The Takeaway for Students
- The BLS sees tremendous job growth in healthcare administration
- Online health administration degree programs are widely available
- Working professionals already in the field can finish their degrees quickly
Demand is higher than ever for skilled healthcare leaders. That’s why online health administration degrees are becoming so popular. Online learning is flexible, convenient, and cost-effective. You can study and work at your own pace, without the need to commute to class. This saves you money on travel and other expenses.
A healthcare administration degree can open doors to diverse careers in hospitals, clinics, government agencies, and more. With just a bachelor’s degree, you can make over $110,000 per year, with less than 5 years experience. An online health administration degree can help you advance your career and make a difference in people’s lives.
Why You Can Trust College Consensus
College Consensus has been committed to producing unbiased and comprehensive college rankings that combine expert opinions and student reviews since 2017. Our transparent methodology aggregates data from trusted rankings experts, verified student reviews, and the National Center for Education Statistics. This combination ensures that our rankings are uniquely balanced, reflecting professional assessments, real experiences of students, and the objec. Our editorial team and subject matter experts rigorously review all content to ensure that users receive accurate, up-to-date information. Advertisers have no influence over our rankings or editorial decisions.
- Over 3,000 accredited colleges and universities evaluated for our rankings.
- Data from multiple well-regarded ranking sources and student review platforms.
- All rankings are updated regularly and undergo strict verification.
- A transparent methodology that balances expert opinions and student feedback.
- Only a select few top-rated institutions based on a combination of criteria make the cut.
Methodology: How We Rank the Best Online Healthcare Administration Bachelor’s Programs
For our rankings of online programs, we consider core questions:
- Is the program accredited?
- Is the program available online?
- Is the program fully online?
- Is the program flexible?
From those basic requirements, we consider two other factors:
- Affordability (according to NCES data)
- Reputation (according to Consensus Score)
- Unigo
- My Plan
- Niche
- Grad Reports
- U.S. News Reviews
- Unigo
- U.S. News
- My Plan
- Washington Monthly
- Niche
- Forbes
- Grad Reports
- Wall Street Journal
- U.S. News Reviews
- Wallet Hub
Summary: Top 10 Online Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration
| Rank | School | Cost | Student Consensus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Columbia Southern University | $5,775 | 85.1 |
| 2. | Southern New Hampshire University | $9,650 | 77 |
| 3. | Purdue University Global | $14,478 | 82.7 |
| 4. | Florida International University | $18,963 | 81.2 |
| 5. | University of West Florida | $19,241 | 77.7 |
| 6. | Grand Canyon University | $17,800 | 67.5 |
| 7. | University of Central Florida | $22,467 | 81.2 |
| 8. | Liberty University | $21,587 | 70 |
| 9. | Colorado Christian University | $34,750 | 77.8 |
| 10. | Champlain College | $42,784 | 75.8 |
The Health Care Administration degree from Columbia Southern University gives students all they need to take on leadership positions in health care. With a focus on business, ethics, and leadership, you are primed for the modern healthcare system. The online format helps working professionals, and Columbia Southern will accept up to 90 transfer credits from previous learning.
What the Experts Say
Columbia Southern does not have a Consensus Score.
What the Students Say
Based on reviews, Columbia Southern earns an 85.1 Student Consensus score.
What the Data Says
- Degree: BS Health Care Administration
- Credits: 120
- Time to Complete: 4 years
- Average Tuition: $5,775
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
Southern New Hampshire University’s Healthcare Administration BS online program builds leadership skills onto real-world expertise. SNHU designs the curriculum around Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA) standards. You can choose from two concentrations:
- Health Information Management
- Patient Safety and Quality
With 8-week courses and many start dates, SNHU gives working adults all the flexibility they need.
What the Experts Say
College Consensus has not awarded SNHU a Consensus Score.
What the Students Say
SNHU students have given the school a Student Consensus score of 77.
