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 highlights affordable programs for healthcare management.
Compare Popular Online Healthcare Management Programs
Future university students want to earn a degree in a field of their choosing so that they can be productive and also enjoy their careers. However, tuition costs have gone up nearly every year for decades, making it more difficult for families to afford higher education aspirations for their children.
This is true of healthcare management programs at colleges and universities across the United States, many of which are training students to work with a healthcare system that has gone through remarkable changes in the last 50 years. And many university administrators realize that, if they want students to come to their institutions, they have to make sure that their degrees are affordable.
Well-designed undergraduate healthcare management programs expose their students to the theories and practice of management within the sphere of healthcare. They also offer students opportunities to practice what they are learning. Students majoring in healthcare management may be required to choose an internship in the community or simply to complete a shadowing experience so that they can get a feel for a job and what that may look like. Luckily, many of these students are also able to compete for scholarships and grants designed for those who are majoring in healthcare or healthcare management specifically. But even those who cannot find scholarships can choose to attend a school that won’t empty their wallet.
Get Matched With Healthcare Management Programs
Top 50 Affordable Healthcare Management Colleges and Universities
South Texas College
Score: 100
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,220
- Out-of-State:$7,500
- Net Price: $1,692
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 63%
- Graduation Rate: 26%
- Total Enrollment: 27,894
- Undergrad Students: 27,894
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $52,000
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
Indian River State College
Score: 86.96
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,764
- Out-of-State:$10,201
- Net Price: $5,019
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 58%
- Graduation Rate: 46%
- Total Enrollment: 14,862
- Undergrad Students: 14,862
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $62,000
- Student-to-faculty: 27:1
Georgia Highlands College
Score: 82.9
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,944
- Out-of-State:$9,296
- Net Price: $6,055
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 58%
- Graduation Rate: 19%
- Total Enrollment: 4,768
- Undergrad Students: 4,768
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $52,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
Fayetteville State University
Score: 81.73
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,969
- Out-of-State:$7,969
- Net Price: $6,355
- Acceptance Rate: 81%
- Retention Rate: 70%
- Graduation Rate: 44%
- Total Enrollment: 6,787
- Undergrad Students: 5,748
- Graduate Students: 1,039
- Grads Salary: $65,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Midland College
Score: 79.57
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,770
- Out-of-State:$6,030
- Net Price: $6,906
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: N/A
- Graduation Rate: 24%
- Total Enrollment: 5,404
- Undergrad Students: 5,404
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $40,600
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Indiana University-South Bend
Score: 72.2
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,179
- Out-of-State:$22,043
- Net Price: $8,785
- Acceptance Rate: 87%
- Retention Rate: 66%
- Graduation Rate: 36%
- Total Enrollment: 4,326
- Undergrad Students: 3,753
- Graduate Students: 573
- Grads Salary: $67,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
North Carolina A&T State University
Score: 70.62
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,748
- Out-of-State:$20,408
- Net Price: $9,189
- Acceptance Rate: 56%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 57%
- Total Enrollment: 13,487
- Undergrad Students: 11,833
- Graduate Students: 1,654
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
Western Governors University
Score: 70.55
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,300
- Out-of-State:$8,300
- Net Price: $9,207
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 65%
- Graduation Rate: 49%
- Total Enrollment: 156,935
- Undergrad Students: 112,807
- Graduate Students: 44,128
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 42:1
Clayton State University
Score: 68.26
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,068
- Out-of-State:$15,790
- Net Price: $9,792
- Acceptance Rate: 56%
- Retention Rate: 60%
- Graduation Rate: 34%
- Total Enrollment: 5,847
- Undergrad Students: 5,283
