10 Affordable Online Master's in Health Informatics Programs 2025

If you're looking for a career that combines information technology and healthcare, then health informatics may be the field for you. Maybe you're already working in this field and looking to advance your career. Regardless of your particular circumstances, you're interested in pursuing a master's degree in health informatics.

Keep reading as we explore schools offering affordable online master's in health informatics programs. We'll also discuss this type of degree in more detail and answer various questions you may have.

What Is an Online Master's Degree in Health Informatics?

A master's degree in health informatics is an advanced degree program that teaches advanced skills in health information systems and data analysis. They prepare students for high-level management and administrative roles in healthcare information technology.

Online health informatics master's programs commonly take two to three years to finish, though accelerated programs are available, enabling students to complete their degrees within 12 to 18 months. They are often highly flexible programs, with options for students to study full-time or part-time and on a schedule that works for them.

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

Different schools charge different tuition rates, so it's hard to predict exactly how much your degree is going to cost. Generally speaking, private schools charge higher tuition rates than public schools, though public schools typically charge more for out-of-state students. Students can also alter their costs with grants, scholarships, and other types of financial aid.

It is not uncommon for schools to charge more than $1,000 per credit hour for master's degree programs in health informatics. The schools in this article feature lower rates ranging from about $305 to $740 per credit hour.

Cheapest Online Master's in Health Informatics Programs

If you're ready to enroll in a cheap master's degree in health informatics, keep reading. Below, we'll explore some of the top affordable online programs available to current and aspiring healthcare professionals.

1. East Carolina University

East Carolina University is a public school located in Greenville, NC. Students at this school can pursue a Master of Science (MS) in health informatics and information management online or in-person.

Most learners complete this degree program in two to three years. Curriculum is flexible, allowing students to study part-time or full-time according to their needs and preferences.

• Estimated tuition cost: $304.84 to $1,071.84 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Students can apply for scholarships and federal aid to help them pay for their degree.
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

2. Arkansas Tech University

Arkansas Tech University is a public school in Russellville, AR. It provides an MS in health informatics program (MSHI) for both online and campus-based students.

The MSHI program consists of 35 credit hours and allows up to eight transfer credits. It takes a multidisciplinary approach to health IT, combining information technology and healthcare delivery to help students provide value to healthcare organizations and providers.

• Estimated tuition cost: $323.94 per credit hour
• Financial aid: A wealth of scholarships is available along with federal aid like grants, work-study opportunities, and loans.
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

3. Indiana University

Indiana University is a system of public schools providing online education in various fields. One of the programs available online is a Master of Science in health informatics.

Students in this program learn to interpret biomedical data and other information to aid healthcare systems in providing top-level care. It requires 36 credit hours of courses and can be completed entirely online in a flexible format.

• Estimated tuition cost: $414 to $621 per credit hour
• Financial aid: The school offers various scholarships and accepts outside funding sources like federal aid and military and employer benefits.
• Accreditation: HLC

4. Georgia State University

Georgia State University is a public school in Atlanta, GA. It offers an online MS in health sciences with a concentration in health informatics.

The 36-credit program can be completed online or in-person. Online learners pay the same affordable tuition rate regardless of residency, and a blend of synchronous and asynchronous classes provides both flexibility and structure.

• Estimated tuition cost: $450 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Various scholarship programs are available through the school and from outside sources, and students can apply for federal aid and other benefits.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

5. National University

National University is a private school in San Diego, CA. Learners at this institution can pursue many online degree programs, including an MS in health informatics.

Students in this program benefit from eight-week course sessions and flexible learning opportunities. The program consists of 54 quarter credit hours and boasts a rolling admissions process so students can enroll whenever it's convenient for them.

• Estimated tuition cost: $455 per credit hour
• Financial aid: The school awards millions of dollars in scholarships each year and accepts outside funding sources as well.
• Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

6. Dakota State University

Dakota State University is a public school in Madison, SD. Its health informatics and information management MS program offers three yearly start dates and is available exclusively online.

The program comprises 33 credit hours and is known for having a 100% job placement rate. Enrollees can study either full-time or part-time to finish in an average of one to three years.

