10 Healthcare Administration Associate High Acceptance Rates

Published on:

August 24, 2026

Compare healthcare administration associate degrees at schools with high acceptance rates, covering admissions, accreditation, and costs to help you choose.

Getting into a healthcare administration associate program usually isn't the hard part. Between open-admission community colleges and private schools built for working adults, the vast majority of programs in this field accept nearly everyone who applies with a high school diploma or equivalent.

We've identified 10 schools with genuinely high, published acceptance rates, so you can spend less time worrying about getting in and more time comparing which program actually fits your goals. Read on to see how these schools compare on admissions, cost, and program quality.

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

Most schools with high acceptance rates share a similar admissions philosophy: a high school diploma or GED, rather than a competitive GPA or standardized test score, is usually the main requirement. Public community colleges typically operate under a formal open-door admissions policy required by their state system, while many private career-focused universities adopt a similar non-competitive model to serve working adults and returning students.

This approach reflects the practical, workforce-oriented nature of healthcare administration as a field. Since the degree prepares students for entry-level administrative roles rather than requiring a portfolio, audition, or specialized prerequisite coursework, there's little reason for schools to limit enrollment based on academic selectivity. A high acceptance rate here generally signals accessibility, not a lack of academic rigor once you're enrolled.

Healthcare Administration Degree Programs With High Acceptance Rates

The schools below combine genuinely high, published acceptance rates with accredited healthcare administration coursework. Several are open-admission institutions that accept all qualified applicants, while others report acceptance rates in the 90s based on published enrollment data.

1. Liberty University

Liberty University admits around 99% of applicants, making it one of the least selective private universities offering a healthcare-adjacent associate degree. That high acceptance rate pairs with a straightforward online application process built around eligibility rather than competitive review.

Liberty's online Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Medical Office Assistant, part of the school's broader healthcare administration program family, covers medical billing and coding, HIPAA compliance, and office risk management. Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), and up to 75% of the degree can be completed with transfer credit for students who qualify.

2. Herzing University

Herzing University reports an acceptance rate around 94%, reflecting the school's career-focused, non-competitive admissions model. Academic advisors work directly with applicants to review prior coursework and build a program plan before enrollment even finalizes.

The online AAS in Healthcare Administration covers health policy, US healthcare systems, and public and private healthcare delivery, preparing graduates for administrative roles across a range of healthcare settings. Herzing University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

3. Bryant & Stratton College

Bryant & Stratton operates under a fully open admissions policy, accepting essentially all applicants who hold a high school diploma, certificate of attendance, or GED. That accessibility extends across the school's full range of locations and its online division alike.

The AAS in Health Services Administration runs on 7.5-week sessions and includes a required 90-hour internship, giving graduates real workplace experience alongside their coursework. Bryant & Stratton is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

4. Rasmussen University

Rasmussen's open admissions policy means essentially all applicants who meet basic eligibility requirements are accepted into its Healthcare Associate's degree with a Healthcare Administration specialization. Self-directed assessments let admitted students test out of courses covering material they already know, adding flexibility on top of the accessible entry point.

The curriculum builds business proficiency alongside healthcare-specific knowledge, preparing graduates for roles like medical office manager or administrative coordinator. Rasmussen University is accredited by the HLC.

5. Colorado Christian University

Colorado Christian University's Healthcare Administration associate degree runs through the school's College of Adult and Graduate Studies, which uses a simplified admissions process built specifically for returning and adult students rather than the more selective review used for traditional first-year applicants. Enrollment counselors work one-on-one with applicants throughout the process.

Coursework covers insurance coordination, electronic medical records, and healthcare-specific human resource management. Colorado Christian University is accredited by the HLC, and the program's generous transfer and military credit policies can shorten the path to graduation.

6. Wake Technical Community College

As part of North Carolina's community college system, Wake Tech maintains a formal open-door admissions policy, meaning any applicant with a high school diploma or equivalent can enroll without a competitive review. That accessibility applies to the school's online Healthcare Administration AAS concentration just as it does to Wake Tech's on-campus programs.

