Best Online Master’s in Health Informatics Degrees of 2026

Succeeding in health informatics requires continuing education. Explore our picks for the best master's in health informatics online programs.

ECCB
Written by Evan CastilloEdited by Cameren Boatner

Updated on December 18, 2025

At the center of healthcare delivery, there are digital storage systems that contain patient data. Highly trained healthcare informatics professionals build and maintain these databases, which healthcare providers use to update, research, and share information.

A master's in health informatics can help you enter this in-demand and rewarding field, and an online program offers the flexibility you need to manage other priorities while earning your degree. Start your journey by exploring the best online master's in health informatics degrees, and learn what we like about them.

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Best Master's in Health Informatics Online Programs

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, specialization, and flexibility. 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 You Should Get a Master's in Health Informatics

  • Career Advancement: Your current or future employer may require a master's degree for management-level positions.

  • Continuing Education: Master's in health informatics online programs emphasize the latest knowledge and skills professionals need to keep up with advancements in the field.

  • Networking Opportunities: Programs with a cohort learning model promote networking and can help you discover career opportunities.

  • Sense of Accomplishment: Earning a master's in health informatics represents a significant achievement that can improve your confidence on the job.

Benefits of Getting Your Health Informatics Master's Online

  • In our 2025 Online Education Trends Report, 99% of online master's students and graduates said they would recommend online education to others.

  • Online education's flexibility benefits adult learners: Our research found that 47% of full-time degree-seekers are working a full-time job, while 69% of online program graduates feel prepared for their first job offer after graduation.

  • Nearly 9 in 10 medical illustration and informatics master's students in the class of 2023 found a job after graduation, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

How to Choose the Best Master's in Health Informatics Program for You

Choosing the best master's in health informatics program requires comparing costs, program lengths, application requirements, and other factors. Contact schools' admissions departments to learn more before you apply.

How Much Does an Online Master's in Health Informatics Cost?

Online Master's Degrees in Computer and Information Sciences and Health Professions

Avg. Tuition & Fees (2019-2020)

$10,308

Avg. Net Price (2019-2020)

$8,490

Source: NCES PowerStats

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), you can expect to pay around $10,300 in tuition and fees per year for your online master's in health informatics degree.

You may be able to save money by attending a public university instead of a private college. BestColleges previously reported that the average cost per year for graduate students at private nonprofit schools was $51,770 in 2024 dollars.

In comparison, graduate school at public universities costed $38,820.

You can further reduce your cost of attendance by submitting the FAFSA and applying for scholarships.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Master's in Health Informatics?

Typical # of Credits

30-36 Credits

Typical Program Length

1-2 Years

Like most master's degree programs, an online master's in health informatics typically consists of 30-36 credits and takes full-time students around two years to complete.

You may graduate sooner if you enroll in an accelerated master's program. Consider this option if you don't plan to work full time while in school.

Programs with concentrations or dual-degree tracks may require students to earn more than 36 credits. University class catalogs provide the latest graduation requirements, so be sure to read those carefully.

Master's in Health Informatics Application Requirements

Accreditation for Master's in Health Informatics Programs

Programmatic accreditation isn't a necessity, but looking for it can help you narrow down the best online health information master's programs for you.

Top health informatics programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Programs (CAHIIM). CAHIIM grants accreditation only to programs with systemic planning, program autonomy, a rigorous curriculum, and ample student resources.

Schools you apply to should also hold institutional accreditation, ideally from a regional accreditor. This ensures your degree is widely recognized and that the school meets basic quality standards.

What Can You Do With a Master's in Health Informatics?

You can pursue many jobs — or advance in your current role — with a master's in health informatics. Many senior positions require a solid grasp of computer science fundamentals. With experience, you could even qualify for a managerial role.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects strong growth for some health informatics careers, such as positions for health information technologists, which are projected to grow by 15% between 2024 and 2034.

Below are some additional master's in health informatics jobs you could pursue and their average salaries.

Popular Master's in Health Informatics Jobs
Clinical Data Analyst$79,980 (August 2025)Help companies make data-driven decisions. Responsibilities include finding missing data.
Clinical Informatics Manager$105,970 (May 2025)Develop and oversee your employer's informatics program and coordinate activities with other department heads.
Health Informatics Specialist$78,220 (July 2025)Manage and troubleshoot databases and develop and test new databases.
Health Information Management Director$82,420 (September 2025)Oversee medical records coding. Responsibilities include managing many employees.
Health IT Project Manager$100,980 (July 2022)Help hospitals and other healthcare centers adopt new technologies, develop budgets, and manage employees.
Source: Payscale

Learn More About Master's in Health Informatics Jobs

Is an Online Health Informatics Master's Degree Worth It?

Many find an online master's in health informatics degree worthwhile.

According to our research, 99% of online master's students and graduates say they would recommend online education to others.

Online education can benefit adult students in many ways, such as by offering asynchronous classes, which allow students to complete coursework on their own schedule.

An online health informatics master's degree can also help you advance your career — even earn more money.

The latest data from NACE shows that the average starting salary for medical illustration and informatics master's degree-holders exceeds $70,000. In comparison, 2023 graduates with a health-related bachelor's degree earn a median income of around $62,000.

Education Beyond a Master's in Health Informatics

If you have a master's in health informatics, you could continue your education by earning a doctor of health informatics (DHI) or a Ph.D. in health informatics or a related field, like healthcare management or data science.

Courses in a DHI program may include scientific writing, biostatistics, and machine learning. This degree qualifies you for many leadership positions at the intersection of healthcare and technology.

Alternatively, you might want to get a Ph.D. in health informatics. This degree is especially useful if you want to work as a professor or researcher. Classes such as application development and research methods prepare you to write a dissertation and become an expert in your field.

DHI and Ph.D. in health informatics programs can take anywhere from 3-7 or more years.

Frequently Asked Questions About Master's in Health Informatics Online Programs

According to Payscale, chief information officers (CIO) earn significantly more than other health informatics professionals. As of September 2025, these C-suite executives made an average of $179,680 per year. This figure does not include other forms of compensation, such as bonuses.

Chief health informatics officers (CHIOs) and chief medical informatics officers are high-ranking technology managers in healthcare settings. CHIOs oversee a healthcare organization's IT department and computer systems.

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