- Graduate Students: 564
- Grads Salary: $70,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Charter Oak State College
Score: 66.69
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,506
- Out-of-State:$8,506
- Net Price: $10,191
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 100%
- Graduation Rate: 64%
- Total Enrollment: 1,602
- Undergrad Students: 1,501
- Graduate Students: 101
- Grads Salary: $81,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Harris-Stowe State University
Score: 66.5
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,442
- Out-of-State:$11,074
- Net Price: $10,239
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 67%
- Graduation Rate: 20%
- Total Enrollment: 1,084
- Undergrad Students: 1,084
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $55,000
- Student-to-faculty: 8:1
Weber State University
Score: 65.38
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,391
- Out-of-State:$17,084
- Net Price: $10,525
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 68%
- Graduation Rate: 42%
- Total Enrollment: 29,914
- Undergrad Students: 28,903
- Graduate Students: 1,011
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 21:1
Georgia Military College
Score: 65.31
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,112
- Out-of-State:$8,112
- Net Price: $10,544
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 33%
- Graduation Rate: 37%
- Total Enrollment: 6,998
- Undergrad Students: 6,998
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $48,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Fairmont State University
Score: 64.33
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,454
- Out-of-State:$18,372
- Net Price: $10,794
- Acceptance Rate: 98%
- Retention Rate: 63%
- Graduation Rate: 46%
- Total Enrollment: 3,498
- Undergrad Students: 3,197
- Graduate Students: 301
- Grads Salary: $68,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
University of Michigan-Flint
Score: 64.15
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,014
- Out-of-State:$31,274
- Net Price: $10,840
- Acceptance Rate: 66%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 46%
- Total Enrollment: 5,985
- Undergrad Students: 4,609
- Graduate Students: 1,376
- Grads Salary: $69,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Western Illinois University
Score: 62.69
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,952
- Out-of-State:$14,952
- Net Price: $11,213
- Acceptance Rate: 75%
- Retention Rate: 67%
- Graduation Rate: 47%
- Total Enrollment: 7,643
- Undergrad Students: 5,309
- Graduate Students: 2,334
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Bellevue College
Score: 61.94
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,305
- Out-of-State:$10,183
- Net Price: $11,404
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: N/A
- Graduation Rate: 30%
- Total Enrollment: 10,617
- Undergrad Students: 10,617
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
University of New Orleans
Score: 61.53
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,172
- Out-of-State:$14,008
- Net Price: $11,508
- Acceptance Rate: 70%
- Retention Rate: 61%
- Graduation Rate: 38%
- Total Enrollment: 7,111
- Undergrad Students: 5,804
- Graduate Students: 1,307
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Florida A&M University
Score: 61.24
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,785
- Out-of-State:$17,725
- Net Price: $11,583
- Acceptance Rate: 33%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 60%
- Total Enrollment: 9,215
- Undergrad Students: 7,709
- Graduate Students: 1,506
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Bluefield State University
Score: 60.55
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,240
- Out-of-State:$17,560
- Net Price: $11,759
- Acceptance Rate: 97%
- Retention Rate: 58%
- Graduation Rate: 35%
- Total Enrollment: 1,306
- Undergrad Students: 1,286
- Graduate Students: 20
- Grads Salary: N/A
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Texas Southern University
Score: 60.29
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,173
- Out-of-State:$21,773
- Net Price: $11,826
- Acceptance Rate: 97%
- Retention Rate: 55%
- Graduation Rate: 26%
- Total Enrollment: 8,632
- Undergrad Students: 6,830
- Graduate Students: 1,802
- Grads Salary: $72,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
UNH College of Professional Studies
Score: 60.19
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,812
- Out-of-State:$9,372
- Net Price: $11,850
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 40%
- Graduation Rate: 15%
- Total Enrollment: 1,425
- Undergrad Students: 1,195
- Graduate Students: 230
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Youngstown State University
Score: 60
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,791
- Out-of-State:$11,151
- Net Price: $11,900
- Acceptance Rate: 81%
- Retention Rate: 78%
