Online Bachelor's Degree in Healthcare Management (BSHCM) - Best of 2024

Get Matched With Healthcare Management Colleges

Healthcare management, like most careers in the healthcare industry, is one of the fastest growing employment sectors. While most are somewhat familiar with the roles of doctors and nurses, healthcare management and health services managers work behind the scenes to keep a hospital, clinic, or assisted living facility running smoothly. A healthcare management degree program combines healthcare-specific skills with a solid business foundation in finance, accounting, communications, resource management, and regulations to provide a well-rounded knowledge base on which to build your healthcare management career.

If you’re looking for a career field which allows you to help others while working in an office environment, a bachelor’s healthcare management degree may be the perfect path to your dream job. Although a bachelor's degree won’t qualify you for many positions in upper management, it is an excellent foundation on which to build your career and gain valuable experience as a healthcare manager, whether you decide to continue your education or not.

Compare Popular Online Healthcare Management Programs

PROS

The starting salary is typically excellent for healthcare managers and health services managers compared with other fields and lesser degrees focused on the healthcare industry.
There is a critical employment need in healthcare fields, so you may be able to easily find a health administration position after graduation.
Your options to advance are plentiful as you gain experience, and you can easily switch to a different healthcare management position.
Many programs offer an online healthcare management degree, so you can more easily merge your studies with your current life situation.
Many healthcare employers offer paid tuition or tuition forgiveness if you choose to work while earning your healthcare management degree.
Most schools require an internship as part of your studies, which will give you valuable experience for your resume and possibly a permanent position after graduation.

CONS

As with many management positions, a master’s degree is the norm employers look for when hiringhealth services managers for healthcare organizations. This means you may be passed over for employment or advancement if there is a candidate with a higher degree.
Earning a bachelor’s healthcare management degree can be expensive and hard to achieve on a limited income.
Many are discouraged by the time involved in earning a bachelor's degree, especially if they’re already in the workforce.
Many professional special certifications require you to hold a master’s degree as part of earning the certification.
Some people do not learn well online yet find it hard to meet the schedule of face-to-face classes for a abchelor's in healthcare management degree.

Search Programs

Top 25 Best Online Bachelors in Healthcare Management

University of Virginia

Score: 87.74

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $20,986
- Out-of-State: $58,014
Net Price: $19,469
Acceptance Rate: 19%
Retention Rate: 97%

Graduation Rate: 95%
Total Enrollment: 26,082
Undergrad Students: 17,444
Graduate Students: 8,638
Grads Salary: $84,000
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

Charter Oak State College

Score: 86.59

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,506
- Out-of-State: $8,506
Net Price: $10,191
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 100%

Graduation Rate: 100%
Total Enrollment: 1,602
Undergrad Students: 1,501
Graduate Students: 101
Grads Salary: $81,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Score: 80.22

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $16,488
- Out-of-State: $36,402
Net Price: $16,018
Acceptance Rate: 75%
Retention Rate: 90%

Graduation Rate: 84%
Total Enrollment: 54,955
Undergrad Students: 39,248
Graduate Students: 15,707
Grads Salary: $80,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

University of St. Francis

Score: 77.55

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $37,000
- Out-of-State: $37,000
Net Price: $18,560
Acceptance Rate: 58%
Retention Rate: 71%

Graduation Rate: 65%
Total Enrollment: 3,297
Undergrad Students: 1,414
Graduate Students: 1,883
Grads Salary: $88,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

LeTourneau University

Score: 75.69

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $35,500
- Out-of-State: $35,500
Net Price: $26,974
Acceptance Rate: 49%
Retention Rate: 77%

Graduation Rate: 67%
Total Enrollment: 3,536
Undergrad Students: 3,350
Graduate Students: 186
Grads Salary: $87,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

Thomas Jefferson University

Score: 75.31

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $45,683
- Out-of-State: $45,683
Net Price: $28,110
Acceptance Rate: 89%
Retention Rate: 82%

Graduation Rate: 68%
Total Enrollment: 8,286
Undergrad Students: 3,771
Graduate Students: 4,515
Grads Salary: $91,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

George Washington University

Score: 74.97

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $64,990
- Out-of-State: $64,990
Net Price: $42,723
Acceptance Rate: 49%
Retention Rate: 90%

Graduation Rate: 85%
Total Enrollment: 25,939
Undergrad Students: 11,482
Graduate Students: 14,457
Grads Salary: $85,000
Student-to-faculty: 12:1

Texas Tech University

Score: 72.3

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,852
- Out-of-State: $24,451
Net Price: $17,896
Acceptance Rate: 67%
Retention Rate: 86%

Graduation Rate: 64%
Total Enrollment: 40,378
Undergrad Students: 32,579
Graduate Students: 7,799
Grads Salary: $76,000
Student-to-faculty: 21:1

University of Cincinnati

Score: 71.77

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,570
- Out-of-State: $30,582
Net Price: $20,149
Acceptance Rate: 86%
Retention Rate: 86%

