50 Most Affordable Healthcare Administration School Programs

Get Matched With Healthcare Administration Programs

The best and most affordable healthcare administration programs prepare students to excel in leadership roles through a relevant academic curriculum and essential skill-building. The daily ins and outs of healthcare administration roles will vary by employer; however, many jobs encompass a number of similarities that all healthcare administration degrees should prepare student for.

To become a healthcare administrator, it’s necessary to have at least some higher education. You may start with an associate degree in a healthcare-related field and work toward a master’s degree in healthcare administration. It’s also possible to seek employment in a wide array of workplace environments.

At the end of the day, a healthcare administration degree should provide a solid foundation for becoming an exceptional leader in the healthcare industry. And affordable healthcare administration degrees offer many distinct advantages in this growing field, including less debt and greater flexibility.

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Top 50 Affordable Healthcare Administration College Rankings

University Headquarters has an extensive ranking system in place to determine the most affordable healthcare administration programs. This list is based on a specific fact-based methodology. These rankings are not subjective, which means that it provides students with an entirely unbiased list from which to work.

While the cost of a program is a factor in the ranking process, there is much more that UniversityHQ considers to ensure each college and university on the list offers a quality education with the potential to lead to long-term career success. One of the most important factors is accreditation. As part of the evaluation process, the team examines whether or not these higher learning institutions with affordable healthcare administration programs are regionally accredited. They will also examine any programmatic accreditations.

Find Your Online Healthcare Administration Program

Admission rates and graduation rates are also important components in the ranking system. These two factors are considered to be directly associated in that schools with lower admission rates often have higher graduation rates. This means that the more particular a school is with the students it allows into each program the more likely they are to be the right fit and will complete a program and graduate. These are only a few aspects taken into consideration.

1

CUNY Lehman College

Tuition
- In-State:$7,410
- Out-of-State:$15,360
Net Price:$4,974
Total Enrollment:13,015
Undergrad Students:11,211
Graduate Students:1,804

Student-to-faculty:15:1
Acceptance Rate:55%
Retention Rate:71%
Graduation Rate:54%
Diplomas Awarded:NA
Grads Salary:$67,000

2

Fayetteville State University

Tuition
- In-State:$3,906
- Out-of-State:$7,906
Net Price:$6,355
Total Enrollment:6,787
Undergrad Students:5,748
Graduate Students:1,039

Student-to-faculty:18:1
Acceptance Rate:81%
Retention Rate:70%
Graduation Rate:44%
Diplomas Awarded:30
Grads Salary:$60,000

3

CUNY New York City College of Technology

Tuition
- In-State:$7,320
- Out-of-State:$15,270
Net Price:$6,406
Total Enrollment:13,087
Undergrad Students:13,087
Graduate Students:0

Student-to-faculty:15:1
Acceptance Rate:82%
Retention Rate:61%
Graduation Rate:21%
Diplomas Awarded:NA
Grads Salary:$65,000

4

Ohio University-Eastern

Tuition
- In-State:$6,004
- Out-of-State:$8,996
Net Price:$7,478
Total Enrollment:1,143
Undergrad Students:1,143
Graduate Students:0

Student-to-faculty:13:1
Acceptance Rate:100%
Retention Rate:58%
Graduation Rate:16%
Diplomas Awarded:NA
Grads Salary:$38,000

5

Brigham Young University-Idaho

Tuition
- In-State:$4,536
- Out-of-State:$4,536
Net Price:$7,899
Total Enrollment:43,023
Undergrad Students:43,023
Graduate Students:0

Student-to-faculty:19:1
Acceptance Rate:96%
Retention Rate:68%
Graduation Rate:54%
Diplomas Awarded:122
Grads Salary:$67,000

6

The University of West Florida

Tuition
- In-State:$6,360
- Out-of-State:$19,241
Net Price:$8,609
Total Enrollment:13,521
Undergrad Students:9,291
Graduate Students:4,230

Student-to-faculty:22:1
Acceptance Rate:48%
Retention Rate:85%
Graduation Rate:53%
Diplomas Awarded:NA
Grads Salary:$67,000

7

California State University-Northridge

Tuition
- In-State:$7,069
- Out-of-State:$18,949
Net Price:$8,936
Total Enrollment:37,579
Undergrad Students:32,181
Graduate Students:5,398

