Best Online Bachelor’s of Healthcare Administration Degree Programs for 2023

Best Online Bachelor’s of Healthcare Administration Degree Programs for 2023

By James Barham

Published: Jul 2, 2021
Updated: May 22, 2023

Find top-ranked online bachelor’s in healthcare administration, management degree programs for students wanting to qualify for managerial positions in health clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers.

Top 10 Online Bachelor's in Healthcare Administration Degrees

University of Akron

46%

Texas Southern University

42%

Liberty University

40%

Jackson State University

39%

Providence College

38%

Western Kentucky University

38%

Sam Houston State University

35%

Radford University

35%

Southern New Hampshire University

35%

Abilene Christian University

34%

New England College

100%

Liberty University

99%

Western Kentucky University

98%

Sam Houston State University

97%

Radford University

95%

Southern New Hampshire University

92%

Felician University

92%

Brenau University

89%

Franklin Pierce University

89%

University of Akron

85%

Purdue University Global

28 to 1

Southern New Hampshire University

21 to 1

Sam Houston State University

21 to 1

University of West Florida

20 to 1

Southeast Missouri State University

19 to 1

Western Kentucky University

19 to 1

California Baptist University

19 to 1

Liberty University

17 to 1

Oral Roberts University

16 to 1

University of Akron

16 to 1

Providence College

$55,988

Franklin Pierce University

$42,100

New England College

$40,642

Abilene Christian University

$39,350

California Baptist University

$37,018

Mount Mercy University

$36,540

Felician University

$35,700

King University

$32,838

Brenau University

$32,530

Oral Roberts University

$31,558

Franklin Pierce University

$36,150

Abilene Christian University

$24,174

Felician University

$19,440

Southern New Hampshire University

$18,900

Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences

$16,128

National University

$15,480

New England College

$14,568

King University

$14,207

Brenau University

$13,590

California Baptist University

$13,590

Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences

14%

Felician University

17%

Mount Mercy University

19%

King University

23%

Brenau University

24%

California Baptist University

24%

Charleston Southern University

27%

Franklin Pierce University

27%

New England College

28%

Purdue University Global

28%

Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences

49%

University of West Florida

53%

National University

55%

Charleston Southern University

57%

Providence College

58%

Jackson State University

62%

Texas Southern University

63%

California Baptist University

64%

King University

66%

Abilene Christian University

70%

King University

11 to 1

Brenau University

11 to 1

Providence College

11 to 1

Franklin Pierce University

12 to 1

Abilene Christian University

13 to 1

Charleston Southern University

13 to 1

New England College

13 to 1

Idaho State University

13 to 1

Texas Southern University

14 to 1

Felician University

14 to 1

University of West Florida

$3,735

Sam Houston State University

$5,856

Idaho State University

$5,928

Texas Southern University

$6,941

Southeast Missouri State University

$7,461

Radford University

$7,922

Jackson State University

$8,270

Purdue University Global

$10,080

Western Kentucky University

$10,992

University of Akron

$11,880

Charleston Southern University

$5,085

Sam Houston State University

$5,765

Southeast Missouri State University

$5,858

Texas Southern University

$6,858

University of West Florida

$7,088

Liberty University

$7,847

Jackson State University

$8,270

Idaho State University

$8,380

Purdue University Global

$8,730

Radford University

$8,915

Key Takeaways

The healthcare industry is among the fastest-growing industries in the United States. So there are plenty of job opportunities for aspiring healthcare administrators and managers. But it’s also a fairly competitive industry with high professional standards for patient safety, among others.
Aspiring health services managers can start their professional journey by being accepted into the best online bachelor’s in healthcare administration programs. The coursework and hands-on training via internships develop hard and soft skills necessary for the job.
Professional development is critical in career advancement among health services managers. This is possible through a combination of relevant work experience, professional certifications, and skills development.

Table of Contents

Featured Programs

An Overview of the Healthcare Administration Online Degree Program

Professionals with online bachelor’s in healthcare administration degrees agree that their career opportunities are abundant! The massive U.S. healthcare industry contributes nearly 20% to the gross domestic product (GDP)—and it’s continuing to grow, too.

With an increasing population, aside from an aging cohort, health services and healthcare professionals will be in great demand. The increase in the use of electronic health records will also increase the demand for healthcare administrators.

With numerous healthcare organizations in the industry, there are plenty of workplaces for health services managers to choose from, too. Many graduates of bachelor’s in healthcare administration degree programs will even find gainful employment in health insurance, pharmaceutical, and healthcare technology companies!

