The growth of the healthcare industry is rapidly increasing as medical technology improves, access to insurance increases and large demographics, such as the Baby Boomers, begin to age. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that there will be a 17% job growth in this area which will equate to approximately 56,300 healthcare management positions created before 2022.
There is a slight difference between a healthcare manager and a healthcare administrator. Typically, managers run the healthcare organization and administrators oversee staffing concerns; however, some health systems interchange or mingle the titles. Whichever the case, healthcare executives require a minimum of a bachelor's degree in healthcare management and can expect a median annual salary of $94,500.
Tuition Costs
College educations are one of the most expensive ventures you'll undertake in your lifetime; and, tuition costs can vary widely from university to university. During the 2014-2015 academic year, the College Board estimated tuition costs ranged from $9,139 for in state students attending a public school to $31,231 for a private school education. Many states are beginning to explore offering tuition free education for residents attending two-year community colleges. There are several ways to reduce the sticker shock of obtaining your bachelor's degree.
Employee Reimbursement
If you're currently employed fulltime, you may want to investigate whether your employer offers tuition reimbursement as part of your benefits package. You may be able borrow from your 401k retirement plan, but be certain to talk with your financial advisor or human resource representative. Check with your employer's Human Resources department to see if either of these options are available and make sense for you.
Federal Financial Aid
Grants and student loans are offered for qualifying students by the federal government. You must file an application available at Free Application for Federal Student Aid. to determine eligibility. Typically, deadlines for applying for federal student aid is in February.
Veterans, Active Military, Spouses and Dependents
More than likely, schools will offer tuition discounts for active military members and their families. Schools that offer tuition reduction for military personnel will address that on that their website.
Accreditation
Program accreditation is important while choosing an online program. Accreditation signifies that the school's educational offerings meet specific standards as defined by an independent organization such as the Higher Learning Commission, which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
If you're pursuing a career path that requires state licensure, you'll want to verify that the program you choose meets state licensure requirements.
Below is a listing of 10 affordable, online bachelor degrees in Healthcare Management researched by Best Medical Degrees. This list is ranked according to tuition information on colleges and university websites, school accreditation, relevant rankings by U.S. News and World Report and length of programs.
1. East Carolina University
This Bachelor of Science in Health Services Management degree is very affordable for North Carolina residents and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Located in Greenville, North Carolina, ECU was founded in 1907 and has been recognized by U.S. News and World Report as #210 in National Universities and #118 Top Public Schools.
This degree is offered through the university's College of Allied Health Sciences and requires core coursework including health care delivery systems, quality management in health care, applied health services research, professional roles and environments in health care, health care payment systems, professional ethical codes and law in health care, etc. Concentration courses include medical terminology for health professions, human diseases, marketing healthcare services and health care reimbursement.
Length of Program: 126 Credit Hours
Estimated Tuition Cost: $18,581.22 (Resident); $86,510.34 (Non Residents)
2. Western Governors University Washington
This Bachelor in Healthcare Management degree through Western Governors University is through its College of Business. Western Governors University Washington was created by the Washington legislature in 2011 to work in conjunction with the Western Governors University to provide low cost, quality online education. Accredited by The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, WGU Washington's program can be completed in two years for those with an associates degree and 4 years for students with no prior college credit.
The BS in Healthcare Management covers finance, accounting, management, healthcare management, human resources, business law and ethics, healthcare data and quantitative analysis for business. A capstone project is required for successful completion of the bachelor degree.
Length of Program: 120 Credit Hours
Estimated Tuition Cost: $24,000
3. Rasmussen College
Established over 115 years ago in Minnesota, Rasmussen is a for-profit, private college and now has locations in six states and an online presence. The college offers seven areas of study in business, health sciences, nursing, justice studies, education, design and technology. Rasmussen offers a BS in Healthcare Management.
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, this bachelor's degree will review healthcare planning and policy management, healthcare information, advanced healthcare and laws, regulation and compliance in healthcare, as well as foundations of managed care. Students have a choice of tracks for completing their degree with either a capstone project in healthcare or an internship with field experience.
Length of Program: 180 Credit Hours
Estimated Tuition Cost: $32,556
4. Columbia College
Columbia College established in 1851, in Columbia, Missouri and has received a #106 national rating in Best Online Bachelor Programs by U.S. News and World Report. Columbia College offers two bachelor degrees (BS and BA) Bachelor in Business Administration with a concentration in healthcare management.
