The 10 Best Online Bachelors Degrees in Healthcare Administration

An online Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration will give you an edge in entering this growing field. The good thing about the healthcare field is that there’s something for everyone. Some want to enter a medical profession, but they don’t want to deal directly with patients. A career in healthcare administration allows for you take advantage of the growing need in the healthcare profession working in an office setting. Healthcare administrators can also work in nursing homes, where the biggest job growth is expected.

Ranking Factors

Earning your healthcare administration degree involves searching through many different factors. The following list of the 10 Best Online Degree Programs in Healthcare Administration consists of the most credible online bachelor’s programs. All schools on this list are ranked by the PayScale College ROI Report: Best Value Colleges.

Featured Programs

The ranking lists consist of factors such as value, graduation rates, student satisfaction, online tools, and accessibility. The best online healthcare administration degree for you is here.Tuition rates were not considered. All schools offer financial aid, including scholarships, grants, and loans. Financial aid packages can allow students to study for little to no cost, despite the price tag.

10. University of Toledo

Toledo offers a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Administration. This is a degree completion program meaning that students must have credits before enrolling. As a result, the four years may not be 100% online. The university works with community colleges throughout the state of Ohio to offer this program to students. The program prepares students for administrative positions in the healthcare industry.

Graduates of this program are eligible to sit for the Registered Health Information Administrators national certification exam. Online students receive full support with access to a support coach and advisor. Students also have access to programs such as eTutoring and the eLibrary.

Students must complete a health information management field experience in a facility, agency, or organization. Students also complete project assignments that show competencies learned throughout the program. The program is 65-67 credit hours. Transfer students receive individual evaluations.

Reason for Ranking: The University of Toledo has a program that gives students an in-depth look into the industry. As this is a degree completion program, students may be unable to complete all four years at once.The University of Toledo is part of the National Council of State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA). This restricts enrollment to students from other SARA states. Students in Connecticut, Delaware (until spring 2017), Kentucky, Utah, and Wisconsin are either not permitted to enroll in online classes or have restricted enrollment.

Despite this, the university has a graduation rate of 45%. This is the only program that states that students are eligible to sit for the national RHIA exam upon graduation. Students also have the opportunity to earn professional experience.

Related Resource: 35 Top Bachelor’s in Accounting Degrees

9. Champlain College

Champlain offers an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration. The program benefits working adults. They learn from faculty who are experts in the field. Champlain’s Health Care Administration program allows students to earn a certificate before graduation.

Courses are offered on a seven-week schedule to allow students to complete their degrees faster. Those who have an associate’s degree upon entering qualify for the complete program in health care administration. Graduates of the program qualify for management positions in the healthcare field and others.

One thing about Champlain College’s program is that students must have an associate’s or 60 credits to apply for the Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration program. Since the program is an Accelerated Bachelor program, students are permitted to transfer an additional 30 credits on top of the required 60.

Reason for Ranking: Champlain College is a small institution that provides online students with the support they need to succeed. The expected completion time varies due to different students transferring credits. The actual Bachelor of Science program is 60 credits. The program is 100% online with no scheduled class meeting times.

Students have 24/7 access to courses. With six start dates and the courses offered on seven-week terms, students experience full flexibility. Since students cannot complete all four years at once, it limits the number who can apply.

8. Liberty University

Liberty University offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Healthcare Management. Students have the option to choose a minor to expand their coursework. The program prepares students for careers in the fields of human resources, patient care services, medical staff relations, and hospitals and doctors offices.

Liberty University states the program integrates faith with professional learning field. Students are adequately prepared to serve in the medical field. The program also prepares students for the Master of Business Administration program, also offered at Liberty University. Students can also expand their career options by choosing a minor program.

Students must complete 120 credit hours to graduate with 50% of major courses taken at Liberty University.

Reason for Ranking: Even though Liberty University is the youngest college on this list, they have risen to be a respectable university. Their online students receive the same opportunities as their on-campus students. Liberty recognizes the needs of working adults and credits students for life experience. Liberty’s curriculum is heavily centered on Christian principles, perhaps sacrificing preparation in the actual field of study. A graduation rate of 50% indicates some student satisfaction, but the program may not fit everyone.

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6. Franklin University

Franklin offers a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management. The program is both as an initial and subsequent bachelor degree. This degree prepares students for management roles in facilities like acute care hospitals, long-term care facilities, and ambulatory centers. Students can also work in insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, and consulting firms.

Faculty are working professionals, so students benefit from their current experiences.Since Franklin specializing in reaching adult learners, their courses are offered on various flexible schedules. Students have the option of taking courses in 6, 12, or 15-week formats.

Students at Franklin can transfer up to 94 credits, more than most other colleges will accept. This is likely why more than 90% of Franklin students transfer courses. Students also have easy access to their academic advisor to get the support they need.

The curriculum gives students hands-on experience and case studies. The program also includes field experiences in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. The program is 100% online for the convenience of students. If students already have previous healthcare or technical credits, they may qualify for the Allied Healthcare Management Major, allowing them to finish their degree even faster.

Students must complete 124 credit hours to graduate. They can choose from many different courses to complete general education requirements. If transferring less than 30 credits, students have to take Basic Learning Strategies. They are also required to pass College Writing and a Communications course. Students also have the option to complete a minor to supplement their coursework.