What the Data Says
- Degree: BS in Healthcare Administration
- Credits: 40 (courses)
- Time to Complete: 4 years
- Average Tuition: $9,650
- Acceptance Rate: 86%
Purdue University Global makes their BS in Health Care Administration an ideal choice for working adults. With generous transfer credits, military transfer options, and a free trial period, you know exactly what you’re getting into. Students can also opt for the self-paced ExcelTrack option, or roll their credits into an accelerated master’s degree!
What the Experts Say
Purdue University Global does not have a Consensus Score.
What the Students Say
Purdue Global students are largely satisfied, giving them an 82.7 Student Consensus.
What the Data Says
- Degree: BS in Health Care Administration
- Credits: 180 (quarters)
- Time to Complete: 4 years
- Average Tuition: $14,478
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
The fully online Bachelor of Health Services Administration at Florida International University offers 24/7 support, faculty feedback, and 1-on-1 coaching. FIU is also a member of the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA), giving students access to scholarships and awards.
What the Experts Say
FIU earns a Consensus Score of 73.3.
What the Students Say
Students give FIU a Student Consensus score of 81.2.
What the Data Says
- Degree: Bachelor of Health Services Administration
- Credits: 120
- Time to Complete: 4 years
- Average Tuition: $18,963
- Acceptance Rate: 59%
The University of West Florida online Healthcare Administration BS program offers opportunity for:
- Transfer students
- Working professionals
- Prospective master’s students
- Career changing adults
With a focus on contemporary issues in healthcare, you can take your UWF BSHS degree to careers in hospitals, rehab facilities, and even insurance companies.
What the Experts Say
UWF has no Consensus Score.
What the Students Say
Students give West Florida a solid 77.7 Student Consensus score.
What the Data Says
- Degree: BS in Health Sciences – Healthcare Administration
- Credits: 120
- Time to Complete: 4 years
- Average Tuition: $19,241
- Acceptance Rate: 57%
Grand Canyon University has long been known as a leader in online healthcare degrees. The BS in Health Care Administration gives working adults in the healthcare field the flexibility and affordability they need to enhance their career. You can also transfer up to 90 credits from previous education. You will practice skills like communication, project management, teamwork, and decision-making.
What the Experts Say
GCU does not have a Consensus Score.
What the Students Say
Students rate Grand Canyon a 67.5.
What the Data Says
- Degree: BS in Health Care Administration
- Credits: 120
- Time to Complete:
- Average Tuition: $17,800
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
The online bachelor’s in Health Services Administration at the University of Central Florida gives you an affordable route to an in-demand degree. In UCF’s fully online program, you will take courses like:
- US Health Care Systems
- Health Care Economics
- Epidemiology
In addition, you will learn leadership, management, and ethical decision-making.
What the Experts Say
College Consensus gives the University of Central Florida a 67.5 Consensus Score.
What the Students Say
A Student Consensus of 81.2 shows students are happy with their education from UCF.
What the Data Says
- Degree: BS in Health Services Administration
- Credits: 120
- Time to Complete: 4 years
- Average Tuition: $22,467
- Acceptance Rate: 42%
Liberty University’s BS in Healthcare Administration is designed for convenience. You can transfer as much as 75% of the required credits, and 8-week, 100% online courses let you work around your schedule. Liberty’s instructors have real-world experience in hospitals, clinical settings, and other healthcare organizations.
In addition, Liberty has not raised tuition rates in almost a decade, unlike other online educators! They are also notably military-friendly.
What the Experts Say
Liberty University does not have enough rankings for a Consensus Score.
What the Students Say
Students rate Liberty at 70.
What the Data Says
- Degree: BS in Healthcare Administration
- Credits: 120
- Time to Complete: 4 years
- Average Tuition: $21,587
- Acceptance Rate: 30%
Colorado Christian University has designed their online Healthcare Administration bachelor’s program for professionals working in healthcare. Unlike other healthcare administration programs, CCU doesn’t just focus on leadership and business. You’ll learn about statistics and informatics, regulations and law, and even economics. Most courses come in 5-week blocks for scheduling convenience.
What the Experts Say
Colorado Christian has not earned a Consensus Score.
What the Students Say
Student reviews give CCU a Student Consensus of 77.8.