- Graduation Rate: 49%
- Total Enrollment: 11,071
- Undergrad Students: 8,822
- Graduate Students: 2,249
- Grads Salary: $69,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Tennessee State University
Score: 59.66
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,568
- Out-of-State:$22,284
- Net Price: $11,986
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 62%
- Graduation Rate: 32%
- Total Enrollment: 9,218
- Undergrad Students: 7,678
- Graduate Students: 1,540
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Saint Peter's University
Score: 59.62
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $41,054
- Out-of-State:$41,054
- Net Price: $11,996
- Acceptance Rate: 89%
- Retention Rate: 78%
- Graduation Rate: 60%
- Total Enrollment: 3,430
- Undergrad Students: 2,071
- Graduate Students: 1,359
- Grads Salary: $83,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Columbia Southern University
Score: 58.17
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,808
- Out-of-State:$5,808
- Net Price: $12,366
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 42%
- Graduation Rate: 33%
- Total Enrollment: 15,948
- Undergrad Students: 11,330
- Graduate Students: 4,618
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 28:1
Western Kentucky University
Score: 57.15
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,436
- Out-of-State:$27,000
- Net Price: $12,625
- Acceptance Rate: 97%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 51%
- Total Enrollment: 16,493
- Undergrad Students: 14,440
- Graduate Students: 2,053
- Grads Salary: $66,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Eastern Washington University
Score: 56.36
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,353
- Out-of-State:$25,892
- Net Price: $12,827
- Acceptance Rate: 96%
- Retention Rate: 67%
- Graduation Rate: 50%
- Total Enrollment: 10,910
- Undergrad Students: 7,604
- Graduate Students: 3,306
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
University of Minnesota-Crookston
Score: 56.1
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,120
- Out-of-State:$13,120
- Net Price: $12,894
- Acceptance Rate: 57%
- Retention Rate: 71%
- Graduation Rate: 53%
- Total Enrollment: 2,303
- Undergrad Students: 2,303
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Western Carolina University
Score: 55.6
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,532
- Out-of-State:$8,532
- Net Price: $13,022
- Acceptance Rate: 85%
- Retention Rate: 71%
- Graduation Rate: 61%
- Total Enrollment: 11,635
- Undergrad Students: 9,956
- Graduate Students: 1,679
- Grads Salary: $66,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Score: 55.54
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,418
- Out-of-State:$24,146
- Net Price: $13,036
- Acceptance Rate: 75%
- Retention Rate: 70%
- Graduation Rate: 51%
- Total Enrollment: 15,219
- Undergrad Students: 12,950
- Graduate Students: 2,269
- Grads Salary: $69,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Appalachian State University
Score: 55.36
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,541
- Out-of-State:$24,537
- Net Price: $13,084
- Acceptance Rate: 83%
- Retention Rate: 83%
- Graduation Rate: 75%
- Total Enrollment: 20,436
- Undergrad Students: 18,558
- Graduate Students: 1,878
- Grads Salary: $64,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
University of Nevada-Las Vegas
Score: 55.06
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,142
- Out-of-State:$26,098
- Net Price: $13,159
- Acceptance Rate: 85%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 47%
- Total Enrollment: 30,660
- Undergrad Students: 25,365
- Graduate Students: 5,295
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Goldey-Beacom College
Score: 53.91
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,440
- Out-of-State:$13,440
- Net Price: $13,454
- Acceptance Rate: 63%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 67%
- Total Enrollment: 1,012
- Undergrad Students: 620
- Graduate Students: 392
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Wichita State University
Score: 53.52
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,322
- Out-of-State:$19,240
- Net Price: $13,553
- Acceptance Rate: 95%
- Retention Rate: 66%
- Graduation Rate: 52%
- Total Enrollment: 16,216
- Undergrad Students: 12,049
- Graduate Students: 4,167
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
The University of Texas at Dallas
Score: 53.51
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,564
- Out-of-State:$40,064
- Net Price: $13,555
- Acceptance Rate: 85%
- Retention Rate: 87%
- Graduation Rate: 70%
- Total Enrollment: 31,570
- Undergrad Students: 21,617
- Graduate Students: 9,953
- Grads Salary: $81,000
- Student-to-faculty: 27:1
Augusta University
Score: 53.44
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,122
- Out-of-State:$23,500
- Net Price: $13,572
- Acceptance Rate: 86%