The curriculum blends business fundamentals with healthcare-specific coursework in reimbursement and regulatory compliance. Wake Technical Community College is accredited by SACSCOC, and North Carolina's community college transfer agreements make continuing to a bachelor's degree straightforward later on.

7. Iowa Central Community College

Iowa Central's open-door admissions policy, standard across public community colleges, means the Healthcare Administration Associate in Professional Studies program accepts any student who meets basic eligibility requirements. The program's fully online, 8-week term structure adds further accessibility for students juggling work and family commitments.

Coursework covers healthcare systems, finance, and technology in a clear course sequence. Iowa Central Community College is accredited by the HLC, and up to 90 transfer credits are accepted for students with prior college experience.

8. Montgomery County Community College

Montgomery County Community College follows Pennsylvania's standard open admissions policy for public community colleges, accepting all applicants who meet basic eligibility requirements for its Health Care Administration Associate of Science (AS) program. Students who've already completed the school's Medical Assistant, Medical Office Assistant, or Medical Coding certificates can apply those credits directly toward the degree.

Coursework covers law, ethics, cultural competency, and leadership within a healthcare context. Montgomery County Community College holds accreditation from the MSCHE, and the school maintains transfer partnerships with several four-year institutions.

9. Camden County Community College

Camden County Community College operates under New Jersey's standard open-door admissions policy for public community colleges, and its online healthcare-focused administrative coursework is available to any student who meets basic eligibility requirements. The fully online format removes any need to visit campus to complete the program.

The curriculum supports both direct workforce entry and transfer into a four-year business or healthcare management program. Camden County Community College is accredited by the MSCHE.

10. Georgia Northwestern Technical College

As part of the Technical College System of Georgia, Georgia Northwestern maintains an open admissions policy that accepts any applicant with a high school diploma or GED into its healthcare management program. That accessibility, combined with the state's HOPE Career Grant funding, makes the program a low-barrier entry point into the field for Georgia residents.

The curriculum focuses on practical administrative skills for medical offices, clinics, and long-term care facilities. Georgia Northwestern Technical College is accredited by SACSCOC.

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. We verified published acceptance rates and admissions policies directly rather than relying on estimates.

  • Accreditation: Every school on this list holds institutional accreditation from a nationally recognized regional accrediting body.
  • Program requirements: Schools were evaluated for open or simplified admissions policies that don't rely on standardized test scores or a minimum GPA.
  • Online availability: Fully online, flexible formats were prioritized alongside accessible admissions, since both factors matter to working adults comparing programs.
  • Student outcomes: Graduation rates and program reputation confirmed that a high acceptance rate doesn't come at the expense of program quality.

Learn more about our ranking methodology.

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

A healthcare administration associate degree typically takes about two years of full-time study, matching the standard timeline for most two-year credentials. Several schools on this list, including Rasmussen and Iowa Central, offer accelerated terms or credit-for-prior-learning options that can shorten that timeline for students with existing college credit or relevant experience.

Part-time students, who make up a large share of adult learners in this field, often take three to four years to finish, adjusting their course load around work or family responsibilities. Since these programs generally don't limit enrollment through competitive admissions, students can typically start on a schedule that works for them rather than waiting for a specific application cycle.

How Much Does a Healthcare Administration Degree Cost?

Costs vary meaningfully by school type. Public community colleges with open admissions policies typically run $3,000 to $7,000 per year for in-state students, while private open-admission universities and career colleges tend to charge more, generally in the $8,000 to $16,000 per year range.

A high acceptance rate doesn't necessarily correlate with lower tuition, so it's worth comparing total program cost across schools rather than assuming easier admissions means a cheaper degree. Transfer credit and prior-learning policies can meaningfully reduce your total cost at either type of school, since fewer required credits means less tuition paid overall.

Financial Aid for Healthcare Administration Degrees

Most students combine more than one source of financial aid to cover a healthcare administration associate degree, regardless of which school they choose. Here's a rundown of the main options worth exploring.

