Can You Get a Healthcare Administration Degree Online?

Key takeaway: Yes, you can earn an accredited healthcare administration degree online, and the diploma is identical to an on-campus one. When the program is accredited, the curriculum and degree are the same regardless of delivery format, and the diploma never says "online." Always confirm accreditation before you enroll.

The most important thing to verify is accreditation, not delivery format. For the full picture, see our guide to healthcare administration accreditation.


Are online healthcare administration degrees accredited?

Yes, and accreditation works the same online as on campus. Look for a program accredited by CAHME for master’s programs and AUPHA certification for undergraduate programs, alongside institutional accreditation. CAHME accreditation is the leading quality signal for graduate healthcare management programs. To confirm a program is legitimately accredited, check the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and CHEA, and verify the program appears as currently accredited rather than a candidate.

Is an online healthcare administration degree fully online?

Largely yes. Healthcare administration is a non-clinical management field, so coursework is delivered online. Some programs include an internship or practicum that you can usually arrange with a local healthcare organization. For more on how courses are delivered, see online healthcare administration course formats and compare online vs on-campus healthcare administration.

What can you specialize in with an online healthcare administration degree?

Accredited online healthcare administration programs offer the same specializations as their on-campus counterparts, including health information management, long-term care administration, healthcare finance, and health policy. Explore the full set on our healthcare administration concentrations page, or start with the online bachelor’s in healthcare administration.

Best accredited online healthcare administration degree programs (2026)

Compare accredited schools offering online healthcare administration programs below. Evaluate each on the factors that predict outcomes: accreditation, cost, graduation rate, and salary outcome.

How We Rank Schools

Every school list on this site is ordered by the BOC Score, computed from the most recent school-level data published by the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS). To qualify, a school must be currently operating and accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Each eligible school is then scored on five measures, percentile-ranked against schools at the same credential level:

  • Graduation rate 30%
  • Median earnings, 10 years after entry 25%
  • Average net price (lower is better) 20%
  • Retention rate 15%
  • Fully online availability 10%

Schools without enough outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score. Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.

#1

SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University

Brooklyn, NY BOC Score 99.1
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 4

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#2

Loma Linda University

Loma Linda, CA BOC Score 96.6
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 25

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#4

Columbia Basin College

Pasco, WA BOC Score 61.3
  • 4 year
  • Accredited
Graduation rate 30%
Tuition
In‑state$6,555
Out‑of‑state$8,668
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 56

Source:Accreditor: Northwest Commission on Colleges and UniversitiesIPEDSCollege Scorecard

#6

Alpena Community College

Alpena, MI BOC Score 59.9
  • 4 year
  • Accredited
Graduation rate 51%
Tuition
In‑state$5,250
Out‑of‑state$8,010
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 48

Source:Accreditor: Higher Learning CommissionIPEDSCollege Scorecard

How much does an online healthcare administration degree cost?

Online healthcare administration degrees often cost less in total than on-campus equivalents because you avoid housing, commuting, and relocation, and many public universities charge flat online rates. Compare programs using net price rather than sticker tuition. For lower-cost options, see affordable healthcare administration programs.

Is an online healthcare administration degree worth it?

For most students, yes, when the program is accredited. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, roles in the field range from $45,930 in entry positions to $123,860 for medical and health services managers (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The return depends on the accredited credential, not the delivery format. For a full ROI breakdown, see is a healthcare administration degree worth it?.

Do you need a license for healthcare administration?

Most healthcare administration roles do not require clinical licensure. One exception is nursing home administration, which requires a state license. For most management roles, an accredited degree and relevant experience are what employers seek.


Next steps

  1. Verify accreditation using our healthcare administration accreditation guide and the U.S. Department of Education and CHEA databases.
  2. Compare schools using the cards above, then explore the full healthcare administration program guide.
  3. Decide on format and value with online vs on-campus healthcare administration and is a healthcare administration degree worth it?.

Bottom line: You can earn an accredited healthcare administration degree online with the same recognition as an on-campus degree. Confirm accreditation first, compare programs on cost and outcomes, and choose the specialization that fits your goals.

Frequently asked questions

Is an online healthcare administration degree fully online?

Largely yes. Healthcare administration is a non-clinical management field, so coursework is delivered online. Some programs include an internship or practicum that you can usually arrange with a local healthcare organization.

Are online healthcare administration degrees accredited?

Yes. Look for a program accredited by CAHME for master’s programs and AUPHA certification for undergraduate programs, alongside institutional accreditation. CAHME accreditation is the leading quality signal for graduate healthcare management programs. Verify accreditation through the U.S. Department of Education and CHEA before enrolling.

Do you need a license for healthcare administration?

Most healthcare administration roles do not require clinical licensure. One exception is nursing home administration, which requires a state license. For most management roles, an accredited degree and relevant experience are what employers seek.

Does an online healthcare administration degree say “online” on the diploma?

No. An accredited online healthcare administration degree results in the same diploma and transcript as the on-campus version, and the delivery format is not noted.

Is an online healthcare administration degree worth it?

For most students, yes, when the program is accredited. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, roles in the field range from $45,930 in entry positions to $123,860 for medical and health services managers (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The return depends on the accredited credential, not the delivery format.

Data verified: June 16, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2025; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.