University Headquarters (HQ) is an industry-leading, independent educational organization that provides independent college rankings using a proprietary formula to create first class, unbiased rankings. The team at University HQ strives to provide accurate and trustworthy rankings that highlight the best programs for healthcare administration.
Healthcare is one of the fastest-growing industries in the United States. According to employment statistics, many healthcare careers—both clinical and administrative—are projected to grow by 20% or more in the coming years. This increasing demand has led colleges and universities to expand their healthcare administration degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and even doctoral levels.
Healthcare administration is a critical field that ensures hospitals, clinics, and healthcare organizations run efficiently. For many traditional business professions, there is often an equivalent career track in healthcare administration, providing diverse job opportunities in finance, operations, HR, and policy management within the healthcare sector.
With the rising demand for skilled administrators, top colleges and universities have developed comprehensive healthcare administration programs. When selecting a school, consider factors like accreditation, curriculum, internship opportunities, and job placement rates. Whether you’re pursuing a bachelor’s in healthcare administration or an MBA with a healthcare focus, earning a degree from a reputable institution can open doors to leadership roles in hospitals, private practices, insurance companies, and government agencies.
To help students find the best healthcare administration colleges, University HQ's best colleges team has identified the top-value programs nationwide. Each school on this list offers high-quality academics and career-focused training for undergraduate and graduate students. Every program has unique strengths, just as every student has individual goals. Our rankings are based on objective criteria, ensuring students can confidently explore programs that align with their needs and aspirations.
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What to Expect in a Healthcare Administration Degree
A degree in healthcare administration prepares students for leadership roles in healthcare settings, focusing on the business, management, and policy aspects of the industry. While specific curriculums can vary by program, students can generally expect to study a combination of healthcare-related subjects and core business principles.
Courses and Experience
Healthcare administration programs usually include courses in healthcare management, finance, organizational behavior, medical law, healthcare ethics, public health, and healthcare information systems. These courses prepare students to manage healthcare facilities, navigate regulations, and improve patient care delivery.
Many programs also include internships or practicum experiences in hospitals, clinics, or insurance companies. These hands-on opportunities help students gain real-world insight into healthcare operations, patient care logistics, and administrative challenges.
Skills
A healthcare administration degree helps students develop skills in leadership, problem-solving, communication, and strategic planning. It covers financial management, human resources, and healthcare policies, preparing graduates to make informed decisions and improve efficiency and patient outcomes.
This degree provides a strong foundation for those pursuing leadership roles in the rapidly evolving healthcare industry.
What Can You Do with a Bachelor’s?
A bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration provides access to a variety of career opportunities within the healthcare industry, equipping graduates with the skills needed for managerial, operational, and leadership roles in different healthcare settings. Healthcare managers or administrators often oversee operations in facilities like hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics, managing budgets, coordinating staff, ensuring regulatory compliance, and improving patient care quality.
A medical office manager focuses on managing the daily operations of a medical practice. This includes overseeing staff, patient scheduling, medical record maintenance, compliance with healthcare laws, and financial management. Health services managers work to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare services, both large and small. They ensure smooth operations, manage patient care strategies, and implement policies.
A growing field within healthcare administration is health information management, where professionals ensure the security and accuracy of patient data, manage electronic health records (EHR) systems, and ensure compliance with privacy laws like HIPAA. Insurance administrators work in health insurance companies to manage claims, process billing, and ensure adherence to insurance procedures. They may also help develop policies or handle claims disputes.
And there are a huge variety of other roles in medical coding, public health, etc. A bachelor's in healthcare administration provides a solid foundation for diverse career opportunities in the field and offers pathways for further specialization, certifications, and advancement into senior management roles.
