Best Online Healthcare Management Degrees

Healthcare managers are in high demand. Discover the best online healthcare management programs to earn your degree.

ECCB
Written by Evan CastilloEdited by Cameren Boatner

Updated on May 12, 2026

Wondering which colleges offer the best online healthcare management programs? Our ranking list features the best available options, using a proprietary methodology designed around the factors that matter most to students: affordability, student outcomes, flexibility and accessibility, reputation, ease of admissions, and student diversity.

Read on to make an informed decision and learn tips on how to choose the best healthcare management program for you.

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Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Top Online Healthcare Management Degrees

How We Measured Student Satisfaction: We partnered with College Pulse to bring you data from students themselves on the schools on our list. The data and reviews aren't part of our ranking methodology.

How We Highlight What Schools Do Best

We analyzed each school's program to identify qualities that set it apart from others on this list, prioritizing factors like concentration offerings, reputation, and transfer policies. Based on these strengths, we assigned each school a superlative category.

Since many programs share similar offerings and outcomes, our goal is to simplify your college decision-making by highlighting the features most relevant to your needs.

We verified these schools' facts in December 2025.

Why You Should Get a Bachelor's in Healthcare Management

  • In-Demand Career Opportunities: The healthcare sector continues to grow, increasing the demand for skilled professionals. Earning a bachelor's in healthcare management can help you qualify for several nonclinical careers such as healthcare administration or consulting and policy analysis.

  • Learn Transferable Skills: Healthcare management degree programs emphasize skills in leadership, finance, and planning within the healthcare field. However, this knowledge base is transferable to other business sectors.

  • Opportunities for Career Advancement: With years of experience, healthcare management graduates can pursue specialized roles with higher compensation, including hospital administration and healthcare compliance.

Benefits of Getting a Healthcare Management Degree Online

According to our 2025 Online Education Trends Report:

  • 98% of current, prospective, and graduated online college students who were surveyed say they would recommend online education to others.

  • 79% say that their online program prepared them well for their first job after graduation.

  • 90% of online program graduates say that their online degree has had or will have a positive return on investment.

How to Choose the Best Program for You

The best program for you is the one that fits your budget, aligns with your career goals, and offers the flexibility you need. With this in mind, consider the following when comparing your options:

Cost and Financial Aid

Bachelor's Degree in Healthcare Fields, 2020

Online

Avg. Tuition & Fees: $9,561

Avg. Net Price: $6,305

On-Campus

Avg. Tuition & Fees: $16,896

Avg. Net Price: $9,497

Source: NCES PowerStats

The 2020 average sticker price of a bachelor's degree in healthcare fields — which included healthcare management — was nearly $17,000 per year for an on-campus program and around $9,500 for an online program. But these figures were averages from a study by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

Your actual costs can vary greatly across schools and may depend on other factors, such as your residency status.

For example, the online healthcare management degree at the University of Alabama at Birmingham costs around $11,000 for in-state undergraduates. p>

Keep in mind that financial aid, such as scholarships and grants, can significantly lower the total cost of a bachelor's degree. In fact, according to NCES data, with financial aid you could end up paying around 34% less than the advertised price for a bachelor's degree in healthcare fields.

You can estimate how much a program might cost you by using the school's net price calculator.

Program Length

Typical # of Credits

120 Credits

Typical Program Length

4 Years

Most bachelor's programs require at least four years of coursework. During that time, you'll typically need to complete at least 120 credits.

If you've already earned college credits or have professional experience, you can graduate sooner by transferring those credits. For example, East Carolina University gives licensed or credentialed practitioners with associate degrees up to 30 credits for the training they've already completed.

Depending on how many transfer credits a school accepts, you could potentially graduate in just 1-3 years.

Application Requirements

The typical application requirements for an online healthcare management program include:

  • High School Diploma: Applicants typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, such as a GED certificate, to enroll in a bachelor's program.

  • Minimum GPA: Most programs require a minimum GPA between 2.0-3.0.

  • Essay: Programs may require one or more essays to understand your goals, motivations, and what makes you a great fit.

  • Resume: Resumes aren't usually required for bachelor's programs, but some schools — especially those for working adults or transfer students — may ask for one to understand your experience.

  • Recommendation Letters: Colleges often ask for 1-3 letters of recommendation to get an insight into your skills, abilities, and readiness.

Comparing admission requirements helps you find programs that match your strengths and available materials, boosting your chances of acceptance.

For example, if a college asks for recommendation letters and you don't have any readily available, you might have better luck applying to schools that primarily consider your transcripts.

Accreditation

Attending an accredited program is important, as this signals its curriculum meets high academic standards.

The Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) evaluates healthcare management programs, so make sure to look for that certification when checking a program page. You can verify a program's accreditation through CAHME's website.

Additionally, make sure to choose a school that holds institutional accreditation, as this can impact your eligibility for financial aid. You can use the Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs to find out if a school you're interested in is accredited.

Curriculum

Common core courses in a healthcare management curriculum include:

  • Health information management

  • Managing healthcare organizations

  • Healthcare law and ethics

  • Healthcare finance and budgeting

  • Clinical information systems

While these courses will be quite standard across most healthcare management programs, it's still a good idea to compare programs to make sure the curriculum aligns with your goals.

You should also compare elective and concentration options, as these can vary widely between schools and significantly impact your career focus after graduation. For example, some programs focus on general healthcare management, while others emphasize clinical management, healthcare marketing, or health policy.

Student Support

The student support services a school offers can impact how easily you navigate your coursework and other responsibilities.

In fact, institutions that offer comprehensive support services — including financial advising, academic tutoring, and career coaching — tend to have higher retention rates and lower average completion times.

For example, Maryville University provides online learners with continuous, 24/7 access to academic support through an online tutoring service. This readily available support can help reduce academic stress by providing immediate guidance whenever it's needed.

What Can You Do With a Bachelor's in Healthcare Management?

A bachelor's in healthcare management can lead to several career paths, including hospital administration, medical practice management, healthcare consulting, nursing home administration, and health information management.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, these roles are projected to grow by 23% from 2024-2034.

Healthcare management graduates often find themselves managing medical facilities, coordinating healthcare services, analyzing healthcare policies, or overseeing operations within clinical settings.

Popular Healthcare Management Jobs
Medical and Health Services Managers$117,960Plan and coordinate health services in hospitals, doctor's offices, and other settings
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$44,640Update patient medical records, file insurance forms, and manage administrative tasks in medical settings
Source: BLS

Learn More About Healthcare Management Jobs

Frequently Asked Questions About Healthcare Management Degrees

A bachelor's degree in healthcare management usually costs between $9,500-$17,000 per year, according to NCES. The exact price depends on the school you attend, the program format, and your residency status. Also, keep in mind that grants and scholarships can significantly lower your out-of-pocket costs.

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