Online Healthcare Management Degrees: School Comparison

With an online Bachelor’s Degree in Healthcare Management, you can develop the skills to lead healthcare teams, improve systems, and positively impact patient’s lives while enjoying impressive job growth and salaries.

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Comparing Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Healthcare Management

Despite common misconceptions, a career in healthcare does not require extensive medical training and education. If you’ve got strong business acumen and people skills, earning your online Bachelor’s in Healthcare Management can teach you everything needed to begin a lucrative career with an impressive salary and job growth rate.

You have a few degrees to choose from regarding Healthcare Management: an Associate’s Degree, Master’s Degree, and PhD are all viable options. You can even get your foot in the door with a certificate. However, when it comes to running a practice, a bachelor’s degree is the gold standard for Healthcare Management.

Even at the bachelor’s level, there are more questions to consider — should you pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA) or a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) in Healthcare Management? Better yet, what’s the difference? To start, let’s dive into some straightforward online Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Healthcare Management by looking at the curriculum, timelines, and costs.

BS in Healthcare Management — Walden University

Walden University offers a 181-credit online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Healthcare Management focused on teaching students how to analyze healthcare delivery systems and identify their contributing factors, manage staff, track finances, apply leadership skills, and facilitate social change by evaluating diversity and inclusion.

Walden’s program is unique as it offers two learning modes — Course-based and Tempo® Learning. Course-based Learning follows a traditional school structure, with a pre-determined schedule, hard deadlines, and faculty guidance over a 40-month period. Meanwhile, Tempo Learning lets students learn at their own pace; they can submit assignments when they’re ready and get help from faculty as needed. Disciplined students who choose the Tempo learning path can graduate in half the time and pay a three-month, all-you-can-learn subscription on a rolling basis.

Another great feature of Walden’s program is its Accelerate into Master’s (AIM) option, which allows students to take graduate-level courses as an undergraduate. This path allows for 25 credit hours of master’s level credits to be completed by undergrad students, so they can save time and money earning their Master’s in Healthcare Management.

Duration: 20 months (Tempo) – 40 months (Course-based)

Mode: 100% online

Cost: $18,00 (Tempo) – $46,000 (Course-based)

Admissions Requirements:

  • High school diploma or equivalent

Applicants must also meet one of the following criteria:

  • 21 years of age or older;
  • Younger than 21 with at least 12 quarter credits;
  • An active military member or veteran with documentation of service.

Curriculum:

  • General Education courses (46 credits)Walden’s general education courses cover communication, humanities, natural sciences, mathematics, and social sciences. Throughout their general education, students learn to apply their learning using clear communication, critical thinking, and ethical reasoning.
  • Core courses (85 credits)
    Walden’s core curriculum covers everything a healthcare manager would need to know to build a successful career. Topics covered include accounting, healthcare delivery, health informatics, law and ethics, insurance, reimbursement, quality and safety, strategic planning, economics, and more.
  • Elective courses (45 credits)Students must select eight courses from general education, BS in Health Studies, or other Walden bachelor’s degree programs.
  • Capstone course (5 credits)As the culmination of their bachelor’s program, students take a capstone course where they choose a topic related to their area of concentration or personal interest, then review related literature and present their arguments and findings. The capstone also includes résumé refinement and weekly discussions on networking.

Best For: Walden’s program is excellent for traditional students who want to take the Course-based approach, disciplined students who want to graduate more quickly with Tempo learning, and future graduate students who want to jumpstart their master’s degree while earning their bachelor’s.

BS in Healthcare Management — Texas Tech University

Texas Tech University’s Health Sciences Center boasts an online BS in Healthcare Management (BSHM) with a concentration in Healthcare Professional or Executive Management. While the credit hours vary between concentrations, students need 120 credit hours to graduate with their bachelor’s.

The Healthcare Professional Concentration is designed for students with an existing certification, license, or registration in a specific health science concentration (e.g., Certified Radiology Technologist or Licensed Vocational Nurse). This path is best for students who already work in their desired healthcare field and want to move into a senior management position. Meanwhile, the Executive Management Concentration is more general in scope and does not require any outside certification or credentials. This route is preferred by students who know they want to become healthcare leaders but are not set on a particular field.