After meeting general education requirements, students working toward a BS or BA in Business Administration are expected to take courses in accounting, introduction to business, statistics for behavioral or natural sciences, management science, business information systems, as well as business communication, microeconomics, etc. Columbia College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Length of Program: 120 Credit Hours
Estimated Tuition Cost: $34,800; $30,000 (Military)
5. Colorado State University – Global Campus
Colorado State University – Global Campus, offers a Higher Learning Commission accredited, online Bachelor of Science Healthcare Administration and Management. This program offers numerous specializations in areas such as organizational leadership, computer technology, emergency management, foundations of accounting, public and non-profit management and strategic communication. The degree is designed to provide a strong foundation in human resources, marketing, medical laws, regulations and ethics for the healthcare manager. Colorado State University is ranked #11 Best Online Bachelor's Programs, #53 Best Online Graduate Business Programs; #18 Best Online Criminal Justice Programs; and #89 Best Online Graduate Education Program by U.S. News and World Report. Colorado State University – Global Campus is one of the three separate campuses in the Colorado State University System. It is the country's first and only 100% online, independently accredited, state, nonprofit university; it is not a virtual option supporting a bricks-and-mortar institution.
This school offers a dual enrollment for their B.S. in Healthcare Administration and Management and Master of Healthcare Administration and Management. Additionally, the CSU-Global Campus offers alternative credit options, allowing students to demonstrate knowledge by taking Competency Based Exams (CBE) or Prior Learning Assessments (PLAS). Check with the admissions office to determine how to take advantage of these exams.
Length of Program: 120 Credit Hours
Estimated Tuition Cost: $42,000
6. Fisher College
This Boston, Massachusetts school opened in 1903 to provide educational opportunities to the working class citizens of the Boston area. Accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Fisher College is ranked #31 in Regional Colleges in the North and #180 Best Online Bachelor Programs by U.S. News and World Report. Through Fisher College's Division of Accelerated and Professional Studies (DAPS) program, this is an online Bachelor of Science with a Healthcare Management concentration.
Upon completion of 62 credit hours in general education courses, students will begin their third year with studies in organizational behavior, leadership and ethics, social psychology and professional development for leadership. The final year focuses on topics in healthcare management, business policy and strategic management as well as a management internship.
Length of Program: 122 Credit Hours
Estimated Tuition Cost: $44,280
7. Bellevue University
Established in Bellevue, Nebraska in 1965, this university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is ranked #6 as Best For Vets by the Military Times and #72 Best Online Bachelors Programs by U.S. News and World Report. Bellevue University offers a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management online degree.
Bellevue utilizes a project-based approach in assessing information technology, examine benchmark programs in human resources principles in healthcare management and critique best practices in healthcare organizations. The curriculum includes studies in operations management, marketing healthcare services, fiscal management, legal and regulatory issues and a capstone project.
Length of Program: 127 Credit Hours
Estimated Tuition Cost: $52,070
8. American InterContinental University
Rated #30 for Best Online Bachelor Programs by U.S. News and World Report, American InterContinental University was founded in Europe in 1970 based on the theory that universities should transcend boundaries. The school now has its main campus near Chicago, Illinois. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, AICU provides an online Bachelor of Healthcare Management with two specializations in Gerontology Management or Health Services Administration Management.
In gerontology, students will focus on a variety of aging services, including home healthcare services, nursing care, rehabilitation and therapy services, retirement communities, etc. Additionally, coursework will examine costs, quality and access in U.S. healthcare and ethical and regulatory requirements. Those interested in the health services administration track will study principles of economics and finance in healthcare, review information technologies and delivery in healthcare and ethical and regulatory conflicts in healthcare delivery.
Length of Program: 180 Credit Hours
Estimated Tuition Cost: $54,360
9. Colorado Technical University
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Colorado Technical University had humble beginnings as a technical school opened in a roller rink in Colorado Springs. In the past fifty years, the school has grown to an enrollment of over 21,000, 92% of which are online students. U.S. News and World Report ranks CTU's online undergraduate programs as #63 for Best Online Bachelor Programs. CTU has an online Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management degree that provides two concentrations.
Following general education courses, students pursuing this degree will study introduction to healthcare delivery systems, medical terminology, fundamentals of reimbursement in healthcare, healthcare statistics and research, global health systems, introduction to marketing, management of human resources, the health care industry and 20 hours of electives in upper division courses to customize the degree concentration in healthcare management or informatics.
Length of Program: 180 Credit Hours
Estimated Tuition Cost: $58,500
10. Walden University
This degree is an online Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management. Walden University is a proprietary school founded in 1970 by two educators developing ways for working students to obtain their PhD and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Core coursework for this degree include studies in context of healthcare delivery, principles of epidemiology, aging across the lifespan, ethical and legal issues in healthcare, introduction to healthcare management, managing the healthcare workforce and a capstone project. Students holding an associate's degree may transfer up to 135 credit hours towards this degree which will reduce tuition costs to $16,950 (45 credit hours must be completed at Walden University).
Length of Program: 181 Credit Hours
Estimated Tuition Cost: $58,825