Student-to-faculty:24:1
Acceptance Rate:91%
Retention Rate:75%
Graduation Rate:56%
Diplomas Awarded:156
Grads Salary:$78,000

8

California State University-Long Beach

Tuition
- In-State:$6,884
- Out-of-State:$18,764
Net Price:$9,346
Total Enrollment:38,973
Undergrad Students:32,931
Graduate Students:6,042

Student-to-faculty:22:1
Acceptance Rate:40%
Retention Rate:85%
Graduation Rate:73%
Diplomas Awarded:146
Grads Salary:$76,000

9

West Virginia University Institute of Technology

Tuition
- In-State:$7,848
- Out-of-State:$19,584
Net Price:$9,529
Total Enrollment:1,481
Undergrad Students:1,481
Graduate Students:0

Student-to-faculty:12:1
Acceptance Rate:65%
Retention Rate:56%
Graduation Rate:34%
Diplomas Awarded:3
Grads Salary:$78,000

10

Baptist Health Sciences University

Tuition
- In-State:$13,078
- Out-of-State:$13,078
Net Price:$9,549
Total Enrollment:797
Undergrad Students:777
Graduate Students:20

Student-to-faculty:7:1
Acceptance Rate:41%
Retention Rate:63%
Graduation Rate:58%
Diplomas Awarded:16
Grads Salary:$79,000

11

Peirce College

Tuition
- In-State:$15,060
- Out-of-State:$15,060
Net Price:$9,621
Total Enrollment:856
Undergrad Students:762
Graduate Students:94

Student-to-faculty:9:1
Acceptance Rate:100%
Retention Rate:100%
Graduation Rate:5%
Diplomas Awarded:27
Grads Salary:$68,000

12

Langston University

Tuition
- In-State:$6,639
- Out-of-State:$14,166
Net Price:$9,681
Total Enrollment:1,903
Undergrad Students:1,774
Graduate Students:129

Student-to-faculty:20:1
Acceptance Rate:100%
Retention Rate:52%
Graduation Rate:23%
Diplomas Awarded:NA
Grads Salary:$70,000

13

Florida Atlantic University

Tuition
- In-State:$4,879
- Out-of-State:$17,324
Net Price:$9,711
Total Enrollment:29,592
Undergrad Students:24,191
Graduate Students:5,401

Student-to-faculty:22:1
Acceptance Rate:81%
Retention Rate:81%
Graduation Rate:62%
Diplomas Awarded:143
Grads Salary:$70,000

14

Clayton State University

Tuition
- In-State:$5,068
- Out-of-State:$15,790
Net Price:$9,792
Total Enrollment:5,847
Undergrad Students:5,283
Graduate Students:564

Student-to-faculty:16:1
Acceptance Rate:56%
Retention Rate:60%
Graduation Rate:34%
Diplomas Awarded:NA
Grads Salary:$65,000

15

Governors State University

Tuition
- In-State:$10,468
- Out-of-State:$17,980
Net Price:$9,833
Total Enrollment:4,427
Undergrad Students:2,609
Graduate Students:1,818

Student-to-faculty:10:1
Acceptance Rate:57%
Retention Rate:56%
Graduation Rate:21%
Diplomas Awarded:NA
Grads Salary:$66,000

16

Florida International University

Tuition
- In-State:$6,565
- Out-of-State:$18,963
Net Price:$9,881
Total Enrollment:55,609
Undergrad Students:45,688
Graduate Students:9,921

Student-to-faculty:24:1
Acceptance Rate:64%
Retention Rate:91%
Graduation Rate:69%
Diplomas Awarded:216
Grads Salary:$68,000

17

Charter Oak State College

Tuition
- In-State:$8,254
- Out-of-State:$10,796
Net Price:$10,191
Total Enrollment:1,602
Undergrad Students:1,501
Graduate Students:101

Student-to-faculty:13:1
Acceptance Rate:100%
Retention Rate:100%
Graduation Rate:100%
Diplomas Awarded:36
Grads Salary:$80,000

18

Weber State University

Tuition
- In-State:$6,391
- Out-of-State:$17,084
Net Price:$10,525
Total Enrollment:29,914
Undergrad Students:28,903
Graduate Students:1,011

Student-to-faculty:21:1
Acceptance Rate:100%
Retention Rate:68%
Graduation Rate:42%
Diplomas Awarded:47
Grads Salary:$74,000