Duration: Four years

Mode: 100% Online

Cost: $26,692 – $38,820 (TX Resident vs. Distance Learning Student)

Admissions Requirements:

  • Complete an online application and pay the application fee
  • Provide official transcripts
  • Complete all of the 42 credit hours of the Texas Common Core requirements
  • Have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5

Core Curriculum:

Healthcare Professional Concentration

  • BSHM Healthcare Professional Concentration Core Courses (27 hours)
  • Clinical Discipline Specific Advanced Case Study (3 hours)
  • Technical/Approved Health Professions Credits (48 hours)

Executive Management Concentration

  • BSHM Healthcare Management Concentration Core Courses (34 hours)
  • Healthcare Management Advanced Case Study (8 hours)
  • Healthcare Management Electives (12 hours)
  • Technical/Approved Credits (24 hours)

Best For: Students who want to earn a specialized BSHM or those who want to save money on a bachelor’s by completing their basic education at a community college with applicable transfer credits.

BS in Healthcare Administration and Management — CSU Global

Colorado State University (CSU) Global offers an online, accelerated Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration and Management for students looking to broaden their degree by including more administrative training. With a 91% success rate for alums working in their desired field, this is an excellent choice for students serious about starting their careers with comprehensive, well-rounded training.

During the program, students will learn a balance of technical and soft skills. The curriculum covers topics like finance, operations, information technology (IT), risk management, insurance, regulations, communication, patient care, and risk management. Students also have the option to specialize in related areas; the most popular specializations include organizational leadership, project management, human resources and organizational development, marketing, emergency management, and foundations of accounting.

Duration: 16 months

Mode: Asynchronous

Cost: $45,000

Admissions Requirements:*

  • High school diploma or GED
  • GPA of 2.80 or higher (HS diploma) or score of 660+ (GED)
  • Minimum of two years of work experience
  • Submit a 500-word statement of purpose
  • Submit a professional resume
  • Complete the SmarterMeasure Assessment
  • Meeting the college credit hour requirements

*Students who do not meet these requirements may be eligible for provisional admission; see the school’s Undergraduate Admission Requirements page for full details.

Curriculum:

  • General Education Courses (31 Credits)
    These courses are designed to develop and strengthen general workplace skills. Students can transfer up to 90 credits from other institutions, as well.
  • Core Degree Courses (45 Credits)The core curriculum covers everything a Healthcare Administrator/Manager needs to know to be successful in the workplace: operations, human resources, law and ethics, policy, and more.
  • Optional Degree Specialization Courses (15 Credits)Students may choose a specialization and take 15 credits related to that field.
  • Elective Courses (Credits Vary)The number of elective courses will vary, but they are generally used to help students reach the 120-credit graduation requirement.

Best For: Students looking for a comprehensive program that covers administrative duties in more detail than a standard Healthcare Management bachelor’s.

Ask Yourself These Questions Before Pursuing Your Healthcare Administration Degree

To be a good healthcare manager, you must balance organizational goals with patient and staff needs. Running a healthcare practice is no walk in the park — it requires strong organizational leadership, an eye for efficiency, an approachable demeanor, and financial acumen. The following questions can help you determine whether becoming a healthcare manager fits your personality and preferred work environment.

  1. Am I passionate about improving healthcare systems and patient outcomes?
  2. Am I comfortable possibly working long hours or being on call?
  3. Am I comfortable making decisions under pressure?
  4. Do I thrive in structured environments with clear goals and metrics?
  5. Do I see myself managing people, budgets, and healthcare systems?

Other Common Healthcare Management Bachelor’s Questions

Is a degree in healthcare management worth it?

Since most positions only require a bachelor’s degree and less than five years of experience, becoming a healthcare manager is an incredibly strong career choice. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Medical and Health Services Managers earned an average annual salary of $110,680 in 2023. The field is also expected to grow 29% by 2033 — nearly six times the national average. Graduates in this field are practically guaranteed high salaries and substantial career growth/opportunities.

Is healthcare management in demand?

