10 Most Affordable Online MBA in Healthcare Management Programs 2025

If you're interested in a non-clinical leadership role in the healthcare industry, earning a degree in healthcare management can help you get there. Maybe you're specifically interested in pursuing an MBA in healthcare management, and you'd like to know more about online options that won't break the bank.

Keep reading as we explore affordable online MBA in healthcare management programs and the schools offering them. We'll also discuss what to expect from an MBA in healthcare management and answer related questions you may have.

What Is a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Management?

A Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a graduate degree that prepares students for various management and administrative roles in business fields. MBA programs often feature specializations to prepare students for specific career goals. One common specialization is healthcare management.

MBA programs in healthcare management are designed to prepare students for business roles in healthcare organizations. They combine general business courses with courses specifically related to healthcare systems, helping learners develop interdisciplinary skills that can apply to a wide range of healthcare settings.

How Much Does an Online MBA in Healthcare Management Cost?

The cost of an MBA in healthcare management can vary widely depending on the school you attend. Private schools typically charge higher rates, sometimes between $1,000 and $2,000 per credit hour. Total costs can be reduced with finacial aid, including grants and scholarships.

Students pursuing an MBA in healthcare management online often pay the same tuition rates regardless of residency status, and even private schools often charge lower rates for online programs than for on-campus programs. Among the schools featured in this article, tuition rates range from around $247 to $659 per credit hour.

Cheapest Online MBA in Healthcare Management Programs

If you're ready to pursue enrollment in a healthcare management master's degree, keep reading. Below, we'll check out some of the most affordable MBA in healthcare management programs available online.

1. Fayetteville State University

Fayetteville State University is a public, historically Black school in Fayetteville, NC. It offers some of the most affordable graduate tuition rates for in-state students in the U.S.

Students in the school's MBA program can pursue a concentration in healthcare management. The program consists of 39 credit hours and offers flexible coursework to make education accessible for busy students.

• Estimated tuition cost: $247.30 per credit hour (in-state)
• Program length: Flexible
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

2. Columbia Southern University

Columbia Southern University is a private, for-profit school headquartered in Orange Beach, AL. Offering primarily online programs, it features an MBA degree with a healthcare management concentration consisting of 36 total credit hours.

Students in this flexible program benefit from low tuition rates and a generous transfer policy. Scholarships, discounts, free textbooks, and military benefits are also available to help students cut costs even further.

• Estimated tuition cost: $359 per credit hour
• Program length: Flexible
• Accreditation:

3. Fort Hays State University

Fort Hays State University is a public school in Hays, KS. It offers a wide array of online degree programs, including an MBA with a concentration in healthcare management.

The program features five yearly start dates and eight-week course sessions, making the program highly flexible. Students can complete all coursework online, in-person, or in a hybrid format, depending on their particular needs and interests.

• Estimated tuition cost: $385.74 per credit hour
• Program length: One to three years
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

4. Fitchburg State University

Fitchburg State University is located in Fitchburg, MA. Students at this public school can earn a 30-credit MBA in healthcare management in as little as one year.

The program is available 100% online and features 18 hours of core business courses, nine hours of required courses in healthcare, and three hours of electives. Students can choose from various start dates and benefit from low tuition rates and flexible study options.

• Estimated tuition cost: $436 per credit hour
• Program length: As few as 12 months
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

5. University of North Alabama

The University of North Alabama is a public school in Florence, AL. Its online MBA program features numerous specializations, including a healthcare management option.

Enrollees can study either full-time or part-time in this flexible program, typically graduating within one to two years. All coursework is completed online, and affordable tuition rates help students graduate without breaking the bank.

• Estimated tuition cost: $495 per credit hour
• Program length: One to two years
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

6. Edgewood University

Edgewood University, formerly known as Edgewood College, is a private Dominican school in Madison, WI. The school provides an accelerated MBA in healthcare management that students can complete in as little as 10 months.

The program consists of 30 credit hours and courses are completed in seven-week sessions. Students develop competencies in business and healthcare to prepare them for numerous job titles, including health information manager, healthcare sales manager, and health insurance operations director.

• Estimated tuition cost: $500 per credit hour
• Program length: 10 months
• Accreditation: HLC

7. West Texas A&M University

West Texas A&M University is a public school in Canyon, TX. Learners can enroll in a flexible, transfer-friendly MBA in healthcare management program online.