- Retention Rate: 73%
- Graduation Rate: 50%
- Total Enrollment: 9,140
- Undergrad Students: 5,378
- Graduate Students: 3,762
- Grads Salary: N/A
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Tennessee Wesleyan University
Score: 53.37
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $29,264
- Out-of-State:$29,264
- Net Price: $13,591
- Acceptance Rate: 61%
- Retention Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 50%
- Total Enrollment: 1,052
- Undergrad Students: 929
- Graduate Students: 123
- Grads Salary: $66,000
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Score: 52.95
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,295
- Out-of-State:$8,325
- Net Price: $13,699
- Acceptance Rate: 77%
- Retention Rate: 68%
- Graduation Rate: 39%
- Total Enrollment: 4,777
- Undergrad Students: 3,941
- Graduate Students: 836
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Baker College
Score: 52.87
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,810
- Out-of-State:$12,810
- Net Price: $13,719
- Acceptance Rate: 37%
- Retention Rate: 63%
- Graduation Rate: 20%
- Total Enrollment: 4,106
- Undergrad Students: 3,778
- Graduate Students: 328
- Grads Salary: $54,000
- Student-to-faculty: 8:1
Central Penn College
Score: 52.54
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $19,404
- Out-of-State:$19,404
- Net Price: $13,803
- Acceptance Rate: 34%
- Retention Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 36%
- Total Enrollment: 943
- Undergrad Students: 918
- Graduate Students: 25
- Grads Salary: $60,000
- Student-to-faculty: 9:1
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Score: 51.96
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,214
- Out-of-State:$21,876
- Net Price: $13,951
- Acceptance Rate: 80%
- Retention Rate: 84%
- Graduation Rate: 70%
- Total Enrollment: 29,551
- Undergrad Students: 23,461
- Graduate Students: 6,090
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
Ferris State University
Score: 51.85
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,630
- Out-of-State:$13,630
- Net Price: $13,978
- Acceptance Rate: 88%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 49%
- Total Enrollment: 10,072
- Undergrad Students: 9,000
- Graduate Students: 1,072
- Grads Salary: $72,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
SUNY College of Technology at Canton
Score: 51.57
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,689
- Out-of-State:$13,519
- Net Price: $14,049
- Acceptance Rate: 95%
- Retention Rate: 69%
- Graduation Rate: 41%
- Total Enrollment: 2,836
- Undergrad Students: 2,836
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $65,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Winston-Salem State University
Score: 51.39
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,735
- Out-of-State:$17,391
- Net Price: $14,097
- Acceptance Rate: 73%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 50%
- Total Enrollment: 5,004
- Undergrad Students: 4,513
- Graduate Students: 491
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
Texas State University
Score: 51.3
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,450
- Out-of-State:$23,210
- Net Price: $14,120
- Acceptance Rate: 88%
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 56%
- Total Enrollment: 38,171
- Undergrad Students: 33,834
- Graduate Students: 4,337
- Grads Salary: $70,000
- Student-to-faculty: 21:1
University of Mississippi
Score: 50.63
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,412
- Out-of-State:$26,980
- Net Price: $14,289
- Acceptance Rate: 97%
- Retention Rate: 89%
- Graduation Rate: 68%
- Total Enrollment: 22,300
- Undergrad Students: 17,302
- Graduate Students: 4,998
- Grads Salary: $70,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
East Carolina University
Score: 50.16
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,361
- Out-of-State:$23,638
- Net Price: $14,410
- Acceptance Rate: 92%
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 65%
- Total Enrollment: 27,151
- Undergrad Students: 21,688
- Graduate Students: 5,463
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Towson University
Score: 50.03
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,306
- Out-of-State:$28,326
- Net Price: $14,443
- Acceptance Rate: 79%
- Retention Rate: 82%
- Graduation Rate: 70%
- Total Enrollment: 19,793
- Undergrad Students: 16,861
- Graduate Students: 2,932
- Grads Salary: $70,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
Southeast Missouri State University
Score: 49.73
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,496
- Out-of-State:$9,496
- Net Price: $14,519
- Acceptance Rate: 86%
- Retention Rate: 73%
- Graduation Rate: 56%
- Total Enrollment: 9,927
- Undergrad Students: 8,454
- Graduate Students: 1,473
- Grads Salary: $68,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
Why a Degree from an Affordable Healthcare Management School?