Graduation Rate: 72%
Total Enrollment: 41,155
Undergrad Students: 29,663
Graduate Students: 11,492
Grads Salary: $74,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

Maryville University of Saint Louis

Score: 71.76

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $27,166
- Out-of-State: $27,166
Net Price: $26,757
Acceptance Rate: 88%
Retention Rate: 83%

Graduation Rate: 67%
Total Enrollment: 9,959
Undergrad Students: 5,809
Graduate Students: 4,150
Grads Salary: $82,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

Oregon Institute of Technology

Score: 71.53

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,687
- Out-of-State: $35,592
Net Price: $17,283
Acceptance Rate: 93%
Retention Rate: 72%

Graduation Rate: 57%
Total Enrollment: 4,911
Undergrad Students: 4,802
Graduate Students: 109
Grads Salary: $83,000
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

University of Kansas

Score: 71.29

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,700
- Out-of-State: $29,412
Net Price: $18,950
Acceptance Rate: 88%
Retention Rate: 85%

Graduation Rate: 67%
Total Enrollment: 26,708
Undergrad Students: 19,241
Graduate Students: 7,467
Grads Salary: $75,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

Concordia University-Wisconsin

Score: 70.98

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $34,250
- Out-of-State: $34,250
Net Price: $24,485
Acceptance Rate: 70%
Retention Rate: 78%

Graduation Rate: 66%
Total Enrollment: 4,988
Undergrad Students: 2,817
Graduate Students: 2,171
Grads Salary: $77,000
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

University of Minnesota-Crookston

Score: 70.07

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

Utica University

Score: 69.9

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $24,308
- Out-of-State: $24,308
Net Price: $22,372
Acceptance Rate: 81%
Retention Rate: 73%

Graduation Rate: 58%
Total Enrollment: 3,861
Undergrad Students: 2,678
Graduate Students: 1,183
Grads Salary: $80,000
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

East Carolina University

Score: 69.83

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

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Score: 69.2

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,832
- Out-of-State: $21,864
Net Price: $16,834
Acceptance Rate: 87%
Retention Rate: 82%

Graduation Rate: 64%
Total Enrollment: 21,639
Undergrad Students: 13,032
Graduate Students: 8,607
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

Immaculata University

Score: 69.07

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $28,550
- Out-of-State: $28,550
Net Price: $29,188
Acceptance Rate: 70%
Retention Rate: 83%

Graduation Rate: 61%
Total Enrollment: 2,361
Undergrad Students: 1,496
Graduate Students: 865
Grads Salary: $78,000
Student-to-faculty: 10:1

Carlow University

Score: 68.24

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $34,502
- Out-of-State: $34,502
Net Price: $17,437
Acceptance Rate: 93%
Retention Rate: 76%

Graduation Rate: 56%
Total Enrollment: 2,104
Undergrad Students: 1,247
Graduate Students: 857
Grads Salary: $74,000
Student-to-faculty: 10:1

Northwood University

Score: 68.01

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $33,000
- Out-of-State: $33,000
Net Price: $24,616
Acceptance Rate: 80%
Retention Rate: 81%

Graduation Rate: 63%
Total Enrollment: 2,246
Undergrad Students: 1,940
Graduate Students: 306
Grads Salary: $72,000
Student-to-faculty: 8:1

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Score: 67.82

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,244
- Out-of-State: $13,244
Net Price: $16,990
Acceptance Rate: 91%
Retention Rate: 70%

Graduation Rate: 49%
Total Enrollment: 11,107
Undergrad Students: 8,000
Graduate Students: 3,107
Grads Salary: $78,000
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

Illinois College

Score: 67.47

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $37,470
- Out-of-State: $37,470
Net Price: $16,296
Acceptance Rate: 77%
Retention Rate: 73%

Graduation Rate: 67%
Total Enrollment: 1,029
Undergrad Students: 1,028
Graduate Students: 1
Grads Salary: $64,000
Student-to-faculty: 12:1

Misericordia University

Score: 66.72

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $38,370
- Out-of-State: $38,370
Net Price: $27,033
Acceptance Rate: 89%
Retention Rate: 80%

Graduation Rate: 75%
Total Enrollment: 2,242
Undergrad Students: 1,776
Graduate Students: 466
Grads Salary: $66,000
Student-to-faculty: 9:1

Western Governors University

Score: 66.52

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

Cambridge College

Score: 66.24

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $18,072
- Out-of-State: $18,072
Net Price: $21,178
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 100%

Graduation Rate: 50%
Total Enrollment: 2,135
Undergrad Students: 840
Graduate Students: 1,295
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 8:1

Certificate vs. Bachelor’s in Healthcare Management

When learning about healthcare management, it’s important to understand the difference between a certificate program and certification. A certificate program can be a gateway to employment within the field in an entry-level position, while a certification shows you have completed specialty training and work hours in a specific area. Although many healthcare management certifications have educational requirements, some allow work experience to take the place of a degree.

