Top 5 Online MBA Programs in Healthcare Administration
| OnlineMBA.com Staff Modified on June 23, 2022
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A master of business administration (MBA) in healthcare administration is a graduate-level business degree with a concentration in healthcare management. Programs in this field deliver foundational skills in management and leadership, plus specialized knowledge in healthcare finance and biostatistics.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 32% growth in employment for medical and health service managers from 2020-2030, much faster than the average projected growth rate for all occupations. With demand for healthcare managers on the rise, graduates with online healthcare administration MBAs often secure lucrative positions shortly after graduation.
Our rankings explore the best online MBAs in healthcare administration. This page also covers degree options in healthcare management, the benefits of an online MBA in healthcare administration, and job prospects for graduates in the field. We also consider the costs of pursuing an online healthcare administration MBA.
What Is Healthcare Administration?
The field of healthcare management arose in early 20th-century America, as rapid growth in hospitals nationwide created a need for workers with expertise in patient record-keeping, hospital accreditation, and hospital finances. Initially, experienced business professionals filled these roles. The University of Chicago opened the nation's first healthcare management program in 1934, introducing the academic discipline of healthcare administration.
Like today's healthcare managers, hospital administrators of the early 20th century oversaw facilities' compliance with hospital accreditation standards. Initially comprising a single page of requirements, these standards have since developed into the Joint Commission's rigorous performance policies.
Today, graduates from MBA programs in health service management often work in managerial and leadership positions for hospitals, long-term care facilities, insurance companies, and pharmaceutical companies.
Today, graduates from MBA programs in health service management often work in managerial and leadership positions for hospitals, long-term care facilities, insurance companies, and pharmaceutical companies. Careers available to MBAs in healthcare administration include occupations like health information director, medical insurance underwriter, and healthcare compliance officer.
MBA programs in healthcare administration attract experienced healthcare specialists looking to advance professionally, along with budding business managers interested in the ethics of care, biotechnology, and healthcare innovation.
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Why Get a Healthcare Administration MBA?
Earning an online MBA with a concentration in healthcare administration can give graduates an edge over job candidates with general MBAs. Other advantages of earning an online healthcare administration MBA include:
- Strong Job Prospects
- The BLS projects consistent growth for managerial and leadership positions in the healthcare industry from 2019-2029. With an online MBA in healthcare administration, graduates can anticipate strong job prospects.
- Lucrative Salaries
- An online healthcare administration MBA can pave the way for a highly profitable business career. For example, the BLS reported a median annual salary of $104,280 for health information directors as of 2020.
- Opportunities to Influence the Standards of Healthcare
- Healthcare managers oversee healthcare organizations' compliance with accreditation and licensure standards and implement improvements. These professionals can become long-lasting agents of positive change in the industry.
What to Expect From an Online MBA in Healthcare Administration
Earning an online MBA in healthcare administration usually requires 60 credits, which takes around two years of full-time study. However, some schools offer accelerated programs that enable learners to finish in one year. Part-time programs allow students to spread out the course load over 3-4 years.
A typical online healthcare administration MBA program requires core courses in business management, electives in healthcare administration, and a thesis or capstone seminar. Common core business classes include biostatistics, operations management, microeconomics, and macroeconomics. Popular healthcare administration electives include healthcare reform, U.S. medical insurance, and healthcare innovation and entrepreneurship.
The MBA Admission Process
While most online MBAs in healthcare administration admit applicants with bachelor's degrees from accredited institutions, some programs require professional experience in business administration.
Applicants typically submit materials such as a CV or resume, personal essays, letters of recommendation, transcripts, and GMAT or GRE scores.
Some programs require a minimum 3.0 GPA, but most do not set specific minimum GMAT or GRE scores. Schools may waive standardized test scores for distance learners. Entrance exam scores in the 90th percentile, a GPA of at least 3.5, and prior work experience in healthcare can increase admission chances.
Healthcare Administration Degree Options
Common alternatives to an MBA in healthcare management include a master of health administration (MHA), master of public administration (MPA), and master of science (MS) in health administration. These degrees overlap in course content but differ in program length, credit load, career goals, and course requirements.
