10 Affordable Online Master of Healthcare Administration Degrees 2025

Earning a master's in healthcare administration can help you make a rewarding and potentially lucrative career move. Maybe you're interested in earning this type of degree and you're curious about your options; specifically, you'd like to know more about affordable healthcare administration degree programs.

Keep reading as we explore some top schools offering affordable graduate degrees in healthcare management and administration for graduate students. We'll also take a closer look at this type of degree and answer some related questions you may have.

What Is an Online Master of Healthcare Administration?

A Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) is a type of graduate degree designed to help students become healthcare leaders. They are often available as online programs, allowing busy working adults to enroll.

Those working toward a master's in healthcare administration online can typically pursue either full-time or part-time study options. Many schools offer flexible coursework designed to fit around students' work schedules and other commitments.

MHA programs help students develop business and leadership skills that apply specifically to healthcare settings. Common topics covered in these programs include financial management, healthcare delivery, human resources, and health policy.

How Much Does an Online Master of Healthcare Administration Cost?

Many different schools offer online master's degree programs in healthcare administration, and each one charges different tuition rates and fees. The total cost of your program will depend on several factors, scholarships for online students can further reduce these costs.

That said, common tuition rates for MHA programs range from $500 to $1,000 per credit hour. The schools featured in this article often cost considerably less, with rates ranging from $229 to $659 per credit hour.

Cheapest Online Master of Healthcare Administration Programs

If you're ready to earn a Master of Healthcare Administration online, keep reading. Below, we'll explore some top colleges and universities offering online master's programs for aspiring healthcare leaders.

1. Rasmussen University

Rasmussen University is a private, for-profit school with locations throughout the U.S. It offers many remote degree programs, including a Master of Healthcare Administration online.

This highly affordable program features flexible learning options and some of the lowest tuition rates among comparable programs in the U.S. Students commonly finish the program within 18 months.

• Estimated tuition cost: $229 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Students paying this reduced rate are not eligible for college financial aid.
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. Capella University

Capella University is an online school headquartered in Minnesota. It offers an online Master of Healthcare Administration for busy working professionals.

This degree program features both structured and flexible online formats, allowing students to choose the best option for them. Tuition is paid on a subscription basis, so students who finish sooner pay lower tuition rates. Those who graduate within 13 months pay the equivalent of $275 per quarter credit hour.

• Estimated tuition cost: $275 per credit hour
• Financial aid: The school accepts scholarships and federal aid and offers payment plans to help students afford their education.
• Accreditation: HLC

3. Western Governors University

Western Governors University is a nonprofit online school based in Utah. Its MHA program features a self-paced, competency-based learning model and charges a flat tuition rate every six months.

Learners in this program can progress through their studies as quickly as they want, potentially graduating in as little as one year. Students graduating in this timeframe pay the equivalent of around $289 per credit hour.

• Estimated tuition cost: $288.61 per credit hour
• Financial aid: A variety of funding options are available, such as FAFSA aid, scholarships, and military benefits.
• Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

4. Wichita State University

Wichita State University is a public school in Kansas. It provides an online Master of Health Administration with asynchronous online courses.

Students typically complete courses within eight- or 16-week sessions but have the flexibility to study on their own time within these parameters. The program takes about two years to complete and ensures students are well prepared to take on leadership roles in healthcare organizations.

• Estimated tuition cost: $338.87 per credit hour
• Financial aid: The school offers scholarships and fellowships to MHA students and accepts outside funding as well.
• Accreditation: HLC

5. Louisiana State University Shreveport

Louisiana State University, Shreveport is a public school in the Louisiana State University System. Students can complete a high-ranking MHA program online through this school.

This program provides hands-on learning opportunities in a flexible online format, making it ideal for busy individuals looking for the highest level of training. Students opting to study full-time can complete the program in about one year.

• Estimated tuition cost: $349.85 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Students can use state grants, scholarships, and federal aid, and more to help them pay for school.
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

6. University of Arkansas Grantham

The University of Arkansas Grantham is a public online college affiliated with the University of Arkansas System. It offers an online MHA program consisting of 36 credit hours and takes about two years to complete.

Students complete essential courses and a capstone project to demonstrate their understanding of what they have learned. Courses are completed entirely online and run for eight weeks at a time, giving students added flexibility as they work through the program.

• Estimated tuition cost: $365 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Federal aid, military benefits, and employee tuition assistance can help students afford their education.
• Accreditation: Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC)

7. Oklahoma State University

Oklahoma State University is a public school in Stillwater, OK. It offers various online degree programs, including a Master of Science in healthcare administration.

