numbers, not school-specific information.
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