Best Online Healthcare Administration (BHA) Programs in Ohio

Ohio’s healthcare footprint is a large one, from the Cleveland Clinic to regional systems covering every corner of the state. Across the board, there are teams of administrators handling everything from staffing to regulatory compliance and marketing to budgets. An online bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration (BHA) is a practical way for you to step into this world, whether you’re a recent high school graduate or already working in a clinical role. Below, we compare Ohio’s top programs, answer questions students ask the most, and cover what BHA graduates typically earn.

The following professionals lent their expertise to this article:

Author: Cody DeBos, RN, BSN

Healthcare EducationNursingPediatric Nursing

Editor: Jordan Cosselman

Healthcare EducationOnline Learning

Updated: 08/03/2026

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Degree Details
FAQs
Salary & Pay

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Degree Details
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Details of Popular BHA Programs in Ohio

Ohio ranks sixth nationwide for its total number of colleges and universities, giving prospective BHA students plenty of options when choosing the right program. You can find just about anything, including accelerated programs, built-in certification prep, and asynchronous curriculums designed for working adult learners.

A few of Ohio’s online BHA programs even award credit for existing healthcare experience, which can meaningfully shorten your timeline to a degree. Before choosing where you want to apply, take a closer look at what each curriculum actually prepares you for and how long you’ll be in school.

Franklin University

Franklin University’s Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration program runs fully online and is built specifically for adult and transfer students. Courses run in flexible 6- and 12-week terms, and the non-profit university accepts up to 90 transfer credits. The average Franklin student brings in 61 credits, cutting the typical time to graduation to 27 months.

Franklin University’s BHA curriculum covers healthcare law, finance, human resources, and health information systems. In addition, students choose customized elective courses based on their interests and career goals. You’ll also receive a tuition rate lock for the life of your program, as long as you maintain continuous enrollment.

Duration: 120 credit hours (about four years with full-time study, but faster with transfer credits)

Mode: Fully online

Cost: $398 per credit hour plus $100 resource fee each semester

Admissions Requirements:

Complete the online application
High school diploma, GED, or associate-level degree or higher
Official transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions
Demonstrate English proficiency

Tiffin University

Tiffin University’s Bachelor of Business Administration in Healthcare Management is available online and asynchronously, or on campus at the university’s main campus in Tiffin. Courses are delivered in accelerated seven-week terms with two per semester. This asynchronous nature gives students with busy schedules the opportunity to complete coursework whenever it’s convenient.

Tiffin’s BHA curriculum blends core business fundamentals with healthcare-specific topics like health policy, healthcare law, and organizational behavior. Before graduation, students must complete a 200-hour internship or research project designed to help apply what they’ve learned.

Students who maintain an excellent GPA and demonstrate their proficiency can also fast-track into Tiffin’s MBA program, earning both degrees in as little as five years.

Duration: 120 credit hours (about four years with full-time study, but faster with transfer credits)

Mode: Fully online and asynchronous (or traditionally on campus)

Cost: $535 per credit hour

Admissions Requirements:

Complete the online application
High school diploma, GED, or associate-level degree or higher
Recommended minimum 2.0 GPA
Official transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions

University of Akron

Those seeking a public-school option might consider the University of Akron’s Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration. The degree is available online and is built for new students, associate degree holders, and working clinicians alike. For those already holding a health-related associate degree, the 2+2 pathway makes it possible to earn a BHA in as little as two years.

The curriculum covers a blend of clinical knowledge and administrative training in coding, finance, management, and information systems. Graduates are also prepared for two national certification exams upon completion: the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) and Certified Coding Specialist – Physician-based (CCS-P) credentials.

Duration: 120 credit hours (about four years with full-time study, but faster with transfer credits or 2+2 pathway)

Mode: Fully online

Cost: $481 per credit hour

Admissions Requirements:

Complete the online undergraduate application
High school diploma, GED, or associate-level degree or higher
Official transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions
Meet general university admission standards

FAQs for Healthcare Administration Students in Ohio

What are the admissions requirements for BHA programs in Ohio?

