A master’s in healthcare administration can help prepare students for leadership roles in hospitals, health systems, physician groups, insurance organizations, consulting firms, public health agencies, and other healthcare settings. These programs usually combine business, finance, operations, health policy, quality improvement, leadership, and healthcare strategy.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical and health services managers earned a median annual salary of $117,960 in May 2024. Employment for this occupation is projected to grow 23% from 2024 to 2034, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.
For this list, we focused on strong master’s-level healthcare administration and healthcare management programs, with special attention to CAHME accreditation, experiential learning, fellowship and internship preparation, alumni networks, executive or online options, and the strength of each school’s healthcare ecosystem.
Top 15 Master’s in Healthcare Administration Programs
| Rank | School | Program | Location / Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Minnesota | Master of Healthcare Administration | Minneapolis, MN / Residential and Executive options |
| 2 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Master of Healthcare Administration | Chapel Hill, NC / Residential and Executive options |
| 3 | University of Michigan | Master of Health Services Administration | Ann Arbor, MI / On campus |
| 4 | Rush University | Master of Science in Health Systems Management | Chicago, IL / Residential and Executive tracks |
| 5 | Virginia Commonwealth University | Master of Health Administration | Richmond, VA / On campus |
| 6 | Cornell University | Sloan Master of Health Administration | Ithaca, NY / On campus |
| 7 | University of Alabama at Birmingham | Master of Science in Health Administration | Birmingham, AL / Residential and executive-style options |
| 8 | University of Washington | Master of Health Administration | Seattle, WA / Residential and executive options |
| 9 | The Ohio State University | Master of Health Administration | Columbus, OH / On campus |
| 10 | George Washington University | Master of Health Administration | Washington, DC / Online |
| 11 | University of Southern California | Master of Health Administration | Los Angeles, CA / On campus |
| 12 | University of Iowa | Master of Health Administration | Iowa City, IA / On campus |
| 13 | Saint Louis University | Master of Health Administration | St. Louis, MO / On campus |
| 14 | Penn State | Master of Health Administration | University Park, PA / On campus |
| 15 | Georgetown University | Master of Science in Health Systems Administration | Washington, DC / On campus |
1. University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota’s Master of Healthcare Administration is one of the best-known programs in the field. The school offers both a full-time residential MHA and an Executive MHA for working healthcare professionals. The residential program is designed for students with limited or no healthcare management experience, while the executive option is built for professionals who already have management or clinical experience.
The program stands out for its long history, large alumni network, and strong connection to administrative fellowships and healthcare leadership roles. Students study healthcare delivery, financing, population health management, business literacy, leadership, and problem solving. For students who want a traditional, highly networked MHA experience, Minnesota is one of the strongest options in the country.
Highlights
- Residential and Executive MHA options
- Strong alumni network in healthcare administration
- Emphasis on healthcare delivery, finance, leadership, and population health
- Good fit for students seeking administrative fellowships or leadership-track roles
2. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers a Master of Healthcare Administration through the Gillings School of Global Public Health. Students can choose between a Residential MHA and an Executive MHA, making the program a strong option for both early-career students and working professionals.
UNC’s MHA program prepares students for management careers in health systems, hospitals, consulting firms, insurance organizations, medical group practices, government agencies, and other healthcare settings. The program emphasizes leadership, decision-making, health equity, experiential learning, and the practical skills needed to manage complex healthcare organizations.
Highlights
- Residential and Executive MHA pathways
- CAHME-accredited MHA programs
- Strong public health and health policy environment
- Focus on leadership, management, health equity, and experiential learning
3. University of Michigan
The University of Michigan offers a Master of Health Services Administration through its Department of Health Management and Policy. The degree is a strong fit for students who want a healthcare administration program housed in a major school of public health with deep connections to policy, research, analytics, and healthcare delivery.
Michigan’s program is especially appealing for students who want a broad leadership education that includes healthcare management, health policy, finance, strategy, and organizational performance. The school’s reputation, alumni network, and connection to the broader University of Michigan health and research ecosystem make it one of the top choices for future healthcare executives.
