Best MBA in Healthcare Management Online Programs for 2024

If you’ve been seriously thinking about becoming a leader in the healthcare field, now may be the time to act. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, there will be a 28% increase of employment for medical and health services managers between 2021 and 2031. This is more than five times the expected job growth rate for all occupations. However, keep in mind that high job demand doesn’t mean a lack of competition for top jobs so earning an MBA in Healthcare Management could be the best move to supercharge your prospects for a successful career as a healthcare management professional. There’s likely no better way to earn your degree than through a great online MBA in Healthcare Management program.

This guide is designed to help you through every step of your academic journey from beginning to end. It will cover how to find, apply, and succeed in the best healthcare management MBA online program for you. We’ll show you what to look for in a great program, what you can expect to learn in your studies, and what the job market looks like once you’ve graduated. So, if a high-demand, high-paying career is what you’re after, keep reading to be introduced to the best MBA in healthcare management online programs for 2023.

Spotlight on 3 Top Online MBA in Healthcare Management Programs for 2023

To help begin your journey, we’ve surveyed the current field of online MBA in Healthcare Management programs and spotlighted below three of the very best. Our selections were made by considering a number of student-friendly program factors, including affordability, accreditation, study convenience and flexibility, and access to quality academic and career support services. Take a look at who leads the pack in healthcare management MBA online programs for 2023.

• Southern New Hampshire University

  Private, not-for-profit Southern New Hampshire University is among the biggest and best-known schools providing quality, accredited online degree programs in the United States, including this fully-online MBA in Healthcare Management. The 30-credit curriculum consists of 21 credits of leadership-focused business coursework and nine credits of healthcare management courses (Healthcare Informatics, Topics in Healthcare Administration, and Social & Organizational Issues in Healthcare). The 100% online curriculum is delivered in an asynchronous format that allows students to log on and complete all course components (lectures, readings, assignments, etc.) at any time that is convenient for the students. The current total tuition cost is $19,110, and $14,100 for the U.S military and their spouses. And best of all, the entire program can be completed in one year.

  Admission into the ACBSP-accredited program requires a bachelor’s degree from a properly accredited college or university. GMAT/GRE scores are not required. Five programs’ start dates are available throughout the year.

• Western Governors University

  Another major private, non-profit college that offers the healthcare management MBA program is Western Governors University. WGU’s ACBSP-accredited MBA in Healthcare Management online program features a competency-based learning model that provides students with maximum study flexibility. All coursework is delivered in a 100% asynchronous format. Additionally, students can set their own study pace allowing them to complete their degree requirements while continuing to work full time. Nevertheless, the entire course of study can be completed in as few as 12 months. WGU features a unique per-term tuition payment system in which students are charged a fixed amount for each six-month term. This also means that the faster you finish the program, the more money you will save. The current per-term rate (tuition, e-books, and resource fees) is $4,955, which means that the current total program cost for students completing all requirements in one year (two terms) is $9,910. For example, students finishing their programs in two years would pay a total of $19,820.

  Applying to the MBA in Healthcare Management online program requires submission of a transcript verifying the applicant’s receipt of a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a properly accredited college or university. You are not required to submit a GRE or GMAT score. 

• Youngstown State University

  The online MBA with Healthcare Management Specialization program offered by Youngstown State University in Ohio combines business-focused coursework with the development of leadership and strategic decision-making skills to prepare graduates to take on administration and management roles in a wide range of healthcare settings. The AACSB-accredited program is presented entirely online in an asynchronous format. Students opting for accelerated study can complete all degree requirements in as few as 12 months. The current per-credit tuition rate (including fees) for Ohio residents is $450, making the total program cost of $13,500. Out-of-state residents pay only an additional $5 per credit for a total cost of $13,650. The course-based tuition cost along with the multiple annual start dates makes this an exceptionally quick and accessible program.

  Admission into the program can be accomplished in several ways: a previously earned bachelor’s degree in business, economics, or a STEM with a 3.0 or higher GPA; a bachelor’s degree in any subject earned with at least a 2.7 GPA plus two years of full-time professional work experience; a graduate degree in any major; or possession of an active professional certification. Don’t lose hope if you do not meet any of these options because you may be able to obtain provisional admission by meeting additional criteria. 

Cost of a Healthcare Management MBA Online

While earning your degree online will likely save you money when compared to an on-campus program, it will still require a major financial commitment. But, the tuition costs of online healthcare management MBA programs can vary quite substantially from program to program, from $10,000’s to as high as over $100,000 (George Washington University’s Healthcare MBA, for example). We’ve listed below the current tuition rates for five online MBA in Healthcare Management programs so you have an idea of the different possible program costs. However, remember that there are lots of valuable resources out there to help finance your degree. So, be sure to speak with the financial aid office at each of the schools you’re considering to see what help is available. And to learn more about funding your education, you can visit OCM’s financial aid, FAFSA, and scholarships guides.