Admissions requirements for Ohio’s online BHA programs are generally accessible, especially for adult and transfer students. Most ask for:

A high school diploma or GED
Official transcripts from every college you’ve attended
A modest GPA minimum, typically around 2.0

Because many students bring in credit from an associate degree or prior coursework, Ohio schools are generally well set up to evaluate transfer credit quickly. Some programs even have dedicated pathways to help accelerate the degree process or bridge learners into a master’s degree simultaneously.

How much do healthcare administration programs in Ohio cost?

Costs for online BHA programs in Ohio range from slightly below to on par with national averages. Most students can expect to pay between $400 and $550 per credit hour. On top of tuition, most schools charge per-semester fees for technology and resources.

How long does it take to earn a healthcare administration degree in Ohio?

Most bachelor’s programs in Ohio require about 120 credit hours, which means students starting from scratch will need about four years. However, you can complete an online BHA program much faster if you have transfer credits to bring in.

In addition, many programs use condensed terms instead of traditional 15-week semesters, which can shorten your overall timeline if you’re able to handle a heavier courseload. Ambitious students with a sizeable number of transfer credits may be able to complete an online BHA program in just two years.

Can I get financial aid to help pay for my healthcare administration degree in Ohio?

Yes. It’s best to start at the federal level by completing the FAFSA to determine your eligibility for grants, loans, and work-study. However, Ohio students have plenty of opportunities available for state-based and private financial aid.

The Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG) is a need-based award for students with a household income of less than $96,000. Award amounts vary by school type but roughly equate to $4,000 for public institutions and $5,000 for private, non-profit schools.

Beyond state-based aid, most Ohio colleges offer their own scholarships, grants, and tuition reductions for qualified students and those able to demonstrate either merit or fiscal need.

Is it worth pursuing a BHA in Ohio?

For most students, yes. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for medical and health services managers are projected to grow 23% nationally between 2024 and 2034, with a median annual wage of nearly $118,000.

Ohio is home to many major health systems, including Cleveland Clinic, OhioHealth, and the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. All of these and more regularly hire administrators to manage operations, staffing, and compliance.

Salary & Outlook with a BHA in Ohio

Show entries

Medical and Health Services Managers

Area ↕︎	10th Percentile ↕︎	Median ↕︎	90th Percentile ↕︎
Ohio	$66,430	$106,140	$199,470
Akron, OH	$63,670	$104,430	$219,870
Canton-Massillon, OH	$65,660	$106,350	$182,310
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	$71,360	$106,540	$187,620
Cleveland, OH	$68,640	$122,770	$215,680
Columbus, OH	$71,400	$107,520	$212,620
Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH	$67,950	$103,560	$194,330
Lima, OH	$66,800	$105,690	$167,150
Mansfield, OH	$63,090	$97,350	$154,220
Sandusky, OH	$62,560	$99,900	$177,420
Springfield, OH	$64,870	$100,810	$166,520
Toledo, OH	$64,360	$106,720	$170,120
Youngstown-Warren, OH	$61,760	$96,310	$163,200

Source: Medical & Health Services Managers, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2025

Showing 1 – 10 of 13 entries | Data reflects national numbers, not school-specific information.

Best Online Healthcare Administration (BHA) Programs in Ohio

Details of Popular BHA Programs in Ohio

Franklin University

Tiffin University

University of Akron

FAQs for Healthcare Administration Students in Ohio

What are the admissions requirements for BHA programs in Ohio?

How much do healthcare administration programs in Ohio cost?

How long does it take to earn a healthcare administration degree in Ohio?

Can I get financial aid to help pay for my healthcare administration degree in Ohio?

Is it worth pursuing a BHA in Ohio?

Salary & Outlook with a BHA in Ohio

Cody DeBos, RN, BSN AUTHOR

Jordan Cosselman EDITOR