19

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Tuition
- In-State:$8,989
- Out-of-State:$37,550
Net Price:$10,614
Total Enrollment:31,705
Undergrad Students:20,029
Graduate Students:11,676

Student-to-faculty:17:1
Acceptance Rate:17%
Retention Rate:96%
Graduation Rate:91%
Diplomas Awarded:47
Grads Salary:$75,000

20

University of Michigan-Flint

Tuition
- In-State:$13,242
- Out-of-State:$25,506
Net Price:$10,840
Total Enrollment:5,985
Undergrad Students:4,609
Graduate Students:1,376

Student-to-faculty:13:1
Acceptance Rate:66%
Retention Rate:77%
Graduation Rate:46%
Diplomas Awarded:36
Grads Salary:$70,000

21

The College of Westchester

Tuition
- In-State:$23,598
- Out-of-State:$23,598
Net Price:$10,891
Total Enrollment:828
Undergrad Students:828
Graduate Students:0

Student-to-faculty:20:1
Acceptance Rate:95%
Retention Rate:71%
Graduation Rate:42%
Diplomas Awarded:31
Grads Salary:$69,000

22

University of South Florida

Tuition
- In-State:$6,410
- Out-of-State:$17,324
Net Price:$11,004
Total Enrollment:49,600
Undergrad Students:38,047
Graduate Students:11,553

Student-to-faculty:22:1
Acceptance Rate:44%
Retention Rate:90%
Graduation Rate:74%
Diplomas Awarded:6
Grads Salary:$70,000

23

Rhode Island College

Tuition
- In-State:$10,966
- Out-of-State:$26,499
Net Price:$11,014
Total Enrollment:5,787
Undergrad Students:4,719
Graduate Students:1,068

Student-to-faculty:11:1
Acceptance Rate:88%
Retention Rate:71%
Graduation Rate:44%
Diplomas Awarded:27
Grads Salary:$66,000

24

Western Illinois University

Tuition
- In-State:$14,406
- Out-of-State:$14,406
Net Price:$11,213
Total Enrollment:7,643
Undergrad Students:5,309
Graduate Students:2,334

Student-to-faculty:13:1
Acceptance Rate:75%
Retention Rate:67%
Graduation Rate:47%
Diplomas Awarded:15
Grads Salary:$70,000

25

University of North Florida

Tuition
- In-State:$6,389
- Out-of-State:$20,793
Net Price:$11,338
Total Enrollment:16,406
Undergrad Students:14,171
Graduate Students:2,235

Student-to-faculty:19:1
Acceptance Rate:71%
Retention Rate:80%
Graduation Rate:68%
Diplomas Awarded:72
Grads Salary:$67,000

26

Santa Fe College

Tuition
- In-State:$2,563
- Out-of-State:$9,189
Net Price:$11,380
Total Enrollment:12,729
Undergrad Students:12,729
Graduate Students:0

Student-to-faculty:20:1
Acceptance Rate:100%
Retention Rate:NA
Graduation Rate:51%
Diplomas Awarded:28
Grads Salary:$55,000

27

Florida A&M University

Tuition
- In-State:$5,785
- Out-of-State:$17,725
Net Price:$11,583
Total Enrollment:9,215
Undergrad Students:7,709
Graduate Students:1,506

Student-to-faculty:14:1
Acceptance Rate:33%
Retention Rate:90%
Graduation Rate:60%
Diplomas Awarded:28
Grads Salary:$73,000

28

Texas Woman's University

Tuition
- In-State:$8,311
- Out-of-State:$18,103
Net Price:$11,682
Total Enrollment:15,958
Undergrad Students:10,153
Graduate Students:5,805

Student-to-faculty:16:1
Acceptance Rate:94%
Retention Rate:73%
Graduation Rate:48%
Diplomas Awarded:8
Grads Salary:$70,000

29

Texas Southern University

Tuition
- In-State:$9,173
- Out-of-State:$21,413
Net Price:$11,826
Total Enrollment:8,632
Undergrad Students:6,830
Graduate Students:1,802

Student-to-faculty:18:1
Acceptance Rate:97%
Retention Rate:55%
Graduation Rate:26%
Diplomas Awarded:44
Grads Salary:$67,000

30

Tennessee State University

Tuition
- In-State:$8,336
- Out-of-State:$21,692
Net Price:$11,986
Total Enrollment:9,218
Undergrad Students:7,678
Graduate Students:1,540