How Much Your Online MBA in Healthcare Management Could Cost

What to Expect in Your Online MBA in Healthcare Management Program 

There are two major points of discussion when talking about online healthcare MBA expectations: delivery and content. As for delivery, online MBA in Healthcare Management programs are designed for working professionals, which can be seen in how they offer coursework in the most convenient and flexible formats possible. These include curriculums that can be completed completely online, and they offer an accessible self-paced option that is accessible from anywhere and at any time. To do this, most programs employ student-friendly online learning management systems such as Canvas and Blackboard. Through these systems, students can access all of the course content and interact with fellow students and instructors via email, chat rooms, video conferencing, and virtual study groups, providing the ability to have a well-rounded classroom experience without ever stepping foot on campus. 

In regard to program content, not surprisingly, MBA in Healthcare Management provides graduates with the advanced business leadership knowledge and skills offered in all MBA programs, but from the perspective of the healthcare industry. Graduates are prepared to take on the many challenges presented in managing healthcare professionals and facilities of all kinds, including hospitals, clinics, physician’s offices, long-term care facilities, and more. We’ve listed descriptions of five common classes in MBA in Healthcare Management curriculums so you know what to expect in these programs. 

Common Online MBA Courses

• Financial Management and Accounting in Health Care

  This class examines the principles and processes used in healthcare finance, financial management, and decision making in accounting. Topics include competition and cost containment for hospitals and other healthcare providers and their delivery systems, the valuation of profitability and cost performance, modeling of cost drivers, managed care, risk management, healthcare insurance and payment models, and more.

• Healthcare Business Law and Ethics

  This course focuses on the various legal and ethical issues that are specific to healthcare management. The course begins with an examination of the laws and regulations governing healthcare practice in both the civil and criminal fields, followed by the analysis of management-related legal and ethical problems common to healthcare management and the decision-making processes employed to resolve those problems.

• Marketing

  Survey of the theories, principles, and standard techniques employed in marketing management in the healthcare industry. Specific topics include marketing research, segmentation, marketing strategies related to healthcare products and services, sales, pricing, promotions, and channels of distribution. Through the use of case studies, students are given the opportunity to transfer the knowledge from the program to a real-world setting to conduct situational analysis and recommend effective tactics to attract and retain customers.

• Operations Management

  Introduction to the principles and methods employed in managing the operations of modern healthcare organizations. Students gain a foundational understanding of the roles, rules, and issues confronting operations managers and the tools used to effectively deal with those issues. Specific topics covered include operations capacity forecasting, organizational structure, inventory management, human resources management, facility location and layout, and project planning and implementation.

• Integrated Capstone Project

  Most online MBA in Healthcare Management programs culminate with a capstone project in which the student integrates and synthesizes competencies gained throughout their degree studies to identify, research, analyze, and offer a solution to a specific simulated healthcare-related business problem. The capstone project also acts as a final assessment of the student’s overall learning in the program.

FAQs About Online MBA in Healthcare Management Programs

• What’s the difference between an online MBA and traditional MBA program?

  During your search, you’ll discover that most MBA in Healthcare Management online programs are similar – and often even identical to their on-campus counterparts in terms of content. The two main differences are in content delivery and the intended students. We discussed at length above how online healthcare management MBA programs deliver their content. As to student type, online programs are designed to accommodate students who intend to continue full-time employment while working on their degrees. You don’t have to work full-time to pursue your degree online, but working professionals will benefit most from the 100% online curriculums, asynchronous coursework, and flexible completion times. Healthcare management MBA students with the ability to pursue their degrees full-time may prefer an on-campus program that offers the benefits of face-to-face interaction with instructors and working with the same student cohort throughout their entire degree studies.

• Can I work full-time while pursuing an online MBA?

  Mostly yes. Practically all online MBA in Healthcare Management programs are designed to allow working professionals to continue in their full-time jobs while pursuing their studies. Online asynchronous course delivery offers students the benefits of both choosing the times during the day to attend to their coursework and choosing the pace at which they complete their programs. This means students who are able to focus their full attention on academics can opt for full-time study, while those with full-time work and life obligations can take the time that they need to earn their degrees as well.

• What types of accreditations should I look for in an online MBA in Healthcare Management program?

  Postsecondary accreditation concerns the vetting of colleges and universities, along with the programs they offer. Programmatic accreditation focuses on specific degree programs in a given academic field. Accreditation of MBA programs, including online MBAs in Healthcare Management, is administered through three major accrediting organizations: the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), and, to a lesser extent, the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).

