2020 Most Affordable Healthcare Administration Degrees Online
The 24 colleges listed below offer the most affordable online bachelor's in healthcare administration degrees. For example, Tennessee State University — ranked #1 — offers an online Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies - Health Administration for only $4,200 per year. Aspen University — ranked #2 — has an annual tuition rate of $4,500 for its B.S. in Health Care Administration. Classes for this program include Healthcare Policy and Economics, Healthcare Writing and Communications, HIPAA and Electronic Health Records, Insurance and Healthcare Reimbursement, Medical Terminology, and Principles of Health and Disease.
You can read more about our ranked schools below or browse our rankings of the most affordable online master's in healthcare administration. View our methodology or learn more about OnlineU.
| Rank | School | Annual Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee State University | $4,200 | |
| Aspen University | $4,500 | |
| California Coast University | $4,725 | |
| Fort Valley State University | $5,190 | |
| Albany State University | $5,487 | |
| University of North Georgia | $6,090 | |
| Columbia Southern University | $6,900 | |
| Barry University | $7,410 | |
| Central Methodist University | $7,800 | |
| Louisiana State University-Alexandria | $8,060 | |
| American Public University System | $8,100 | |
| Weber State University | $8,340 | |
| Middle Georgia State University | $8,670 | |
| Purdue University Global | $8,800 | |
| Southeast Missouri State University | $9,000 | |
| Midwestern State University | $9,166 | |
| Champlain College | $9,540 | |
| Southern New Hampshire University Online | $9,600 | |
| Indiana University-Kokomo | $9,929 | |
| Florida International University | $10,376 | |
| Colorado State University Global | $10,500 | |
| Dakota State University | $10,537 | |
| King University | $10,980 | |
| Saint Leo University Online | $11,100 |
Tennessee State University Nashville (TN) Tennessee State University (TSU) offers a Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies with a concentration in Health Administration. This 120-credit program takes approximately four years to complete. It includes 41 hours of general education, 34 credits of lower division electives, 21 hours of professional core, 15 hours of health administration courses, 6 upper division electives, and a 3-credit culminating project. The health administration focus explores topics such as health care research and... community and international health. Online coursework is available through the eLearn @ Tennessee State University system and the D2L Brightspace platform. The TSU Global Online program offers 24/7 technical support. Distance learners also have access to academic support counselors, specialized tutors, and library resources. Out-of-state students are provided with a discounted e-rate tuition. Students can also save money by completing a prior learning assessment to receive credit for knowledge and experience gained through previous training and service. Aspiring students can apply online or by choosing TSU among their top four choices on the Common Black College Application. Admission requirements include an application with a fee, transcripts, and test scores for first-year students under 21. Although applications are accepted year-round, there is a fall semester deadline of August 1st and a spring semester deadline of December 1st.
Example Classes: Community Health: Issues & Services, International Health: Problems and Issues, Special Topics and Leadership, Trends and Issues in Nursing and Health Care Online Bachelor's Degrees
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Aspen University Denver (CO) The Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration from Aspen University requires 40 courses in areas that range from communications and English composition to mathematics and social/behavioral science. Health care courses span areas that include pharmacology, office management, and medical ethics. Each online course is eight weeks in length. The program ends with a capstone project that allows each student to focus on a specific area of interest. Operating through an online classroom platform,... Aspen University offers asynchronous classes that allow students to complete coursework at any time. It also facilitates course discussions among students and instructors that are scheduled for maximum convenience. Students can save both time and money by applying for Prior Experiential Learning credits for outside learning experiences that range from military and job training to seminars, workshops, and continuing education courses. Monthly payment plans are also available. Distance learners can contact professors and receive individual support. They also have access to academic counselors for assistance with academic matters. Along with their completed online application, Aspen health care administration program candidates must submit official transcripts that show a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0. Candidates can apply to Aspen at any time, and courses have regular start dates every two weeks.