It’s important to note that, while some certifications don’t require a degree, the same does not hold true for employers. The majority of healthcare organizations require at least a bachelor’s in healthcare management for management positions, with a master’s preferred above a bachelor’s degree.

What Healthcare Management Bachelor’s Degrees are Available?

When looking at various healthcare management programs, you may become confused by the degree titles. Basically, there are two types of bachelor’s degree: Bachelor of Science (BS) and Bachelor of Arts (BA). In addition, the program title may use other terms instead of “management”, such as “ healthcare administration”. While the title terms may be interchangeable and determined by a look at the required curriculum, the degrees have a more subtle difference, though both will include general education courses.

A Bachelor of Science degree usually has more focus on the technical aspects of the field and may be preferable if you’re looking at specific areas such as medical records or information technology in the healthcare industry. You can expect more profession-specific coursework in the core subjects and typically a more immediate entry into the field.

A Bachelor of Arts degree provides a more well-rounded education that includes coursework in social sciences and humanities and may be preferable if you’re planning on entering field such as public health, healthcare policy, or even healthcare management. Degree holders will have more training in critical thinking skills and business skills, as well as a more well-rounded education.

Find Online Healthcare Management Colleges

Admission Requirements to Enter a Bachelor’s in Healthcare Management Degree Program

While specific admission requirements will vary from school to school, in general you can expect to be required to hold a high school diploma (GED) or a healthcare management associates as well as a GPA of 2.5 to 3.0. Most schools require high school transcripts, letters of recommendation, your SAT or ACT scores, and a fee with your completed application by the application deadline date. In general, the more elite the school you apply to, the higher the admission requirements will be; you may also need to submit a separate application to the healthcare management program and meet specific prerequisite requirements. You can find the exact requirements for each college on the admissions page of their website.

How long does it take to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Healthcare Management?

If you attend school full-time and take the recommended course load, you can expect to graduate from a bachelor's in healthcare management degree in four years. That being said, a bachelor’s degree requires 120 credits so, if you attend part-time, it may take you considerably longer. Conversely, if you opt to test out of subjects you are already fluent in combined with streamlined 8-week courses, you might finish the requirements in two or three years of diligent work. The key to success is to define what will work best with your personal lifestyle and choose the option which best meets your needs and be adaptable to future changes if needed.

Potential Careers in Healthcare Management with a Bachelor’s Degree

Nursing home administrator:
This administrator oversees all internal operations of a nursing home facility, including both administrative and clinical aspects. They may oversee staff management, patient care, budget issues, and marketing and may serve the same position at licensed residential care and assisted living facilities. Nursing home administrators are also referred to as long-term care administrators. Their median salary is around $91,800 per year.
Hospital administrator:
In a hospital setting, the administrator oversees the medical facility processes to make sure the operations of the business run smoothly. They oversee staff, provide employee training, facilitate the budget, and create growth plans for future facility expansion and development. They are also charged with ensuring compliance with all local and federal laws. Their median salary is around $87,500 per year.
Health services manager:
The health services manager works in a medical business or healthcare facility to plan and implement various services and programs. They advise on reimbursement policies, manage databases and patient information, compile business strategies, and coordinate the day-to-day operations of the business including recruitment, hiring, and training of new personnel. Their median salary is around $64,500 per year.
Medical Practice Manager:
A medical practice manager manages the staff, budget, and other daily operations within a medical practice. They may oversee payroll, records, and patient scheduling, and ensure the billing and insurance interfaces are functioning and used properly by staff. They may also implement procedures and programs to make the facility run more smoothly. Their median salary is around $61,200 per year.
Healthcare consultant:
A healthcare consultant may be charged with a wide variety of tasks, depending on the individual client. These include researching and identifying problems and possible solutions within the facility, interviewing employees, and conducting meetings with upper management to discuss findings and solutions. Healthcare consultants are typically hired by larger or private healthcare organizations via contract rather than directly although some of the larger facilities have full-time consultants. Their median salary is around $78,300 per year.

Options to Advance

Your options to advance once you’ve earned your undergraduate degree are practically endless, but you should plan to continue your education once you enter your field of choice. Most larger facilities prefer to hire those who hold or are working towards their masters’ or doctorate degree; in addition, you should also familiarize yourself with specific certifications that are pertinent to your career of choice. For example, you can earn your healthcare management master’s degree with a specialization focused on your area of expertise such as marketing, finance, information systems, patient care services, human resources, staff relations, or nursing administration. Certifications showcase your expertise and competence in a specific skill set, such as Certified Health Care Compliance, Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management, and Certified Healthcare Financial Professional.

With a higher degree, experience, and certifications, you may qualify for top positions in the healthcare industry such as Hospital Chief Financial Officer (CFO), which has a median salary of $136,205 and a top salary of $224,000 plus bonuses.

Best Online Bachelors in Healthcare Management Degrees for 2024