A master’s degree in healthcare administration prepares students to manage hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
Career opportunities for graduates include working for consulting firms, nonprofits, insurance companies, and government agencies relating to healthcare. If this sounds like your career, here’s a list of some of the best places to earn a Master’s in Healthcare Administration.
Best Master’s in Healthcare Administration Programs
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Webster University (40 points) | Webster Groves, Missouri |
| 2 | Rush University (36 points) | Chicago, Illinois |
| 3 | Medical University of South Carolina (32 points) | Charleston, South Carolina |
| 4 | Seton Hall University (29 points) | South Orange, New Jersey |
| 5 | Clarkson University (28 points) | Potsdam, New York |
What is a Masters in Healthcare Administration?
Master’s degrees in healthcare administration include the skills and knowledge students need to run a healthcare organization, from health informatics to business management to healthcare law. Depending on the school, students can earn an MS or MBA in health administration, or a specialized type of degree, the MHA. These degrees can be offered through a business school or a school of health sciences or health professions. Healthcare administration programs are accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME).
Executive vs. Residential MHAs
Some students earn an MHA at the start of their career, while others go back to school later to enhance their knowledge. Because of this, some schools offer executive and residential MHAs. An executive MHA is for professionals working full-time. They are often taught mostly online, with students taking a few classes each semester and only coming to campus for a few days. Residential programs are for students starting their careers. The residential experience can be full-time or part-time, but usually has a stronger focus on in-person, experiential learning.
What Schools Have the Best Health Administration Programs?
We’ve compiled a list of the best healthcare administration degrees. These colleges are ranked based on their graduate tuition (lowest is best) and faculty-student ratio (lowest is best). We included a mix of both large, well-known universities and less-famous institutions.
What Schools Have the Best Health Administration Programs?
Webster University (40 points)
Webster University outside St. Louis, Missouri, offers a Master’s in Healthcare Administration through the George Herbert Walker School of Business. The program prides itself on its small class sizes and 90% job placement rate. Webster also offers a dual MHA/MBA and an MBA with an MHA emphasis
School Overview
Rush University (36 points)
The MS in Health Systems Management at Rush University is ranked No. 5 nationally by U.S. News and World Report. Students learn from professionals at Rush University Medical Center, one of the top medical centers in Chicago. But not only that, Rush has one of the best faculty-student ratios in the world.
School Overview
Medical University of South Carolina (32 points)
The Medical University of South Carolina offers a Master’s in Healthcare Administration with residential and executive options. The residential option includes a 10-credit hour internship between the first and second years of the program. MUSC offers students personalized education with its low faculty-student ratio.
School Overview
Seton Hall University (29 points)
Seton Hall University’s Master of Healthcare Administration program is the only one of its kind (online/hybrid and on-campus) in New Jersey accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME).
School Overview
Clarkson University (28 points)
Clarkson University offers an MBA in Healthcare Management which can be completed in under two years full-time or two to four years part-time. Clarkson has been ranked as one of the 25 colleges with the highest-paid graduates
School Overview
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor (26 points)
The University of Michigan offers a two-year Master of Health Services Administration program which includes a 10-12 week internship (for which most students are paid) in which students gain experience in healthcare institutions based on their career goals. This MHSA is ranked third in the country by U.S. News and World Report, tied with the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill.
School Overview
The George Washington University (23 points)
The George Washington University offers a Master of Healthcare Administration which culminates in a three-credit residency or six-credit fellowship. Student fellows are placed in top healthcare institutions across the U.S. and have close access to the healthcare community in the nation’s capital.
School Overview
Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis (23 points)
The Fairbanks School of Public Health at IUPUI offers the only CAHME-accredited Master of Health Administration in Indiana. The program offers students the opportunity to learn through internships, one-on-one professional mentorship, and study abroad programs. 100% of 2018 graduates reported full-time employment. IUPUI also offers an online executive MHA track and joint MHAs with MPH, MBA, and JD degrees.