Student-to-faculty:14:1
Acceptance Rate:100%
Retention Rate:62%
Graduation Rate:32%
Diplomas Awarded:22
Grads Salary:$73,000

31

Columbia Southern University

Tuition
- In-State:$6,015
- Out-of-State:$6,015
Net Price:$12,366
Total Enrollment:15,948
Undergrad Students:11,330
Graduate Students:4,618

Student-to-faculty:28:1
Acceptance Rate:100%
Retention Rate:42%
Graduation Rate:33%
Diplomas Awarded:158
Grads Salary:$75,000

32

Idaho State University

Tuition
- In-State:$7,958
- Out-of-State:$25,936
Net Price:$12,425
Total Enrollment:12,301
Undergrad Students:10,017
Graduate Students:2,284

Student-to-faculty:13:1
Acceptance Rate:100%
Retention Rate:71%
Graduation Rate:37%
Diplomas Awarded:12
Grads Salary:$71,000

33

University of Michigan-Dearborn

Tuition
- In-State:$14,320
- Out-of-State:$29,584
Net Price:$12,444
Total Enrollment:8,223
Undergrad Students:6,116
Graduate Students:2,107

Student-to-faculty:16:1
Acceptance Rate:54%
Retention Rate:82%
Graduation Rate:56%
Diplomas Awarded:1
Grads Salary:$78,000

34

Montana State University Billings

Tuition
- In-State:$6,198
- Out-of-State:$19,924
Net Price:$12,487
Total Enrollment:4,057
Undergrad Students:3,665
Graduate Students:392

Student-to-faculty:15:1
Acceptance Rate:100%
Retention Rate:60%
Graduation Rate:29%
Diplomas Awarded:22
Grads Salary:$68,000

35

Francis Marion University

Tuition
- In-State:$11,160
- Out-of-State:$21,544
Net Price:$12,614
Total Enrollment:4,045
Undergrad Students:3,635
Graduate Students:410

Student-to-faculty:13:1
Acceptance Rate:83%
Retention Rate:65%
Graduation Rate:39%
Diplomas Awarded:39
Grads Salary:$63,000

36

Western Kentucky University

Tuition
- In-State:$11,112
- Out-of-State:$27,000
Net Price:$12,625
Total Enrollment:16,493
Undergrad Students:14,440
Graduate Students:2,053

Student-to-faculty:18:1
Acceptance Rate:97%
Retention Rate:77%
Graduation Rate:51%
Diplomas Awarded:58
Grads Salary:$62,000

37

Eastern Washington University

Tuition
- In-State:$8,139
- Out-of-State:$26,529
Net Price:$12,827
Total Enrollment:10,910
Undergrad Students:7,604
Graduate Students:3,306

Student-to-faculty:19:1
Acceptance Rate:96%
Retention Rate:67%
Graduation Rate:50%
Diplomas Awarded:17
Grads Salary:$68,000

38

Valdosta State University

Tuition
- In-State:$6,007
- Out-of-State:$17,062
Net Price:$12,836
Total Enrollment:10,209
Undergrad Students:7,573
Graduate Students:2,636

Student-to-faculty:17:1
Acceptance Rate:89%
Retention Rate:59%
Graduation Rate:40%
Diplomas Awarded:39
Grads Salary:$65,000

39

Western Carolina University

Tuition
- In-State:$4,453
- Out-of-State:$8,453
Net Price:$13,022
Total Enrollment:11,635
Undergrad Students:9,956
Graduate Students:1,679

Student-to-faculty:16:1
Acceptance Rate:85%
Retention Rate:71%
Graduation Rate:61%
Diplomas Awarded:NA
Grads Salary:$62,000

40

University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Tuition
- In-State:$10,382
- Out-of-State:$24,110
Net Price:$13,036
Total Enrollment:15,219
Undergrad Students:12,950
Graduate Students:2,269

Student-to-faculty:18:1
Acceptance Rate:75%
Retention Rate:70%
Graduation Rate:51%
Diplomas Awarded:12
Grads Salary:$66,000

41

Appalachian State University

Tuition
- In-State:$7,450
- Out-of-State:$23,454
Net Price:$13,084
Total Enrollment:20,436
Undergrad Students:18,558
Graduate Students:1,878

Student-to-faculty:16:1
Acceptance Rate:83%
Retention Rate:83%
Graduation Rate:75%
Diplomas Awarded:65
Grads Salary:$62,000

