5 Affordable Online Healthcare Management Degrees in California 2025

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for healthcare managers are expected to increase by 29% over the next decade. These high-demand roles often require at least a bachelor's degree in the field.

Low-cost online healthcare management degrees can help you learn the fundamentals of healthcare management and develop the competencies needed for leadership roles in the healthcare field. Keep reading to discover affordable online healthcare management degrees in California.

Low-Cost Online Healthcare Management Degree Programs in California

There are several affordable online colleges in California, especially for students who qualify for financial aid programs like the Cal Grant. A few of these colleges offer healthcare management degrees. We've highlighted these programs below.

1. Antioch University

Antioch University is a private institution based in Culver City, CA. It offers an online Master of Business Administration (MBA) in healthcare leadership that includes coursework covering:

• healthcare innovation and quality
• healthcare systems
• human resource management
• strategic management in healthcare organizations

Tuition for this program is $614 per credit hour. Antioch offers multiple grants and scholarships, many specifically for online students.

2. California Baptist University

At California Baptist University, students can earn a Bachelor of Science in healthcare administration and management online. The program explores subjects, such as health information systems, healthcare policy, organizational behavior, and public health.

The private university, also known as Cal Baptist, is located in Riverside, CA. It charges a tuition rate of $520 per credit hour, with scholarships and other financial aid options available.

3. Columbia College

An online Bachelor of Science in healthcare management is available through Columbia College. The private college is headquartered in Columbia, MO, but has campuses across the U.S., including one in Imperial, CA and two in San Diego.

This program prepares students to become healthcare leaders through courses on healthcare systems, operations management, and financial management in healthcare. Tuition for the online bachelor's degree is $375 per credit hour, and the school offers several financial aid options.

4. San Jose State University

San Jose State University is a public university in San Jose and a member of the California State University system. It offers a Bachelor of Science in healthcare leadership online that tackles topics, such as:

• environmental health
• health services administration
• healthcare policy
• public and community health

The tuition rate for this program is $475 per credit hour. Many financial aid options are available to help students pay for their online courses, including the Cal Grant and the State University Grant.

5. Touro University Worldwide

Students at Touro University can earn an online Bachelor of Science in health sciences with a track in healthcare administration and a sub-specialization in healthcare management. Touro University is based in New York City, but it offers online programs through its Worldwide campus, which is based in Los Alamitos, CA.

This program includes core courses and electives on various topics in the healthcare field, including epidemiology, healthcare policy, healthcare systems, and more.

Our Selection Criteria

To choose the programs listed above, our methodology focused on:

• Location: All schools listed above have at least one campus in California.
• Accreditation: Every school is regionally accredited.
• Type: We only included four-year public or private nonprofit schools.
• Financial aid: Every program above comes from online colleges that accept financial aid, and many offer their own aid programs as well.

FAQs About Online Healthcare Management Programs in California

Below, we've answered a few frequently asked questions about online healthcare management programs in California.

How Much Does an Online Healthcare Management Degree Cost?

Of the online programs above, tuition for a bachelor's degree in healthcare management ranges from $375 to $520 per credit hour. However, the total amount you pay will depend on many factors, such as:

• whether you're pursuing a bachelor's or master's degree
• whether you're an in-state or out-of-state student
• if you enroll full-time or part-time
• if you bring transfer credits
• what financial aid you qualify for

All students should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This determines eligibility for programs like the Federal Pell Grant and the state's Cal Grant.

Additionally, if you already have an associate degree or some amount of college credits, look for online colleges that accept transfer credits. This ensures that your previous learning doesn't go to waste, saving you time and money.

Is a Healthcare Management Degree worth It?

For many students, a healthcare management degree is worth it. This degree teaches the fundamentals of health systems and the healthcare industry, and many provide hands-on experiences like internships in healthcare environments.

You'll be prepared to take on leadership roles such as:

• clinical manager
• health services manager
• medical records manager
• nursing home manager

Note that some roles may require an advanced degree or several years of work experience.

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

Healthcare administration degrees and healthcare management degrees both prepare students for leadership roles within healthcare settings. However, their core focuses are a little bit different.

Healthcare administrators are more focused on the day-to-day and people-related tasks, such as scheduling staff, maintaining inventory of healthcare supplies, and managing healthcare delivery systems. Their duties can vary slightly based on where they work.

Healthcare management, on the other hand, is more focused on the business side of healthcare. Their jobs focus on areas, such as strategic planning, developing business plans, and coordinating outsourced services.

While they may have slightly different focuses, healthcare management and healthcare administration programs are designed to create successful healthcare professionals who can make a difference in the real world.

Earn Your Degree at an Affordable Rate

Start your journey toward a career path in healthcare management by checking out the affordable, high-quality online programs featured on Learn.org. Contact individual schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and financial aid options.