Example Classes: Healthcare Policy and Economics, Healthcare Writing and Communications, HIPAA and Electronic Health Records, Insurance and Healthcare Reimbursement, Medical Terminology, Principles of Health and Disease Online Bachelor's Degrees
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California Coast University Santa Ana (CA) Through its self-paced program, California Coast University (CCU) allows students to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration online on either a full-time or a part-time basis. Students must complete a total of 126 credits that are spread out over 42 courses. These courses are evenly divided into 14 general education, 14 core healthcare/business, and 14 elective courses. Students may complete the program in as little as nine months or up to five years, depending on their pace and... transferred credits. The CCU online curriculum has no set meeting times, exam dates, or classroom attendance requirements. In addition to transferring previous work experience and training into college credit, CCU offers a range of tuition discounts for active duty military members, military veterans, law enforcement professionals, firefighters, government employees, and previous CCU graduates. The school also reduces tuition costs by ten percent for employees of corporate partners. Distance learners have access to resources, including a writing lab, library services, and an online student resource center. New students may begin classes at any time of the year, and CCU offers a streamlined application process. Prospective students complete an online application, provide official high school and/or college transcripts, and submit a resume that details all relevant academic, occupational, and volunteer experience.
Example Classes: Cultural Diversity in Health and Illness, Essentials of Managed Health Care, Information Technology for Health Professions, The United States Health Care System Online Bachelor's Degrees
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Fort Valley State University Fort Valley (GA)
Example Classes: Design Health Communications Messages, Health Care Communications, Health Care Compliance, Health Care Economics, Health Care Organizations, U.S. Health Care Systems Online Bachelor's Degrees
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Albany State University Albany (GA)
Example Classes: Communication for Management, Humanities, Fine Arts and Ethics, Insitutional Options, Natural Science, Math & Tech, Principles of Microeconomics, Social Sciences Online Bachelor's Degrees
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University of North Georgia Dahlonega (GA)
Example Classes: Electronic Health Record Essentials, Healthcare Code Sets & Clinical Terminologies, Healthcare Data Standards and Interoperability, Healthcare Information Systems Implementation & Administration Online Bachelor's Degrees
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Columbia Southern University Orange Beach (AL)
Example Classes: Budgeting in Health Care, Comparative Health Systems, Critical Issues in Health Care, Health Care Quality Management, Health Unit Coordination, Standards for Health Care Staff Online Bachelor's Degrees
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Barry University Miami Shores (FL)
Example Classes: Health Care Finance, Health Care for the Elderly, Public and Community Health, The Health Care System Online Bachelor's Degrees
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Central Methodist University Fayette (MO)
Example Classes: Case Studies in Managerial Integrity, Client Education and Health Care, Health Care Informatic, Health Care Law, Insurance, Coding and Billing in Health Care, Issues in Current Professional Practice Online Bachelor's Degrees
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Louisiana State University-Alexandria Alexandria (LA)
Example Classes: Aging in American Society, Client Care Interactions, Health Care Language Applications, Personal Productivity Using IT Tools, Politics and Policy of Elder Health Care, The Aged in Contemporary Society Online Bachelor's Degrees
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American Public University System Charles Town (WV)
Example Classes: Healthcare Delivery Systems and Documentation, Healthcare Quality and Safety, Healthcare Reimbursement Methodologies, Healthcare: Moral Issues, Legal and Ethical Principles in Healthcare, Special Operations in Emergency Medical Services Online Bachelor's Degrees
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Weber State University Ogden (UT)
Example Classes: Classification Systems Topics & Reimbursement, Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Health Care Administration & Supervisory Theory, Health Care Economics & Policy, Health Care Marketing, Human Resource Development Online Bachelor's Degrees
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Middle Georgia State University Macon (GA)
Example Classes: American Health Care System, Design & Management, Health Communications, Leadership in Health Care, Quality Management and Improvement, Research Methods for Health Sciences Online Bachelor's Degrees