Healthcare management supervisors direct and coordinate the business side of healthcare providers. These may be hospitals, physician’s offices, nursing care facilities, or long-term care facilities. Managers who hold these roles usually have a degree in healthcare management, business administration, or a similar field. They earn a median annual pay of $104,000.
Healthcare managers delve into the business and management side of healthcare. They don’t have to earn nursing degrees or medical degrees and they rarely interact directly with patients unless there is a complaint. Because of this, professionals in this area are usually more interested in helping people from an arena where they are more comfortable: their office or even the C-suites.
Students who are considering earning either their bachelor’s or master’s degrees in healthcare management should also take into account that graduates holding a bachelor’s degree may earn as much as 66% more than high school graduates. And, these days, two-thirds of job openings now require postsecondary training or education.
A business degree may be one of the most popular for students who plan to go to college or who are already there. Despite its specificity, a healthcare management degree is taught by business professors. This may be a specialization or concentration available within a Bachelor of Business Management (or MBA) program.
Choosing an Affordable Healthcare Management College
What factors do students consider as they look for a college or university they or their parents can afford? One major consideration is accreditation: regional or national; programmatic accreditations are another type that students might want to look for. Next, if students are considering an out-of-state university or college, they need to remember they may have to pay out-of-state tuition. This is nearly always more expensive for public universities, but less important for private institutions. Additionally, if your state participates in a school exchange program, such as the Western Undergraduate Exchange, then you may be able to avoid this cost increase even if you attend school across state lines.
Next, students might want to consider if any of the schools they are considering offer online classes or entire online degree programs in healthcare management. This type of learning allows for flexibility in scheduling for the student, which is especially helpful if they have to work or if they have family obligations.
Search Programs Offering Healthcare Management Majors
Some students may make their final choice based on emotion. They may not have taken into account the tuition rate they may pay or whether the school is even accredited or not. If the most important factor for you is school culture, that’s fine; but you still might want to make a list of school’s that meet this criteria and at least take into consideration other important factors.
Students need to ask themselves why they want to go to college. Even if they haven’t chosen a career or degree plan, most students know they need a degree of some kind. Next, what are the student’s interests? Once they have figured this out and determined whether they can fit this into a career, it’s time to see if colleges or universities carry this degree program. The student should continue their self-reflection when they consider the culture of the school they will attend. Do they want to go to a large state university? A small private college? Do they want to go to school nearby or in a different state? Figuring out the answers to these questions can help student narrow the many choices available in the U.S.
And, if you already know that you want a business degree with a concentration in health management, you’ll be in a good position to consider each school’s offerings before you make your final choices.
Online Healthcare Management Degree Options
Some students may want to consider an online degree option. They may be older and changing careers or they may have earned an associate degree and continued working without gaining a higher degree level. Or this may be their first time in college—but they also have work or family obligations.
College students aren’t all new high school graduates; universities and colleges, recognizing this, have developed online degree programs tailored to students who must also give their time and attention to those family commitments or jobs. Students who are planning to declare a major in business administration with a healthcare management concentration should be able to look for schools that offer this degree and specialization.
One such program points out its flexible curriculum and courses in human resources, management information technology, and communication. Online degree programs are more likely than not going to be just as challenging as the on-campus version. This allows students in these programs to learn and gain the skills they need to work in one of a variety of healthcare settings.
Some students may have returned to school after working in a business position for a few years. If this is you, then earning a healthcare management degree online could allow you to advance your career. Students may also choose to earn optional certificates in other healthcare related topics. This means they learn more and grow their career choices.
Are Healthcare Management Programs in High Demand?
The healthcare field is continuing to grow quickly, allowing graduates to land one of the positions they’ve worked so hard for. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) notes that the employment of medical and health services managers is predicted to grow by 32% between 2019 and 2029—this is much more than other occupations are expected to grow.
The rapid growth of the baby-boom population and its aging is continuing to drive the growth of the healthcare field, including healthcare managers. As Baby Boomers age and retire, they are staying active later in their lives. However, they continue to experience injuries or develop health problems that need regular care.