Absolutely — with a 29% projected growth rate through 2033, there will be plenty of career opportunities for Healthcare Managers over the next decade. While a bachelor’s degree is the gold standard for landing a well-paying job, many healthcare management careers only ask for an associate’s degree or professional certification. This is an excellent option for people who want to start their career sooner and earn their bachelor’s while working in the field via an online healthcare management bachelor program.

What’s the difference between healthcare management and healthcare administration?

While similar, healthcare management and healthcare administration are not the same (although there is certainly overlap). Healthcare administrators are generally responsible for filling out, processing, filing, and maintaining paperwork like patient files and medical records. Meanwhile, administrative duties are just one piece of a healthcare manager’s job; for example, they may outline processes the health administrator would follow. In the practice setting, an administrator would report to a manager. For this reason, becoming a healthcare administrator does not usually require as much training or education as becoming a healthcare manager.

Should I get an MBA or an MHA in healthcare management?

Many people are confused by the difference between a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Healthcare Management and a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA). Basically, an MBA program focuses on teaching you the aspects of running a business, and you take additional classes on healthcare management to understand how to apply these principles within that industry. Meanwhile, an MHA program focuses on educating you about health administration, and adding on a management specialization will teach you the business principles related to those administrative duties.

What is the highest degree in healthcare management?

While a bachelor’s degree is the industry standard for healthcare managers, earning a PhD or Doctorate in Healthcare Management is possible. Generally, people who pursue a PhD want to move beyond managing a healthcare practice to explore research and policy development, become an academic or industry leader, begin working as a healthcare management consultant, or advance their career in some other fashion. A PhD is an excellent choice for people who want to take a more innovative or impactful approach to healthcare management outside of managing one practice.

Healthcare Management Program Cost Comparison: Tuition & Fees

The amount you pay for your healthcare management bachelor’s hinges on more than just your chosen program (although online programs are a great way to save money on housing and commuting). While some people prefer to search for affordable healthcare management programs, others find that pursuing an accelerated degree helps cut down on both time and costs. Regardless of your program type, looking into scholarships and financial aid is also advisable. The table below is a snapshot of different healthcare bachelor’s management programs and their cost.

School NameProgram Tuition & Fees
Walden UniversityBachelor of Science (BS) in Healthcare Management$18,000 – $46,000
Texas Tech UniversityBS in Healthcare Management (BSHM)$26,692 – $38,820
CSU GlobalBachelor’s in Healthcare Administration and Management$45,000
University of VirginiaBachelor of Professional Studies in Health Sciences Management$29,940
Western Governors UniversityMBA in Healthcare Management$19,820 – $39,640
Indiana University EastBachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Healthcare Management$25,476 – $39,862
California Coast UniversityMBA in Healthcare Management$9,750

Today’s Top Online Healthcare Management Bachelor’s Programs

While cost and timelines are students’ first concerns when choosing a school, there are other factors worth considering before committing to your healthcare management bachelor’s degree program. How big is the class size? Does the school offer helpful student resources? Is the program accredited? Our data team has analyzed hundreds of online programs and weighed these factors and more to determine the best online Healthcare Management Bachelor’s programs offered today.

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Private

2

Carlow University

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Private

3

Norfolk State University

Norfolk, Virginia

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Public

4

East Carolina University

Greenville, North Carolina

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Public

5

Purdue University Global

West Lafayette, Indiana

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Public

6

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois

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Private

7

University of North Florida

Jacksonville, Florida

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Public

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Public

9

Northwood University

Midland, Michigan

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Private

10

Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, Missouri

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Private

11

Trocaire College

Buffalo, New York

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Private

12

Regent University

Virginia Beach, Virginia

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Private

13

University of Virginia

Charlottesville, Virginia

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Public

14

University of Mount Olive

Mount Olive, North Carolina

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Private

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Public

16

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Public

17

Galveston College

Galveston, Texas

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Public

18

Harris-Stowe State University

Saint Louis, Missouri

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Public

19

Brazosport College

Lake Jackson, Texas

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Public

20

Thomas Jefferson University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Private

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Public

22

LeTourneau University

Longview, Texas

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Private

23

Immaculata University

Immaculata, Pennsylvania

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Private