The best Bachelor’s in Lifecare Management can lead you into a career with some incredible opportunities and huge salary potential, in the United States’ biggest industry.
Careers for medical and health services managers are projected to grow by 18% between 2018 and 2028, which is above the national average for all other occupations. As the average age of the population increases, it’s likely that the demand for qualified healthcare managers will continue to increase. That’s why enrolling in one of the 10 Best Bachelor’s in Lifecare Management can pave the way for a highly paid and secure career. In this article, we’ve highlighted ten of the best programs in healthcare management.
What Are the Best Lifecare Management Degrees?
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University of Alabama at Birmingham
The University of Alabama at Birmingham typically has more than 20,000 students enrolled annually. Undergraduate-level study represents around 75% of the student body, with nearly 10% of the study body enrolled in a degree leading to the health profession. Their sports team is the UAB Blazers, a basketball team that has competed in Conference USA since 1995.
This Bachelor of Science in healthcare management is designed for those who want to become leaders in the healthcare industry. You could progress into a role within a hospital, care organization, insurance company, pharmaceutical company, or medical group practice. There are several tracks available to you based on your previous academic experience.
The general manager track gets you ready to take on a leadership position in which you’ll be managing operations and developing care and growth strategies. The clinical manager track is for certificate or associate degree program graduates who are already licensed to practice in a health professional role.
There’s also a pre-professional and long-term care administration track. Undergraduate tuition rates at UAB are based on the program and school of study. In the Health Professions, Nursing, and Public Health College, each semester hour of coursework is $421 for residents or $1,005 for non-residents.
Oregon Institute of Technology
Oregon Institute of Technology is a public college that was founded in 1947; its official colors are blue and gold and its mascot is Hootie the Owl. Accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, the institution has more than 45 majors and degrees.
The healthcare management BS at Oregon Tech prepares you for a career in health service management, a role that is in high demand, where you’ll be planning, coordinating, and directing health and medical services. You may find yourself managing an entire facility or a smaller, specialized clinic.
The curriculum is heavily geared toward business and healthcare administration. At its core is a range of common management courses, which will help build your understanding of healthcare challenges, systems, and policies. If you choose the administration concentration, you’ll also add a medical sociology minor.
Tuition is charged on a per-credit basis. Undergraduates who are also residents of the state of Oregon pay a below-average $194.97 per credit, whereas non-residents pay significantly more at $620.58. Should you progress to a master’s level program, you’ll pay $448.43 per credit as a resident or $752.78 as a non-resident.
University of Minnesota – Crookston
The University of Minnesota Crookston (UMC) is a public institution and one of five campuses across Minnesota belonging to the university system. The student body of nearly 2,000 students is roughly split down the middle in terms of on-campus and online learners. As a new undergraduate, you’ll be equipped with a laptop from the start.
Not only will this Bachelor of Science in Health Management prepare you to become a leader in healthcare professions, but it’ll also allow you to learn from experts in the field. You can choose to live on-campus and go to lectures in person, or you can study remotely through the UMC learning management system.
The core requirements of this program include 62 – 64 credits and provide an introduction to the healthcare system, accounting, and medical terminology, among other things. You’ll also study courses like medical practice management, risk management, and regulatory management, in addition to other core healthcare subjects.
Tuition at UMN Crookston is on a per-year basis, as opposed to per credit, and it’s highly affordable compared to other Minnesota institutions. At $24,242 per year, it’s cheaper than most other similar universities and colleges in the state.
Cleary University
Cleary University is a fairly small, private, not-for-profit institution, with typically less than 1,000 students enrolled. Founded in 1883, it’s the only college in Howell, Michigan. There are more than 10 majors available, with the most popular programs including management, accounting, and business, so you’re in good hands.
Cleary University offers a BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration) in health care management, which suits both those who want to enter management roles and graduates who want to enter an administrative career. This program integrates a foundation of business education, giving you even more scope of choice in your career.
The program lasts for four years, with the first semesters covering core requirements like introductions to accounting, management, and business. You’ll progress into critical subjects for a career in healthcare management and administration, like healthcare business and policy, legal issues in healthcare, and quality management.
