A BS health administration degree is a useful, versatile, and important degree that equips future healthcare professionals with the tools they need to be successful in the healthcare field. A bachelor’s in healthcare administration degree also typically results in an above-average income. It also doesn’t matter what type of BS health administration degree is earned, because it can be a bachelor of healthcare management or a bachelor’s in healthcare administration, the healthcare field has an excellent job market.
People don’t have to be nurses or doctors to make a difference in the lives of others, and there are other ways to get involved in the healthcare field, like a healthcare administration program. A bachelor’s in healthcare administration degree leads to those opportunities, puts people in the position to help others and to make a difference in the care and service of patients.
Featured Schools
Methodology: Ranking the Best Healthcare Administration Programs
The editors at Bachelor’s Degree Center know prospective hospital and health administrators need a healthcare administration program that will pay off in their careers. That’s why we feature reputable, accredited institutions, ranked according to real statistics – tuition, student reviews, and graduate salary – using current IPEDS and Niche data. These healthcare administration degree programs will make a difference.
1. James Madison University
James Madison University offers a BS in Health Services Administration that is recognized to be among Virginia’s best healthcare administration programs according to bachelorsdegreecenter.org. James Madison University’s bachelor’s in healthcare administration requires the completion of 120-semester credits in classes that include healthcare management, epidemiology, health economics, long-term care administration, and health politics and policy, plus an internship in health administration, to name a few.
Founded as a research higher learning institution to train women teachers in 1908, James Madison University (JMU) now operates as a ‘more selective’ university by the Carnegie Foundation. The university’s small-city campus in Harrisonburg serves more than 22,440 graduate and undergraduate students each year.
What We Like: James Madison University is ranked as the second-best master-level school in the southern United States.
Degree: Health Services Administration
2. Georgetown University
Georgetown University offers a BS in Health Care Management & Policy that offers study abroad opportunities. Georgetown University’s best healthcare administration programs offer two academic tracks. – healthcare management and health policy analysis. Classes for Georgetown University’s bachelor’s in healthcare administration include the legal environment of health care, negotiating leadership, health services research, healthcare management, and analytical methods for policy evaluation, plus an internship, to name a few.
Georgetown University is a private school that was established as a college in 1789 but is now recognized to be among the top institutions of higher education in the nation. The university’s main campus overlooks the Potomac River and serves more than 18,000 students each year.
What We Like: Georgetown University holds the distinction with more alumni that include the most United States Diplomats.
Degree: Health Care Management & Policy, BS
3. George Mason University
George Mason University’s Health Administration & Policy offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree program in Health Administration that offers students two academic concentrations in assisted living/senior housing or health systems management. George Mason University’s bachelor’s in healthcare administration with a health systems management concentration is certified by the AUPHA. Students graduate from GMU’s bachelor’s program healthcare administration program and enter the workforce as healthcare administrators in healthcare management, clinics, hospitals, home care organizations, and IT organizations, among others.
George Mason University is a multiple-campus research school that was chartered in 1949. George Mason University’s campuses across Virginia and South Korea serve nearly 40,000 graduate and undergraduate students each year.
What We Like: George Mason University began as an extension facility of UV in a local high school and many other locations in the early years, even people’s homes.
Degree: BS in Health Administration
4. Penn State University
Penn State University offers a BS in Health Policy & Administration (HPA) program that is recognized to be among Pennsylvania’s best healthcare administration programs. Classes for this bachelor’s in healthcare administration include health care and medical needs, financial decisions in health care organizations, population health & health care, involutory microeconomic analysis and policy, and strategic planning and marketing for health services, plus a health care field experience, to name a few.
Penn State University is recognized to be a public ivy school. Penn State began as a high school for farmers in the mid-1850s. In addition, PSU is a four-designation school, one of only a few in the nation, and has a student enrollment across campuses and online of nearly 90,000.
What We Like: Penn State University holds an annual danceathon which is recognized to be the largest of any school in the country.
Degree: Health Policy and Administration, BS
5. University of Southern California
The University of Southern California offers a BS in Public Policy with an academic specialty in Health Policy and Management that is among California’s best healthcare administration programs. Students enrolled in USC’s healthcare administration bachelor’s program complete classes in healthcare management, social justice issues in public policy, administration of health care organizations, statistics for policy and planning, analytic foundations for public policy, plus a capstone and internship, to name a few.
The University of Southern California (U of SC) was established in the 1880s and is recognized to be the oldest institute of higher learning that is dedicated to research run privately. USC is a space and sea-grant university located in Los Angeles with a student enrollment that nears 50,000.
