The online master of health administration (MHA) programs featured on this list are among the most affordable. However, keep in mind that they're not necessarily the cheapest.
Our methodology uses a custom scoring system that emphasizes factors most important to students. To identify these, we conducted comprehensive surveys that determined students prioritize:
Affordability
Acceptance and graduation rates
Accessibility
Program flexibility
Reputation
Student diversity
So, while tuition cost is important, you'll find that the online MHA programs on this list strike a balance between affordability and educational value.
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Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Affordable Online MHA Programs
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 affordability, concentration and certification options, and networking opportunities. 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 November 2025.
Why the Cheapest Online MHA Program Isn't Always the Most Affordable
Tuition is a major indicator of program affordability, but it doesn't tell the whole story in the long run. The online degree programs with the lowest "sticker price" might not necessarily offer the best overall value after you consider financial aid options, program quality, and overall return on investment (ROI).
For instance, higher-priced programs generally offer better student support through experienced faculty, a rigorous curriculum, and professional-development services. This can lead to better employment rates for students after graduation. In simple terms, a better education can help you generate a higher ROI by improving your job prospects and earning potential.
Also, keep in mind that financial aid — scholarships, grants, tuition discounts, and work-study opportunities — can greatly reduce the net price of tuition. The net cost of college is the amount of money that actually comes out of your pocket to cover tuition. The table below illustrates how different a program's advertised "sticker price" can be from its net price:
| Institution Name | Northwestern University | University of Missouri-St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Avg. Yearly Cost of Tuition | $87,804 | $32,289 |
| Avg. Net Tuition After Aid | $23,341 | $11,577 |
| Avg. Savings from Aid | ~73% | ~64% |
Benefits of Getting an Affordable MHA Online
99% of online master's students and graduates say they would recommend online education to others, according to our 2025 Online Education Trends Report.
The Population Reference Bureau projects a 47% increase in the number of U.S. adults aged 65 and up from 2022-2050. This suggests sustained long-term demand for healthcare administrators.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 23% job growth for medical and health services managers from 2024 to 2034.
In 2024, the BLS found that medical and health services managers earned a median annual base salary of nearly $118,000.
How Much Does a Master's in Health Administration Cost?
Master's In Health Professions And Related Programs, 2019-2020
Online
Avg. Tuition & Fees: $11,229
Avg. Net Price: $9,621
On-Campus
Avg. Tuition & Fees: $19,144
Avg. Net Price: $16,428
Source: NCES PowerStats
Data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) offers several valuable insights into the cost of an MHA degree:
Online MHA programs cost an average of $11,229 per year, while on-campus ones cost an average of $19,144.
On average, tuition fees for online MHA programs are around 41% lower than campus-based programs.
Financial aid can lower the "sticker price" of both online and on-campus programs by around 14%.
On-campus students saved an average of $2,716 per year with financial aid, while online students saved $1,608.
Find Financial Aid for Your MHA Degree
What Is an Online MHA's ROI?
An online MHA degree can lead to excellent long-term career and financial benefits.
To estimate your potential ROI, calculate how much you expect to pay for your degree. Then, compare that figure to your expected salary, with and without the degree. This will give you an idea of the financial value the degree could provide.
An MHA can lead to well-paying jobs, even for new graduates. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), 2023 graduates with master's degrees in health and medical administration secured an average starting salary of $73,110.
In comparison, those with only a bachelor's degree in the same field had an average starting salary of $54,510 — that's an immediate salary difference of nearly $18,600 per year.
Based on these figures, and drawing on the average tuition rates discussed in the section above, you could recoup the costs of a two-year online MHA program in just over one year of employment.
However, note that the exact ROI of your degree over your career depends on several factors, such as the industry you work in, years of experience, and where you live.
How to Save Money on Your Online MHA
These strategies can help you reduce the cost of your studies, no matter how affordable a program's tuition may already be:
1. Apply for Financial Aid
As a first step, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for federal financial aid and work-study programs. Many states and schools also use your FAFSA profile to verify your eligibility for their own funding programs.
Note that half-time enrollment rules may apply if you don't study full time. This usually means you must take a minimum number of credits — around half of what's considered full-time — to be eligible for financial aid.
2. Borrow Strategically (Take Only What You Need)
If you're applying for private loans, you may be tempted to borrow the maximum amount you're eligible for. However, this will be more expensive over the long run since larger loans mean higher interest payments.
With this in mind, try to limit the amount you borrow to what you strictly need to pay for tuition and other necessities. Also, make sure to compare your borrowing options since federal loans offer more advantageous terms than private ones.
3. Get Exempt from Credits
Graduate schools generally calculate tuition on a per-credit basis, so you can lower the cost of your degree by reducing the number of credits you must complete. If you have relevant credits from a previous college experience, you may be able to transfer your credits and get some course exemptions.
Some MHA programs also offer the option of taking competency exams to test out of general prerequisites. For example, you could take accounting or statistics exams to demonstrate you have enough knowledge in these areas and skip those courses.
4. Verify CAHME Accreditation And State Authorization
In some areas, MHA programs need state authorization or accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME).
Enrolling in a program that is state-authorized and CAHME-accredited means you can transfer your credits to other programs if you ever need to, and it can help you get access to field learning opportunities.
Before enrolling in a program, research your state's requirements. You can also research a program's CAHME accreditation status using the CAHME database.
5. Take Advantage of Employer Tuition Assistance
If you're already working in a hospital, healthcare network, or healthcare-focused nonprofit group, you may qualify for employer-based tuition assistance programs. Also, some schools have partnerships with major health-related employers and provide reduced tuition rates to their employees.
Note that tuition assistance programs have certain conditions for eligibility. For example, you may need to work for the company for a set period of time (before and after enrolling), maintain a minimum GPA, and attend a program from a list of approved ones.
Also, keep in mind that some employers may provide the funds upfront, while others reimburse them after a set amount of time.
Frequently Asked Questions About MHAs
Yes, online MHA programs are often designed to accommodate working students. However, juggling a full-time job and graduate studies can make for a challenging work-life balance. You may want to consider part-time enrollment, especially if you also have family commitments to meet.