42

University of Central Florida

Tuition
- In-State:$6,368
- Out-of-State:$22,467
Net Price:$13,108
Total Enrollment:68,346
Undergrad Students:58,662
Graduate Students:9,684

Student-to-faculty:29:1
Acceptance Rate:41%
Retention Rate:93%
Graduation Rate:76%
Diplomas Awarded:311
Grads Salary:$69,000

43

University of Nevada-Las Vegas

Tuition
- In-State:$8,947
- Out-of-State:$25,489
Net Price:$13,159
Total Enrollment:30,660
Undergrad Students:25,365
Graduate Students:5,295

Student-to-faculty:18:1
Acceptance Rate:85%
Retention Rate:77%
Graduation Rate:47%
Diplomas Awarded:68
Grads Salary:$70,000

44

Middle Georgia State University

Tuition
- In-State:$3,958
- Out-of-State:$12,430
Net Price:$13,174
Total Enrollment:7,688
Undergrad Students:7,259
Graduate Students:429

Student-to-faculty:18:1
Acceptance Rate:100%
Retention Rate:61%
Graduation Rate:24%
Diplomas Awarded:69
Grads Salary:$63,000

45

Shawnee State University

Tuition
- In-State:$9,341
- Out-of-State:$15,686
Net Price:$13,313
Total Enrollment:3,297
Undergrad Students:3,091
Graduate Students:206

Student-to-faculty:14:1
Acceptance Rate:100%
Retention Rate:66%
Graduation Rate:35%
Diplomas Awarded:9
Grads Salary:$62,000

46

Eastern Illinois University

Tuition
- In-State:$13,101
- Out-of-State:$15,528
Net Price:$13,380
Total Enrollment:8,857
Undergrad Students:6,916
Graduate Students:1,941

Student-to-faculty:15:1
Acceptance Rate:68%
Retention Rate:71%
Graduation Rate:55%
Diplomas Awarded:7
Grads Salary:$65,000

47

State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota

Tuition
- In-State:$3,074
- Out-of-State:$11,595
Net Price:$13,451
Total Enrollment:8,588
Undergrad Students:8,588
Graduate Students:0

Student-to-faculty:38:1
Acceptance Rate:100%
Retention Rate:58%
Graduation Rate:37%
Diplomas Awarded:27
Grads Salary:$58,000

48

Wichita State University

Tuition
- In-State:$8,866
- Out-of-State:$18,226
Net Price:$13,553
Total Enrollment:16,216
Undergrad Students:12,049
Graduate Students:4,167

Student-to-faculty:20:1
Acceptance Rate:95%
Retention Rate:66%
Graduation Rate:52%
Diplomas Awarded:27
Grads Salary:$72,000

49

Augusta University

Tuition
- In-State:$8,122
- Out-of-State:$23,500
Net Price:$13,572
Total Enrollment:9,140
Undergrad Students:5,378
Graduate Students:3,762

Student-to-faculty:17:1
Acceptance Rate:86%
Retention Rate:73%
Graduation Rate:50%
Diplomas Awarded:47
Grads Salary:$64,000

50

Sam Houston State University

Tuition
- In-State:$8,960
- Out-of-State:$18,752
Net Price:$13,632
Total Enrollment:21,480
Undergrad Students:18,235
Graduate Students:3,245

Student-to-faculty:20:1
Acceptance Rate:85%
Retention Rate:74%
Graduation Rate:56%
Diplomas Awarded:106
Grads Salary:$66,000

Why a Degree from an Affordable Healthcare Administration School?

The cost of degrees at some colleges and universities today is becoming a financial burden that is simply untenable and unbearable for far too many people. The good news is that many high-quality, affordable healthcare administration programs are available throughout the country. These days, one does not have to sacrifice the quality of their healthcare administration education with an affordable degree. They are now one and the same in many instances.

Flexibility is also often synonymous with affordable degrees. Online or flexibly timed degrees often offer program options that cater to non-traditional students. It can be easier to work a full-time job while completing courses either online or in-person on the weekends and evenings. They may even offer a hybrid experience. These degrees are also often ideal for parents and individuals who care for any loved one at home. Many people also choose these flexible and affordable degrees for career advancement while they are gaining invaluable hands-on experience.