  Institutional accreditation has to do with the vetting of colleges and universities taken in whole. Accreditation of colleges and universities in the United States is administered by a group of independent national and regional agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. You will likely find current accreditation information listed on degree and college websites. You can also visit the DOE’s Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs to confirm current institutional and programmatic status.

• What are the admissions requirements for an online MBA?

  Before you can earn your MBA in Healthcare Management, you must first apply and be accepted into a program. Each online healthcare management MBA program has its own unique set of admissions requirements, here are some components you will find in most programs. 

  • Bachelor’s degree: A bachelor’s or graduate degree from an accredited college or university is a foundational admissions requirement. Degrees can typically be in any major. However, applicants with a bachelor’s in a non-business major may be required to complete a small number of prerequisite or corequisite business foundation courses.
  • Minimum GPA: A requirement of some MBA in Healthcare Management programs is a minimum grade point average on undergraduate coursework. Minimums vary, typically between 2.5 and 3.0. Oftentimes, programs will still admit applicants not meeting GPA minimums if they meet additional requirements such as passing GMAT or GRE test scores or having a minimum number of years of professional work experience.
  • Work experience: Most online MBA in Healthcare Management programs do not require it with some exceptions. For example, Florida International University’s online MBA in Healthcare program requires applicants to have a minimum of two years of professional work experience.
  • GMAT/GRE scores: Some programs require them, but others do not. As mentioned above, some programs may require GMAT or GRE scores for applicants who do not meet certain other admissions requirements, like work experience or minimum undergrad GPAs.
  • Additional requirements: Other common application requirements include a statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and a current professional resume.

• How long does it take to earn an MBA in Healthcare Management?

  As you’ve seen, the majority of MBA in Healthcare Management online programs feature asynchronous coursework that allows for students to choose their own study pace. As a result, there is typically a lot of flexibility when it comes to the durations of programs. Regardless of whether your program features asynchronous or synchronous classes, most online healthcare management MBA students pursue their degrees part-time and typically take between 16 months and two years to complete their studies. Program examples include Liberty University (average completion time of two years) and the University of Delaware (16 month completion time).

  As always, there are exceptions. Students studying full-time often have the option of an accelerated program format allowing them to earn their degrees in as few as 12 months. Examples include the three programs spotlighted above. 

• Can I earn my MBA 100% online or do I need to visit campus?

  Absolutely. If you’ve read this far, you’re likely very aware that the vast majority of online MBA in Healthcare Management programs are offered 100% online with no on-campus visits or other in-person requirements of any kind. However, it’s not uncommon for programs to offer online students the option of attending some classes on-campus or participating in other face-to-face activities, such as orientation sessions, seminars, and meetings with instructors. But again, these activities are usually optional so you can still choose to have a completely online program.

What You Can Do with an Online MBA in Healthcare Management

The degree title itself, of course, gives you a good idea of what earning an MBA in Healthcare Management is all about. But it does not give you a roadmap for the possible career choices after graduation. You will have plenty of well-paying, in-demand job opportunities for which the degree would have prepared you. We’ve described below three common job titles to provide you with just a sampling of the occupations open to healthcare management MBA graduates. These job titles can be found throughout all sectors and facility types in the healthcare field, but it’s also important to bear in mind that, although entry-level positions in healthcare management may currently require only a bachelor’s degree, many of the biggest and best employers prefer (and, in some cases, require) job candidates to possess a graduate-level degree.

Healthcare Program Director

Healthcare program directors are typically in charge of specific programs, departments or divisions within larger healthcare facilities or organizations, answering to the chief administrator. Common duties include supervision of staff personnel, creation and management of department budgets, and ensuring that their departments meet all health and safety standards.

Source: Payscale.com, July 2023. Median base salary, not including bonuses, profit sharing, etc.

Human Resources Manager

Human resources (or HR) managers are in charge of the human resource administrative functions of a facility or organization. Specific duties typically include: the recruiting, hiring, and training of new staff; overseeing the daily workflow within an organization or department; handling employee discipline and termination issues; resolving conflicts between personnel; providing regular employee assessments and evaluations; and overseeing compensation and benefits administration.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022

Medical and Health Services Managers 

Medical and health services managers (or administrators) are responsible for the overall operations of a medical institution. They ensure that the medical institutions run effectively, efficiently, and according to government regulations and organizational standards. Specific duties commonly include overseeing day-to-day organizational operations, developing budgets and making sure they’re kept, ensuring quality care of patients, creating organizational goals and developing long-term and short-term strategies to meet those goals, and acting as liaison between the institution and its directors and stakeholders, and the community. 

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022