  • Federal financial aid: Filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens the door to grants, work-study, and Direct Unsubsidized Loans based on demonstrated financial need. Open-admission schools generally participate in the same federal aid programs as more selective institutions.
  • Scholarships: Industry organizations like the AHIMA Foundation and the Medical Group Management Association offer scholarships specifically for healthcare administration students. Many schools also maintain their own institutional scholarships worth checking into directly.
  • Employer tuition assistance: If you're already working in a healthcare-adjacent role, ask your employer whether they offer tuition reimbursement for employees pursuing a related degree. This benefit can stack with other aid to meaningfully reduce your out-of-pocket cost.
  • Military and veteran benefits: Service members, veterans, and eligible dependents can often use GI Bill benefits to cover most or all of an associate degree's cost. Several schools on this list also offer additional tuition discounts specifically for military-affiliated students.

How To Choose the Right Healthcare Administration Degree

Getting in is rarely the hard part with these programs, so it's worth focusing your comparison on what happens after admission. Keep these factors in mind as you evaluate your options.

  • Confirm the school's regional accreditation status directly, since this affects financial aid eligibility and whether your credits transfer later.
  • Compare total program cost and available financial aid, since a high acceptance rate doesn't necessarily mean a lower price.
  • Check the program's transfer and prior-learning credit policies, since generous credit can shorten your total timeline significantly.
  • Ask about graduation rates and student support services, since open admissions can mean a wider range of student preparedness and support needs.
  • Look into online versus on-campus format options, since accessibility in admissions often pairs with accessibility in scheduling too.

Career Outlook With a Healthcare Administration Degree

Healthcare administration is a fast-growing field according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Medical and Health Services Managers earn a median annual wage of $117,960, with employment projected to grow 23% through 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations. That role typically requires a bachelor's degree, so a high-acceptance associate degree can serve as an accessible first step toward it.

In the meantime, an associate degree can prepare you for related entry-level roles like Medical Records Specialists, who earn a median annual wage of $50,250, with employment projected to grow 7% through 2034. An accessible admissions process doesn't limit your career ceiling, since the degree itself carries the same value in the job market as one earned through a more competitive program, provided it comes from a regionally accredited school.

FAQs About Healthcare Administration Degrees With High Acceptance Rates

Choosing a high-acceptance program naturally raises questions about quality and fit. Here are answers to some of the ones prospective students ask most.

Does a High Acceptance Rate Mean Lower Quality Education?

Not necessarily. A high acceptance rate reflects a school's admissions philosophy, often shaped by a mission to serve working adults or a state mandate for open community college access, rather than a measure of academic quality. Program quality is better judged through accreditation status, graduation rates, and curriculum content than through how selective the admissions process is.

What Is Considered a High Acceptance Rate for a College?

Generally, an acceptance rate above 80% is considered high, and schools with a formal open-door or open-admission policy effectively accept all qualified applicants. Community colleges and many career-focused private universities fall into this category, since their mission centers on broad access rather than competitive selection.

Do High-Acceptance Schools Still Require a High School Diploma?

Yes, nearly all schools, even those with fully open admissions, require a high school diploma or GED as a baseline eligibility requirement. Beyond that, most open-admission programs don't require standardized test scores or a minimum GPA for entry.

Can You Get Into a High-Acceptance Program With a GED?

Yes, GED holders are typically treated the same as high school diploma holders for admissions purposes at open-enrollment schools. It's still worth confirming a specific program's requirements directly, since a small number of schools may ask for additional documentation depending on when the GED was earned.

Should You Choose a School Based on Acceptance Rate Alone?

No, acceptance rate is a useful data point for understanding how accessible a program is, but it shouldn't be the deciding factor on its own. Accreditation, program cost, transfer credit policies, and graduation outcomes all matter more to your long-term career and financial outcomes than how easy the school was to get into.

Find Healthcare Administration Degrees With High Acceptance Rates

Browse programs through Learn.org and connect directly with schools to confirm admissions requirements, program costs, and enrollment timelines. A quick conversation with an admissions advisor can help you find an accessible program that also fits your budget and career goals.