Best Master Of Health Administration Programs

Healthcare needs competent administrators, and the demand shows it. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 23% job growth for medical and health services managers from 2024-2034, more than seven times the 3% national average. A master of health administration (MHA) gives you the specialized training to compete for those roles.

If you came up through nursing, you already carry an edge. The blend of clinical and administrative experience that nurse managers bring improves patient care and outcomes, and it translates directly into stronger leadership at the management level.

The Best Master of Health Administration Programs

Program data below draws on Peterson's and the National Center for Education Statistics. This list has not been updated for 2025.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's MHA offers two tracks: residential MHA and executive MHA (EMHA). The full-time, 60-credit residential pathway carries a 100% retention rate and a 95% graduation rate. The 49-credit EMHA runs mostly online with part-time options and three annual on-campus residencies, built for working administrators or clinicians moving into leadership. It graduates 94% of enrollees.

• Program(s): Residential master of healthcare administration (MHA); executive master of healthcare administration (EMHA)
• Campus: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
• Type: Public
• Accreditation(s): Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH); Commission on Accreditation of Health Management Education (CAHME)
• Tuition: $1,035 per credit for North Carolina residents; $2,029 for out-of-state students
• Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college; minimum 3.0 GPA; minimum three years of full-time experience in the healthcare sector with managerial experience (EMHA); basic knowledge in accounting, statistics, and microeconomics recommended (EMHA)
• Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• Median Earnings Four Years After Graduation: $109,461 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard

Georgetown University's master of science in health systems administration (MHSA) is a 42-credit, part-time program with on-campus courses and synchronous online classes. Second-year students complete an experiential project. Located minutes from Capitol Hill, the program offers direct exposure to healthcare legislation, plus a spring break global health systems experience and access to national and regional conferences.

• Program(s): Master of science in health systems administration (MHSA)
• Campus: Washington, D.C.
• Type: Private
• Accreditation(s): Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)
• Tuition: $2,550 per credit hour
• Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree; minimum 3.0 GPA; experience in the healthcare field; knowledge of accounting and Microsoft Excel; official TOEFL or IELTS required for those whose native language is not English
• Minimum Time Commitment: 21 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• Median Earnings Four Years After Graduation: $120,217 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard

The University of Washington's MHA offers two tracks. The 76-credit, on-campus MHA targets professionals who average three years of experience and includes a summer internship. The 69-credit hybrid online executive MHA serves clinical and management professionals seeking executive roles who need scheduling flexibility. Both end in a capstone project.

• Program(s): Master of health administration (MHA); executive master of health administration (EMHA)
• Campus: Seattle, Washington
• Type: Public
• Accreditation(s): Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)
• Tuition: $910 per credit (MHA); $1,045 per credit (EMHA)
• Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution; minimum 3.0 GPA; English language proficiency for applicants whose native language is not English; 1-3 years in a healthcare setting preferred (MHA); minimum seven years of clinical experience with some management responsibilities preferred (EMHA)
• Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• Median Earnings Four Years After Graduation: $112,161 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard

The University of Florida's MHA carries a 96% retention rate and 97% graduation rate and runs full or part time. The 57-credit curriculum pairs on-campus classes with a summer internship. The part-time, three-year model delivers the same courses over an extended schedule for working professionals.

• Program(s): Master of health administration (MHA)
• Campus: Gainesville, Florida
• Type: Public
• Accreditation(s): Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)
• Tuition: $12,740 per year for in-state students, $30,134 for out-of-state students
• Admission Requirements: Bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited institution; minimum 3.0 GPA; GRE score; official TOEFL or IELTS required if native language is not English
• Minimum Time Commitment: Two years
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• Median Earnings Four Years After Graduation: $105,472 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard

CUNY Bernard M. Baruch College's executive MBA in healthcare administration, offered through the Zicklin School of Business, brings together classroom discussions with high-level executives and an international study tour. The 49.5-credit program runs a global, business-of-healthcare focus.

• Program(s): Executive MBA in healthcare administration (EMBA HCA)
• Campus: New York, New York
• Type: Public
• Accreditation(s): Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
• Tuition: $72,500 total
• Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution or foreign equivalent; minimum five years of managerial, supervisory, or professional experience
• Minimum Time Commitment: 22 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• Median Earnings Four Years After Graduation: $169,078 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard

The University of Southern California's MHA, based at the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy, offers two tracks. The full-time, 48-credit residential MHA pairs classroom education with a second-year residency and can be done part time in 3-5 years. The 36-credit EMHA hybrid targets advanced-career professionals moving into the C-suite, with online coursework and two five-day residencies.