Top 25 Best Campus Healthcare Administration Schools
Washington University in St. Louis
Score: 90.63
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $62,982
- Out-of-State:$62,982
- Net Price: $22,440
- Acceptance Rate: 12%
- Retention Rate: 96%
- Graduation Rate: 94%
- Total Enrollment: 16,500
- Undergrad Students: 8,267
- Graduate Students: 8,233
- Grads Salary: $83,000
- Student-to-faculty: 7:1
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Score: 89.74
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,989
- Out-of-State:$39,330
- Net Price: $11,140
- Acceptance Rate: 19%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 92%
- Total Enrollment: 32,234
- Undergrad Students: 20,681
- Graduate Students: 11,553
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
University of Southern California
Score: 87.29
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $68,237
- Out-of-State:$68,237
- Net Price: $41,496
- Acceptance Rate: 10%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 92%
- Total Enrollment: 47,147
- Undergrad Students: 21,023
- Graduate Students: 26,124
- Grads Salary: $92,000
- Student-to-faculty: 9:1
Georgetown University
Score: 86.35
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $65,081
- Out-of-State:$65,081
- Net Price: $37,967
- Acceptance Rate: 13%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 94%
- Total Enrollment: 20,392
- Undergrad Students: 7,968
- Graduate Students: 12,424
- Grads Salary: $87,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
University of St. Francis
Score: 80.87
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $37,000
- Out-of-State:$37,000
- Net Price: $16,455
- Acceptance Rate: 64%
- Retention Rate: 73%
- Graduation Rate: 65%
- Total Enrollment: 3,185
- Undergrad Students: 1,306
- Graduate Students: 1,879
- Grads Salary: $88,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Trinity University
Score: 79.78
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $51,352
- Out-of-State:$51,352
- Net Price: $32,264
- Acceptance Rate: 28%
- Retention Rate: 92%
- Graduation Rate: 82%
- Total Enrollment: 2,694
- Undergrad Students: 2,531
- Graduate Students: 163
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 9:1
University of Detroit Mercy
Score: 79.61
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $32,300
- Out-of-State:$32,300
- Net Price: $17,987
- Acceptance Rate: 80%
- Retention Rate: 82%
- Graduation Rate: 68%
- Total Enrollment: 5,528
- Undergrad Students: 3,352
- Graduate Students: 2,176
- Grads Salary: $84,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
George Washington University
Score: 78.08
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $64,990
- Out-of-State:$64,990
- Net Price: $45,466
- Acceptance Rate: 44%
- Retention Rate: 92%
- Graduation Rate: 85%
- Total Enrollment: 25,568
- Undergrad Students: 11,387
- Graduate Students: 14,181
- Grads Salary: $85,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
University of La Verne
Score: 77.38
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $47,000
- Out-of-State:$47,000
- Net Price: $27,216
- Acceptance Rate: 48%
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 65%
- Total Enrollment: 5,596
- Undergrad Students: 3,352
- Graduate Students: 2,244
- Grads Salary: $85,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Tulane University of Louisiana
Score: 77.26
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $65,538
- Out-of-State:$65,538
- Net Price: $50,631
- Acceptance Rate: 15%
- Retention Rate: 94%
- Graduation Rate: 89%
- Total Enrollment: 13,078
- Undergrad Students: 8,077
- Graduate Students: 5,001
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 8:1
Regis University
Score: 76.88
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $43,980
- Out-of-State:$43,980
- Net Price: $25,062
- Acceptance Rate: 87%
- Retention Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 61%
- Total Enrollment: 4,631
- Undergrad Students: 2,680
- Graduate Students: 1,951
- Grads Salary: $89,000
- Student-to-faculty: 9:1
University of Missouri-Columbia
Score: 76.49
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,130
- Out-of-State:$34,338
- Net Price: $20,006
- Acceptance Rate: 77%
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 76%
- Total Enrollment: 31,013
- Undergrad Students: 23,613
- Graduate Students: 7,400
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Truman State University
Score: 75.96
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,470
- Out-of-State:$17,870
- Net Price: $12,798
- Acceptance Rate: 80%
- Retention Rate: 84%
- Graduation Rate: 68%
- Total Enrollment: 3,636
- Undergrad Students: 3,302
- Graduate Students: 334
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Saint Francis University
Score: 75.94
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $41,720
- Out-of-State:$41,720
- Net Price: $27,421
- Acceptance Rate: 77%
- Retention Rate: 88%
- Graduation Rate: 73%
- Total Enrollment: 2,835
- Undergrad Students: 2,429
- Graduate Students: 406
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Saint Louis University
Score: 75.77
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $53,244
- Out-of-State:$53,244
- Net Price: $30,911
- Acceptance Rate: 81%
- Retention Rate: 89%
- Graduation Rate: 80%
- Total Enrollment: 17,202
- Undergrad Students: 10,519
- Graduate Students: 6,683
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 8:1
Webster University
Score: 75.45
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $30,730
- Out-of-State:$30,730
- Net Price: $27,695
- Acceptance Rate: 58%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 61%
