March 19, 2024

Top 20 Master’s Degree Programs in Healthcare Management at Smaller Colleges in the North

HCM Top Graduate Programs

The demand for health care managers and administrators is expected to rise by 20% through 2026 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This rate is much faster than average when compared to other industries. The median pay for these positions is $99,730/year. Healthcare administration is a well-paid field and there are plenty of excellent programs in the North from small schools that can give you the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this complex field.

Healthcare administration programs from small schools in the North typically include core business courses designed to meet the specific challenges and complexities of the healthcare industry. Students learn about economics, finance, project management, HR, ethics, and planning. Programs come in all forms from online to on-campus and full-time to executive formats. They may also include MBA programs with a focus on healthcare management or administration. Most students can complete their degree in two or three years, though there is some flexibility depending on their format, requirements, and type of program. When choosing a program, it is important to make sure the school is regionally accredited. All schools included in our ranking hold regional accreditation and some have earned industry accreditation as well.

Ranking Methodology

We utilized College Navigator, a website provided by the National Center for Education Statistics to find schools with a population under 18,500 offering a master’s level program focused on healthcare administration or management. We then narrowed our focus to only include programs in the Northern portion of the U.S. From this list, we applied our ranking criteria that included student-to-faculty ratio and average graduate tuition rates. We awarded extra points for programs that are CAHME accredited. CAHME accreditation is the industry benchmark for quality education in healthcare management.

Average Graduate Tuition

  • Less than $10,000 per year= 5 Points
  • $10,000 to $15,000 per year= 4 Points
  • $15,001 to $20,000 per year= 3 Points
  • $20,001 to $25,000 per year= 2 Points
  • Greater than $25,001 per year= 1 Point

We also looked at a school’s student/faculty ratio and awarded more points to schools with a lower ratio. We believe a lower student to faculty ratio allows students to receive individualized attention and support throughout the program.

Student to Faculty Ratio

  • 15:1 or less= 5 Points
  • 16:1 to 20:1= 3 Points
  • Greater than 20:1= 1 Point

Our final ranking criteria was based on whether or not the school has been awarded CAHME accreditation for their program. The CAHME sets criteria for excellence in healthcare management education and awards accreditation for programs that meet or exceed that criteria. Each program with CAHME accreditation was awarded an additional five points.

Ranking the Top 20 Graduate Programs in Health Care Management in the West

#20 – Marist College – Poughkeepsie, New York

Master of Public Administration-Healthcare Administration Concentration

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Student to Faculty Ratio: 16:1
Average Graduate Tuition Rate: $14,400/year
Acceptance Rate: 46%
CAHME Accredited? No
Points: 7
Marist College, a small college in the northern U.S., features a top healthcare administration master’s through their Master of Public Administration program. This NASPAA accredited MPH program will help students understand the complex industry and how all the systems interact. Core courses cover ethical and legal issues in health care, critical issues in health care, and U.S. health care policies and systems. Graduates are prepared for senior management and planning work in a variety of healthcare settings.

#19 – CUNY College at Oswego – Oswego, New York

Health Services Administration Master of Business Administration

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Student to Faculty Ratio: 17:1
Average Graduate Tuition Rate: $11,090/year in-state and $22,650/year out-of-state
Acceptance Rate: 54%
CAHME Accredited? No
Points: 7
Oswego State University of New York features a top health services administration MBA program offered online or on-campus. Students can apply for admission into the program at any time and begin their studies during the fall, spring, or summer semester. Courses cover health policy, managerial epidemiology, health law, and economics. All students complete a professional internship and a health care leadership capstone. Most students can complete the program in about two years.

