5 Affordable Online Healthcare Management Degrees in Illinois 2025

An estimated 61,400 healthcare management jobs open every year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Those looking to enter a career in healthcare administration or management will need a bachelor's degree in the field.

Affordable online healthcare management degrees are a flexible alternative to traditional on-campus learning. Read the list below to explore several cost-effective higher education programs.

Low-Cost Online Healthcare Management Degree Programs in Illinois

These low-cost online schools in Illinois offer healthcare management degrees, equipping students with key skills in healthcare leadership, communication, and healthcare policy.

1. Illinois College

Illinois College offers an online Bachelor of Science (BS) in healthcare management degree. In this program, you will learn skills from knowledgeable professors necessary to succeed in a healthcare leadership position.

The courses are asynchronous, which gives working professionals the flexibility to take classes that fit their schedules; however, online program participants must gain real-world work experience through an internship in a healthcare setting.

Tuition costs $375 per credit hour. To help with the burden of tuition, Illinois College encourages online students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and accepts federal direct loans from students enrolled in at least six credit hours.

2. Southern Illinois University

You can earn a bachelor's degree in healthcare management online at Southern Illinois University. This academically rigorous program prepares students to meet their career goals in healthcare leadership. Qualifying prospective students may choose the Capstone Program, which allows them to complete their degree faster than the traditional program.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the graduation rate of this institution is 61% for full-time students. Graduates can move on to management or leadership opportunities within healthcare organizations.

Tuition is $321.25 per credit hour, with various forms of financial aid available, including an alternative rate for active-duty service members and scholarship opportunities.

3. The University of St. Francis

The University of St. Francis, based in the Chicago suburbs, offers a fully online bachelor's degree for health professionals interested in improving leadership capabilities. The program's curriculum includes coursework designed to enrich your communication and management skills and cover key subjects like information systems and public health policy.

Students pay $424 per credit hour for this degree; however, over 98% of full-time undergraduate students receive some form of financial aid. Students may fill out the FAFSA for federal, state, and university financial aid.

4. University of Illinois Springfield

The University of Illinois Springfield offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in healthcare management. This master's program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and provides a comprehensive educational experience for students pursuing careers within the healthcare system.

Admissions for the program require applicants to hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited university with at least a 2.5 GPA. These standards ensure that prospective students can handle graduate-level coursework.

The university has priced the program at $509 per credit hour and offers a pay-by-the-course option. Students may fill out the FAFSA for grant and loan opportunities to help with the cost of tuition.

5. McKendree University

McKendree University offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in healthcare management online. In this program, you will study topics related to health sciences and subjects like human resources and communication.

This degree program is adaptable, with various electives to complement your chosen career path, such as psychology and business. Students can also gain hands-on learning experiences in actual healthcare settings.

Tuition costs $420 per credit hour for online students, though this nonprofit offers various forms of tuition discounts for active-duty service members, veterans, and participating community organizations and companies. To receive financial aid, you'll need to fill out the FAFSA.

Our Selection Criteria

The programs on this list were chosen based on several ranking factors:

• Affordability: We chose online schools that accept FAFSA and have below-average tuition costs.
• Accreditation: All programs are fully accredited, ensuring students receive a high-quality education to prepare them for a career in the healthcare industry.
• Program Specialization: All programs on this list have robust curriculums that go beyond general education to offer learners specialized courses in healthcare management.
• In-State: We chose accredited programs located in Illinois that offer residents a flexible and affordable online learning experience.

FAQs About Online Healthcare Management Programs in Illinois

Finding the right online degree program can be confusing with so many online colleges available. Check out these FAQs to better understand your academic path.

How Much Does an Online Healthcare Management Degree Cost?

The cost of an online healthcare management degree varies widely, with the programs listed above ranging from $321.25 to $509 per credit hour. However, a bachelor's degree generally has lower tuition rates than a master's degree. For example, Southern Illinois University offers a BA that costs $321.25 per credit hour, while the University of Illinois Springfield's MBA is $509 per credit hour.

Several other factors may influence the cost of your healthcare management degree, such as:

• whether you are in-state or out-of-state
• whether you are part-time or full-time
• whether you have transfer credits available
• whether you qualify for federal or state financial aid
• whether you live on-campus or at home

How Long Does It Take To Become a Healthcare Manager?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare manager roles typically require less than five years of health services administration experience and a bachelor's degree. The time it takes to complete your bachelor's degree depends on whether you are a part-time or full-time student. If you decide to pursue an online master's degree, you can expect the program to take anywhere from one to two years, depending on your course load.

Additionally, online universities that accept transfer credits allow students to complete their degrees faster. For example, the University of St. Francis accepts up to 90 transfer credits, leaving only 30 credit hours needed for degree completion.

What Can I Do With a Healthcare Administration Degree?

Healthcare professionals with this degree learn many transferrable skills from their education, like decision-making, financial management, and health informatics. These skills can make you a valuable asset to healthcare facilities and organizations, whether you choose a health information management role, a human resource management position, or some other healthcare profession.

Many leadership roles are available in the healthcare sector, including:

• health service managers
• hospital managers
• hospital administrators
• mental health facility administrators

Explore Online Programs in Healthcare Management

Begin your path in the healthcare management field by exploring available programs on Learn.org. Contact your top schools to learn more about the admissions process, enrollment, and financial aid opportunities.