And what gainful employment being a healthcare manager can be! According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, health services managers earn a median annual wage of $101,340 (May 2021). Employment of healthcare services managers and administrators will grow 32% (2020-2030), meaning about 51,800 new jobs per year.

Bachelor’s Degree As a Stepping Stone

The best entry point into the massive U.S. healthcare industry is by earning an online bachelor’s in healthcare administration degree. Most employers prefer applicants with a bachelor’s degree for entry-level positions but will require more professional credentials for career advancement. Master’s degrees in healthcare administration or other related fields are common requirements.

Bachelor’s degrees in healthcare management or healthcare administration usually combine core courses in healthcare services and business administration.

Healthcare administration degree holders can then function effectively in the business environment of their choice. Indeed, many healthcare organizations operate as for-profit business organizations, thus, the need for business administration skills.

Graduates with bachelor’s degrees qualify for entry-level positions in the healthcare system. These include health information technicians, administrative clerks, and human resources assistants.

But an online bachelor’s in healthcare administration is only a stepping stone. Many employers prefer relevant work experience, oftentimes in years of service, before granting career advancement to healthcare management positions.

Furthermore, a bachelor’s in healthcare administration degree is a common requirement for the licenses, registrations, and certifications that healthcare administration professionals must secure. Nursing home administrators, for example, must secure a state-issued license.

Professional certification is usually voluntary but it’s strongly recommended because it demonstrates competence and commitment to professional development. Examples include certifications in medical management, health information management, and certified nursing home administration.

Professional Duties Healthcare Administration Students Prepare For

Healthcare administration professionals perform a wide range of duties that differ based on their specific job title, department, and organization. Typical duties include:

Develop goals, strategies, and objectives in their jurisdiction
Implement effective and efficient measures to improve the delivery and quality of healthcare services
Monitor compliance with relevant rules and regulations in the healthcare industry
Recruit, hire, and train, as well as manage staff
Prepare, pitch, and implement budgets
Maintain complete and accurate records for the facility, staff, and patients
Work with other professionals

Students prepare for these roles and responsibilities in many ways. Courses delivered through virtual classroom instruction and internships are a must in this regard.

Skills Learned and Desired Traits

Students also develop the soft skills that the best healthcare administrators possess including:

Analytical thinking skills
Communication skills
Problem-solving skills
Attention to detail
Leadership and organizational skills

Technical skills are also a must. These include familiarity with computers including electronic health record systems, healthcare rules and regulations, and human resources management.

Admission Requirements

Selective admission into online bachelor’s in healthcare administration is typical. Prospective students may be required to pass placement exams and medical exams, as well as possess healthcare-related certificates.

Cost and Financial Aid

Earning a bachelor’s in healthcare administration in online programs involves per-credit costs ranging from $165 to $900 depending on residency status and school type. Federal financial aid and other options are available.

Frequently Asked Questions About Healthcare Administration and Management Degrees

Why get a bachelor’s in healthcare administration management?

A bachelor’s degree in health administration with a focus on management will prepare students to work in managerial positions in many healthcare settings. Students will gain a comprehensive education and then focus their learning through health-related classes, such as Introduction to Healthcare Systems, Healthcare Finance, Healthcare Law and Biomedical Ethics, Strategic Management, and Public Policy.

How long does it take to get a bachelor’s in healthcare administration?

Both online and on-campus programs are available, and in most cases, this 120-credit degree can be earned in four to five years.

What can you do with a bachelor’s in healthcare administration?

Upon completion, students will qualify for managerial positions in health clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers. Potential careers include health services manager, nursing home administrator, and health policy analyst.

Learn more about how to major in healthcare administration.

Best Online Bachelor's in Healthcare Administration, Management Degree Programs

How do we determine the best online healthcare administration, management bachelor's degree programs?

Pursuing your degree online doesn’t mean you need to settle for an inferior school. Today, most universities and colleges offer online degrees, and many respected schools are seeing significant growth in their numbers of online students.

The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great. This is why influence — i.e., the academic impact of faculty and alumni associated with a school — gets at the heart of what is truly best in education. The combined influence score of a college or university’s top academic influencers is the best indicator of academic excellence. For our online degree rankings, we focus on the academic influence of faculty and alumni in the specific disciplines we’re ranking.