The program helps students develop their decision-making and strategic planning skills in a convenient online format. Courses run for eight and 16-week sessions. The program itself consists of 32 credit hours, though students can add graduate certificates in areas like finance, compliance, and global health to tailor their degree.

• Estimated tuition cost: $372.62 to $488.48 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Graduate scholarships are available to students in this program, and military discounts are available for qualifying learners.
• Accreditation: HLC

8. National University

National University is a private school headquartered in San Diego. It offers many degrees online and in-person; one of the online options is a Master of Healthcare Administration.

Students must complete 72 quarter credit hours of coursework to earn this degree, potentially transferring up to 13.5 hours into the program. The school offers a rolling admissions process, frequent start dates, and eight-week course sessions to give students maximum flexibility.

• Estimated tuition cost: $469 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Scholarships, loans, grants, and FAFSA aid are all commonly awarded to students with financial need.
• Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

9. Liberty University

Liberty University is a private Christian school in Virginia. It offers a wealth of online degree programs, including a Master of Science in healthcare administration with concentrations in:

• accounting
• finance
• healthcare law and compliance
• human resources
• leadership
• marketing
• nonprofit management
• project management
• public administration
• public relations
• strategic management
• supply chain management and logistics

The school accepts up to 50% of your degree requirements in transfer credits and offers flexible eight-week course sessions. Tuition is affordable, and various financial aid options are available, including military discounts.

• Estimated tuition cost: $580 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Students can apply for scholarships, federal aid, and other types of aid to cover their costs.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

10. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University is a private school in New Hampshire. Its MS in healthcare administration features flexible 10-week courses designed for busy learners.

The program is fully online but offers students the opportunity to participate in hands-on learning experiences to expand their skill set. Students set their own study schedules and have 24/7 access to student support services.

• Estimated tuition cost: $659 per credit hour
• Financial aid: The school accepts employer benefits, federal aid, and scholarships and provides funding and discounts for eligible students like veterans and servicemembers.
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

How We Rank Schools

We strive to choose top programs when selecting schools for our rank lists. We used the following criteria to select the schools featured above:

• Accreditation: Each school maintains institutional accreditation, with some schools also boasting specialized accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
• Affordability: Each program is highly affordable, featuring tuition rates below $700.
• Program reputation: All of the schools are known for having strong academics and a commitment to educational excellence.

What To Expect From an Online MHA Degree

When completing a master's degree in healthcare administration online, you can expect to complete flexible courses. These courses often have no set times but usually require students to complete work by specific deadlines.

Students learn principles of healthcare leadership, such as quality improvement, healthcare finance, and health information systems. Programs may provide hands-on activities to help students gain real-world practice and develop their management skills.

Online master's in healthcare administration programs often range from 30 to 36 credit hours and take about one to two years to complete. Some programs may offer specializations in areas like public relations, nonprofit management, and healthcare law and compliance.

FAQs About Low-Cost MHA Degrees Online

If you still have questions about taking on leadership roles in the healthcare industry, you're not alone. Let's look at the answers to some common questions you may have.

Is an Online Master of Healthcare Administration Worth It?

Depending on your career goals, earning an MHA degree can be well worth the time and effort. Administrative professionals are in high demand in the healthcare system, and they are often paid very well. What's more, getting a master's degree can help promising candidates stand out from the crowd and better qualify for high-level positions.

What Can You Do With a Healthcare Administration Master's Degree?

There are numerous career paths you can pursue with an MHA. Some common job titles you may want to consider include:

• health services manager
• clinical director
• healthcare consultant
• informatics manager
• hospital CEO

How Long Does It Take To Get an Online Master's in Healthcare Administration?

Different schools offer different program options, often designed to meet the needs of busy professionals. For this reason, not all programs are designed for completion in the same timeframe. Some programs can be finished in as little as one year, while other programs may take two or even three years to finish.

What Pays More, an MBA or an MHA?

Students can pursue high-paying career opportunities with both an MHA degree and an MBA in healthcare administration. MHA programs commonly provide more in-depth healthcare administration, while MBA in healthcare administration programs provide a more well-rounded education in both business and marketing.

With this in mind, those with MBA degrees may qualify for a wider variety of jobs, potentially enabling them to earn more money since they will have a more diverse set of jobs to choose from.

Discover Online Healthcare Degrees

If you're ready to earn a Master of Health Administration degree and start your new career path, explore the schools featured here on Learn.org. Contact any of them directly to find out more about their admission requirements and to choose the right program for you.