Another reason to choose an affordable degree in healthcare administration is to secure greater opportunities. Most healthcare administration degrees will require a master’s degree or a bachelor’s degree with industry-specific certifications. These degrees and certifications will cost even more money over the years. The more one saves on each program, the more money one has to continue their education and qualify for career advancement.

And, keep in mind that healthcare administration is a rapidly growing field. The healthcare industry is booming due to the aging population and greater emphasis on and acceptance of preventative healthcare. The more education and skills a healthcare administrator has, the greater the career opportunities. And it is affordable programs that make all of this education possible.

Choosing an Affordable Healthcare Administration College

While not all colleges and universities are created equal, many affordable healthcare degree programs do exist that offer students an exceptional education. It’s impossible to determine the quality of education based solely on the price of a program. As such, it is essential to review many aspects of a higher learning institution and the healthcare administration program.

Find Online Healthcare Administration Schools

Accreditation is one of the most important factors when determining the right program in healthcare administration. Students who want to succeed must select an affordable college or university that is regionally accredited. This type of accreditation is the most desirable by the majority of hiring employers. It’s also a good idea to examine whether or not the program is accredited in addition to the higher learning institution. Accredited programs also provide a competitive advantage in the workforce marketplace.

An easy way to save over $100,000 is to select an in-state school over an out-of-state school. Most in-state schools charge a fraction of the cost in comparison to what they charge students from other states. The academic differences are rarely worth the price difference. The same is true of private schools versus public schools, though the recognition that your degree comes from a well-regarded school may be seen as worth it by those wanting to move into prestigious positions. A private school can cost over $50,000 dollars a year, whereas a state, public school, in some states, is still less than $10,000 a year.

Do not forget about the possibility of saving money by choosing online healthcare administration programs over in-person degrees. Many affordable schools charge less for online degrees, and they charge the exact same amount for in-state and out-of-state tuition. Keep in mind that some schools are charging more for online degrees in general and charging out-of-state tuition for online students who reside outside of the state in which the physical classrooms are located.

Online Options

Online healthcare administration degrees and certificates are widely available at all degree levels. This field works well as an online program for many reasons. To begin, this type of healthcare position does not actually require any hands-on medical care. As such, nearly all courses can be taught online.

An online associate degree in healthcare administration only provides a foundation for understanding the overall healthcare environment, whereas, a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration prepares students for entry-level healthcare administration roles. At the master’s degree level in healthcare administration, most students will be working within the healthcare industry while they complete their online degree, which is ideal for employers and program participants alike.

In addition to these programs being ideal to take online for the flexibility and that the subject is compatible with online learning, it’s important to note that online learning in healthcare administration may be an advantage for students as the industry continues to shift toward telemedicine and telehealth. By completing a healthcare degree program online, it will help future healthcare administrators to better understand the best ways to manage online medical care in the coming years.

If online education does not work for someone, many colleges and universities offer hybrid programs and in-person programs as alternatives. A hybrid healthcare administration degree will allow for students to take some classes online and others in person. And some schools still only offer in-person classes, or they offer in-person classes for those who are more comfortable with such learning environments. Each school and student will be different.

Are Healthcare Administration Programs in High Demand?

The medical and health services industry is in high demand, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). It expects a growth rate of at least 32% through 2029. This is significantly higher than expectations for most occupations during the same timeframe. Much of this growth can be directly attributed to the rising age in baby boomers. These individuals will simply require more care from all types of organizations throughout the next 10 years, at least.

One should also expect growth in healthcare administration specializations. There is a growing need within the field to be able to work in many different healthcare environments such as physician offices, emergency medicine, pediatric facilities, etc. Another growing specialization within healthcare administrations is for those who have a better understanding of information systems and information technology. As technology becomes even more intertwined with healthcare, technology and cyber security comprehension will be essential.

Healthcare administration careers are also expanding and exist at all levels and in all science sectors including social sciences, improvement sciences, pharmaceuticals, management sciences, life sciences, and more. Roughly 40% of all healthcare administrators currently work within a hospital setting. However, it’s possible to work in many different types of work environments as a healthcare administrator such as outpatient clinics, insurance companies, medical laboratories, nursing homes, and home healthcare agencies.

What Can You Do with a Degree in Healthcare Administration?