- Total Enrollment: 7,606
- Undergrad Students: 2,204
- Graduate Students: 5,402
- Grads Salary: $86,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
Seton Hall University
Score: 74.4
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $51,370
- Out-of-State:$51,370
- Net Price: $31,642
- Acceptance Rate: 79%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 71%
- Total Enrollment: 9,494
- Undergrad Students: 6,061
- Graduate Students: 3,433
- Grads Salary: $81,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Salve Regina University
Score: 74.17
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $47,930
- Out-of-State:$47,930
- Net Price: $37,794
- Acceptance Rate: 70%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 75%
- Total Enrollment: 2,836
- Undergrad Students: 2,117
- Graduate Students: 719
- Grads Salary: $81,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
DeSales University
Score: 74.02
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $44,800
- Out-of-State:$44,800
- Net Price: $30,524
- Acceptance Rate: 79%
- Retention Rate: 81%
- Graduation Rate: 71%
- Total Enrollment: 2,919
- Undergrad Students: 2,149
- Graduate Students: 770
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Saint Joseph's University
Score: 74.02
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $51,340
- Out-of-State:$51,340
- Net Price: $36,392
- Acceptance Rate: 86%
- Retention Rate: 88%
- Graduation Rate: 80%
- Total Enrollment: 7,201
- Undergrad Students: 4,828
- Graduate Students: 2,373
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
University of Scranton
Score: 73.95
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $52,309
- Out-of-State:$52,309
- Net Price: $32,100
- Acceptance Rate: 84%
- Retention Rate: 87%
- Graduation Rate: 81%
- Total Enrollment: 4,825
- Undergrad Students: 3,666
- Graduate Students: 1,159
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
University of Evansville
Score: 73.44
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $42,676
- Out-of-State:$42,676
- Net Price: $21,611
- Acceptance Rate: 78%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 71%
- Total Enrollment: 2,109
- Undergrad Students: 1,741
- Graduate Students: 368
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
California State University-East Bay
Score: 73.23
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,055
- Out-of-State:$18,935
- Net Price: $10,874
- Acceptance Rate: 97%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 46%
- Total Enrollment: 13,333
- Undergrad Students: 10,562
- Graduate Students: 2,771
- Grads Salary: $82,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
St. Joseph's University-New York
Score: 72.97
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $34,535
- Out-of-State:$34,535
- Net Price: $18,324
- Acceptance Rate: 71%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 64%
- Total Enrollment: 4,050
- Undergrad Students: 3,369
- Graduate Students: 681
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Concordia University-Saint Paul
Score: 72.82
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $25,000
- Out-of-State:$25,000
- Net Price: $17,989
- Acceptance Rate: 75%
- Retention Rate: 67%
- Graduation Rate: 59%
- Total Enrollment: 5,854
- Undergrad Students: 3,146
- Graduate Students: 2,708
- Grads Salary: $78,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
Career Outlook in Healthcare Administration
The career outlook for healthcare administration is strong, with continued growth driven by an aging population, medical advancements, and increased demand for services. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projected a 29% growth in employment for medical and health services managers from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is fueled by the rising need for healthcare services, particularly in managing facilities like hospitals and nursing homes.
Specialized areas, such as health information management, are also in high demand as healthcare systems adopt advanced technologies and electronic health records. This trend is expected to create numerous job opportunities. Overall, a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration offers a stable, rewarding career with competitive salaries and opportunities for advancement into senior management roles.
Where Might You Work?
With a degree in healthcare administration, you can work in a variety of settings within the healthcare industry.
Common employers include:
- Hospitals – Healthcare administrators manage hospital operations, including patient services, staffing, budgeting, and regulatory compliance.
- Nursing Homes and Long-Term Care Facilities – Administrators oversee the daily functions of nursing homes, ensuring quality care for elderly residents and compliance with health regulations.
- Outpatient Care Centers – These facilities require administrators to manage operations, appointments, billing, and patient relations.
- Health Insurance Companies – Insurance providers often need administrators to help manage policyholder services, claims processing, and healthcare networks.
- Government Agencies – Local, state, and federal health departments require administrators to manage public health programs, such as Medicaid, public health campaigns, and regulatory enforcement.
- Private Practice or Physician's Offices – Healthcare administrators in smaller settings help manage day-to-day operations, patient scheduling, and finances.
A degree in healthcare administration opens doors to a wide range of opportunities in both clinical and non-clinical healthcare environments.
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