Healthcare Administration Programs With High Acceptance Rates

Getting into a healthcare administration bachelor's program doesn't have to feel like a long shot. A number of accredited public and private universities admit the vast majority of applicants who apply, without sacrificing the quality of the education or the credibility of the degree.

This article highlights 10 healthcare administration programs backed by real, published acceptance-rate data rather than vague marketing language. Keep reading to see which schools admit the highest share of applicants and what each program offers once you're in.

What Makes a Healthcare Administration Program Have a High Acceptance Rate?

Acceptance rates tend to run higher at regional public universities and adult-focused private schools, since these institutions are built around broad access rather than a competitive selection process. Many of the schools on this list also don't require a separate application review for the healthcare administration major itself, meaning admission to the university is effectively admission to the program.

Online and adult-serving universities push this even further, since several operate on a fully open-admission model that accepts any applicant with a high school diploma or GED. A high acceptance rate doesn't mean lower standards once you're enrolled, since students at these schools still complete the same accredited coursework and are held to the same graduation requirements as students anywhere else.

Healthcare Administration Programs With the Highest Acceptance Rates

The schools below were selected specifically for their published, verifiable acceptance rates alongside legitimate accreditation and program quality. Each entry includes the most recent publicly reported acceptance rate alongside details about the program itself.

1. Wilmington University

Wilmington University maintains an open admission policy with an acceptance rate of essentially 100%, requiring only a high school diploma or GED for undergraduate admission. Its Bachelor of Science (BS) in Health Sciences covers foundational healthcare topics alongside coursework relevant to healthcare operations and management, and it's delivered in a flexible online format built around working adults.

Wilmington is a regionally accredited nonprofit university, and students can access federal financial aid along with institutional scholarships. The school's transfer credit process is designed to help students with prior coursework reduce both cost and time to graduation.

2. Franklin University

Franklin University reports a 100% acceptance rate with a fully open, non-competitive admissions policy, and its BS in Healthcare Administration is delivered online across three trimesters a year. The curriculum covers healthcare operations, finance, and the same business core required across Franklin's other management-focused degrees.

Franklin is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and accepts up to 94 transfer credits from a community college or technical school. Federal financial aid and Franklin-specific scholarships are both available to help offset the cost of the degree.

3. American Public University

American Public University (APU) operates on an open-admission model with a reported acceptance rate of 100% for students who hold a high school diploma or GED, and its BS in Healthcare Administration covers reimbursement methods, healthcare law, and organizational leadership. There's no application fee, and most students complete a short online application in a matter of minutes.

APU is accredited by HLC, and the university uses Open Educational Resources in many courses to help keep costs down. Students can apply for federal financial aid, and APU evaluates transfer credit from prior coursework and military training.

4. Colorado State University Global

Colorado State University (CSU) Global reports a 96% acceptance rate, making it one of the more accessible public universities offering a healthcare-focused bachelor's degree. Its BS in Healthcare Administration and Management is delivered in eight-week terms, and CSU Global reports that more than 90% of its healthcare administration graduates work in the field after completing the program.

CSU Global is a public, nonprofit university accredited by HLC, and the application itself can be completed in about 10 minutes with a $25 fee that's waived for veterans and active-duty service members. Federal financial aid and transfer credit evaluations are both available to help reduce the overall cost of the degree.

5. Western Kentucky University

Western Kentucky University (WKU) has one of the highest acceptance rates among schools offering a certified healthcare administration bachelor's degree, admitting roughly 97% of applicants. Its BS in Health Care Administration holds certified undergraduate membership in the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA), and students can pursue an optional Long-Term Care Administration certificate alongside the degree.

WKU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), and students can apply for federal grants, loans, and university-specific scholarships. The certificate track requires an additional 1,000-hour internship, while the standard degree path follows the university's general admission process.

6. Herzing University

Herzing University's acceptance rate runs around 93-94% across its campuses, and its BS in Healthcare Administration accepts up to 90 transfer credits toward the degree. Admission requires only a brief, unproctored entrance assessment and a short interview with an admissions counselor, rather than a competitive application review.