#18 – CUNY Bernard M. Baruch College – New York, New York

Executive MBA in Healthcare Administration

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Student to Faculty Ratio: 18:1
Average Graduate Tuition Rate: $10,770/year in-state and $19,820/year out-of-state
Acceptance Rate: 39%
CAHME Accredited? No
Points: 7
The Zicklin School of Business at Baruch College features an executive MBA in healthcare administration considered one of the best healthcare management graduate school programs in the country by U.S. News and World Report. Students will gain a 360 degree view of the healthcare sector while studying a variety of healthcare concepts, topics, and cases. Baruch College is AACSB accredited and BAHM affiliated. Worried how to fit this top healthcare management master’s program into your schedule? Classes are offered Tuesday and Thursday evenings to accommodate working professionals!

#17 – Villanova University – Villanova, Pennsylvania

MBA with a specialization in Healthcare

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Student to Faculty Ratio: 11:1
Average Graduate Tuition Rate: $18,905/year
Acceptance Rate: 29%
CAHME Accredited? No
Points: 8
Villanova is a small college in the northern U.S. offering a top MBA in healthcare. Students will further develop their existing knowledge and skills related to leadership and decision making in healthcare. Courses cover the rapidly changing healthcare landscape in the U.S. as well as global healthcare challenges. By choosing the Flex Track MBA, students can take one to two classes each week and complete the program in three years. Courses are offered in a variety of different formats including online, evening, Saturdays, and half-semesters.

#16 – Quinnipiac University – Hamden, Connecticut

MBA – Health Care Management Track

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Student to Faculty Ratio: 14:1
Average Graduate Tuition Rate: $18,630/year
Acceptance Rate: 72%
CAHME Accredited? No
Points: 8
The online top master’s from Quinnipiac University is a small program preparing students to navigate the health care system from a business perspective. Quinnipiac features core healthcare management courses that cover areas like the legal aspects of health care delivery, quality management in health care facilities, integrated health systems and managed care, and financial management in health care organizations. Graduates are prepared to work in government agencies, hospitals, diagnostic facilities, and assisted living facilities.

#15 – St. Joseph’s University – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Online Master’s in Health Administration

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Student to Faculty Ratio: 11:1
Average Graduate Tuition Rate: $16,992/year
Acceptance Rate: 76%
CAHME Accredited? No
Points: 8
The online master’s in health administration from St. Joseph’s University is a flexible program that prepares students to effectively manage a complex system of health care delivery. Courses cover areas in research, law, and industry practices. Students can choose career focused concentrations in areas like informatics and organizational development and leadership. Students benefit from a highly interactive online format, allowing students to gain professional development skills from anywhere they have internet.

#14 – Cleary University – Howell, Michigan

MBA Health Care Leadership

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Student to Faculty Ratio: 15:1
Average Graduate Tuition Rate: $15,180/year
Acceptance Rate: 58%
CAHME Accredited? No
Points: 8
Cleary University is a small school in the northern United States offering an MBA in healthcare leadership. Students will use critical thinking and leadership skills to make effective decisions in the health care industry. The cohort format helps foster group membership, networking, and program consistency. Courses cover areas like financial management, strategic marketing, law and ethics, and health quality management. Students can complete the entire program online or on-campus.

#13 – Niagara University – Niagara University, New York

MBA Healthcare Administration

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Student to Faculty Ratio: 11:1
Average Graduate Tuition Rate: $14,308/year
Acceptance Rate: 87%
CAHME Accredited? No
Points: 9
Niagara University is a top northern small college offering an MBA in healthcare administration. Students gain an in-depth understanding of practical and strategic management skills designed for the healthcare environment. Courses are offered in several convenient formats including Saturday accelerated classes, evening classes, classes in Buffalo, NY, and online. Healthcare administration master’s courses cover areas like law and business ethics, advanced quantitative methods, strategic marketing, and financial management.