What We Like: It is estimated that the economic impact of the University of Southern California on the state’s economy to be $8 billion.
Degree: Public Policy: Health Policy and Management, BS
6. Auburn University
The Liberal Arts College at Auburn University offers a BS in Health Services Administration (HADM) that is ranked by backelorddegreecenter.com among the best healthcare administration programs. Auburn University’s bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration was the first program in Alabama to be accredited by the AUPHA. Auburn University’s healthcare administration baccalaureate program prepares graduates to become future leaders of the health care system. Auburn’s healthcare program has more than 1,000 alumni living and working across the globe.
Founded as an all-male college in the 1880s by the state legislature, Auburn University now operates as a land-grant school and the 2nd largest in the state. Additionally, Auburn University is a space and sea-grant institution of higher education that serves more than 30,250 students each year.
What We Like: Auburn University was the first southern school to be a land-grant school that was not also a state university.
Degree: BS in Health Services Administration
7. University of Alabama at Birmingham
The University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Health Professions School offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Health Care Management (HCM) that offers degree candidates four academic tracks. The available concentrations from Auburn University’s best health administration programs include long-term care, general manager, pre-professional, and clinical manager. Classes for UA’s undergraduate health care administration degree program include cultural awareness and competency, healthcare management, law for health care professionals, and medical terminology for health professionals, plus a health care internship, to name a few.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham was established in the 1960s as a public school. UAB is organized into a dozen colleges/schools that offer UAB’s 22,500 students more than 135 academic and certificate programs.
What We Like: The medical center at the University of Alabama in Birmingham is among the largest in the nation.
Degree: B.S. in Health Care Management
8. University of Baltimore
The University of Baltimore offers a BS in Health Management that has been recognized to be among the nation’s best healthcare administration programs, according to besthealthdegrees.com. The health management degree from UMB requires 42 credit units from the healthcare management curriculum. Classes for this degree include healthcare management, health policy & politics, quantitative methods for health care managers, and statistics for health administration, plus a healthcare management internship, to name a few.
The University of Baltimore (Baltimore) is a member school of the state’s university system and was established in the 1920s. The university offers its more than 4,000 students various programs in the applied arts/sciences, law, public affairs, and business.
What We Like: The University of Baltimore’s humble beginning began by a group of local business professionals in the city.
Degree: Health Management BS
9. Oregon State University
Oregon State University offers a BS in Health Policy that is ranked among the top four best healthcare administration programs. Graduates of Oregon State University’s undergraduate health care administration degree program find rewarding work as assisted living managers, health policy analysts, long-term care administrators, and clinic managers, to name a few. OSU’s health administration degree offers two academic specialty tracks – health promotion & health behavior and health systems & policy with an accelerated master’s level program.
Oregon State University is a research school that was established in the 1860s and evolved from a prep academy. OSU offers more than 200 programs from its college-town campus (and online) to nearly 32,000 students each year. Oregon State University is a four-designation school that includes land, sea, space, and sun-grant designations.
What We Like: Oregon State University is located about 1.5 hours from downtown Portland in Willamette Valley.
Degree: Health Management and Policy
10. California State University, Chico
California State University, Chico offers one of the Golden State’s best healthcare administration programs with its BS in Policy Health Services Administration. CSU Chico’s undergraduate degree in health care administration is AUPHA accredited. Classes for CSU’s healthcare management degree include international health, epidemiology, healthcare delivery system, corporate tech integration, and law, ethics & regulations in health services, plus a health care internship, to name a few.
California State University’s campus in Chico was established in the 1880s as a normal school to train teachers. The university’s campus in north-central California is the state university’s second oldest school. Student enrollment at Chico is about 16,550 postgraduate and undergraduate students each year.
What We Like: Cal State Chico is organized into eleven schools/colleges that offer more than 150 academic programs.
Degree: Health Services Administration
11. Texas State University
Texas State University’s Health Administration School offers a Bachelor of Health Administration (BHA) that is recognized among the Lone Star State’s best healthcare administration programs. Classes for Texas State University’s undergraduate degree in health care administration includes ethics in the health professions, health care administration history, culture, & language, employment law in management, essentials in health care law and strategic healthcare management, plus a practicum in healthcare management, to name a few.
Texas State University (Texas State) was established in 1899 as a teacher’s training school. Texas State University’s campuses in San Marcos, Round Rock, are located about mid-distance between San Antonio and Austin and is home to 38,150 undergraduate and graduate students every year.
What We Like: The most notable alumni of Texas State University, is Lyndon B Johnson and 6x MLB all-star P. Goldschmidt.