School Overview
University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill (21 points)
The Master of Healthcare Administration program at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill is tied with the University of Michigan as third in the nation, according to U.S. News and World Report. In educating students to become healthcare leaders, UNC places an emphasis on both management techniques and public health issues.
School Overview
Texas Woman’s University (19 points)
Texas Woman’s University offers a Master of Healthcare Administration with options for emphases in Business Analytics and Global Health. The program offers small class sizes and opportunities to complete comprehensive client-based projects, internships, and study abroad programs.
School Overview
University of Oklahoma (17 points)
Students at the University of Oklahoma can earn a Master of Health Administration with a two-year full-time track and three-year part-time track designed to provide flexibility to working students. The program has small class sizes (6-12 students) and is recognized as a premier MHA program in the South-Central region.
School Overview
University of Kentucky (16 points)
The University of Kentucky College of Public Health offers a Master of Healthcare Administration program which admits 25 students each year. Students learn from experienced faculty, interact with professional guest lecturers, and receive individualized job placement mentorship.
School Overview
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities (15 points)
The Master of Healthcare Administration program at the University of Minnesota is ranked second in the country by U.S. News and World Report. Minnesota has the oldest MHA program in the U.S. and offers residential and online executive options.
School Overview
University of Colorado – Denver (9 points)
The University of Colorado – Denver is part of a small group of top-ranked health administration schools, the Business School Alliance for Health Management. CU Denver’s Health Administration MBA program offers a 6:1 faculty-student ratio and can be completed in two years.
School Overview
University of Alabama – Birmingham (8 points)
The University of Alabama – Birmingham has the best master’s degree in health administration in the country, according to U.S. News and World Report. UAB offers an MS in Healthcare Management with executive and residential formats. The residential format offers strong real-world experience including a paid administrative residency, and the executive format, open to professionals with five years of experience, allows students to also earn an MS or graduate certificate in Healthcare Quality and Safety.
School Overview
University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA)
The University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) offers a Master of Health Administration (MHA) program through the Fielding School of Public Health. The course trains students for healthcare administration, policy, and management leadership positions.
The MHA program at UCLA typically requires students to complete 60 credits of coursework, which can be completed in two years of full-time study. Students can also participate in research and network with industry leaders through conferences and networking events as part of the program.
School Overview
University of Washington
The University of Washington offers a master of healthcare administration, preparing students for the Registered Health Information Administrator exam. According to U.S. News & World Report, U.W. ‘s healthcare administration program ranks among the best in the country.
The program has a small student circle that requires students to complete 90 credits of coursework for both core courses and electives. Also, as part of their education, students must undergo an internship in which they work in a healthcare facility and use what they have learned to solve problems in the real world.
School Overview
Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University is among the most famous and esteemed universities in our MHA programs rankings. The school offers online and onsite options to students for healthcare administration. Throughout the program, students interact with world-renowned public health faculty members for their teaching, practice, and ongoing research.
But not only that, According to the 2019 U.S. News & World Report, the program is once again ranked among the top ten graduate programs in health administration. However, the MHA at Johns Hopkins requires a minimum of 79 credits of didactic coursework.
School Overview
Emory University
Emory University’s Master of Health Administration (MHA) program offers a well-respected curriculum for students interested in healthcare administration and management careers. This curriculum includes a variety of topics, such as healthcare delivery systems, healthcare law, healthcare policy, healthcare economics, and healthcare finance.
The program also allows for specialization in health informatics, health policy, and global health. Moreover, Emory University is ranked 22nd (tied) in the Best Medical Schools and national university research. Also, its acceptance rate is approximately 13%, according to a recent study.
School Overview
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California, Masters of Healthcare Administration, is a top healthcare administration graduate program that prepares students for management roles in the healthcare sector. This two-year program is designed to provide students with a thorough understanding of healthcare systems, regulations, and management.
Graduates are prepared to work in various healthcare settings, including clinics, hospitals, insurance companies, and government agencies, and can manage healthcare organizations effectively. However, the school has a highly competitive acceptance rate, and the program requires the students to complete 48 credits of coursework.