The College of Undergraduate Studies charges tuition on a yearly basis, at a cost of $20,600. There are a range of other fees applicable to all courses, too, such as a technology fee, application fee, and student activity fee. You can see the full range of fees here.
Saint Leo University
According to the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA), healthcare is the largest industry in the United States, and a healthcare administration degree from Saint Leo University can help you build a career in this field. Their courses cover areas like healthcare management, healthcare law, community health evaluation, and even internships in the industry.
Teaching for this degree takes place in a modern facility that was built in 2011, including features like a professional broadcast studio, SMART boards, and renewable materials. Courses are taught by long-standing, experienced faculty, as well as medical professionals working in the field.
This program leads to a number of common roles in healthcare administration. After graduation, you might find yourself working as a clinical manager, consultant, public health advocate, pharmaceutical sales manager, or health insurance professional. Graduates frequently work in hospitals, research laboratories, state government, or sales and insurance companies.
Finally, there are professional development opportunities that include networking events, internships, and study abroad programs. Despite regularly featuring in U.S. News & World Report, tuition is lower than average for private institutions, with undergraduates paying around $11,550 per semester.
Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health
Nebraska Methodist College is a leading private health professions college that focuses on quality of education rather than size. According to U.S. News & World Report, the median starting salary of its graduates is above the national average, at $56,100.
Through four years — eight semesters — of study, you can earn your BS in healthcare management at Nebraska Methodist College. This is a hybrid program, meaning your time will be split across both online and on-campus study. You’ll also have the opportunity to transition to the MBA in Healthcare immediately after graduation.
The degree itself has been custom-designed for students who aspire to achieve a leadership position in the field of healthcare, with a curriculum that’s centered around healthcare leadership and administration. After completion of the course, you’ll be prepped to take on a role within a private practice, clinic, hospital, insurance company, and more.
Tuition at NMC is paid on a per-credit-hour basis, with costs calculated on a program level. For the healthcare management BS, you’ll be charged $580 per credit, with a $35 compliance check fee and a $75 technology fee. Financial aid is also available through the federal government and the institution itself.
Dallas Baptist University
DBU is a Baptist university that partners learning with faith in all areas of its curriculum. Founded in the late 1800s, the institution is nationally ranked and offers programs at the undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels. It’s accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The broad curriculum that makes up this Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Healthcare Management includes professional studies, English, fine arts, history, mathematics, and more. Your healthcare management major will include subjects like ethics, finance, legal issues, and management practices.
You’ll be expected to take 42 upper-level credit hours, with a minimum of 12 credit hours in majors while resident at DBU; in total, 30 credit hours, as a minimum, must be earned while a resident at DBU. What’s more, during the completion of the final 36 credit hours of your course, 30 of these must be taken while in residence at DBU, too.
Tuition rates run above the national average, with an undergraduate credit hour costing around $974 to $1,023. Master’s level study runs a little higher.
Viterbo University
Students at Viterbo University, or V-Hawks as they’re also called, have access to more than 80 student organizations and activities, from sports events to casinos and open mike nights. There are also close links with the community, offering volunteering opportunities and research projects to boost your resume.
The B.S. in Healthcare and Wellness Management lasts for four years and blends real-world healthcare practice with management knowledge. You’ll enjoy the benefits of a partnership between the university and exceptional healthcare providers. Through a combination of upper and lower-division courses, you’ll need at least 120 credits to graduate.
Part of the College of Business Performing Arts and Leadership, the course requires you to have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. You’ll also need to attain a grade C (GPA 2.0) or higher on mandatory requirements to proceed at each stage.
The total cost of attendance is around $37,000, inclusive of fees, average housing costs, and tuition. However, around 98% of full-time students at Viterbo receive some degree of financial aid and according to the institution, “most families pay significantly less than the full-time tuition rate.”
LeTourneau University
LeTourneau University is a Christian institution based in East Texas. Nearly one thousand students take online courses like this one each year. While not the largest polytechnic, the campus boasts more than 30 recognized student organizations and around half the student body participates in sports programs.
The Healthcare Management B.S. offered at LeTourneau University follows a curriculum that has been designed alongside leading executives in healthcare management fields, like CFOs, CEOs, and presidents of regional and local hospitals. You’ll take courses in healthcare leadership and management, financial administration, human resources and risk management, and regulation and accountability.