Degree: BHA
12. Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University offers a BS in Health Service Administration that prepares students to become the next generation’s health care leaders. Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University’s best health administration programs include classes in health care systems & trends, healthcare management, corporate social responsibilities, writing for health professionals, educating in the school of health professions, business statistics, principles of management, plus a capstone, to name a few.
Fran U – the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University is a private school that was founded in the 1920s, with nine students with a Roman Catholic affiliation. The school’s Baton Rouge campus overlooking Capitol Lake is home to nearly 1,300 students each year.
What We Like: Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University offers its students an impressive 10 to 1 student to faculty ratio.
Degree: BS in Health Service Administration
13. University of New Hampshire
The University of New Hampshire offers a BS in Health Management and Policy that is AUPHA certified. The University of New Hampshire’s best healthcare administration programs opens the door to many career opportunities as consultants, healthcare administrators, healthcare sales epidemiologists, and health analysts, to name a few. Classes for this health care administration degree program include an introduction to public health, statistics for human service professionals, and epidemiology & community medicine, to name a few.
The University of New Hampshire was founded under the Morrill Land Grant College Act in the mid-1860s in Hanover, in conjunction with Dartmouth. The school’s campuses cover more than 2,500 acres and serve about 14,650 students each year.
What We Like: UNH is divided into eleven schools/colleges that offer programs in engineering, life sciences, health, business law, public policy, marine science, and liberal arts, to name a few.
Degree: BS in Health Management and Policy
14. University of Connecticut
The University of Connecticut offers a BS in Health Care Management (HCM) program that is ranked among the best health administration programs in Connecticut. The University of Connecticut’s undergraduate degree in healthcare administration includes classes in risk management and insurance, health care economics, clinical and social issues in health care, health & social insurance, and health law and policy, plus a healthcare administration internship, to name a few.
The University of Connecticut is the flagship campus of the state’s university system that was established as an agricultural school in the 1880s. UC is ranked among the top schools in New England and the nation with a student body that exceeds 27,000.
What We Like: UConn is also a space, sea, and land-grant institution of higher education.
Degree: Healthcare Management, BS
15. University of Minnesota Duluth
The University of Minnesota offers a BBA in Health Care Management (HCM) that prepares students for rewarding careers in healthcare management. The University of Minnesota’s best healthcare administration programs are certified by the AUPHA and have a 100% placement rate. Classes for this baccalaureate degree include health care organization and healthcare management, legal aspects in health care, health care quality management, plus an internship, among others.
The University of Minnesota, located in Duluth, was founded as a normal school for teachers in 1902. The university’s urban location in Duluth is home to more than 10,100 students each year vying for degrees and certificates offered by the university’s seven colleges/schools.
What We Like: The campus for the University of Minnesota located in Duluth overlooks Lake Superior and covers more than 200 acres.
Degree: Health Care Management B.B.A.
16. University of Miami
The University of Miami offers a BS in Business Administration (BSBA) degree with an academic specialty track in Health Management and Policy that is among Florida’s best health administration programs. Students enrolled in the University of Miami’s complete coursework in classes that include health care law and ethics, healthcare management, health informatics, special topics in health sector management/policy, production and consumption of health and health care, and applied health policy, to name a few.
The University of Miami is a sea and space-grant institution of higher education that was founded in the 1920s. The University of Miami is organized into twelve schools/colleges that serve about 17,550 postgraduate and graduate students each year.
What We Like: The University of Miami, due to its unique location, is home to nearly a library of preeminent and exceptional items that speak to the heritage (and music) of Cuba.
Degree: Health Management and Policy, BSBA
17. Trinity University
Trinity University’s Dept. of Health Care Administration offers a bachelor’s degree in Health Care Administration (HCA) that can be completed as part- or full-time students. Trinity University’s best healthcare administration programs prepare students with a cross-disciplinary approach to real-world health administration data and cases. Coursework includes experiential learning to refine healthcare management leadership skills and competencies. Students graduate and find rewarding careers in hospitals, healthcare systems, medical centers, or physician offices, to name a few.
Trinity University is a private school that was founded in the late 1860s. The university’s campus in downtown San Antonio covers more than 100 urban acres and serves about 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students each year.
What We Like: Trinity University was ranked by US News as the best regional school and second best in value in the western United States.
Degree: Health Care Administration
18. University of North Florida
The University of North Florida offers a Bachelor of Health Administration (BHA) that is one of North Florida’s best health administration programs. Degree candidates attending the University of North Florida’s undergraduate health care program will complete classes in managerial epidemiology, health law and ethics, health care finance, health information systems, quality management healthcare, health economics, plus an internship and capstone project in health care, to name a few.