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Purdue University Global Indianapolis (IN)
Example Classes: Discovering Science - Current Issues in a Changing World, Leadership and Ethics in Health Care, Operational Analysis and Quality Improvement, Professionalism - Theory and Practice in the Global Workplace, Strategic Planning and Organizational Development for Health Care Online Bachelor's Degrees
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Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau (MO)
Example Classes: American Health Care System, Fundamentals of Oral Communication, Health Perspectives, Marketing Healthcare, Medical Ethics Online Bachelor's Degrees
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Midwestern State University Wichita Falls (TX)
Example Classes: Administration and Supervision of Diagnostic Imaging, Employee Assistance Issues, Ethics of Respiratory Care, Health Law in Medical Imaging, Teams and Teamwork, Theories and Concepts: Nursing Research Online Bachelor's Degrees
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Champlain College Burlington (VT)
Example Classes: Compensation & Benefits, Healthcare Performance & Process Improvement, Navigating the U.S. Healthcare System, Privacy & Protection: Law & Regulation in Healthcare, Social Interactions in the Digital Age, Writing in the Workplace Online Bachelor's Degrees
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Southern New Hampshire University Online Manchester (NH)
Example Classes: Ethical and Legal Considerations of Healthcare, Healthcare Delivery Systems, Healthcare Economics, Healthcare Research and Evaluation Methodologies, Organizational Behavior, Social Environment of Business Online Bachelor's Degrees
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Indiana University-Kokomo Kokomo (IN)
Example Classes: Consumer Health, Economics of Health Care, Epidemiology/Biostatistics and Population Health, Grant Writing & Internship, Health Care Organization Supervision and Resource Management, Program Assessment, Planning, and Evaluation Online Bachelor's Degrees
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Florida International University Miami (FL)
Example Classes: Communication Theory and Practice for Health Professions, Cultural Competency in Health Sciences, Healthcare Financial Management, Leadership and Management for Health Professionals, Legal Aspects of Healthcare, Values, Ethics, and Conflict Resolution in Health and Urban Affairs Online Bachelor's Degrees
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Colorado State University Global Greenwood Village (CO)
Example Classes: Healthcare Operations Management, Healthcare Supervision, Managed Care and Health Insurance, Population Health Management, Quality and Risk Management in Healthcare, The Economics of Healthcare Online Bachelor's Degrees
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Dakota State University Madison (SD)
Example Classes: Health Record Admin Supervised Professional Practice, Healthcare Data Analytics, Healthcare Information Governance, Healthcare Procedure Coding Systems, Management Health Information Center, Revenue Cycle Management Online Bachelor's Degrees
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King University Bristol (TN)
Example Classes: Applied Communication for Healthcare Leadership, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Informatics for Healthcare, Management of Quality Improvement and Outcomes, Population-Based Health, Understanding Sustainability in Healthcare Online Bachelor's Degrees
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Saint Leo University Online St. Leo (FL)
Example Classes: Community Health Evaluation, Contemporary and Critical Issues in Health Care, Health Care Organization, Health Law, Health Planning and Policy Management, Quality Improvement in Health Care Online Bachelor's Degrees
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Is an Online Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration Worth It?
Healthcare managers with a few years of experience earn a median salary of $104,280 per year, while recent graduates with less experience can get jobs as administrators or managers in settings such as nursing homes, dental practices, and clinics.
Aside from future employment considerations, you should also consider your personal circumstances and financial situation. While an online bachelor's in healthcare administration can lead to a satisfying career in a growing industry, it's still important to weigh the pros and cons.
Advantages:
- An online bachelor's is often sufficient to begin working in a fast-paced and growing field. Jobs for medical and health services managers are projected to grow by 32% between 2020 and 2030.
- Rather than focusing on patient care, healthcare administration programs explore the health industry’s operational, managerial, and financial aspects. The online format is an effective learning model for studying these subjects because they don't require hands-on learning. An online degree in this field may also be a cheaper alternative to a traditional degree.