Herzing is accredited by HLC, and the university offers flexible day or evening class scheduling designed around working adults. Federal financial aid and institutional scholarships are both available to help students cover the cost of the program.

7. University of Toledo

The University of Toledo reports an acceptance rate of roughly 92%, and its online BS in Healthcare Administration is available both as a traditional four-year program and as a degree-completion track for students with an associate degree in a health-related field. The university uses rolling admissions, so students aren't limited to a single application deadline each year.

UToledo is a public university accredited by HLC, and its dedicated online support team assists with everything from the application to FAFSA filing. Graduates complete an internship experience that connects classroom coursework to real healthcare organizations.

8. University of Alabama at Birmingham

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) admits around 88% of applicants, and its BS in Health Care Management, established in 1982, is one of the longest-running undergraduate healthcare administration programs in the country. The program offers multiple tracks, including a general management track and a clinical manager track for students who already hold a health-related associate degree or credential.

UAB is accredited by SACSCOC, and the program reports a 98.5% student retention rate along with fast-track options that let students begin graduate coursework in occupational therapy or health informatics while still completing their bachelor's degree. Federal financial aid and institutional scholarships are both available to eligible students.

9. Eastern Kentucky University

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) reports an acceptance rate of approximately 78%, and standardized test scores are considered but not required for admission. Its BS in Health Care Administration reports strong outcomes for recent graduates, including high rates of post-graduation employment and student satisfaction.

EKU is accredited by SACSCOC, and the university's College of Health Sciences provides dedicated advising for students pursuing the healthcare administration track. Federal grants and loans are available, along with institutional scholarships for qualifying students.

10. California State University, San Bernardino

California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) admits roughly 90% or more of applicants, reflecting the CSU system's broad access mission. Its BS in Health Services Administration aligns with certification standards set by AUPHA and prepares students for entry-level management roles in hospitals, clinics, and medical groups.

CSUSB is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), and the university offers extensive support programs for first-generation and returning students. Federal and state financial aid, including Cal Grants for eligible California residents, are both available to help offset the cost of the degree.

How We Rank Schools

To create this list, we review data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), along with program-level details published by each university.

For a list built specifically around admissions data, a few additional factors shape our selections. Here's what we weigh most heavily.

• Accreditation: We confirm regional accreditation for every school and note program-specific certification, such as membership in AUPHA, when it applies.
• Acceptance rate: We prioritize the most recently published, verifiable acceptance-rate data for each institution rather than relying on self-reported marketing claims.
• Program requirements: We look at whether the healthcare administration major requires a separate application beyond general university admission.
• Student outcomes: We factor in retention and graduation data, along with any published information on how graduates fare in the job market.

Learn more about our ranking methodology.

How Long Does It Take to Earn a Healthcare Administration Degree?

A traditional, full-time bachelor's in healthcare administration takes about four years to complete, though several of the schools on this list offer accelerated healthcare administration programs or degree-completion tracks for students who already hold an associate degree or significant transfer credit. Students entering with prior college credit often finish their remaining coursework in 18 months to two years.

Term structure also plays a role in how quickly students can finish, since schools that use eight-week terms or rolling admissions can offer more flexibility than a traditional two-semester calendar. Students starting without any transfer credit should still plan for a timeline close to four years, regardless of how accessible the admissions process is.

Do High Acceptance Rates Mean Lower Academic Quality?

A high acceptance rate reflects how selective a school's admissions process is, not the rigor of the coursework once a student enrolls. Every school on this list holds legitimate regional accreditation, which means the coursework meets the same academic standards required of any accredited healthcare administration program, regardless of how easy the school is to get into.

What a high acceptance rate does often signal is a school's broader mission, since many public regional universities and adult-serving institutions are intentionally built to expand access rather than limit it. Students should still evaluate program-specific accreditation, faculty credentials, and outcomes data when comparing schools, rather than assuming a lower acceptance rate automatically means a better education.

How Much Does a Healthcare Administration Degree Cost?

Tuition for a bachelor's in healthcare administration varies widely, but many of the schools on this list charge a flat or per-credit rate that keeps total costs predictable regardless of residency. Total program cost for a full degree from these schools typically falls somewhere between $25,000 and $45,000, with public universities and degree-completion tracks generally landing at the lower end of that range.