The University of North Florida was established in Jacksonville in the 1960s. The University of North Florida (North Florida) is a member of Florida’s state university system with a student enrollment that exceeds 16,550 students each year vying for the academic and certificate programs offered by UNF’s five colleges/schools.
What We Like: The University of North Florida’s campus is home to the state’s first- green-LEED certified building on any campus.
Degree: BHA
19. University of Kansas Medical Center
The University of Kansas Medical Center offers a bachelor’s degree in Health Information Management that requires applicants to have met the first two years of undergraduate study. The University of Kansas Medical Center’s best health administration programs requires students to complete classes in health care analytics, clinical terminologies, applied statistics in health care, quality & performance improvement in healthcare, and information governance in healthcare, plus an internship, among others.
The University of Kansas Medical Center (KU Med) is a public university that was founded in 1920. The University of Kansas campus of the Medical Center is a multiple campus school that performs as the university system’s medical campus housing medical and health profession schools.
What We Like: Many notable medical innovators and politicians are proud to call KU Med their alma mater, including Roger Marshall, the current senator from the state of Kansas.
Degree: Health Information Management
20. Towson University
Towson University offers a bachelor’s degree program in Health Care Management (HCMN)that offers students an optional long-term care track if interested. Towson University’s best healthcare administration programs required students to complete at least 121 undergraduate credit units. Classes for this undergraduate health care program include legal environment of business, health administration, health information and quality management, research methods in health studies, human resource management for allied health professionals, and legal and ethical issues in health administration, to name a few.
Founded as a higher institution of learning in 1866, Towson University is now a comprehensive school that is organized into eight colleges/universities that serve more than 22,100 students each year.
What We Like: Towson University holds the distinction of being the first teacher’s school to be developed in Maryland and is located a few miles to the north of downtown Baltimore.
Degree: Health Care Management
21. University of Nevada, Las Vegas
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas offers a BS in Health Service Administration that ranks as one of Nevada’s best health administration programs. Students enrolled in the health care program from UNV are required to complete a minimum of 120 undergraduate semester credits. Classes for this undergraduate healthcare administration degree program include introduction to public health, epidemiological concepts for healthcare administration, health care law, health care finance, and quantitative management for health care organizations, plus a practicum, to name a few.
The University of Nevada in LV was established as a divisional extension in 1957 of the UNV. The University of Nevada’s Las Vegas Campus now operates as a land-grant school and is about a mile from the famous Vegas Strip and serves more than 31,000 students on its 300+ acre campus and online.
What We Like: The University of Nevada operates the only law school in Nevada.
Degree: BS in Health Care Administration
22. University of Scranton
The University of Scranton offers a Bachelor of Health Administration (BHA) that offers an interdisciplinary approach to healthcare management. The University of Scranton’s best healthcare administration programs requires a 120 hour internship through this NAB accredited program. Classes for the University of Scranton’s include cultural diversity and health administration, business information management, health finance, issues in healthcare administration, research in health administration, medical ethics, and principles of management, plus a health care internship, to name a few.
The University of Scranton is a Jesuit higher learning institution that was established in the 1880s as St. Thomas College. The University of Scranton’s urban campus is home to nearly 5,500 postgraduate and undergraduate students each year.
What We Like: The University of Scranton has been recognized as the sixth-best regional university in the northern section of the United States by US News & World Report.
Degree: BHA
23. East Carolina University
East Carolina University offers a BS in Health Services Management (HSM) that is among North Carolina’s most affordable and best healthcare administration programs. East Carolina University’s undergraduate degree in healthcare administration is AUPHA certified. Classes for East Carolina University’s program include health in modern society, environments in health care, health care delivery, professional ethics, health data management, and medical practice management, plus an internship, to name a few.
Established as a normal school for teacher training in 1907, East Carolina University now operates as a sea-grant school that serves nearly 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students each year online and on multiple campuses that cover more than 500 urban acres.
What We Like: East Carolina University now holds the distinction of being the 4th largest higher learning institution in North Carolina.
Degree: BS in Health Services and Information Management
24. University of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida’s Community, Innovation and Education College (UCF) offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Health Services Administration that ranks among Florida’s best healthcare administration programs. Graduates of the University of Central Florida’s bachelor’s degree in health care find rewarding careers as a medical office manager, human resource specialist, or patient accounting specialist, to name a few. Classes for UCF’s health care degree program include health law and ethics, fundamentals of health information technology, health care finance, health care economics, community health, and US health care systems, plus a health care internship, to name a few.