Highlights
- Master of Health Services Administration degree
- Strong health management and policy focus
- Access to a major academic medical and research environment
- Good fit for students interested in leadership, policy, consulting, and health systems management
4. Rush University
Rush University offers a Master of Science in Health Systems Management through its College of Health Sciences. Although the degree title is not MHA, the program is designed to prepare students for healthcare administration and health systems leadership roles.
Rush’s program is especially strong for students who want to study in an academic medical center environment. The program offers a Residential Track for students with less than five years of healthcare experience and an Executive Track for students with five or more years of experience. Students benefit from small class sizes, a practitioner-teacher model, and direct exposure to healthcare executives and real-world quality improvement work.
Highlights
- Residential and Executive tracks
- Located in Chicago’s Illinois Medical District
- Strong connection to Rush University Medical Center
- Emphasis on experiential learning, quality improvement, and healthcare operations
5. Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Commonwealth University offers a Master of Health Administration through its Department of Health Administration. VCU has one of the more established health administration programs in the country and is known for preparing students for leadership roles in hospitals, health systems, consulting, and related healthcare organizations.
The program combines classroom learning with practical training and professional development. Students who want a traditional MHA experience with a strong administrative fellowship orientation should consider VCU, especially if they are interested in health system leadership in the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, or national healthcare market.
Highlights
- Established MHA program with a long history in health administration education
- Strong focus on professional preparation and healthcare leadership
- Good fit for students pursuing administrative fellowships
- Located near a large academic health center and state capital healthcare market
6. Cornell University
Cornell University’s Sloan Master of Health Administration is a highly regarded program for students who want a rigorous healthcare management education at an Ivy League university. The program combines management training with healthcare strategy, policy, finance, analytics, and leadership preparation.
Cornell’s MHA is a strong choice for students interested in healthcare consulting, provider organizations, payer organizations, digital health, healthcare innovation, and leadership roles across the healthcare sector. The school’s policy, business, and healthcare connections give students access to a broad professional network.
Highlights
- Ivy League healthcare administration program
- Strong focus on healthcare management, analytics, and leadership
- Good fit for students interested in consulting, strategy, innovation, and health systems leadership
- Access to Cornell’s broader professional and alumni network
7. University of Alabama at Birmingham
The University of Alabama at Birmingham offers a Master of Science in Health Administration through a school and campus deeply connected to healthcare delivery, academic medicine, and health services leadership. UAB is especially attractive for students who want a healthcare administration education tied to a major academic medical center and large healthcare market.
The program is known for combining management education, applied experience, and leadership development. UAB can be a particularly strong fit for students interested in hospital administration, health system operations, healthcare finance, and executive leadership roles in provider organizations.
Highlights
- Strong academic medical center environment
- Focus on health administration, operations, and executive leadership
- Good fit for students interested in hospital and health system management
- Strong healthcare presence in Birmingham and the Southeast
8. University of Washington
The University of Washington offers a Master of Health Administration through a school with strong public health, medicine, and health systems connections. The program is a good fit for students who want to study healthcare leadership in a large urban health market with access to hospitals, public agencies, research centers, and innovative healthcare organizations.
Students can pursue healthcare administration training with a focus on leadership, finance, operations, strategy, and health policy. The University of Washington is especially appealing for students interested in the Pacific Northwest, public-sector healthcare, population health, and complex health system leadership.
Highlights
- Strong public health and academic health environment
- Good option for students interested in the Pacific Northwest healthcare market
- Focus on healthcare leadership, policy, finance, and operations
- Access to Seattle-area healthcare organizations and public health agencies
9. The Ohio State University
The Ohio State University offers a Master of Health Administration designed to prepare students for leadership roles in healthcare organizations. The program benefits from its location at a major public research university with a large academic medical center and a broad healthcare network.
Ohio State is a strong option for students who want a traditional MHA experience with access to healthcare executives, experiential learning, and professional development. The curriculum typically covers healthcare management, finance, strategy, quality improvement, policy, and organizational leadership.
Highlights
- Located at a major public research university
- Access to a large academic medical center environment
- Strong fit for students interested in health systems, hospital leadership, and healthcare consulting
- Emphasis on management, finance, strategy, and leadership
10. George Washington University
George Washington University offers a Master of Health Administration that is especially appealing for students who want a flexible format and a strong connection to the Washington, DC healthcare policy and management environment. The program is designed for students and professionals preparing for leadership roles across healthcare delivery, consulting, policy, and management.