What the Data Says
- Degree: Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration
- Credits: 120
- Time to Complete:
- Average Tuition: $34,750
- Acceptance Rate: 71%
The Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration from Champlain College has been regularly ranked one of the best online programs in America. Champlain also offers specialized certificates along the way, so you can improve your career even before finishing the degree. You can also transfer up to 90 credits from other schools.
What the Experts Say
Champlain College does not have a Consensus Score.
What the Students Say
The Student Consensus gives Champlain a 75.8.
What the Data Says
- Degree: BS in Healthcare Administration
- Credits: 120
- Time to Complete: 3 years
- Average Tuition: $42,784
- Acceptance Rate: 66%
Why Should I Get My Healthcare Administration Degree Online?
A recent poll from College Consensus found that most online students are looking for flexibility and affordability. It also found that the vast majority (65%) of online students are already employed. That means they’re going back to school to improve their career, not start it.
So what does that mean for you? Why should you choose an online program for your healthcare administration degree?
Great job opportunities:
- Lots of new jobs are opening up in healthcare administration.
- You can earn a good salary, especially as you gain experience.
- High job growth over the next decade.
Helping others:
- You can make a difference by helping people.
- It’s a rewarding career.
Flexible learning:
- Online programs let you learn on your own schedule.
- You can ask questions directly to your teachers.
- You can connect with people from all over the world.
The best online healthcare administration degree programs offer you all of this and more – like 24/7 tech support, one-on-one mentoring, and career counseling. Sometimes even job placement!
How Do I Choose a Good Health Care Administration Degree?
There are a lot of things to look for in a healthcare administration degree programs, but one of the most important is accreditation. The best-known accrediting body for healthcare administration is the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME).
You should also look for programs that meet Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA) standards. The AUPHA sets curriculum standards for health administration programs. An AUPHA member school also gives students access to scholarships and awards.
Choosing the right online program:
- Accreditation: Look for programs that are officially recognized.
- Cost: Find a program that fits your budget.
- Career goals: Choose a program that helps you reach your career goals.
What you’ll learn:
- Leadership: How to lead a team and make decisions.
- Communication: How to talk to people clearly and effectively.
- Technology: How to use computers and other tools.
- People skills: How to work well with others.
- Research: How to find information and solve problems.
What is Healthcare Administration and Management?
Healthcare administration is a broad field that involves managing and overseeing healthcare systems, like hospitals and clinics. It includes tasks such as planning, organizing, and directing the overall operations of these healthcare facilities.
Healthcare management is a more specific role within healthcare administration. Healthcare managers focus on the day-to-day operations of specific departments or units within a healthcare facility. This includes tasks like hiring staff, managing budgets, and ensuring quality patient care.
Key difference:
- Healthcare administrators often work at a higher level, overseeing entire organizations or large parts of them.
- Healthcare managers typically work at a lower level, managing specific departments or teams within a healthcare organization.
While the titles “administrator” and “manager” might sometimes be used interchangeably, they represent distinct roles with different responsibilities.
So what makes health administration a good career path?
Job Growth:
- High Demand: The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 29% job growth for medical and health services managers in the next decade This is much faster than the average for all occupations.
- Numerous Openings: An estimated 160,000 job openings for medical and healthcare administrators by 2033.
Salary Potential:
- Lucrative Careers: Healthcare administration offers competitive salaries.
- Median Annual Wage: In 2023, the median annual wage for health care administrators was $110,680.
- Top Earners: The top 10% of earners in this field make over $195,630 per year.
- Salary Variation: Salaries can vary based on factors like location, experience, and specific role.
| Employer | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | $128,740 |
| Government | $125,590 |
| Outpatient care centers | $104,710 |
| Offices of physicians | $102,360 |
| Nursing and residential care facilities | $97,490 |
Diverse Careers:
- Multiple Opportunities: A healthcare administration degree opens doors to various career paths within the healthcare industry.
- Leadership Roles: You can advance to leadership positions like hospital administrator, clinic director, or health system executive.
Specialized Areas: You can specialize in areas like healthcare finance, human resources, or health information management.
