Healthcare administrators help countless people receive the high-quality healthcare they need. In a master’s in healthcare administration degree program, students hone organizational, managerial, and leadership skills to run healthcare systems as efficiently as possible, making a quantifiable difference in the lives of patients and their healthcare providers.In 2023, the average cost of a master’s degree program in healthcare administration was $20,513. Graduates from these programs become medical and health services managers, earning a median wage of $110,680 in 2023. Other professions for those with master’s degrees in healthcare administration include nursing home administrators, directors of outpatient care centers, and hospital managers.
How to Choose a Master’s in Healthcare Administration Degree Program
Choose your area of study
There are three main choices for master’s degrees in healthcare administration: a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA), a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in healthcare administration, or a Master of Science (MS) in healthcare administration. Your choice of a specific master’s degree in healthcare administration depends on your experience, coursework preferences, and desired career.
An MHA is a broad degree that covers business concepts, such as strategic thinking and organizational theory, and best practices in healthcare and medicine. This degree is a good choice for students who didn’t specialize in business or healthcare in their undergraduate degree but are interested in high-level administrative roles in a healthcare system.
An MBA in healthcare administration applies historical and modern business fundamentals to healthcare. Students who choose this degree may have specialized in business in their bachelor’s program or are more interested in business-focused coursework through the lens of healthcare.
An MS in healthcare administration provides students with a scientific and data-based approach to healthcare administration. Students in these programs have an interest or undergraduate experience in medicine and may have pursued pre-med classes in previous programs. Graduates with an MS in healthcare administration can comfortably converse with doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals in an administrative setting.
Research schools and programs
Before choosing your graduate school, ensure it is both institutionally and programmatically accredited. Employers prefer hiring graduates from reputable schools accredited by institutional agencies like the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Programmatic accreditation agencies like the Commission of Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) and the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) ensure that your healthcare administration program is academically rigorous and meets professional standards for the healthcare industry.
Prepare for tests and applications
Like your choice of master’s degree, your test preparation depends on your choice of coursework and future career. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) are common admission requirements for business schools that offer degrees in healthcare administration. Programs that integrate medical education and business administration may require applicants to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) as well.
In addition to these admission tests, students should be ready to submit the following application materials:
- A letter of intent or personal statement detailing your interest and experience in healthcare administration
- Letters of recommendation from previous professors or employers
- Sealed transcripts from previous programs
Check your program’s application website for their specific application requirements and deadlines. You can also contact your school’s admissions office for details about early admission or ways to set your application apart from others.
Select your program
Consider your educational and personal needs before choosing a healthcare administration program. If you plan to live on campus and attend school full-time, find programs at schools with graduate housing and full-time schedules. If you need a more flexible schedule and housing options, research schools that offer part-time class schedules and off-campus housing—or schools close to where you currently live.
Your program choice will also depend on the type of degree you pursue. Learn more about the institution’s business or business administration degree program. Institutions with medical schools can be a good choice for students interested in taking medical classes alongside their degree in healthcare administration. For more specialized healthcare administration degrees, consider behavioral and health sciences programs.
Determine how you’ll pay for your degree
Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see how much financial aid you’re eligible to receive. Plan your budget accordingly, factoring in costs of tuition and fees, room and board, educational materials, and transportation.
If you need more financial assistance, contact your school’s financial aid office for tips on aid programs like employer tuition assistance. You can also research scholarships and grants to supplement your educational costs.
Best 50 Accredited Master’s in Healthcare Administration Degree Programs
Discover More Options
How we rank schools
We reviewed master’s in healthcare administration (MHA) degrees offered in-person, online, and in hybrid formats. As graduate programs, most are conveniently designed to meet the needs of students who are already working full-time in the field. The nature of MHA coursework is amenable to online learning, allowing you to earn an accredited degree while sticking to your own schedule.
In addition to regional accreditation, many of the options on our list have programmatic accreditation from the Commission of Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) or the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). These industry groups provide an additional benchmark of quality and ensure a wide variety of degree options that are recognized by employers.We evaluated each program on the basis of flexibility, faculty, course strength, cost, and reputation. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score for each program on a scale from 0 to 100. For a more extensive explanation, check out Our Ranking Methodology.
What Can You Expect From a Master’s in Healthcare Administration Degree Program?
A healthcare administration degree mainly consists of business classes in healthcare. The coursework typically includes class lectures and discussions, research projects, case studies and presentations, and a final capstone or thesis project. More rigorous programs also include a year of residency in a hospital or healthcare setting, similar to medical professionals.
Potential courses you’ll take in a master’s in healthcare administration degree program
- Financial Management. Students learn to manage and evaluate finances in healthcare administration. They apply the fundamentals of finance and economics to prepare and analyze financial statements, make financial forecasts, and create feasible administrative budgets.
- Healthcare Law. In this course, graduate students explore the historical and modern implications of the legal system in healthcare. They evaluate medical ethics as they relate to healthcare practices and navigate American law, the health insurance system, and how they affect one another.
- Organizational Management. Students use leadership skills and business acumen to design an administrative organization in the healthcare system, including its hierarchy and management roles. With research and case studies, they test their systems against organizational variables, financial constraints, and the needs of medical professionals.
- Public Health. Using their prior knowledge of the fundamentals of healthcare administration, students examine best administrative practices in the field of public health. They expand their experience to a large-scale population in real-world situations, including the needs of their own communities, with research projects and internships.
Master’s in Healthcare Administration Degree Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to a master's in healthcare administration degree program?
Check your program’s website for specific admission requirements. Depending on the healthcare administration degree you’re pursuing, they may require test scores, a minimum GPA from an undergraduate program, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. The website can also provide important deadlines and potential interview requirements.
If you have additional questions, contact your school’s admissions office or a program representative. They can give you important tips—including advantageous prerequisites to take before you enter your program—that will make your application stand out.
How much does a master's in healthcare administration degree cost?
In 2023, the average cost of tuition for a master’s degree in healthcare administration was $20,513. That amount includes fees that you may need to pay in the application and admission process, but it doesn’t include room and board, application test fees, educational materials, lab fees, or the cost of transportation.
How long does it take to earn a master's in healthcare administration degree?
Full-time students typically take two years to complete a postgraduate healthcare administration degree. Some programs may require a third year of residency, making the total program time three years. Other programs offer part-time options for students taking care of family or already in the workforce, making their timeline longer than full-time students.