Online courses are typically taken one at a time, with a duration of around 3 to 7 weeks for completion. Coursework is set on Monday and is usually due for submission by the following Sunday. This makes it easy to manage your own lifestyle around your studies while maintaining a rough study timetable.
Taught online and comprising 120 credits, you’ll pay a yearly tuition of around $9,585 to $12,825, with additional books and supplies fees of up to $1,755. Aside from federal government funding, the university offers some unique scholarships, in addition to grants and work-study funding.
Colorado Technical University
Colorado Technical University enrolls around 30,000 students per year, with business administration and management being the most popular programs — around 40% of the student body enrolls in programs in this area. A further 10% are enrolled specifically in healthcare management. As an undergraduate wanting to specialize in this field, that’s good news all around.
The program has a general education core, with mandatory courses that cover introductions to healthcare policy, risk management, human resources management, and other critical areas for a future profession in the healthcare industry. You’ll need a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale to be eligible to apply for the program.
Colorado Tech has been featured on multiple rankings in the U.S. News World and Report, including ‘Best Online MBA Programs’, ‘Best Online Bachelor’s Programs’, and ‘Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans’. They’ve also received multiple other accolades for having some of the best nursing, engineering, criminal justice, and I.T. programs.
Tuition for this university runs below the country’s national average, with a cost of $340 per credit. This course lasts for four years and requires you to complete a minimum of 120 credits to graduate. While financial aid can be sought from the federal government, the institution also offers a range of grants and scholarships that may be awarded based on information that’s provided on the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
Frequently Asked Questions
A Lifecare Management degree focuses on preparing individuals for roles in managing and overseeing comprehensive care and services for the elderly, disabled, or those requiring long-term care. This field integrates elements of healthcare, social services, and administration to address the holistic needs of individuals across their lifespan.
Degree programs in lifecare management focus on healthcare planning, operations, financial management and accounting, and compliance and risk management. These programs prepare you to handle real-world healthcare delivery scenarios. Your bachelor’s might include courses in public policies and public health care regulations, medical ethics, and I.T. Providing you have a bachelor’s degree in this field, most positions are entry-level.
These programs routinely include internships and placements that have you working directly with healthcare professionals to gain valuable hands-on experience in the field. Some programs have direct partnerships with healthcare providers and even have practicing members of the medical profession standing in as lecturers.
Most programs will ask you to have a minimum GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) in order to be eligible to apply. Once accepted, most programs last for four years and require you to complete around 120 credits to graduate, though some also set requirements around minimum grades for each year. For example, at Viterbo University, you’ll need a minimum of grade C to pass through each stage of the program.
You could work as a healthcare administrator, clinical manager, or consultant within a hospital or practice. Alternatively, you might go into the healthcare insurance industry as a health insurance professional or an analyst. Or, you may find yourself working in sales as a pharmaceutical sales manager.
Some graduates increase their earning potential by progressing from their bachelor’s degree into a master’s program. Such programs will often include a greater emphasis on research methodologies, opening up roles with higher salary ceilings. Ph.D. programs are a good choice for graduates wanting to specialize in a particular area, like gerontology or public policy.
Some roles are more popular than others for newly-qualified graduates. While the amount of experience required for roles in this field will vary, some of the most popular roles in the industry include:
• Hospital Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
• Director of Nursing
• Hospital Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
• Healthcare Actuary
• Hospital Administrator
Medical and health services managers averaged $99,730 in May 2018 according to the BLS. The predicted job growth rate for this career was also 18% for the years 2018 to 2020. These professionals typically work within healthcare facilities like hospitals or nursing homes, or in group medical practices. They plan, direct, and coordinate business activities for these organizations.
As a financial manager, such as working in accounting for a healthcare provider or an insurance company, your pay progression can be considerably higher. According to the BLS, financial managers earned a median pay of $127,990 in May 2018. Additionally, there is predicted to be an increase of more than 100,000 positions between the years 2018 and 2028.
The lowest 10% of earners in this list earned below $67,620, while the highest 10% of earners took home more than $208,000. Beyond this, financial managers can earn some of the top salaries in healthcare companies and enterprises. The BLS highlighted a median pay of $143,560 in May 2018, with those in manufacturing, finance and insurance, and government typically earning less.