Healthcare administrators keep clinics and hospitals operating. Is it time to advance your career with an online MBA in healthcare administration?
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Learn more about our editorial process Holland Webb Holland Webb Read Full BioHolland Webb has more than 20 years of experience in education, serving at nearly every level, from preschool to postsecondary. Holland has written for brands such as MailChimp, Wiley, Modkat, This Old House, and Architectural Digest. He has edited a.
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In 2020-2021, business was the most popular graduate degree field, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Within business, there are many MBA programs to choose from. Prospective students interested in healthcare may find that an MBA in healthcare management is a rewarding and lucrative option.
An MBA in healthcare management prepares graduates for administrative roles in healthcare. These programs often require students to complete 30-50 credits, and most full-time learners graduate within two years.
Online programs can offer students the flexibility to continue working while completing courses. Some colleges may offer accelerated options that allow students to graduate within one year.
Coursework in these programs usually covers accounting and finance, operations management, marketing, and information systems. Most programs culminate in a capstone course or internship.
An MBA in healthcare management program combines the multidisciplinary nature of an MBA degree with an in-depth focus on leadership positions within the healthcare field. Graduates are prepared to take on roles in healthcare management, such as healthcare administrator, project manager, and financial manager.
The total tuition required to earn an MBA in healthcare management varies widely, with most students paying $35,000-$85,000. Tuition at public colleges generally costs less than at private schools. Prospective students can compare costs between programs and may find online MBA in healthcare management programs more affordable.
Although the cost of an MBA may seem daunting, the healthcare field continues to grow. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 28% job growth for medical and health services managers between 2022 and 2032. These professionals earned a median annual salary of $110,680 in 2023.
Looking for the overall top programs? Check out our ranking of the best accredited online MBA programs.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
We have compiled a list of nonprofit and for-profit four-year institutions that offer this degree program. Use the table below to compare each school's average net price, acceptance rate, and graduation rate.
| School | Average Net Price | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johns Hopkins University | $89,000 | 8% | 93% |
| Pennsylvania State University | $59,000 | 58% | 57% |
| Florida International University | $60,000 | 64% | 74% |
| Purdue University | $37,000 | 69% | 82% |
| Webster University | 32,000 | 59% | 57% |
| University of North Carolina, Wilmington | $15,000 (in state) $39,300 (out of state) | 68% | 72% |
| University of Delaware | $41,800 | 72% | 81% |
| Bethel University | $27,300 | 89% | 74% |
| Marist College | $30,600 | 60% | 84% |
| Ball State University | $16,500-$23,600 (in state) $23,130-$33,153 (out of state) | 68% | 66% |
Johns Hopkins's Carey Business School offers a flexible MBA in healthcare management, innovation, and technology for experienced business leaders and managers. This 54-credit program requires 20 credits of core business courses and at least 10 credits in the concentration.
Courses may include medical devices and diagnostics, frameworks for analyzing healthcare markets, or the U.S. healthcare system: past, present, and future. Each course is two credits and may require a synchronous residence component either online, in Baltimore, or in Washington, D.C.
Students should be able to complete the program in 2-3 years. Applicants do not need to submit GMAT or GRE scores.
Penn State's customizable MBA provides 25 possible concentrations, including healthcare business. This comprehensive degree program is constructed on a framework of integration, collaboration, and engagement.
Students must complete 48 credits, including 39 core credits and nine concentration credits. Courses may include managing in the digital economy, financial management in health institutions, and introduction to health economics. All courses are asynchronous, although students frequently work in teams to solve real-world problems.
Applicants need an undergraduate degree in health management or healthcare administration and/or three years of full-time experience in the industry. Penn State does not require the GRE or GMAT for admission to this degree.
FIU offers an MBA in healthcare through the Alvah H. Chapman Jr. Graduate School of Business. Students can complete this 42-credit degree in 18 months.
The curriculum focuses on health system finance, global health policy processes, and decision-making in healthcare. Enrollees also learn visual analytics with Tableau, a tool that helps transform raw data into actionable insight. As part of the program, FIU offers multiple certifications, including Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services certification.