Students can choose from four yearly start dates and can decide how many courses to take each semester. Courses are asynchronous, so students can complete them on whatever schedules work for them without sacrificing work or other commitments.

• Estimated tuition cost: $500 per credit hour
• Program length: Flexible
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

8. University of Mount Saint Vincent

The University of Saint Vincent is a private Catholic school located in New York City, NY. Students can enroll in the affordable, 100% online MBA in healthcare management several times per year.

The program offers a straightforward admissions process and flexible courses to meet the needs of even the busiest professionals. Students take a mix of required business and healthcare courses and complete a capstone project, potentially graduating within one year.

• Estimated tuition cost: $524 per credit hour
• Program length: As few as 12 months
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

9. Liberty University

Liberty University is a private Christian school located in Lynchburg, VA. It offers hundreds of online degrees and specializations, including an MBA in healthcare management.

This program allows students to transfer up to 50% of the total required course credits. All courses are offered in eight-week sessions, and students can progress through the program at whatever pace works for them.

• Estimated tuition cost: $580 per credit hour
• Program length: Flexible
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

10. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University is a private school near Hooksett and Manchester, NH. Among the school's many MBA specializations is an online healthcare management option.

Students in this program complete flexible, 10-week course sessions and a total of 12 courses. Courses include scenario-based learning opportunities to help students better prepare for real-world situations.

• Estimated tuition cost: $659 per credit hour
• Program length: Flexible
• Accreditation: NECHE

How We Rank Schools

We strive to choose top programs and schools when creating our rank lists. We used the following criteria when selecting the graduate programs above:

• Accreditation: Each college is institutionally accredited, and many of the healthcare business programs are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
• Affordability: Each college provides affordable tuition rates of less than $700 per credit hour.
• Program reputation: Each school of business is known for providing high-quality programs to prepare healthcare MBA students for real-world career opportunities.

What To Expect From an Online Healthcare Management MBA

Online healthcare management MBA programs are often highly flexible and designed for busy adult students. They may often be completed on a full-time or part-time basis and allow students to study on their own schedules.

These programs feature core courses and electives covering both business and healthcare topics. Common course offerings include financial management, healthcare delivery, human resources, public health, health information management, and more.

Programs can cost anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars per credit hour. Most are completed within two years; accelerated programs may allow for completion within a year or less, while students studying on a part-time basis may take three years or longer to finish their program.

FAQs About Online MBA in Healthcare Management Programs

If you still have questions about becoming a healthcare leader with an MBA in healthcare management, you're not alone. Keep reading as we explore some common questions you may have.

Is It Worth Getting an MBA in Healthcare Management?

Depending on your career goals, getting an MBA in healthcare management can be well worth the time and effort. An MBA is one of the most worthwhile degrees you can get in terms of return on investment (ROI), and leaders within the healthcare field are in high demand. This means that not only can leaders in healthcare services expect great job security, but they are also typically well compensated for their expertise.

Can I Complete a Healthcare Management MBA While Working Full Time?

Most MBA programs require students to have at least some work experience; as such, they are often designed for working professionals, with flexible online coursework and various program options. This is especially true of online and executive MBA in healthcare management programs.

What Is the Average Healthcare Management MBA Salary?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the national average for medical and health services managers, those earning an MBA in healthcare management salary, is $117,960 per year. These healthcare professionals commonly earn $56.51 per hour and can expect an increase of 29% in jobs by 2033, which is much higher than the national average for all occupations.

Learn More: Highest-Paying MBA Jobs

Is a Healthcare Management MBA from WGU Respected?

There is no WGU MBA healthcare management program; instead, Western Governors University offers an MBA in healthcare administration. This is one of many graduate and undergraduate degrees available at WGU, and all of the programs are respected as coming from a private, nonprofit, regionally accredited university.

Are Healthcare MBA Programs Different From MHA Programs?

MBA programs in healthcare management are slightly different from Master of Health Administration (MHA) degrees. Whereas MHA programs are professional degrees focusing specifically on healthcare administration and management, MBA programs in healthcare management have a broader focus and require students to complete more business courses. This helps students prepare not only for careers in healthcare, but also for other related business careers.

Discover Online MBA Programs

If you're ready to begin learning the fundamentals of business management and healthcare, explore the schools featured on Learn.org. Contact any of the universities for more information on their MBA programs and to choose the right degree path for you.