March 19, 2024

Top 20 Master’s Programs in Healthcare Management: Best Bang for the Buck

masters programs in healthcareApril 2020

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for health services managers is expected to grow by 18%, much faster than average, through 2028. As the field of healthcare continues to undergo rapid changes, it s important that hospitals, long term care facilities, and health organizations have experienced and highly educated leadership to be successful. Healthcare administration is a popular area for graduate study and the cost can vary dramatically from program to program. We created this resource to find the best programs in healthcare administration that won’t break the bank. To find the programs with the best bang for the buck, we focused on those accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME). Accreditation by the CAHME is an indicator of a quality graduate healthcare management education. We then used information provided by the National Center for Education Statistics to determine the average graduate tuition rates. Our list of the top 20 most affordable master’s in health administration showcase some of the the best programs in the field with average graduate tuition rate of less than $10,000/year. This list outlines the best master’s degree options in healthcare management for students who want to get the most “bang for their buck.”

#20 – The University of Kansas – Lawrence, Kansas

Master of Health Services Administration (MHSA)

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Average Graduate Student Tuition: $9,989/year in-state and $23,951/year out-of-state
The University of Kansas Medical Center offers a top affordable master of health services administration accredited by the CAHME. Both full and part-time program options are available, allowing students to continue working during the program if they desire. Full-time students can complete their degree in just two years while part-time students typically finish in three years. This 56 credit hour program includes coursework in:

  • Financial Concepts in Healthcare Management
  • Health Information Technology Management
  • Human Resources and Workforce Development

Students attend class during the late afternoon or evening hours. Graduates have a clear understanding of current healthcare policy and best practices.

#19 – University of Missouri – Columbia, Missouri

MHA in Health Administration

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Average Graduate Student Tuition: $9,264/year in-state and $25,363/year out-of-state
The top affordable healthcare administration master’s program at the University of Missouri is a 54 credit hour program with thesis and non-thesis program options.  The program includes a summer internship and professional electives that prepare students for success in the workplace. Courses cover areas like:

  • Managing Human Resources in Health Care Organizations
  • Health Economics
  • Financial Management for Health Care Organizations

Full-time students can complete their degree in about two years of study. Healthcare professionals with clinical or administrative experience can take advantage of the executive MHA degree program.

#18 – University of Memphis – Memphis, Tennessee

Master of Health Administration (MHA)

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Average Graduate Student Tuition: $9,216/year in-state and $12,672/year out-of-state
The University of Memphis offers the only CAHME accredited master’s in health administration in the state of Tennessee. This top affordable MHA program features small class size and a low 6:1 student to faculty ratio. Both full and part-time program options are available. Full-time students can complete their degree in just 21 months while part-time students typically take about three years. Most full-time students complete paid residencies with local healthcare organizations, gaining valuable hands-on training. Courses include:

  • Healthcare Law
  • Healthcare Modeling
  • Healthcare Finance

#17 – University of North Florida – Jacksonville, Florida

Master of Health Administration Graduate Program

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Average Graduate Student Tuition: $8,978/year in-state and $20,517/year out-of-state
The University of North Florida’s affordable master of health administration is a rigorous program with full-time and part-time program options. Students gain valuable hands-on experience while interacting with some of the nation’s top health care organizations, including Mayo Clinic and Baptist Health. Internship opportunities are available to individuals seeking additional training. Students have the opportunity to study abroad to get a worldview of the industry. Courses are available in areas like:

  • Health Care Finance
  • Healthcare Leadership
  • Health Planning and Marketing
  • Managerial Epidemiology

#16 – Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis – Indianapolis, Indiana

Master of Health Administration

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Average Graduate Student Tuition: $8,826/year in-state and $24,144/year out-of-state
The Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health at Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis features the only fully CAHME accredited master of health administration program in Indiana. 100% of 2018 grads who attended full-time earned their degree in two years and 100% of 2018 grads reported full-time employment. Courses are taught by faculty with practical experience in the field. Study abroad opportunities are available in locations like Europe, Latin and South America, and Africa for students who want a different perspective on healthcare administration. Required courses include:

  • Financial Management Principles of Healthcare
  • Management Science for Health Services Administration
  • Healthcare Applications of Strategic Management

Students can also take advantage of joint degree programs including an MHA/MPH, and JD/MHA, or an MBA/MHA.