Reason for Ranking: Franklin University is specializing in serving adult learners. Students returning to school will find a good support system at Franklin University. Franklin also allows students to transfer up to 94 credits, where many colleges only allow up to 90. The option to complete a minor gives students a chance to have an edge on their competitors in the workforce. Franklin’s graduation rate is only 15%, lowest on the list. Despite this, they have a strong program which gives students a well-rounded exposure to the health management field.

5. Saint Leo University

Saint Leo offers a Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management. The program is for students who want to work in places like hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, medical laboratories, and nursing care facilities. The program puts a large emphasis on leadership skills and mixes liberal arts courses with business courses.

Students in the Health Care Management program have to complete an internship, but they may request a waiver if they have significant health care management or administrative experience. Students need to complete 120 credits to graduate.

Reason for Ranking: Saint Leo University has a curriculum that gives its students a well-rounded education beyond their academic major. Although a Catholic institution, students are not pressured to take on certain philosophies, making it open to anyone who wants to study. Even online students have access to the full collegiate environment with clubs and peer mentoring organizations. Tutoring and a library with over 290,000 ebooks and book delivery makes sure online learners have all the resources they need.

4. Tiffin University

Tiffin university offers the Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration. Anyone who has a high school diploma can apply for Tiffin’s online studies program. The program is set up so that each of the courses build on one another. The courses are on seven-week terms starting in January, March, May, July, August, and October.

Students have the option to waive Freshman Studies depending transfer credits. Tiffin University’s curriculum is liberal arts oriented, so students get a well-rounded education. The general coursework required ties in with the student’s major. Students need to complete 124 credit hours to graduate.

Reason for Ranking: Tiffin University receives a high ranking because they are committed to helping online students succeed. Tiffin has a graduation rate of 46%. Graduating students across all majors have an average starting pay of $57,000. Surveys reveal a high student satisfaction. The Healthcare Administration students have the option to complete elective coursework in a concentration such as acute care, long-term care, mental health or public health.

3. Drexel University

Drexel University Online offers a Bachelor of Science in Health Services Administration. The program is for working professionals. Employees of partnering companies receive reduced tuition. Drexel is a Top 10 Most Innovative institution by U.S. News and World Report. The program is available on a part-time basis. Graduating students can work in clinics, insurance companies, private practices, nursing homes and more.

Drexel University schedules courses on a quarter system. Students can transfer up to 135 quarter hours, which is the equivalent of 90 semester hours. The curriculum covers health care and business courses.

Reason for Ranking: Drexel University Online awards students the same prestigious degree that on-campus students receive. Students are able to complete all credits online. Drexel is the only university on this list that offers online students a study abroad opportunity. Drexel supports working students as well as the military, with some students qualifying for reduced tuition rates.

Drexel University Online provides students with access to the Library, Writing Center, Career Center and 24/7 technical support. Students can also get a Medical Billing and Coding certificate before graduation, with credits applied to the major. A graduation rate of 70% indicates a high student satisfaction.

2. Florida Tech Online

Florida Tech offers a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a specialization in Healthcare Management. The program gives students exposure to topics such as management, ethics, and managed care. Students cover a high number of business courses in addition to healthcare management. The program is good for students who want to work right away, or those considering graduate study.

Students must complete 124 credits to graduate. Students receive support from an enrollment advisor and have access to online tutoring and the online library.

Reason for Ranking: Florida Institute of Technology is a top ranked university with doctorate level faculty. Students studying online receive full support including 24/7 support, MP3 lectures and MP4 video lectures available. The program allows for students to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration which gives them more marketability on their resumes.

Students are also prepared to study for an MBA if they choose. Florida Tech has a graduation rate of 54% and a diverse alumni network. Students across all fields have an average starting pay of $57,000.

Florida Tech also has high rankings from the U.S. News and World report based graduate performance, alumni donations, and student selectivity.

1. Penn State – World Campus

Penn State World Campus is the online equivalent to Penn State University. Calling the school Penn State-World Campus gives online students a sense of community. They are part of a college campus without having to be physically present.

Penn State offers the Online Bachelor of Science in Health Policy and Administration. They state that a bachelor’s degree in this field will help you “acquire the skills and knowledge you need to understand the issues involved in providing access to quality health care at a reasonable cost.” Students learn from a faculty with more than 30 years of experience teaching undergraduate healthcare. A network of 4,000 alumni shows the steady progress of the program.

Students have to complete a field experience which allows them to apply knowledge taught in the program. The field experience, also referred to as a practicum or internship, should be completed before the final semester. The field experience is two parts. The first is a three-credit course which covers resume and cover letters, interviewing skills, computer usage, and discussion on HIPPA laws. The second part is the internship in a health service organization for a minimum of 400 hours. Students complete a weekly log and participate in online discussions about their experiences. They are also required to complete a paper on their internship.

Reason for Ranking: A wide variety of courses and a required internship has earned Penn State the top spot on this ranking list. A two-part field experience gives students real-world experience that will help students to be sure if the field is something they want to do. The faculty is experienced in teaching online and offer a career-focused curriculum.

The tuition is surprisingly low at $13,516 for the 2015-16 school year. This university has the highest graduation rate on this list at 85%. The best part, Penn State-World Campus students are Penn State graduates. They earn the same prestigious degree as students who study on-campus. They also become part of the largest alumni network in the nation.