Master's in Healthcare Administration With High Acceptance Rates

Applying to a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) program doesn't have to mean competing against a small, highly selective applicant pool. A number of accredited MHA programs admit the large majority of qualified applicants, and many don't require GRE or GMAT scores at all.

This article highlights 10 programs backed by real, published acceptance-rate data alongside legitimate accreditation. Keep reading to see which schools admit the highest share of applicants and what each program looks like once you're enrolled.

What Makes an MHA Program Have a High Acceptance Rate?

Graduate healthcare administration programs tend to admit a higher share of applicants than more research-focused master's degrees, since MHA programs are built to serve working professionals rather than screen for academic researchers. Many schools on this list waive the GRE or GMAT entirely, relying instead on a bachelor's degree, a solid undergraduate GPA, and sometimes prior healthcare work experience to determine admission.

Because published acceptance-rate data specific to a single graduate program is rarely available, the figures on this list reflect each school's overall institutional acceptance rate rather than a number calculated for the MHA program alone. That approach still gives a meaningful sense of how accessible a given university tends to be, even if the graduate admissions committee for a specific program evaluates applicants somewhat differently than the undergraduate office does.

Master's in Healthcare Administration Programs With the Highest Acceptance Rates

The schools below were selected for their combination of high, verifiable acceptance rates and legitimate MHA-specific accreditation. Each entry includes the most recent publicly reported acceptance rate alongside program details.

1. Bellevue University

Bellevue University reports a 100% acceptance rate and an open-admission policy, and its MHA is delivered in a cohort-based online format with no GRE or GMAT requirement. Students take one course at a time alongside the same group of peers, with curriculum built around the Healthcare Leadership Alliance's competency model.

Bellevue is a nonprofit university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), and it holds associate membership in the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA). The program does require part-time employment in a healthcare setting throughout enrollment, and federal financial aid is available to eligible students.

2. Franklin University

Franklin University's institutional acceptance rate sits at essentially 100%, and its online MHA can be completed in as few as 14 to 16 months with no GRE or GMAT required for admission. The curriculum is reviewed by an industry advisory board that includes hospital executives, keeping coursework aligned with current healthcare leadership challenges.

Franklin is a nonprofit university accredited by HLC, and applicants with a bachelor's degree GPA of at least 2.5 typically qualify for conditional enrollment. Federal financial aid and Franklin-specific scholarships are both available to help offset the cost of the degree.

3. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) reports an acceptance rate near 99%, with online programs effectively open to any qualified applicant. Its online Master of Science (MS) in Healthcare Administration covers finance, law, policy, and informatics, and includes a capstone project along with real-world case-based challenges.

SNHU is a nonprofit university accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), and students can apply for federal financial aid along with institutional scholarships. The program's flat online tuition rate applies to students regardless of where they live.

4. Colorado State University Global

Colorado State University (CSU) Global reports a 96% acceptance rate, and its online MHA is delivered in eight-week terms with new courses starting every month. The program covers healthcare policy, legal issues, ethics, and strategic planning, and graduates report an average pay increase of more than 11% within a year of finishing the degree.

CSU Global is a public, nonprofit university accredited by HLC, and the application process typically takes just a few minutes with a small fee that's often waived through promotional codes. Federal financial aid and a tuition guarantee that locks in rates from day one are both available to students.

5. Regis College

Regis College reports an acceptance rate of approximately 89%, and its online MS in Health Services Administration doesn't require GRE or GMAT scores for admission. The curriculum weaves social justice considerations into coursework covering governance, healthcare technology, and human resources management.

Regis is accredited by NECHE, and the program holds accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME). Federal financial aid and institutional scholarships are both available, and applicants need only a bachelor's degree, a resume, a personal statement, and one letter of recommendation.

6. Texas State University

Texas State University reports an acceptance rate of roughly 89%, and its MHA Executive Track program doesn't require GRE or GMAT scores for admission. The 49-credit program is available in a hybrid format with field experience or in a fully online executive format with an administrative practicum.

Texas State is accredited by CAHME and by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Federal financial aid is available, and most admitted students have an undergraduate GPA of 3.3 or higher along with two or more years of relevant work experience.