#12 – University of Southern Maine – Portland, Maine

MBA in Business Administration, Health Management & Policy Concentration

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Student to Faculty Ratio: 13:1
Average Graduate Tuition Rate: $7,326/year in-state and $19,800/year out-of-state
Acceptance Rate: 85%
CAHME Accredited? No
Points: 10
The School of Business at the University of Southern Maine features an MBA in health management and policy. The program provides students with a broad understanding of the U.S. healthcare system including the political, social, and financial challenges facing the field. Healthcare management courses cover areas like health law and ethics, public health policy, quality improvement, and the American health care system. This AACSB accredited program is open to students from a variety of different backgrounds.

#11 – Rush University – Chicago, Illinois

Master of Science in Health Systems Management

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Student to Faculty Ratio: 5:1
Average Graduate Tuition Rate: $36,788/year
Acceptance Rate: N/A
CAHME Accredited? Yes
Points: 11
The top master’s in health systems management from Rush University is a flexible program for both full and part-time students. Full-time students complete a two year program that combines classroom instruction with a paid part-time internship. The teacher-practitioner model brings expertise from administrators and senior executives from health care organizations across the country. Small class size and low student-to-faculty ratios mean students get plenty of individualized attention. Courses cover health care planning and marketing, health policy, health law and ethics, and statistics for health care management.

#10 – Suffolk University – Boston, Massachusetts

Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA)

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Student to Faculty Ratio: 15:1
Average Graduate Tuition Rate: $36,454/year
Acceptance Rate: 85%
CAHME Accredited? Yes
Points: 11
Suffolk University is Boston is a small, northern university featuring a top master’s in healthcare administration. Program options are available to full and part-time students. This CAHME accredited program will prepare students to make informed decisions on critical healthcare issues, analyze Big Data, and understanding the modern healthcare environment. Core MHA courses cover areas like ethics, healthcare operations management and performance improvement, healthcare accounting and financial management, and strategic management. Full-time students can complete the program in just 16 months of study.

#9 – Clarkson University – Potsdam, New York

MBA in Healthcare Management

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Student to Faculty Ratio: 14:1
Average Graduate Tuition Rate: $33,312/year
Acceptance Rate: 71%
CAHME Accredited? Yes
Points: 11
The David D. Reh School of Business at Clarkson University features a top MBA in healthcare management accredited by both the AACSB and CAHME. Both full-time and part-time program options are available and students can take courses online or on-campus. Required courses cover areas like health economics, health informatics, strategic issues for healthcare, and legal aspects of healthcare. Graduates have gone on to successful careers working in hospitals, health systems, health insurance companies, and healthcare policy development institutions.

#8 – University of Saint Thomas – St. Paul, Minnesota

Health Care MBA

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Student to Faculty Ratio: 14:1
Average Graduate Tuition Rate: $25,954/year
Acceptance Rate: 80%
CAHME Accredited? Yes
Points: 11
The Health Care MBA offered by the Opus College of Business at the University of Saint Thomas is a comprehensive program designed for working professionals. Courses are offered in a hybrid format. Students come to campus nine times throughout the program for three days at a time, while the rest of the program is completed online. During the International Residency, students transfer to another country to study health care administration in hospitals and health care companies. Students move through the program as a cohort, taking courses in areas like strategic management, health care economics, and operations management.

#7 – University of New Haven – West Haven, Connecticut

Master of Healthcare Administration

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Student to Faculty Ratio: 16:1
Average Graduate Tuition Rate: $16,470/year
Acceptance Rate: 84%
CAHME Accredited? Yes
Points: 11
The top healthcare administration master’s program from the University of New Haven is the only CAHME accredited program in Connecticut. Students will gain a deep understanding of the past, current, and future state of healthcare in order to identify challenges and make effective business decisions. Required courses cover areas like healthcare leadership, healthcare ethics, law and public health, and management of healthcare organizations. All students complete either a healthcare administration capstone or a healthcare administration internship. Either choice provides students with real-world experience in a professional healthcare setting.

#6 – Seton Hall University – South Orange, New Jersey

Master of Healthcare Administration (M.H.A.)