Applicants need a bachelor's degree with a 3.0 or better in the last 60 credits, along with two-plus years of work experience. The school does not require GMAT or GRE scores.
An online MBA in healthcare management prepares graduates for managerial positions in hospitals, private practices, and other medical facilities. Students complete foundational business courses in economics, leadership, and statistics, along with healthcare administration-specific coursework.
An online degree may be worth it for the unexpected advantages alone. Pursuing a degree online can allow students to live anywhere. This flexibility can help save money on housing or make it easier to relocate for a job. Many distance learners continue working part time or full time while in school.
Expect to provide two or three letters of recommendation. Many business schools prefer letters of recommendation from professional contacts instead of professors.
Check CircleConsider creating a resume specific to your application. You would tailor your resume for each job you apply for, so you should do the same for your MBA application.
Although your resume should include standard sections, such as education, work experience, volunteer experience, and special skills or training, you should pay special attention to focusing on your leadership skills. Highlight management experience, team collaborations or projects, and problem-solving skills.
Check CircleThe application essay is a great opportunity to showcase who you are and why you would make a great fit for an MBA in healthcare management program. Prepare to spend several days or weeks planning, writing, and editing your essay. If possible, have at least one other person read your essay and provide constructive feedback.
Check CircleYou must submit official college transcripts when applying to MBA programs. Depending on the classes you have completed, you may be able to transfer graduate credits toward your MBA.
An MBA in healthcare management provides a well-rounded business education focused on preparing graduates to become innovative leaders in healthcare.
Completing an MBA in healthcare management prepares graduates to work in managerial positions in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and private practices. The BLS projects 28% job growth for medical and health services managers between 2022 and 2032.
These professionals supervise projects at healthcare facilities from beginning to end. They create project plans and debrief and analyze finished projects. Strategic project managers must possess strong leadership skills.
Median Annual Salary (2023): $98,580
Working in hospitals, outpatient facilities, and nursing homes, healthcare administrators keep healthcare centers running efficiently. To keep the hospital in compliance with health regulations, healthcare administrators create new policies, balance budgets, and may help recruit and hire medical staff.
Median Annual Salary (2023): $110,680
Medical records technicians maintain patient data. They work in mental health facilities, hospitals, and long-term care facilities. These professionals also collect and interpret data to make informed decisions about staffing and medical care.
Median Annual Salary (2023): $48,780
Hospital CEOs focus on tasks related to the cost of running hospitals, such as organizing budgets, negotiating contracts, and marketing.
Average Annual Salary (2023): $399,910
Pharmaceutical product managers use industry research to create strategies for marketing and developing a product. They may also lead communication between different teams, such as marketing and sales teams and investors.
Median Annual Salary (2023): $144,270
Although the average price of a graduate degree has risen over the decades, many positions in healthcare management pay above-average salaries. The multidisciplinary nature of an MBA creates options for graduates beyond healthcare. Overall, the ROI of an MBA in healthcare management is high.
If prospective students are not sure which environment they want to work in, a general MBA is a better choice. For those who are sure they want to work in healthcare, concentrating in healthcare management prepares them to do so.
If you are interested in management-level positions in healthcare, an MBA in healthcare management can help you stand out from the competition. Although there are jobs within the field that only require a bachelor's degree, an MBA provides a more thorough understanding of the field.
Prospective students may wonder whether a master’s in healthcare management or a master's in healthcare administration degree is more beneficial. Although there is overlap, there are differences between these two paths.
An MBA in healthcare management provides a broader business education. Learners take courses in business, finance, and economics. Graduates with an MBA in healthcare management program qualify for business positions outside of healthcare.
Students who are committed to working in healthcare may find an online master's degree in healthcare administration more beneficial. Although career opportunities are similar for both degrees, master's in healthcare administration programs include more coursework focused on healthcare.
If you still cannot decide between the two degree options, you could pursue a dual MBA in healthcare management and a master's in healthcare administration degree. Consider your long-term career goals and interests before committing to a program.