Drawbacks:
- Since it focuses on a single industry, a bachelor's in healthcare administration may not prepare you for working in a managerial capacity across other sectors. So, if you are considering this path, a bachelor's in management may be a more suitable option.
- Only completing a bachelor's degree could limit your potential for career growth in the long run. If you hope to become a senior healthcare administrator, such as a hospital CEO, you may need a master's degree.
Common Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration Courses
Individuals interested in managerial careers in the healthcare industry need more than a general education in business. Healthcare administration programs focus specifically on the unique issues, policies, and laws regarding healthcare operations. Below are some of the courses commonly found in an online bachelor's degree program in healthcare administration.
- Contemporary Issues in Healthcare: In this course, students discover many of the important and sometimes controversial issues in healthcare today. Case studies and real-world examples of healthcare providers, suppliers, insurers, and other related organizations allow students to examine all sides of the issues. In addition, class discussions enable students to develop soft skills, such as communication, sensitivity, and ethical thinking.
- Healthcare Information Systems: This course provides a broad overview of computer technology for managing healthcare. Students learn about the various systems used to record patient information, provide patient care, and continuously educate healthcare practitioners. Coursework also covers data management and privacy policies, and it may also include cutting-edge technologies and trends.
- Healthcare Policy and Economics: In this class, undergraduates study how the economy influences the healthcare industry and health-related policies. Students also learn how healthcare professionals, advocacy groups, and individuals can participate in the political process and influence policy on behalf of patients and communities, especially vulnerable populations.
- Insurance and Managed Healthcare: To manage healthcare organizations and facilities effectively, students must have an in-depth knowledge of medical insurance policies and procedures. The coursework gives students hands-on experience with coding, billing, submitting claims, and appealing health insurance decisions. The course content also touches on the most common types of insurance coverage, including Medicare and Medicaid.
- Medical Law and Ethics: Advances in medicine, technology, and medical research have raised ethical questions for many in the healthcare field. This course explores common ethical dilemmas and demonstrates how practitioners must consider their patients, patients' families, themselves, and employers when making decisions. Course content also addresses many of the laws and regulations related to medical science and treatment.
Funding an Online Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration
Online bachelor's students in healthcare administration have many financial aid opportunities. Since students don't have to repay grants, scholarships, and work-study earnings, these offer some of the best options for funding. After exhausting these opportunities, students can apply for loans. Applicants should prioritize federal loans because they have lower interest rates.
Applicants should prioritize federal loans because they have lower interest rates.
Most financial aid applications require students to fill out the Free Application for Student Financial Aid (FAFSA) to determine their financial need and eligibility for federal aid. Although undocumented students are ineligible for federal financial aid, they may qualify for state aid and in-state tuition but only in some states.
Where to Look for Additional Financial Aid
Online students may be interested in applying for scholarships intended for healthcare administration majors. Contact your college's financial aid office to find out about programs you may be eligible for. You may also consider applying for the scholarships listed below.
AAHAM Scholarship
Student members are excluded from this award, but a dues-paying member of the American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management can apply to earn $2,500 annually to study for a bachelor's degree in healthcare administration. Spouses, children, and grandchildren of AAHAM members can also receive $1,000 awards. The association currently funds four of the $2,500 scholarships and eight of the $1,000 awards.
AHIMA Foundation Merit Scholarship
Undergraduates can receive a one-time award of $1,500 if they're current American Health Information Management Association members. Applicants must first complete at least 24 hours of college coursework while maintaining a 3.5 GPA minimum. Also, a student’s degree program must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education.
Medical Group Management Association Scholarships
This professional organization sponsors nine scholarships, including regional and nationwide opportunities. Each award has slightly different requirements, and the award amounts range from $2,500 to $10,000. By filling out a single application, a student’s eligibility is automatically considered for all awards.