Founded as a member school of Florida’s state university system, the University of Central Florida now operates multiple campuses throughout the region. In addition, the University of Central Florida has a student enrollment that nears 75,000 students studying online and on its several campuses. The University of Central Florida performs as a space-grant school and located near Cape Canaveral, the Kennedy Space Center, and Florida’s space coast.
What We Like: The University of Central Florida is also about ten miles from Orlando’s nightlife and multitudes of amusement parks.
Degree: Health Services Administration, BS
25. Stonehill College
Stonehill College’s Meehan School of Business offers a BA in Health Care Administration that is certified by the Assoc. of University Programs in Health Administration. Students enrolled in Stonehill College’s best healthcare administration programs can opt to focus on these academic concentrations – health IT, finance, marketing, public relations/sales, group practice management, consulting, gerontology, public/private sector insurance, and population health management.
Stonehill College was established by the Congregation of Holy Cross in the late 1940s. Stonehill College’s suburban campus in southeastern Massachusetts covers more than 300 acres and serves about 2,450 students each year. Stonehill College offers its students an impressive faculty-student ratio of 1 to 11.
What We Like: Engineering students at Stonehill College spend their final four academic semesters at Notre Dame, a sister institution to Stonehill College.
Degree: Healthcare Administration, B.A.
Why Should I Get a Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration?
Those who pursue or consider pursuing a bachelor of science healthcare administration degree can rest assured that there are many reasons for earning this highly valued degree. A BS healthcare administration degree enables and prepares graduates to enter an array of different roles as healthcare administrators, and in a variety of different medical settings and facilities.
Last but not least and one more reason to pursue a BS healthcare administration degree is the opportunity to help people. Since a bachelor’s in healthcare administration degree is so versatile, graduates can make a difference in patient’s lives in many more ways. From care and services policies to the finance department, those holding a bachelor of healthcare management degree can work in a variety of departments – or many!
How Do I Choose a Healthcare Administration Program?
Getting a BS healthcare administration degree begins with finding the best schools for healthcare administration undergraduate programs. From healthcare administration colleges with medical schools to those pursuing a healthcare management major at a university program, finding the right programs will make a difference.
Beyond the school offering a recognized major in healthcare administration program, and establishing a program’s credibility, many other factors should be considered when choosing the right healthcare administration program. The best schools for healthcare administration undergraduate programs will also be the programs that put students in the best position to be successful.
Students seeking a BS in healthcare administration degree may not find healthcare administration colleges per se, but healthcare administration programs. Those programs should offer classes that work with your schedule. Tuitions and class expenses should be compared along with any needed financial assistance programs. Program features such as online class options or evening classes should be investigated for those who could benefit from such features.
Accreditation is crucial for a healthcare management program. Whatever your specialization, a reputable MHA program will put you on the right track. The best colleges for online programs will be accredited. Study for your online degree part-time or full-time without being bound to on-campus master’s degree courses for your graduate degree credit hours.
Once you find a few good schools, then align those programs and class schedules with your needs. Soon, those programs that fit into your schedule, that you can afford, and that put you in the best position for success will become evident.
Is Healthcare Administration a Good Career?
If there were any questions or reservations about healthcare administration being a good career, it is. One reason why this is a good career is because of what healthcare administration is. So what is healthcare administration exactly? And why is healthcare administration a good career choice?
The most basic answer to the question of what is healthcare management is by simply stating it as all the non-clinical or medical functions of a medical facility, nursing homes, or hospital. That leads to the next question, is healthcare administration a good career choice?
These are common questions for students considering pursuing a healthcare degree. Inevitably questions arise such as the difference between healthcare management vs healthcare administration. Many people ask, is healthcare management a good major, or is healthcare administration hard?
Don’t worry, you will have plenty of time to talk to admissions staff and look over course curriculums. There is time to learn more about your course options and answers to questions like what is a degree in healthcare administration.
Healthcare administration is a big field and it covers many areas. Those non-medical aspects and non-clinical functions can include the day-to-day responsibilities of operating a healthcare facility. It can involve the staffing of hospital personnel to managing all the necessary budgeting for operations.
There are many aspects of the healthcare industry besides providers. You will need expertise in areas like organizational behavior and financial management.
Healthcare administrators don’t typically start at the top but comparably speaking, the field of medical care offers better average earning than most. From the financial to the personal rewards, a career in healthcare administration can prove to be fulfilling, worthwhile, and the right career for you.
Good luck in your educational pursuits and all of your health science career endeavors.
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