• Estimated tuition cost: $484.10 to $599.75 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Students can pursue graduate assistantships and scholarships as well as federal aid to save money.
• Accreditation: HLC

7. Liberty University

Liberty University is a large Christian school in Virginia with hundreds of online degree and certificate programs. It offers two health informatics programs: an MSHI degree and a Master of Arts (MA) in medical sciences with a health informatics concentration.

The MA program consists of 34 credit hours, while the MSHI comprises of 42 credits. The programs differ slightly in focus and coursework, but both can lead to advanced careers in health informatics, and both programs provide flexible coursework.

• Estimated tuition cost: $580 per credit hour
• Financial aid: The school provides scholarships and accepts outside financial aid payments to help students cover their costs.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

8. Northern Kentucky University

Northern Kentucky University is a public school in Highland Heights, KY. It offers a Master of Science in health informatics in a convenient and highly flexible online format.

Students can graduate from this 33-credit program in as little as 12 months. Tuition is highly affordable and paid by the course, and students have the option to tailor their study schedule to their specific needs.

• Estimated tuition cost: $607 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Students can apply for federal aid and internal and external scholarships to help them save money.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

9. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University is a private school near Manchester, NH. It features a wealth of online degree programs, including a Master of Science in information technology with a concentration in healthcare informatics.

This program prepares students for health informatics careers while allowing them to leave their professional options open to other IT fields. Courses may include topics like information technology management, social and organizational issues in healthcare, and health informatics.

• Estimated tuition cost: $659 per credit hour
• Financial aid: The school accepts federal aid and scholarships and provides various funding opportunities such as military discounts and employer partnerships.
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

10. University of Arizona Global Campus

The University of Arizona Global Campus is a public school headquartered in Tucson, AZ. It offers exclusively online degree programs, including an MS in health informatics and analytics.

Students in this program complete accelerated six-week courses, often taking one at a time to graduate in two years. Students can transfer up to nine credit hours from other schools to finish sooner or take a lighter course load.

• Estimated tuition cost: $740 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Students can benefit from various academic and corporate partnerships, military benefits, scholarships, and federal aid options.
• Accreditation: HLC

How We Rank Schools

We endeavor to choose the best programs when creating our school rank lists. We selected the schools above based on the following criteria:

• Accreditation: Each school is institutionally accredited, and the health informatics programs are also accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education(CAHIIM).
• Affordability: All of the schools feature affordable tuition rates below $1,000 per credit hour.
• Program reputation: Each of the schools is known for providing high-quality degree programs for both on-campus and online students.

What To Expect From a Master's in Health Informatics Online

An online health informatics master's degree commonly consists of 30 to 36 credit hours and combines coursework with practicums or capstone projects. Coursework is often flexible enough to allow busy working professionals to set their own study schedules.

Health informatics courses cover various topics ranging from data analytics to electronic health records to project management within the healthcare industry. Some programs allow students to take electives and/or complete a concentration in a specialized area of the field, such as clinical informatics, public health informatics, or health information management.

You can expect to learn various competencies to improve the efficiency of healthcare delivery and to ensure the protection of patient privacy. You may also gain decision-making and leadership skills that will prepare you for various real-world career paths in the health information industry.

FAQs About Low-Cost Online Health Informatics Master's Programs

If you still have questions about pursuing a graduate program in health informatics, you're not alone. Read on as we provide answers to some frequently asked questions.

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

If you enjoy working in health IT or are looking to move into this industry, getting a master's degree in health informatics can be well worth the time and effort. Master's in health informatics salary expectations are much higher than those with only an associate or bachelor's degree, and students have opportunities to pursue higher-level roles within the healthcare industry.

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

There are numerous master's in health informatics jobs available. Some common job titles to consider include:

• informatics analyst
• informatics manager
• health informatics consultant
• healthcare IT project manager
• informatics director

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

Different health informatics programs may take different lengths of time to complete. Typically, students who study full-time can graduate within a year, while part-time learners may require two or three years or even longer. Students in self-paced or accelerated programs can graduate in as little as one year.

Is Financial Aid Available for Online Health Informatics Master's Programs?

Yes, many schools that offer health informatics master's degrees provide generous financial aid packages to students. Common types of aid include scholarships, grants, loans, military or employer benefits, assistantships, and work-study programs.

Discover Online Health Informatics Degrees

If you're ready to begin an online master's degree in health informatics, check out the schools featured on Learn.org. Contact any of the schools for more information on core courses, accreditation, and more.