10 Best Healthcare Administration Degrees

If you'd like to become a healthcare administrator, you're going to need at least a bachelor's degree in the field. This program will teach interdisciplinary skills in healthcare, human resources, information technology, and operations management. So, what schools offer these types of programs? In particular, what are some of the best healthcare administration degrees available?

Let's take a closer look at some of the best-ranking colleges and universities that offer undergraduate and graduate programs in healthcare administration.

Best Healthcare Administration Degree Programs

Many schools offer online programs in healthcare administration and related fields, but for the purpose of this article, we're going to explore full-time and part-time programs you can complete on campus. Keep reading to learn more about some of the schools offering top health administration programs.

1. Texas State University

Texas State University is located in San Marcos, TX. This public school boasts an enrollment of around 40,600 students in its many degree programs.

The school offers a Bachelor of Healthcare Administration degree (BHA). The program requires 120 credit hours, including at least 36 hours of upper-division coursework. Students must begin by declaring a pre-healthcare administration major and are only accepted into the program after meeting basic admissions standards.

Two Master of Healthcare Administration programs (MHA) are also available through the school. One is a thesis option, and one is a non-thesis option.

2. University of La Verne

The University of La Verne is a private school located in La Verne, CA. This school enrolls around 9,000 students.

Students at this school can pursue a Bachelor of Science in health administration. The program prepares students for leadership roles in various healthcare systems and services. Students complete the degree in person at one of various regional locations throughout the state.

A master's program in health administration is also available for graduate students.

3. University of Nevada Las Vegas

The University of Nevada Las Vegas, often known as UNLV, is a large public school in downtown Las Vegas, NV. More than 31,000 students attend the school via campus-based and online programs.

A Bachelor of Science in healthcare administration is available at this school. Students take a variety of courses relative to health policy and law, healthcare economics, and public health. The program can be completed online or in person.

Graduate students can pursue various MHA tracks and specializations, including an online master's program that leads to an executive MHA. Students can also pursue a dual MBA-MHA program.

4. George Mason University

George Mason University is a public school in Virginia, not far from Washington, D.C. It enrolls more than 40,000 students.

This school offers an undergraduate degree in health administration with two concentrations: assisted living/senior housing administration and health systems management. Students can complete the program online or in person and can pursue various administrative health science careers with this degree.

Students can pursue related graduate degrees in health informatics, health systems management, global health, and public health.

5. DeSales University

DeSales University is located in Center Valley, PA. This private Catholic school has a small enrollment of around 3,300 students.

A Bachelor of Science in healthcare administration is available. The program maintains accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) and is a good foundational degree for those planning to pursue a Master of Business Administration.

Eligible students can complete their bachelor's degree and an MBA with a healthcare management emphasis in just five years through this school.

6. University of Central Florida

The University of Central Florida, located in Orlando, is a public school. It enrolls nearly 70,000 students in hundreds of degree programs, many of which are completed online.

A Bachelor of Science in health services administration is available. The program prepares students to work as health services managers and administrators in a variety of settings. Students can choose to complete the program on campus or online.

The program includes an internship experience so students can practice their skills and learn from current healthcare providers.

7. Xavier University

Xavier University is a Jesuit college located in Cincinnati, OH. Around 5,600 students attend this school.

A Bachelor of Science in health services administration is available for aspiring healthcare professionals. This program covers topics like information systems, marketing, organizational planning, and financial management. Two concentrations are available: health information management and population health/long-term care.

The school also offers a Master of Health Services Administration.

8. College of Westchester

The College of Westchester is located in White Plains, NY. It is a private, for-profit school offering various undergraduate degree programs and certificates. It enrolls just under 1,000 students.

Aspiring healthcare administrators can pursue a Bachelor of Business Administration in health services administration. In this healthcare management education program, students learn various methodologies to develop competency in health law and policy, financial management, and long-term care.

The program requires 120 credit hours for graduation.

9. Governors State University

Governors State University is a public school located in University Park, IL. It enrolls around 4,400 students.

A Bachelor of Health Administration degree is available. This flexible program provides both day and evening classes along with some online courses for interested students. The program prepares students for a variety of roles including hospital manager, healthcare consultant, and chief nursing officer.

The school also offers a Master of Health Administration, available to graduate students.

10. Weber State University

Weber State University is located in Ogden, UT. It enrolls nearly 30,000 students in online and campus-based programs.

It offers an affordable healthcare administration degree at the bachelor's level. Students can complete a Bachelor of Science that provides flexible learning options and affordable tuition for both in-state and out-of-state learners. Those in this program are prepared for a variety of career options in healthcare administration and management.

A Master of Health Administration degree is also available and can be completed as a traditional campus-based program or an online executive program.

FAQs About Healthcare Administration Programs

Still have questions about completing a higher education program in healthcare administration? Read on for answers to frequently asked questions you may be wondering about.

What Is the Best Degree for a Healthcare Administrator?

Healthcare administrators can benefit from various types of degree programs. The best option is typically a master's degree in healthcare administration, but students with only a bachelor's degree in the field also have a variety of career options.

Those with degrees in other fields can also work in healthcare administration. Some of the best related degrees include business administration and healthcare management.

What Is the Difference Between Healthcare Administration and Healthcare Management?

Healthcare administration and healthcare management are closely related to each other, and professionals in both fields commonly work for the same healthcare organizations. Managers are more focused on the big-picture plans and goals of healthcare facilities as a whole, while administrators focus more on day-to-day operations within those facilities.

Typically, those pursuing a career in healthcare management pursue a healthcare management degree, while those interested in healthcare administration pursue a healthcare administration degree.

Should I Earn My Master's Degree in Healthcare Administration?

You can work in many different healthcare settings like hospitals, nursing homes, and insurance companies with just a bachelor's degree in healthcare administration. That said, completing an MHA program can be beneficial if you already hold a bachelor's degree in another field or if you hope to pursue high-level positions that require advanced education.

Earn Your Online Bachelor's in Healthcare Administration

If you're ready to start your administrative career in the healthcare industry, explore the healthcare administration programs available through schools on Learn.org. Reach out to the admissions office at any of these schools to find out more about their programs and discover which one works best for you.