#15 – University of South Florida – Tampa, Florida

Master of Health Administration (MHA)

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Average Graduate Student Tuition: $8,350/year in-state and $19,048/year out-of-state
The top affordable master’s in health administration at the University of South Florida prepares entry and mid-level professionals for management and leadership positions throughout the country. Courses cover areas like:

  • Critical Issues in Public Health
  • Health Education Methods and Strategies
  • Health Care Ethics
  • Health and Wellness Coaching

All students complete an internship experience and an internship report. Students will use the knowledge and skills they’ve learned in the classroom and apply them to a management problem at an organization.

#14 – University of Alabama – Birmingham, Alabama

Residential Master of Science in Healthcare Administration

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Average Graduate Student Tuition: $8,100/year in-state and $19,188/year out-of-state
The top affordable master’s in health administration from the University of Alabama School of Health Professions is a comprehensive program ranked #1 in the U.S. by U.S. News and World Report. This 33 month program includes coursework and a 9-12 month administrative residency. Students move through the program as a cohort, developing professional relationships with their peers as they go through the program. Courses include:

  • Quantitative Methods
  • Organization Theory and Behavior
  • Financial Accounting and Finance Basics

Admission to the program is competitive, only 30-35 new students are admitted each year. Students with over five years of relevant experience can apply for the Executive MSHA program.

#13 – University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences – Little Rock, Arkansas

Master of Health Administration

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Average Graduate Student Tuition: $7,737/year in-state and $15,918/year out-of-state
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences’ Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health offers the only CAHME accredited program in Arkansas. The program promotes a balance between classroom instruction and experiential learning. Full-time students can complete the program in 21 months. Courses are taught by senior level healthcare administrators who share best practices and the latest trends in the industry. Full-time students complete a paid Summer Residency between their first and second year of study. Courses include:

  • Health Information Systems for Administrators
  • Health Systems Strategic Planning
  • Management of Healthcare Organizations

#12 – Weber State University – Ogden, Utah

Master of Health Administration

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Average Graduate Student Tuition: $7,476/year in-state and $16,656/year out-of-state
The Dumke College of Health Professions at Weber State University features an affordable top master’s in health administration for working professionals. This CAHME accredited program offers courses during the evening or online. Students can complete their degree in just four semesters without summer courses. Courses include:

  • Management and Leadership
  • Interpersonal Communication
  • Healthcare Ethics and Law

Students complete a variety of real-world projects that prepare them for success in their healthcare administration role.

#11 – University of Utah – Salt Lake City, Utah

Master of Healthcare Administration

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Average Graduate Student Tuition: $7,211/year in-state and $24,455/year out-of-state
The University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business features an affordable top master’s in healthcare administration. It’s designed for the next generation of health care leaders. Both full-time and professional program formats are available. Courses include:

  • Healthcare Economics and Policy
  • Managing Process Flows in Healthcare
  • Healthcare Strategic Management

This full-time program is open to students without previous healthcare work experience. Courses are offered during the afternoon and evenings. New students are admitted during the fall semester. All students complete a summer internship, giving them valuable hands-on work experience.

#10 – California State University – Long Beach, California

Master of Science in Health Care Administration

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Average Graduate Student Tuition: $7,176/year in-state and $16,680/year out-of-state
The Department of Health Care Administration at California State University Long Beach offers a top health administration master’s program that begins during the fall semester. This 45 credit hour program is affiliated with a number of top healthcare facilities, allowing students to complete internships with leading organizations. Courses cover areas like:

  • Health Care Economics
  • Human Resources Management in Health Care
  • Managing Population Health

Electives allow students to tailor the program to meet their learning goals.
Students attend class during the evening hours on-campus.

#9 – University of Central Florida – Orlando, Florida

Health Administration, MHA

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Average Graduate Student Tuition: $6,916/year in-state and $25,759/year out-of-state
The University of Central Florida offers a top affordable master of health administration emphasizing issues and current trends in healthcare. This 52 credit hour program features both face-to-face and hybrid courses to accommodate working professionals Courses include:

  • Health Care Human Resources Management
  • Issues and Trends in Health Professions
  • Managerial Epidemiology

Both full-time and part-time program options are available. Part-time students can complete the program in about three and a half years. An internship provides students with valuable hands-on professional experience. Almost 90% of graduating students found employment in the field within three months.

#8 – Texas State University – San Marcos, Texas

Master of Health Administration

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Average Graduate Student Tuition: $6,751/year in-state and $15,191/year out-of-state
The College of Health Professions and School of Health Administration at Texas State University offers a top affordable healthcare administration master’s degree program. It has flexibility to accommodate those with or without industry experience. Courses cover areas like:

  • HR in Healthcare
  • Healthcare Policy Development
  • Healthcare Economics

Students with no experience can complete a full-time administrative residency. Class size is intentionally kept small and new cohorts begin each fall. Almost all graduates are employed in healthcare within 90 days of graduation.