Students who bring in transfer credit from an associate degree or prior coursework can reduce that total significantly, since most of the schools featured here accept a substantial number of transfer credits. Comparing net cost after financial aid, rather than sticker price alone, gives a clearer sense of what a specific program will actually cost.

Financial Aid for Healthcare Administration Degrees

Paying for a healthcare administration degree typically involves the same core financial aid tools available to most college students. Here's a closer look at the main options worth exploring.

• Federal grants and loans: Filing the FAFSA determines eligibility for need-based aid like the Pell Grant along with federal student loans, and every school on this list participates in these programs.
• Institutional scholarships: Many of the schools featured here offer their own scholarships, some specifically for transfer students or online learners.
• State grants: Public universities on this list may offer state-specific grant programs for eligible residents, on top of standard federal aid.
• Military and veteran benefits: Service members, veterans, and their families may qualify for tuition assistance, the GI Bill, or the Yellow Ribbon Program, and several schools on this list waive application fees for military applicants.

How To Choose the Right Healthcare Administration Program

Picking the right program means looking past a high acceptance rate alone and confirming the details that matter for your career goals. Consider these factors as you compare your options.

• Accreditation: Confirm regional accreditation and check for AUPHA certification if program-specific credibility matters for your career plans.
• Program structure: Ask whether the healthcare administration major requires anything beyond general university admission, since some programs add internal requirements later in the degree.
• Transfer credit policy: Ask exactly how many credits a school will accept and get a written evaluation before enrolling.
• Student outcomes: Look at retention, graduation, and employment data specific to the healthcare administration program rather than the university as a whole.
• Total cost after aid: Compare net price rather than sticker tuition, since financial aid packages can vary significantly between otherwise similar schools.

Career Outlook With a Healthcare Administration Degree

Healthcare administration remains a strong field for graduates entering the job market from any of the schools on this list. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 23% growth for medical and health services manager positions over the next decade, far outpacing the average for all occupations, with about 62,100 openings expected each year over that period.

Pay in the field is also strong, with medical and health services managers earning a median annual salary of $117,960 based on the most recent data. Since a bachelor's degree is typically the standard entry point into the field, graduates from any accredited program on this list, regardless of how selective the admissions process was, can pursue the same roles and career trajectory.

FAQs About Healthcare Administration Programs With High Acceptance Rates

These are some of the most common questions students ask about admissions data in this field. Here's what's worth knowing before you apply.

What Is Considered a High Acceptance Rate for a Healthcare Administration Program?

Most admissions experts consider an acceptance rate above 80% to be high, and several schools on this list report rates close to or at 100%. Rates this high typically reflect an institution's broader access mission rather than a lack of academic rigor once students are enrolled.

Are High-Acceptance-Rate Programs Regionally Accredited?

Yes, every school on this list holds regional accreditation from a recognized accrediting body, such as HLC or SACSCOC. Regional accreditation is what makes a degree eligible for federal financial aid and generally recognized by employers and graduate schools.

Can You Get Into a Healthcare Administration Program With a Low GPA?

Many of the schools on this list don't set a strict minimum GPA for admission, particularly those with open or near-open admissions policies. That said, some programs may still consider GPA for scholarship eligibility or for admission into a specific concentration or certificate track within the major.

Do Employers Care About a School's Acceptance Rate?

Employers generally focus on a candidate's accreditation, coursework, and demonstrated skills rather than how selective their school's admissions process was. A degree from a regionally accredited program carries the same weight on a resume whether the school admitted 30% of applicants or 100%.

What Is the Difference Between a High Acceptance Rate and Open Admission?

A high acceptance rate means a school admits most applicants who apply, but it may still evaluate applications individually based on GPA or other criteria. Open admission goes a step further, guaranteeing acceptance to any applicant who meets a basic threshold, typically a high school diploma or GED, without a review process at all.

Find Healthcare Administration Programs

Comparing accredited healthcare administration programs with strong admissions data is a smart way to plan your path into the field with confidence. Browse program listings on Learn.org and reach out to admissions offices directly to confirm current acceptance rates and requirements before applying.