Earning a Bachelor of Science (or BBA) in Healthcare Management means students who are looking for a position in a healthcare facility have the business skills that employers require. After graduation, as they are looking at job announcements, they may find openings for physician practice managers. These professionals are responsible for business budgets, overseeing daily operations, and developing strategies to make the business bigger.
Healthcare administrators could also find positions overseeing a hospital or managing an entire department. They are responsible for seeing that the facility runs smoothly and will also take part in long-term planning for the organization. Quality and improvement managers verify that the organization is in compliance with current health standards. They may also manage the evaluation of work processes as managers look for areas that need improvement.
What Can You Do with a Degree in Healthcare Management?
The healthcare management field allows students majoring in this field to choose from a wide range of career options. Each role is unique and vital to the field.
Healthcare managers, in any of the positions where they might find themselves employed are, in effect, liaisons between the healthcare facility’s administration and the healthcare staff. They manage and oversee the facility and they are the first line of communication between doctors, nurses, surgeons, lab technologists, ultrasound techs, facility administrators, and personnel in other departments.
As students explore this field, they’ll soon realize that they will have the opportunity to choose the setting in which they want to work. Each professional setting is related to medicine, but they are also diverse, which allows students to choose the right environment for their interests.
Home healthcare services offers less expensive, ongoing healthcare options for individuals who need care but do not want to go into a more expensive setting, such as a long-term care facility. Home healthcare is also a good choice for caregivers who need to ensure their loved one receives nursing services, such as IV therapy.
Private practices are physician-owned businesses. The doctors who own their own practices may decide to hire a healthcare manager, thus leaving them more time for actual patient care. Within this setting, both healthcare managers and doctors have more autonomy—they aren’t limited to the decisions of a CEO from a large medical group. The healthcare manager carries out personnel decisions, puts new policies and procedures in place, schedules staff, manages the finances, and handles insurance issues.
Government healthcare is in the public health arena. Healthcare managers function at city, state, and federal levels in these positions. They help to create and carry out government-generated policies in their own branches; they may also work in research-oriented positions, which help support government initiatives.
Healthcare Management Graduates Earn More After College
At each level, graduates of a healthcare management degree program may earn more in their post-college careers. A graduate of an Associate of Applied Science in Healthcare Administration degree earns around $50,000, on average. If they are offered a position as a medical practice manager, their average income is $71,000.
A Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration holder earns an average of $62,000. Of course, your total income with this degree will depend on your position and where it is located. Working for insurance companies, salaries range from $41,000 to $152,000.
A new graduate with a Master of Health Administration (MHA) averages an income of $78,000. With that MHA, they give themselves wide latitude in the positions they may be offered and in their possible annual salary. If they remain with the same employer, they may eventually advance to the top spot, becoming a chief executive officer, where they can earn $178,000 on average.
The student opting for an MBA in Healthcare Administration will be in a position to earn $83,000 annually. If they advance into an executive director’s position, their possible annual salary increases to $104,000. And a student who earns a Doctorate in Health Policy & Administration could earn around $136,000 in their subsequent career. Should they become a senior director of operations, their average annual salary will jump to $168,000.
FAQs
- Do healthcare management programs require a GRE or GMAT?
Students going into a master’s program in healthcare management may be able to take either exam, though, traditionally, the GMAT is the expected exam for business schools. Students who are sure they want to earn their master’s in business or who plan to earn an MBA will probably need to take the GMAT. - How long does it take to get a degree in healthcare management?
Students who are interested in enrolling in a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus on healthcare management should plan to spend up to four years in school. If they take additional credits each semester, they may be able to graduate sooner. Students may be able to earn an associate degree in a similar field in only two years, but these degrees won’t get you far when it comes to your career. If you are hoping to move even higher into management, you may also want to return to school for two more years after you earn a bachelor’s degree and get a master’s or an MBA. - Will earning a master’s help you move up in healthcare management?
A master’s in healthcare management (such as an MHA) gives the graduate the potential to earn more and may lead to an increase in promotions, more responsibilities, and leadership opportunities. A graduate who holds a master’s degree may be able to advance to the following positions: hospital administrator, department or division director, health services manager, CEO, or COO.
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