#7 – Texas A&M University – College Station, Texas

Master of Health Administration (MHA)

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Average Graduate Student Tuition: $6,677/year in-state and $18,700/year out-of-state
Texas A&M University offers a Resident Track affordable master’s in health administration. This 55 credit hour program can be completed in 33 months of part-time study or 21 months of full-time study. Students complete an internship to apply their classroom knowledge and training in an actual employment setting. Courses cover four distinct program areas including:

  • Health Care Environment and Community
  • Leadership Skills
  • Management Skills
  • Analytic and Technical Skills

The program follows a cohort format. Graduates are successful in leadership roles across the health care industry spectrum.

#6 – Governors State University – University Park, Illinois

Master Of Health Administration

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Average Graduate Student Tuition: $6,354/year in-state and $12,708/year out-of-state
Governors State University has been delivering quality affordable educational programs for over 50 years. They offer an affordable top master of health administration with a comprehensive curriculum. Courses include:

  • Quantitative Decision-Making for Health Administration
  • Health Care Human Resource Management
  • Strategic Planning and Marketing for Health Administration

Courses are offered fully on-campus or in a hybrid format. Both full and part-time program options are available. Students do not need to have a business or healthcare background. Graduates are employed in a variety of health care settings including hospitals and long term care facilities.

#5 – University of North Texas – Denton, Texas

Master of Health Administration (MHA)

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Average Graduate Student Tuition: $5,900/year in-state and $13,496/year out-of-state
The top affordable master of health administration from the School of Public Health at the University of North Texas is a full-time program that utilizes a cohort format. Students take courses with like minded peers, moving through the curriculum in lock step. New students are admitted during the fall semester. Class size is kept small (just 15-25 students) to allow students to develop professional relationships with faculty and peers. Courses cover subject areas like:

  • Population Health Analytics
  • Strategic Management & Marketing
  • Managing Across the Continuum of Care

Each student completes a full-time internship experience to gain real-world experience. Most students can earn their degree in five or six semesters.

#4 – University of Nevada – Las Vegas, Nevada

Master of Health Care Administration

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Average Graduate Student Tuition: $5,459/year in-state and $20,510/year out-of-state
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas features an affordable top health administration master’s program.  It’s the only graduate program of its kind in the Nevada Public University System. Students are prepared to take on leadership roles in a variety of health care organizations. Students can choose to complete a thesis, capstone, or professional paper program track. Course requirements include:

  • Human Resources Management of Health Care Organizations
  • Information Systems in Health Services Management
  • Health Care Law and Ethics for Managers

All students complete a 250 clock hour internship experience.

#3 – University of Oklahoma-Health Sciences Center – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Master of Health Administration

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Average Graduate Student Tuition: $5,119/year in-state and $19,778/year out-of-state
The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center’s Hudson College of Public Health offers a top affordable health administration master’s degree program. This 52 credit hour program prepares students to become a senior administrator in a health care organization. Working professionals can complete their degree in three years by taking three courses per semester. Courses are offered in three hour blocks of time beginning in the early afternoon to accommodate those working during the day. Class size is kept small and most courses have between six and 12 students. New students are admitted to the program during the fall semester.

#2 – Georgia Southern University – Statesboro, Georgia

Master Of Health Administration

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Average Graduate Student Tuition: $4,977/year in-state and $19,890/year out-of-state
The Department of Health Sciences and Kinesiology at Georgia Southern University offers a top affordable master of health administration program. It’s designed for early to mid-careerists in a variety of health services. Class size is typically kept at 15 or fewer students to allow students to participate in team based activities and project based assignments. Coursework includes:

  • Healthcare Financial Management
  • Fundamentals of Population Health Management
  • Quality Management Methods

Students can choose to complete either an internship/residency in health administration or a health administration practicum.

#1 – University of North Carolina – Charlotte, North Carolina

Master of Health Administration

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Average Graduate Student Tuition: $4,337/year in-state and $17,771/year out-of-state
Our top most affordable health administration master’s is offered through the Department of Public Health Sciences at the University of North Carolina Charlotte. This diverse, residential program is accredited by the CAHME and is a 2019 full graduate member of the AUPHA. Students come from a variety of backgrounds, including healthcare and business. Core courses include:

  • Quality and Outcomes Management in Healthcare
  • Organization Behavior in Healthcare
  • Strategic Management of Health Services Organizations

All students complete an internship experience, enabling them to apply their classroom training to the real world. Graduates are successful in:

  • hospitals
  • long term care facilities
  • managed care organizations.

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