• Program(s): Master of health administration (MHA); executive master of health administration (EMHA)
• Campus: Los Angeles, California
• Type: Private
• Accreditation(s): Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)
• Tuition: $2,242 per unit
• Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution; minimum 3.0 GPA; minimum five years in a healthcare setting (EMHA); competency in descriptive and inferential statistics (MHA); competency in accounting (EMHA)
• Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• Median Earnings Four Years After Graduation: $136,971 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard

California State University-Long Beach's master of science healthcare administration (MSHCA) runs two 45-credit tracks, traditional and accelerated. The traditional program is full or part time; the accelerated program uses a hybrid of online and in-person weekend instruction. Both carry a 100% retention rate.

• Program(s): Traditional master of science healthcare administration (MSHCA); accelerated MSHCA
• Campus: Long Beach, California
• Type: Public
• Accreditation(s): Commission on Accreditation for Health Management Education (CAHME)
• Tuition: $6,900 per year
• Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree; minimum 3.0 GPA; at least nine credits of statistics, financial accounting, and microeconomics; minimum three years of field experience
• Minimum Time Commitment: Two years
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• Median Earnings Four Years After Graduation: $109,267 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard

Boston College's MHA runs 12 courses through the Woods College of Advancing Studies. The fully online, 46-credit program offers full-time, part-time, and asynchronous formats for working professionals.

• Program(s): Master of healthcare administration (MHA)
• Campus: Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
• Type: Private
• Accreditation(s): New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE)
• Tuition: $1,452 per credit
• Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college; minimum 3.0 GPA
• Minimum Time Commitment: 12 months
• On-Campus Requirements: No

Florida International University's master of health services administration (MHSA) offers a fully online option and a fast-track hybrid (50% online, 50% on campus). The hybrid program holds a 100% retention rate, the online option 91%. Out-of-state students pay the same tuition as Florida residents. The program includes a Green Belt Lean Six Sigma certification at no extra cost and a recommended administrative residency course each semester.

• Program(s): Master of health services administration (MHSA)
• Campus: Miami, Florida
• Type: Public
• Accreditation(s): Commission on Accreditation Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)
• Tuition: $31,200 per year for the online MHSA program; $36,000 per year for the fast-track hybrid program
• Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited university or college; minimum 3.0 GPA; official TOEFL or IELTS required if non-native English speaker
• Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months for online; 18 months for fast-track hybrid
• On-Campus Requirements: No
• Median Earnings Four Years After Graduation: $51,820 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard

The University of Miami's MHA, housed at the Miami Herbert Business School, holds dual AACSB and CAHME accreditation. The 40-credit program offers a Champion Certification in Six Sigma, courses led by C-suite leaders, and internships.

• Program(s): Master of Health Administration (MHA)
• Campus: Coral Gables, Florida
• Type: Private
• Accreditation(s): Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB); Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)
• Tuition: $2,530 per credit hour
• Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution; official GMAT/GRE score; official TOEFL or IELTS required for those whose native language is not English
• Minimum Time Commitment: 18 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• Median Earnings Four Years After Graduation: $108,479 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard

How Master of Health Administration Programs Work

An MHA opens administrative and managerial careers in one of the largest job sectors in the country, with real upside in advancement and earnings. Many programs are built for working professionals, including MHA tracks designed for registered nurses. Executive MHA programs typically expect at least three years of healthcare experience.

Most students finish in 1-3 years. Full-time, part-time, and accelerated tracks exist, and you can study online, on campus, or hybrid. You will complete 45-57 credits covering healthcare financial management, leadership, data analytics, and quality improvement, with electives in areas like healthcare marketing, project management, and legal issues. Many programs build in an internship or capstone.

Applying to a Program

Many RNs already meet the bar. A bachelor's degree plus healthcare experience is often enough to get in, and you can strengthen your application by spelling out how nursing prepared you for graduate work. Requirements vary, but most programs ask for:

• Admission Materials: Bachelor's degree and transcripts; resume or CV; letter(s) of recommendation; statement of purpose
• GPA Requirement: Minimum 3.0 GPA
• Other Requirements: Professional healthcare experience; standardized test scores (optional in many cases)

Why Accreditation Matters

Accredited programs pass a rigorous review of curriculum, faculty qualifications, and graduate outcomes. The Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) is the accrediting agency for MHA programs, though some programs hold business or institutional accreditation instead. It pays off: CAHME reports that graduates of accredited programs earn about $10,000 more in their first year than graduates of non-accredited programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does an MHA pay? As of May 2024, medical and health services managers earned a median annual salary of $117,960, with 23% projected job growth from 2024-2034, according to BLS data. The average annual salary was $137,730. Role, experience, and geography all move that number.

How long does it take? Typically 1-3 years. Some programs offer accelerated one-year tracks; working students often choose a two- or three-year schedule.

What roles does it open? Operations, budgeting, data analysis, and compliance positions. Nurse managers often move into clinical nurse leader, hospital administrator, nurse manager, and chief operations officer roles.