7. University of Cincinnati

The University of Cincinnati (UC) reports an institutional acceptance rate of approximately 85%, and its online Master of Health Administration combines competency-based coursework with real-world healthcare experience. The program doesn't require GRE or GMAT scores, though applicants need a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA.

UC is accredited by CAHME and by HLC, and its College of Allied Health Sciences provides dedicated academic advising for online MHA students. Federal financial aid and graduate assistantship opportunities are both available to eligible students.

8. George Mason University

George Mason University (GMU) reports an acceptance rate of approximately 81%, and its Master of Health Administration program holds CAHME accreditation with a national ranking among healthcare administration graduate programs. The program emphasizes networking through partnerships with regional healthcare organizations, including a major hospital system and government health agencies.

GMU is a public university accredited by SACSCOC, and federal financial aid along with university-specific graduate scholarships are available to eligible students. The program's location near Washington, D.C. gives students access to a dense concentration of healthcare employers and policy organizations.

9. Duquesne University

Duquesne University reports an institutional acceptance rate of approximately 80%, and its MHA is delivered primarily online with no GRE required to start. Students can choose concentrations in health informatics and data analytics, healthcare compliance and risk management, or population health.

Duquesne is accredited by CAHME, and the program reports a 100% job placement rate among recent graduates. Federal financial aid is available, along with a 25% tuition award offered across many of the university's graduate programs.

10. University of New Haven

The University of New Haven (UNH) reports an acceptance rate of approximately 60%, and its fully online MHA doesn't require GRE or GMAT scores for admission. Most admitted students hold an undergraduate GPA of 3.3 or higher, and the program reports strong post-graduation employment outcomes in the health sector.

UNH is a nonprofit university, and its MHA program is recognized among the largest healthcare administration graduate programs in the country. Federal financial aid and institutional scholarships 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 at the graduate level, a few additional factors shape our selections. Here's what we weigh most heavily.

• Accreditation: We prioritize programs accredited by CAHME, the specialized accreditor for graduate healthcare management education, and confirm regional accreditation for every school.
• Acceptance rate: We use the most recently published, verifiable institutional acceptance-rate data, since program-specific figures for a single graduate degree are rarely available.
• Admission requirements: We note whether GRE or GMAT scores are required, since this significantly affects how accessible a program feels to prospective applicants.
• Student outcomes: We factor in graduate employment data and program reputation where it's publicly available.

Learn more about our ranking methodology.

How Long Does It Take to Earn a Master's in Healthcare Administration?

A full-time MHA program typically takes about two years to complete, though several of the schools on this list offer accelerated MHA formats that can shorten that timeline to as little as 12 to 16 months. Part-time students, who make up a large share of MHA enrollment given how many are already working in healthcare, often take closer to two and a half to three years.

Program length also depends on total credit requirements, which generally range from 36 to 49 credits depending on the school. Students who enter with related graduate coursework or professional certifications may be able to transfer in a small number of credits, further shortening the timeline.

Do High Acceptance Rates Mean a Lower-Quality MHA Degree?

A high acceptance rate reflects how selective a program's admissions process is, not the rigor of the coursework once a student enrolls. Every school on this list holds either CAHME accreditation, the specialized accreditor for healthcare management graduate education, or legitimate regional accreditation, meaning the coursework meets recognized academic standards regardless of how accessible the admissions process is.

Programs with high acceptance rates are often specifically designed to serve working professionals rather than filter out large numbers of applicants, which is a different institutional mission than a highly selective research university might have. Students should still confirm CAHME accreditation and review faculty credentials and graduate outcomes when comparing programs, rather than assuming a lower acceptance rate automatically signals a stronger education.

How Much Does a Master's in Healthcare Administration Cost?

Tuition for an MHA program varies significantly, but many of the schools on this list charge a flat or per-credit rate that keeps costs predictable regardless of residency. Total program cost typically falls somewhere between $20,000 and $45,000, with online, nonprofit universities generally landing at the lower end of that range.

Students who qualify for employer tuition assistance, since many MHA students are already working in healthcare, can significantly reduce their out-of-pocket cost. Comparing net price after financial aid and any employer benefits gives a clearer sense of what a specific program will actually cost.