An MHA takes around one year to complete for full-time learners and requires 30-36 credits. MHA programs require fewer business courses than an MBA. This degree qualifies graduates for entry-level managerial positions in healthcare, insurance, or pharmaceuticals.
Students usually complete this 30-36 credits professional degree in one year of full-time study. A standard MPA curriculum encompasses more courses in public healthcare administration than typical MHA, MBA, and MS programs. Graduates with MPAs pursue careers as government, community, and nonprofit healthcare managers.
Full-time students can complete this 24-48 credit degree in 1-2 years. A typical MS curriculum includes more STEM courses than most MHA, MPA, and MBA programs. Graduates with MS in healthcare administration degrees qualify for many of the same positions as MBAs with this focus.
Comparing Healthcare Administration and General MBAs
Prospective students may wonder whether to pursue a general MBA or an MBA with a concentration in healthcare administration. The two degrees share similarities in length and credit requirements, both qualifying learners for general managerial and leadership posts.
MBA programs in healthcare management deliver a more in-depth understanding of leadership in healthcare, medical insurance, and pharmaceutical industries. A specialized MBA suits learners who aspire to managerial positions in these industries.
Comparing Healthcare Administration MBAs to General MBA Programs
| MBA in Healthcare Administration | General MBA | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | Two years full time | Two years full time |
| Credit Load | 60 credits | 60 credits |
| Typical Courses | Healthcare law and ethics, healthcare leadership, biostatistics and epidemiology, healthcare finance | Business administration, innovation and entrepreneurship, business analytics, business law and ethics |
| Student Demographics | College graduates and seasoned healthcare employees seeking to move to a higher position | College graduates and business professionals aspiring to secure a position in business administration |
| Common Careers | Healthcare manager, nursing home director, hospital facilities manager, social and community service manager, medical insurance underwriter, medical record manager | Research and development director, financial manager, administrative services manager, marketing director, human resources manager, computer and information systems manager, sales director |
| Degree Goal | Prepare learners for managerial and leadership positions in healthcare, medical insurance, and pharmaceutical industries | Prepare students for general positions as business administrators and executives |
Popular Healthcare Administration Courses
An online MBA in healthcare administration usually requires coursework in biostatistics, financial reporting, and healthcare management. Popular concentration courses include healthcare strategy, global health, and healthcare innovation and entrepreneurship.
Most online healthcare administration MBA programs culminate in a capstone or thesis seminar. Students apply their newfound business prowess to real-world business challenges.
Common courses include:
Students develop an advanced understanding of the statistical concepts and methods in healthcare administration. Topics include data collection, analysis, reporting, and presentation; descriptive and inferential statistics; and epidemiological theory.
Coursework explores strategic planning, managerial problem-solving, and organizational change. Enrollees learn to apply theory and best practices to the demanding environments of healthcare facilities.
This course provides an overview of the national health crisis and leading proposals for healthcare reform. Through simulations, learners gain practical knowledge of how to identify and fulfill healthcare needs, cut patient costs, and increase quality of care.
Through an analysis of case studies, enrollees learn how healthcare managers have used financial data to make difficult decisions.
Students research suitable topics within healthcare administration under the supervision of faculty members. The seminar culminates in a research project.
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How Much Will an MBA in Healthcare Administration Cost?
Tuition for online MBAs in healthcare administration varies among programs. Private schools tend to be more expensive than public institutions. Public universities commonly charge an additional $10,000-$20,000 for out-of-state residents, bringing the cost of tuition at public institutions in line with the tuition expense at private schools.
Most schools charge less for their distance learning programs, however. Public schools commonly charge in-state tuition for their remote learning programs, regardless of student residency. Private schools also tend to offer their online degrees at a flat, discounted rate.
Students should factor in the costs of required technology and course materials, travel expenses associated with potential campus visits, and the loss of work income. Scholarships, loans, grants, and fellowships can help finance the degree. The links below provide more information about these financial options.
Jobs for MBAs in Healthcare Administration
An online healthcare administration MBA offers a stepping stone to lucrative managerial or executive leadership roles in the healthcare, insurance, or pharmaceutical industries. According to the BLS, the median pay for medical and health service managers exceeded six figures as of 2019.