The career opportunities in healthcare administration are extensive and abundant. With each different degree and program level comes different possibilities. The type of job for which one qualifies depends entirely on the employer and one’s education. At larger organizations, an associate degree will lead to basic entry-level positions within the healthcare field. These will be more of support roles and data entry. A person may have the chance to advance in healthcare careers with this degree; however, most employers will prefer a bachelor’s degree.

Some entry-level positions will require a bachelor’s degree, and most management roles will require the same or higher. These job openings have a wide range of options such as office manager, business strategy analyst, unit coordinator, and many more. Within such roles, it’s possible to work in areas that center around data, patients, staff, business operations, philanthropy initiatives, etc. A bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration might be enough to move up to leadership roles within a healthcare organization in some instances. Again, this will depend upon the employer.

Most healthcare companies and organizations will prefer or require a master’s degree in healthcare administration for any role that has decision-making power. This might be in the form of a director, consultant, project lead, management, and other roles. It’s possible to work in a variety of areas with these degrees such as finance, pharmacy, operations, emergency management, strategy, accounting, program development, human resources, and much more.

And, while some organizations will hire C-suite executives with a master’s degree, it is becoming increasingly common that these elite roles are reserved for individuals with a PhD or a doctorate degree.

Healthcare Administration Graduates Earn More After College

Those with an associate degree in healthcare administration and some experience might qualify for a number of entry-level healthcare positions at different healthcare institutions such as medical coder, medical biller, medical transcriptionist, or medical customer service representative. It might even be possible to become a health information technician. Most management positions will likely prefer a bachelor’s degree. It’s possible to earn between $30,000 - $50,000 with this degree and in these roles.

A bachelor’s degree will improve job pool options. Again, some experience will be necessary to secure management positions in most cases. However, higher entry-level positions are also available for new graduates. With this degree, some people might choose the career pathways of HR management, healthcare consultant, billing specialist, health services manager, clinical supervisor, or others. Many individuals with this degree will earn between $50,000- $75,000.

For those who wish to pursue management and executive career pathways in healthcare administration, many employers will prefer a master’s degree in healthcare administration. In some instances, the employer may even prefer or require a PhD or a doctorate. With a master’s degree or MBA, many individuals will quickly become managers, then administrators and directors of divisions or departments. Some people will even advance to a C-suite position. These degrees will have a wide range of salary expectations, from $60,000 to $160,000.

The type of employer and sector within the healthcare industry will also influence degree requirements and pay. Medical and pharmaceutical manufacturing positions are often considered the highest paying industries for individuals with healthcare administration degrees. One can earn over $200,000 in these areas, with the right education and experience. And, while becoming a professor in healthcare administration may require a PhD, it may not pay as well as other employers.

FAQs

What healthcare administration & management courses will you take?
The course offerings will vary by program and may also vary based on the specialization a student chooses. The course possibilities are nearly endless and might include computer applications in health administration, legal aspects of healthcare, academic writing and research, critical thinking for professionals, fundamentals of statistics, healthcare policy and economics, and many others.
Why should you consider a career in healthcare administration & management?
The reason for choosing a career in healthcare administration and management will be unique for everyone. However, here are some of the highlights. Some people like the idea of being able to make a difference in people’s lives. Other people are drawn to the job security and high salaries. The flexibility of career options is another interest for some. And others yet like the prestige that is often associated with these roles throughout various communities.

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How long does it take to get a degree in healthcare administration?
The length of time to receive a degree in healthcare administration depends upon the individual, the program, and the degree level. On average, a student can expect to complete each degree level in the same amount of time as any other degree program. An associate degree can be completed in as little as two years. A healthcare administration bachelor’s degree typically takes around four to five years for full-time students. And a master’s degree or an MBA in healthcare administration might take between 18 months and 3 years.
Is it worth getting a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration?
A bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration is essential for career advancement and better pay in this field. This degree will also more easily lead to leadership roles and competitive advantages during job searches. And many specialized certificates in healthcare administration will require at least a bachelor’s degree for admission.
What is the career pathway for healthcare administration?
The career pathway for healthcare administration will vary based on the level of education one wishes to complete, as well as the job specifications of a role. Generally speaking, a healthcare administrator will not require a scientific medical background or a medical degree. However, individuals with medical backgrounds can become healthcare administrators with the right education and experience. Most healthcare administration roles will require at least a bachelor’s degree and several years of industry or business experience. It’s also helpful to have specialized certifications, a master’s degree, and direct experience within the healthcare industry to secure these roles.

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