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Student to Faculty Ratio: 13:1
Average Graduate Tuition Rate: $22,662/year
Acceptance Rate: 70%
CAHME Accredited? Yes
Points: 12
The top master’s in healthcare administration from Seton Hall University is the only CAHME accredited program in the state of New Jersey. Seton Hall is a top northern small school, offering both an on-campus and online MHA program. Students come from a variety of industry including insurance, hospitals, and healthcare systems. Courses cover areas like global health management, ethics, health finance, health management, and health economics. Online students complete three intensive residency experiences to gain valuable hands on training.

#5 – Widener University – Chester, Pennsylvania

MBA in Health Care Management

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Student to Faculty Ratio: 13:1
Average Graduate Tuition Rate: $22,300/year
Acceptance Rate: 69%
CAHME Accredited? Yes
Points: 12
Widener University features a top MBA in health care management for students who want to become effective health care leaders. The program is offered in both full-time and part-time formats, ideal for working adults. The program is dually accredited by the CAHME and the AACSB. Courses are seven weeks long and are taught by management and health care insiders, those emphasizing the latest trends and technology into their courses. Healthcare management courses cover health care policy, managing community health, developing management skills, and managing human capital. All students without senior management experience complete a 360 clock hour administrative residency to develop their professional skills.

#4 – Des Moines University – Des Moines, Iowa

Master of Health Care Administration

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Student to Faculty Ratio: 14:1
Average Graduate Tuition Rate: $16,153/year
Acceptance Rate: N/A
CAHME Accredited? Yes
Points: 13
The Master of Health Care Administration offered by Des Moines University is offered in a flexible online format. Students can expect to gain professional skills in financial management, health policy, and leadership. Faculty are healthcare leaders who share their relevant knowledge and experience with their students in the classroom. Students come to campus for three five-day residencies that include an exercise in the Standardized Performance Assessment Laboratory. Most students can complete the program in two years and all students have found employment after graduation.

#3 – Xavier University – Cincinnati, Ohio

Health Services Administration (MHSA)

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Student to Faculty Ratio: 11:1
Average Graduate Tuition Rate: $11,700/year
Acceptance Rate: 74%
CAHME Accredited? Yes
Points: 14
The Health Service Administration master’s degree program from Xavier University is a CAHME accredited program created to prepare leaders for the healthcare industry. This unique program features a third year administrative residency, one of only seven programs in the nation to boast this innovative requirement. Coursework covers a variety of areas including healthcare management, strategy, ethics, and quantitative data analytics. Both full and part-time options are available, making this a great option for working professionals.

#2 – University of Scranton – Scranton, Pennsylvania

Health Administration, MHA

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Student to Faculty Ratio: 13:1
Average Graduate Tuition Rate: $11,580/year
Acceptance Rate: 73%
CAHME Accredited? Yes
Points: 14
The University of Scranton is a small Jesuit University offering a top MHA in an online and on-campus format. This CAHME accredited program includes 44 credits plus fieldwork. Courses cover health care law, health care planning and marketing, health care economics and policy, and health care financial management. Students have a variety of professional development opportunities available to them including an administrative residency, study abroad, and membership in the ACHE Chapter of Scranton University.

#1 – Governors State University – University Park, Illinois

Master of Health Administration (MHA)

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Student to Faculty Ratio: 10:1
Average Graduate Tuition Rate: $8,136/year in-state and $11,704/year out-of-state
Acceptance Rate: 38%
CAHME Accredited? Yes
Points: 15
Our choice for a top healthcare administration master’s program from a small northern university is offered by Governors State University. This CAHME accredited program is offered on-campus or in a hybrid format. Both full and part-time students are welcome. Courses cover areas like healthcare management, healthcare law, economics of health administration, and community health and managerial epidemiology. Students have the option to complete a health administration field experience, an internship, or a graduate thesis/project. Graduates have been successful working in hospitals, mental health institutions, and various governmental and private healthcare programs.

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