School Overview
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania offers a Master’s in Healthcare Administration for both residential and online classes, which are competency-based. This means the program equips students with the skills and information they’ll need to run organizations that enhance health and medical care.
According to edurank.org, the University of Pennsylvania is ranked 8 in the United States and 9 in North America. Moreover, the school offers small-size classes with an acceptance rate of 9% for the program and a Student/Faculty Ratio of 7:1%.
School Overview
University of Iowa
The MHA program offered by the University of Iowa is one of the world’s top healthcare administration graduate programs. Its program is designed to provide a comprehensive education that includes theoretical and practical knowledge. Not only that, graduates of this institution are well-equipped for further professional development.
In the recent ranking of best health management schools, this University is ranked #8. Also, studying MHA at the University of Iowa allows students to collaborate closely with advisers to develop study plans that include required core courses.
School Overview
Ohio State University
Ohio State University is another university that offers a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration that will teach you how to impact how healthcare is delivered positively. That is not all; Ohio’s two-year MHA program teaches you how to become an influential leader.
In addition, the Ohio State University Master of Health Administration program creates a wide range of job and research opportunities. Research shows that More than 90% of our graduates of MHA at the University of Ohio State obtain full-time professional positions after graduation.
School Overview
University of California-Berkeley
The MHA program at UC Berkeley is a two-year, full-time program combining classroom training and fieldwork. On top of that, the school curriculum covers a wide range of healthcare management topics such as policy analysis, information technology, strategic management, disease prevention, economics, and law and ethics.
However, admission into the Master’s for Healthcare Administration at UC Berkeley is exceptionally selective. The overall acceptance rate is approximately 17%. Also, The UC Berkeley MHA program consistently ranks among the top healthcare management programs in the United States. In a recent publication by US News, the school is rated #8 in public health.
School Overview
Tulane University
Tulane University offers an MHA program accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME). Note that the program’s adherence to academic standards that are respected by the job market is ensured through accreditation.
Aside from that, the program provides you with numerous skills, which include professionalism, effective communication, strategic management, and critical analysis. The program has a limited number of spots available, which makes it highly competitive to gain admission. Students are required to have a total of 58 credit hours after the program.
School Overview
Arizona State University
Arizona State University offers a program that focuses on the multidisciplinary approach to healthcare, including studying change theory, leadership, technology system design, and entrepreneurship.
This program, with a curriculum centered on innovation, assists you in gaining the knowledge and skills required to facilitate new ideas, products, and services to improve patient care and accessibility.
School Overview
University of Florida
The Master’s of Healthcare Management at the University of Florida offers a dynamic curriculum aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and healthcare delivery. Students who work or have other responsibilities may benefit from the program’s flexible scheduling choices, including part-time and online options.
There are 21 courses totaling 57 credit hours in the University of Florida MHA curriculum. Students must complete a summer internship between the program’s first and second years. Also, dynamic classroom discussions, experiences, feedback, and networking opportunities will be provided to selected students.
School Overview
How Did We Rank this List?
Our ranking was based 66.7% on faculty-student ratio and 33.3% on tuition.
From each institution’s website, we gathered in-person graduate tuition rates for out-of-state domestic students in the different programs. Where tuition was only listed on a per-year or per-semester basis, the year was assumed to consist of two semesters, twelve credits each. Tuition figures do not include fees or other expenses. For IUPUI, graduate tuition could not be found, so the average of the other 14 programs was used for the ranking.
Each school was given a score from 1 for the highest tuition to 15 for the lowest. Schools were also scored from 1 to 15 for faculty-student ratio based on data from U.S. News and World Report.
Then, faculty-student ratio points were multiplied by two. These weighted scores were added together to produce the final ranking.
Problems with your Ranking?
If your school isn’t on this list and you think it deserves consideration for an update, please contact us. Also, if you work for one of the schools on this list and you notice an error, please let us know. We always seek to provide the most accurate information available and let readers know about the best schools across the country.
What to Consider When Deciding Between Top Healthcare Administration Graduate Programs
Students can get overwhelmed by the MHA program rankings since numerous options exist. Therefore, the factors discussed here will help students know the right schools.