Common careers include:
Healthcare managers direct the business activities of healthcare providers. Typical responsibilities include overseeing healthcare provider records and finances, improving the quality and efficiency of healthcare services, and developing goals and objectives in collaboration with medical staff and top executives.
Required Education: Bachelor's degree
Job Outlook (2019-29): +32%
Median Annual Salary: $104,280
Hospital facilities managers oversee hospital buildings, equipment, and supplies. Typical job duties include overseeing the maintenance and replacement of equipment, representing the facilities at stakeholder and board meetings, and ensuring compliance with healthcare, environmental, and security regulations.
Required Education: Bachelor's degree
Job Outlook (2019-29): +9%
Median Annual Salary: $98,890
These professionals make decisions about medical insurance applications. Underwriters screen applicants for eligibility, calculate the risk of insuring potential clients, and determine reasonable premiums.
Required Education: Bachelor's degree
Job Outlook (2019-29): -2%
Median Annual Salary: $71,790
Nursing home administrators manage the staff, admissions, and finances of nursing homes. Typical responsibilities include evaluating and improving the quality of eldercare, researching and implementing new approaches to care, and overseeing the recruitment and training of staff members.
Required Education: Bachelor's degree
Average Annual Salary: $91,510
Selecting Your Healthcare Administration MBA Program
Our rankings can help students narrow down their available school options to a more manageable size. Prospective enrollees should consider the factors that align most with their goals and perform their own research, as well, such as affordability. Students who graduate with substantial amounts of debt may never see a return on investment.
An MBA can be a valuable credential, but only if earned at a regionally accredited university, ideally from a business school accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. These designations convey to future employers that a degree meets the highest educational and industry-specific standards.
Prospective MBA students should also consider the success of a school's alumni. While the success of a single graduate does not provide insight into program quality, the overall accomplishments of a program's alumni point to the school's reputation.
The availability of networking opportunities for distance learners also plays an important role. Networking events offer crucial connections to gaining references, internships, and job offers.
Why You Should Get Your MBA in Healthcare Administration Online
Prospective students considering online MBAs in healthcare administration may wonder whether employers hold the same view of online degrees as their brick-and-mortar counterparts. With distance learning on the rise, employers increasingly regard online and on-campus MBAs from the same prestigious business school as equally valuable.
Transcripts do not reveal whether the student obtained their MBA online or on campus. So unless the subject comes up at an interview, employers cannot discern the specific degree format.
When searching for online programs, prospective students should prioritize online program formats that match their learning style. Individuals who learn best in a classroom setting with peer discussions should prioritize synchronous online programs. These immersive learning experiences simulate on-campus experiences.
Aspiring MBA enrollees who prefer to study at their own pace may want to consider asynchronous online programs. Degree-seekers can access course materials and complete assignments and discussion boards at their convenience. Keep in mind, however, that an asynchronous format requires significant self-determination to stay on pace with course deadlines.
2022's Best Online MBA in Healthcare Administration
Students can earn an online MBA in healthcare administration without sacrificing careers or their financial stability. This 2022 ranking lists five of the nation's best programs. The link below outlines our methodology for devising this ranking.
Frequently Asked Questions About MBA's in Healthcare Administration
What can you do with an MBA in healthcare administration?
An MBA in healthcare administration qualifies graduates for managerial and leadership posts in the healthcare, insurance, and pharmaceutical industries. Career options include healthcare manager, nursing home director, healthcare compliance officer, and healthcare financial director.
Is an MBA in healthcare administration worth it?
Yes. Even when factoring in all the costs of completing the degree, MBAs in healthcare administration still tend to see a return on investment within a few years of finding employment.
How much does an MBA in healthcare administration cost?
Tuition for an MBA in healthcare administration at a top-tier school can cost $20,000-$150,000 in total, depending on prestige, school type (public vs. private), and program type (on-campus vs. online). However, most schools offer their online MBAs at a discounted rate.
Do employers care if your MBA is online?
No. If you earn an MBA from a reputable school, employers do not mind whether the degree comes from an in-person or online program.
Is it better to get an MBA or an MHA?
An MBA tends to qualify graduates for higher positions in the field than an MHA. However, an MBA can be much more expensive than an MHA, as the former tends to take twice as long to complete.
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