Best Online Healthcare Administration (BHA) Programs in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s healthcare sector is tasked with caring for nearly 13 million residents in both major cities, like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, as well as rural industrial and farming towns. Behind the scenes, healthcare administrators work to solve this complex picture to provide excellent care. Earning your bachelor’s in healthcare administration (BHA) online is one of the most direct routes into this rewarding field. Whether you’re starting fresh or want to build on your clinical experience, this guide takes a look at some of PA’s top programs and answers questions that many students are asking.
The following professionals lent their expertise to this article:
Why Trust EduMed? We partner with 150+ nursing & allied health professionals to bring you the most in-depth data & insights on higher education & careers in healthcare. Meet our team and review our editorial values.
Jump To Section
Details of Popular BHA Programs in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s BHA options come along two tracks.
- Traditional bachelor’s programs that are open to all qualified applicants
- Programs designed for healthcare professionals who already have a related associate degree or credential
Finding the right program for you requires some reflection on your career goals, your budget, and your timeline for completing a BHA program. Asking yourself these questions ahead of time can save you time and money later while also helping you land in the right program the first time.
Penn State World Campus
Penn State World Campus’s Bachelor of Science in Health Policy and Administration is a 120-credit, fully online program from a highly respected university. Courses run in 12-to-15-week semesters three times per year, giving students flexibility to adjust their courseload each term. It’s possible to finish in just two to three years with a heavier schedule.
Beyond core coursework in health care payments, financial decision-making, and health services policy, the program requires a 320-hour administrative internship you can complete in your own community. This is a fairly unique requirement for an online BHA program, but it can lead to excellent networking and job opportunities after graduation.
Duration: 120 credit hours, 2-5 years (flexible pacing)
Mode: Fully online, with an in-person administrative internship
Cost: $644/credit hour (PA resident); $692/credit hour (non-residents)
Admissions Requirements:
- Complete online application
- High school diploma or GED
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
- Pay the application fee
Seton Hill University
Seton Hill University’s Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration is offered exclusively online. Designed for working adults, courses run in accelerated eight-week sessions. Students can choose to enroll full-time and take two courses per session, or move at a slower pace with one course per session.
Your courseload can be adjusted every term, offering maximum flexibility throughout the year.
Notably, graduates can also move directly into Seton Hill’s MBA in Healthcare Administration program through its FastForward program. If you’re hoping to earn an advanced degree before job hunting, this is one of the easiest ways to do so.
Duration: 51 credit hours across 18 courses; can be completed in under two years at full-time enrollment
Mode: Fully online
Cost: $684 per credit hour plus fees
Admissions Requirements:
- Complete online application
- Official high school transcript or GED (if no associate degree or fewer than 60 college credits)
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
- Rolling admissions with no set deadline
Elizabethtown College
Elizabethtown College’s Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration is a 125-credit, ACBSP-accredited program delivered in accelerated five-week terms. The curriculum blends healthcare management theory with practical training in resource management, industry regulation, and ethical decision-making.
Due to this program’s accelerated nature, students should expect a demanding pace. Up to 20 hours of coursework per week is the norm. Meanwhile, credit requirements are designed to bring transfer students up to speed quickly.
Elizabethtown College offers several forms of student aid, including discounts for employees of organizations partnered with its Etown SGPS program.
Duration: 125 credit hours; 3-4 years full-time
Mode: Fully online
Cost: $525 per credit hour
Admissions Requirements:
- Complete online application
- High school diploma or GED
- Writing ability “sufficient for success in an accelerated academic program” demonstrated with an application essay
FAQs for Healthcare Administration Students in Pennsylvania
What are the admissions requirements for BHA programs in Pennsylvania?
Entry requirements for a BHA program vary based on the type you choose. Traditional-entry programs, like Penn State World Campus, ask for a high school diploma or GED. Accelerated, adult-focused programs often encourage additional transfer credits or work experience.
Across the board, plan on having your official transcripts available, and check with a guidance counselor from your target program for specifics before applying.
How much do healthcare administration programs in Pennsylvania cost?
Tuition ranges are fairly narrow among Pennsylvania’s top BHA programs. Most students can expect to pay between $500 and $600 per credit hour.
How much you’ll end up spending on your degree largely depends on how many transfer credits you can bring. Programs that allow you to transfer more credits (sometimes up to 90) will be much more cost-effective than those requiring you to complete general education credits in-house.
How long does it take to earn a healthcare administration degree in Pennsylvania?
Most online BHA programs in Pennsylvania require 120 to 125 credit hours. How quickly you can complete them is determined by your courseload and any transfer credits you can bring in. Most programs allow you to choose your own pace, meaning you get to shape your timeline around your other responsibilities.
Can I get financial aid to help pay for my healthcare administration degree in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Beyond federal aid through FAFSA, many students in Pennsylvania qualify for an award through the PA State Grant Program. This need-based grant is administered by PHEAA, and is worth up to several thousand dollars annually. Thanks to a recent state law change, online students are now eligible as long as applications are submitted by May 1.
Many schools also offer their own financial aid packages and discounts. Be sure to ask your admissions counselor what programs are available that you might qualify for.
Is it worth pursuing a BHA in Pennsylvania?
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.
Pennsylvania has several major health systems, including UPMC, Geisinger, and Penn Medicine. Each regularly hires for administrative and management roles, and the state’s dense network of hospitals and health systems means steady demand across both urban and rural areas. A bachelor’s degree is a solid entry point, though the highest-paying executive roles typically call for a master’s degree (MHA) and years of experience.
Salary & Outlook with a BHA in Pennsylvania
Medical and Health Services Managers
| Area ↕︎ | 10th Percentile ↕︎ | Median ↕︎ | 90th Percentile ↕︎ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | $64,820 | $103,670 | $171,400 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $74,640 | $109,380 | $173,700 |
| Altoona, PA | $61,900 | $95,100 | $171,410 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $63,240 | $105,660 | $152,690 |
| Erie, PA | $61,940 | $96,420 | $151,270 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $65,710 | $97,700 | $148,700 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $63,190 | $103,340 | $162,350 |
| Johnstown, PA | $61,620 | $92,550 | $135,200 |
| Lancaster, PA | $64,650 | $103,680 | $158,000 |
| Lebanon, PA | $72,800 | $102,810 | $169,560 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $72,850 | $122,920 | $205,060 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $64,270 | $101,570 | $169,870 |
| Reading, PA | $67,990 | $102,620 | $176,970 |
| Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA | $64,680 | $99,340 | $160,120 |
| State College, PA | $67,990 | $102,590 | $152,040 |
| Williamsport, PA | $64,670 | $97,420 | $147,670 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $61,860 | $103,660 | $163,500 |
Source: Medical & Health Services Managers, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2025
Showing 1 – 10 of 17 entries | Data reflects national numbers, not school-specific information.
Keep Learning
Online MSN Programs in Pennsylvania: Finding Top Programs
Inside Online Nurse Practitioner Programs in Pennsylvania
Low-Cost Online MHA Programs to Help You Save