Financial Aid for a Master's in Healthcare Administration

Paying for an MHA degree typically involves a mix of federal aid, institutional support, and sometimes employer assistance. Here's a closer look at the main options worth exploring.

• Federal grants and loans: Filing the FAFSA determines eligibility for federal student loans and, in some cases, grant aid, and every school on this list participates in these programs.
• Institutional scholarships: Many of the universities featured here offer graduate-specific scholarships or tuition awards, some available to a large share of incoming students.
• Employer tuition assistance: Students already working in a healthcare organization should ask about tuition reimbursement, since many employers offer this benefit for a relevant graduate degree.
• Graduate assistantships: Some on-campus or hybrid programs offer assistantship positions that provide a tuition discount or stipend in exchange for research or administrative work.

How To Choose the Right MHA Program

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

• CAHME accreditation: Confirm whether a program holds CAHME accreditation, since some employers and graduate schools specifically look for this credential.
• Admission requirements: Check whether GRE or GMAT scores, work experience, or a minimum GPA are required, since these vary significantly between schools.
• Program length and format: Compare typical time to completion and whether a program is fully online, hybrid, or requires periodic in-person sessions.
• Concentrations offered: Look for a specific concentration, such as health informatics or population health, if you have a particular career direction in mind.
• Total cost after aid: Compare net price rather than sticker tuition, since financial aid and employer benefits can vary significantly between otherwise similar programs.

Career Outlook With a Master's in Healthcare Administration

An MHA degree can open doors to more senior leadership roles than a bachelor's alone typically supports. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that medical and health services manager positions will grow 23% between 2024 and 2034, far outpacing the average for all occupations, with about 62,100 openings expected each year over that period.

Pay in the field is strong across experience levels, with medical and health services managers earning a median annual salary of $117,960 based on the most recent data, and graduates with an MHA often qualify for more senior roles such as hospital administrator or healthcare system executive. Since many MHA programs are designed for students already working in the field, graduates frequently move into expanded responsibilities at their existing organization shortly after finishing the degree.

FAQs About Master's in Healthcare Administration Programs With High Acceptance Rates

These are some of the most common questions prospective students ask about admissions data at the graduate level. Here's what's worth knowing before you apply.

Is an MHA Program With a High Acceptance Rate Still Worth Pursuing?

Yes, as long as the program holds CAHME accreditation or legitimate regional accreditation, a high acceptance rate doesn't diminish the value of the degree. Employers and graduate schools generally evaluate a program based on its accreditation and curriculum rather than how selective its admissions process was.

Do MHA Programs With High Acceptance Rates Still Require Work Experience?

Many do, even when GRE or GMAT scores aren't required, since healthcare experience helps students apply coursework to real organizational challenges. Requirements vary widely, from no experience at all to two or more years in a healthcare setting, so it's worth checking each program's specific admission criteria.

Can You Get Into an MHA Program Without a Healthcare Background?

Yes, several programs on this list, including those with high acceptance rates, don't require prior healthcare experience for admission. That said, applicants without a healthcare background may find the coursework more approachable if they've held any professional work experience, since MHA programs often build on real-world management scenarios.

Are CAHME-Accredited Programs Harder To Get Into Than Non-CAHME Programs?

Not necessarily, since CAHME accreditation reflects curriculum and outcomes standards rather than admissions selectivity. Several CAHME-accredited programs on this list report acceptance rates above 80%, showing that specialized accreditation and accessible admissions aren't mutually exclusive.

Do Employers Care Whether an MHA Program Has a High Acceptance Rate?

Employers generally focus on accreditation, curriculum, and a candidate's demonstrated skills rather than how selective a program's admissions process was. A CAHME-accredited degree carries the same professional recognition whether the program admitted a large majority of applicants or a small fraction.

Find Master's in Healthcare Administration Programs

Comparing accredited MHA programs with strong admissions data is a smart way to move toward a healthcare leadership role with confidence. Browse program listings on Learn.org and reach out to admissions offices directly to confirm current acceptance rates and requirements before applying.