4 Affordable Online Healthcare Administration Degrees in California 2025

Healthcare administration involves overseeing, leading, and administering the operation of healthcare organizations. Degree programs teach business administration, accounting, strategic planning, financial management, and more to prepare students for leadership roles in the field.

Are you interested in enrolling in a program but want affordable alternatives to on-campus learning? You can find many low-cost healthcare administration degrees, including local options in your state. Schools like Pacific College and California State University, East Bay offer reputable online programs for California residents interested in healthcare administration.

Below, we'll highlight healthcare administration degrees from affordable online colleges in California and other parts of the country. Our frequently asked questions can help you understand what to expect from online programs.

Affordable Online Healthcare Administration Degree Programs in California

When searching for affordable online healthcare administration degree programs, you want to look for online schools that accept financial aid or offer lower tuition rates. Explore this list to discover budget-friendly programs in California.

1. California Baptist University

California Baptist University's online Bachelor of Science in healthcare administration and management is an accelerated program featuring asynchronous courses offered year-round. Coursework explores healthcare delivery, human resources management, health information systems, and healthcare policy.

Earning this degree costs $520 per unit plus additional fees. Online students can reduce the cost of this program by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to qualify for grants and other financial aid.

2. California State University, East Bay

California State University, East Bay offers a Bachelor of Science in health care administration with online courses delivered in synchronous and asynchronous formats. The program teaches healthcare management, strategic planning, healthcare quality improvement methodologies, and the evolution of the U.S. healthcare system. A capstone project is included in this program.

Graduate students enrolled at Cal State, East Bay living in California pay $9,107 per year in tuition. Students can reduce costs by applying for scholarships via the Pioneer Scholarship Portal and filling out the FAFSA form for federal aid.

3. Pacific College

The online BS in healthcare administration at Pacific College prepares students for entry-level healthcare roles. This program strengthens students' critical thinking and decision-making skills through courses exploring healthcare law, health information technology management, public health insurance, and more.

Pacific College charges $350 per unit and offers scholarships to help reduce costs. Submitting the FAFSA form helps students determine if they qualify for federal grants, making the degree more affordable.

4. West Coast University

Students interested in becoming healthcare leaders in hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare environments can prepare with the online BS in health administration at West Coast University in North Hollywood. Core and elective courses explore epidemiology, organizational behavior, and more. Finance and strategic management specializations are available.

Students can earn this degree for $460 per credit hour and apply for financial aid to increase affordability. Assistance includes the WCU Health Services Grant, which covers up to 10% of tuition, and the WCU Performance Scholarship, which covers up to 15% of costs.

Other Affordable Online Healthcare Administration Programs

Additional online healthcare administration programs are available outside of California. Find affordable options in other states by exploring the schools below.

1. University of West Florida

The University of West Florida's BS in health sciences, healthcare administration is an online program helping students prepare to deliver patient care and coordinate medical services. Learners can build their knowledge of strategic planning in healthcare, marketing, and health informatics and participate in an internship to gain hands-on experience.

Non-Florida residents admitted to UWF online programs qualify for waivers covering up to 75% of the non-resident portion of tuition. These waivers drop out-of-state tuition to $341.67 per credit hour. Last year, the university granted $100 million in loans, scholarships, grants, and other aid to reduce school costs even more.

2. University of Texas at Tyler

The University of Texas at Tyler offers an online Master of Health Administration focusing on healthcare finance, human resources, operations management, and policy. Coursework teaches learners to assess and solve challenges, motivate workers, and communicate with stakeholders.

The total cost of this master's degree program is about $12,000. Enrollees can apply for graduate assistantships and scholarships to reduce the cost of attendance.

3. Southern New Hampshire University

The online BS in healthcare administration at Southern New Hampshire University teaches students to make data-based decisions and align healthcare organizations with ethical policies and regulations. Courses explore healthcare delivery systems, strategic management, human resource management, and more.

Earning this online bachelor's degree costs $330 per credit hour. Students with an associate degree or college credits from a university can transfer up to 90 credits and save as much as $29,700. Credits earned for military training, examinations, and certificates can also reduce school costs.

Our Selection Criteria

Our team used a thorough vetting process to select the colleges and universities in this rank list. Each school has met the following criteria for delivering high-quality education:

• Accredited: The schools have received accreditation from WASC Senior College and University Commission, New England Commission of Higher Education, and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges, guaranteeing recognized academic standards.
• Affordable: The colleges and universities above offer pathways to make earning a degree more affordable, including lower tuition rates, financial aid options, or credits provided for transfer, work experience, and exams.
• Reputable: We verified that schools in this list are respected, considering factors, such as acceptance rates, student outcomes, and graduation rates.

FAQs About Online Healthcare Administration Programs

Online healthcare administration degrees help students prepare to make a difference in healthcare settings. Before choosing a school, learn more about these programs by reviewing the following FAQs.

How Much Does an Online Healthcare Administration Degree Cost?

The amount you'll pay for an online healthcare administration degree depends on various factors. Your enrollment status (part-time vs. full-time), residency (in-state vs. out-of-state), and degree type (bachelor's vs. master's vs. doctoral) can all impact your tuition rate.

If you want to reduce degree costs, consider schools offering lower tuition and access to financial aid. Online universities that accept transfer credits can help you save by not retaking courses completed at other schools.

What Can I Do With a Healthcare Administration Degree?

Earning a healthcare administration degree opens doors to numerous careers in the healthcare industry. You can qualify for roles like:

• clinical manager
• community health manager
• health policy analyst
• health program director

Degree graduates can also become medical and health services managers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for this role is projected to grow 29% from 2023 to 2033 making it a great career choice to consider.

What Is the Difference Between Healthcare Administration and Healthcare Management Degrees?

Both healthcare administration and healthcare management involve managing operations and making decisions for healthcare facilities. However, healthcare administration focuses on a facility's daily operations (e.g., staff hiring and schedules, managing patient experiences, etc.). Healthcare management involves overseeing a facility's finances (e.g., equipment purchases) and overall direction.

Discover Online Programs and Apply Today

Take the next step toward a rewarding career in healthcare administration by exploring the accredited degree programs offered by colleges on Learn.org. Contact one of these schools today to learn how their programs can help you begin your career.