If you are serious about finding the best online colleges, you should be asking where the most influential professors are teaching, and whether their graduates themselves are advancing the school’s reputation for academic excellence. Most ranking sites rely on an opaque combination of reputation surveys and arbitrary performance metrics. Influence, as measured by our InfluenceRanking engine, provides a ranking that is free from bias, insulated from manipulation, and reflective of real-world educational outcomes.

Best Online Healthcare Administration Program List: Our Selection Process

The best online healthcare administration programs in our list are offered by regionally accredited colleges and universities. While there’s no programmatic accreditation for bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration programs, many of these schools have CAHME-accredited master’s degree programs.

These programs may or may not have received Full Certified Undergraduate Membership with the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA).

These undergraduate healthcare administration degree online programs were also chosen for their reputation for academic rigor and excellence.

Faculty members in these programs possessed excellent professional credentials including graduate degrees in their specializations, work experience in the healthcare industry and academe, and effective teaching strategies.

Closely related to the healthcare management degree and embracing the principles of human resource management, this program enables students to learn the right hard and soft skills from the best teachers! This is in addition to the extensive internship opportunities in diverse healthcare organizations.

The student support services in these bachelor’s in healthcare administration programs contribute to student success and, thus, impressive graduate outcomes.

Students benefit from these support services even before being accepted into their programs, thanks to admissions and financial aid services. These support services continue until their admission and graduation, thanks to 24/7 library and IT help desk access, virtual tutoring, and career services.

Medical and Health Services Managers Salaries by Percentile in the U.S.

The following graph depicts the average salaries of Medical and Health Services Managers for each percentile in the U.S.

Source: U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

SVG Attribution: Wikipedia

Total Employed: 436770

10%

15%

50%

15%

10%

bell-curve

6078077750101340135750205620

10th Percentile25th Percentile75th Percentile90th Percentile

25 Best Online Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration Degree Programs

Online Finance Programs Looking for You

Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require a time of adjustment. Although you’ll typically learn the same material and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, going online will require greater independence and responsibility than going in person. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, for harnessing the online educational technology that you’ll need to use, and for completing the course requirements, such as listening to lectures, learning lessons, reading texts, and handing in assignments. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take the initiative in building relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.

No. The only part of online education that’s easier than campus-based education is ease of access: all you need is a computer and an internet connection for online education. But even this seeming advantage of online education can be misleading: what’s easier, studying online with your computer and internet connection from your home where you need to cook, clean, pay rent, and maintain a job? Or studying on campus in a dorm where all your living needs are handled by the school, and college staff are there to help you every step of the way?

If you take the commute to campus out of the equation, campus-based education is easier. All the support structures available on campus for students, especially with real people to help you in person, are not there online. The demands on you as an online student will largely be the same as for your campus-based counterpart, but without the same helps.

In general, your online courses will present the same material and test you in the same way as traditional in-person courses. In many cases, you’ll even have the same instructors as your on-campus counterparts. In fact, if you are adjusting to the experience of independent learning with remote educational technology for the first time, online college may be considerably more challenging than campus-based college. For a few insights on how to manage this new online experience, check out our 10 Tips for Adjusting to School Online.

Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable non-profit institutions on the one end and less-than-reputable for-profit institutions on the other end. Accreditation gives you the power to identify the more reputable actors in online education. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency indicating that a college or university is meeting standards of quality and credibility. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.

Attending a college or university that is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. For students seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that they opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree. For more on this important topic, check out our What is Accreditation and Why Does It Matter? College & University Accreditation Guide.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited (see the previous point), you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer of credits. In many cases, you will encounter some bureaucratic haggling in which some of your credits will be transferred and others may be refused. However, provided that you have attended an online school with recognized regional accreditation, you should be in good shape in transferring your credits earned online.

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript, or resumé differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

Some employers may express the concern that because you did your degree online, you may need to transition from an online education experience to in-person workplace experience. But in an age of Covid, that concern seems much diminished. The fact is that much employment these days is remote. And collaboration increasingly happens online over Zoom. Many employers will therefore view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

If you are a student who thrives on the dynamic energy of in-person discussion, who requires the physical surroundings of a classroom to feel engaged, or who considers the social aspects of education to be of equal importance to the actual content of your courses, online education will be less than ideal for you (though depending on your circumstances, it may also be the only viable option).

While there is much in traditional campus-based education that can be substituted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing that can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual in-person classroom setting. As you transition to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face in getting the most out of your online classes is overcoming this difference between “real reality” and “virtual reality.” Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.

The advantages of online classes are many. Above all, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities-educational experiences that you can complete at your own pace and on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

Image Attributions

Image Source for Purdue University Global