Cost
Not all students can afford the most expensive Healthcare Administration Graduate Programs. However, students don’t need to go to the most expensive schools to bag a Master’s in Healthcare Administration degree in most cases. Some of the best schools are affordable, while others offer financial aid and grants such as scholarships, grants, and loans. Therefore, the cost is an important factor to consider when choosing between Top Healthcare Administration Graduate Programs.
Faculty-to-Student Ratio
The faculty-to-student ratio is another important factor when deciding between top healthcare administration graduate programs. A low faculty-to-student ratio means students may receive more individualized attention from their professors, leading to a better learning experience. On the other hand, a high faculty-to-student ratio may mean that students have less access to professors, leading to a more impersonal learning environment and less opportunity for one-on-one interaction. Therefore, students should consider the faculty-to-student ratio in combination with other factors, such as the costs, the quality of the curriculum, and the overall resources and facilities available to students.
Accreditation
Accreditation ensures that the program meets quality standards and is competent to run. The Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) is the primary accrediting body in healthcare administration. CAHME accredits graduate programs in healthcare administration, management, and Policy.
So, students should always look for programs accredited by CAHME or another recognized accrediting body.
Faculty Expertise
Faculty expertise is an important factor to consider when choosing a healthcare administration graduate program. Students must ensure that faculty staff has deep expertise in the healthcare administration field and experience working in various areas of the healthcare industry. Students should also look for programs with faculty members who have published research in healthcare administration.
Accreditation of Master in Healthcare Administration Programs
Accreditation bodies have come to remove the guesswork on whether a program is of high quality or not. These bodies evaluate educational programs to ensure they meet certain standards of quality and excellence.
The Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) is the primary accrediting body for MHA programs in the United States. The body is a non-profit organization that evaluates MHA programs based on standards covering areas such as curriculum, faculty qualifications, and student outcomes.
Before a program is accredited, it must go through a rigorous evaluation process that includes a self-assessment by the program, a site visit by a team of evaluators, and a review by CAHME’s Accreditation Council.
What Can You Do with an MHA?
Getting a Master’s in Healthcare Administration will open you to a wide range of career opportunities in the healthcare industry. You have a career in any of the following fields;
- Healthcare management—MHA graduates can work in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, and public health organizations. They can play leadership and management roles and oversee their day-to-day operations in these settings.
- Health policy—With an MHA degree, you can also work in healthcare policy development and implementation. This can involve working for government agencies, advocacy groups, or consulting firms.
- Healthcare consulting—MHA graduates can work as consultants for healthcare organizations, helping them improve their operations, reduce costs, and enhance patient outcomes.
Aside from these areas highlighted above, there is an opportunity to work in other administration healthcare-related fields.
MHA vs. MBA: Which Degree is Right for You?
Deciding between an MHA (Master of Health Administration) and an MBA (Master of Business Administration) depends on your career goals and interests.
An MHA program provides specialized knowledge in healthcare management and administration, while an MBA program covers a range of business disciplines.
If you are interested in a career in healthcare management, an MHA may be the better choice. If you are interested in a broader range of business industries, an MBA may be more appropriate.
Ultimately, the decision depends on your career goals and interests, as each program offers unique skills and knowledge relevant to different industries. You may check out the top MBA in healthcare programs.
MHA Curriculum
The curriculum of a Master of Health Administration Program primarily depends on the school and program. Generally, however, MHA curriculum emphasizes development and management competencies used in healthcare settings. Examples of common course topics include the following.
- Healthcare organization and policy
- Healthcare management
- Health information systems
- Financial Reporting
- Analytics for healthcare management
- Health economics
- Health policy
- Healthcare ethics
- Healthcare financial management
- Healthcare quality management
- Human resources management in healthcare
- Leadership in healthcare
- Legal issues in healthcare
- Marketing
- Performance improvement
- Public health
- Strategic planning
Internships and capstone projects are also typical components of MHA programs.
Still not Sure which School is Right for You?
Choosing the right college to continue your education is an important decision. Check out our degree finder and our other lists to help find the best healthcare administration degrees.