Because of its location and professional network, GW is a strong fit for students interested in the intersection of healthcare administration, public policy, regulation, health systems, and national healthcare organizations. It can also be a good option for working professionals who need a more flexible pathway than a traditional residential program.
Highlights
- Strong Washington, DC healthcare and policy network
- Good fit for working professionals
- Focus on healthcare leadership, management, policy, and strategy
- Appealing for students interested in provider organizations, consulting, associations, and public-sector healthcare
11. University of Southern California
The University of Southern California offers a Master of Health Administration through the USC Price School of Public Policy. The program is a strong choice for students who want to study healthcare administration in Los Angeles, one of the largest and most complex healthcare markets in the United States.
USC’s program combines healthcare management, policy, finance, leadership, and organizational strategy. It is especially appealing for students interested in health systems, healthcare consulting, managed care, policy, and leadership roles in large urban healthcare environments.
Highlights
- Located in a major healthcare and public policy market
- Strong connection to healthcare policy, management, and urban systems
- Good fit for students interested in Southern California healthcare leadership
- Emphasis on strategy, finance, leadership, and health policy
12. University of Iowa
The University of Iowa offers a Master of Health Administration through its Department of Health Management and Policy. The program is a strong option for students who want a rigorous healthcare administration education within a public health school and academic health sciences environment.
Iowa’s program is particularly appealing for students interested in hospital administration, health policy, rural healthcare, health systems leadership, and healthcare operations. Students benefit from a focused curriculum, faculty expertise, and connections to healthcare organizations in Iowa and beyond.
Highlights
- Housed in a school of public health
- Strong health management and policy focus
- Good fit for students interested in hospital administration, rural health, and health systems leadership
- Access to academic health sciences resources
13. Saint Louis University
Saint Louis University offers a Master of Health Administration with a long-standing reputation in healthcare management education. The program is a strong fit for students who want a mission-driven environment and preparation for administrative, operational, and leadership roles in healthcare organizations.
SLU’s program emphasizes leadership, healthcare management, ethics, finance, policy, and applied learning. Its location in St. Louis gives students access to hospitals, health systems, payer organizations, public health agencies, and nonprofit healthcare organizations.
Highlights
- Established health administration program
- Mission-driven university environment
- Strong fit for students interested in hospital and nonprofit healthcare leadership
- Located in a regional healthcare hub
14. Penn State
Penn State offers a Master of Health Administration for students who want graduate-level training in healthcare leadership, management, policy, and organizational performance. The program is a good fit for students interested in healthcare operations, finance, quality improvement, and leadership roles in hospitals, health systems, and related organizations.
Students benefit from Penn State’s broader university network, professional development resources, and connections to healthcare organizations throughout Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic. The program can be a strong option for students looking for a traditional MHA experience at a major public university.
Highlights
- Major public university setting
- Focus on healthcare leadership, management, and policy
- Good fit for students interested in healthcare operations and organizational performance
- Access to a broad university and alumni network
15. Georgetown University
Georgetown University offers a Master of Science in Health Systems Administration. While the degree title differs from a traditional MHA, the program is built around healthcare leadership, administration, policy, finance, strategy, and health systems improvement.
Georgetown is a strong choice for students who want to study healthcare administration in Washington, DC, with access to national healthcare organizations, policymakers, associations, hospitals, consulting firms, and nonprofit organizations. The program is especially appealing for students interested in the relationship between healthcare delivery, ethics, public policy, and organizational leadership.
Highlights
- Located in Washington, DC
- Strong healthcare policy and leadership environment
- Good fit for students interested in health systems, consulting, policy, and nonprofit healthcare leadership
- CAHME-accredited health systems administration program
What Can You Do With a Master’s in Healthcare Administration?
A master’s in healthcare administration can prepare graduates for management and leadership roles in many types of healthcare organizations. Common career paths include hospital administration, clinic management, healthcare consulting, operations management, quality improvement, payer strategy, long-term care administration, population health management, and executive leadership.
Potential job titles include:
- Healthcare administrator
- Hospital administrator
- Clinical operations manager
- Practice administrator
- Health services manager
- Quality improvement manager
- Administrative fellow
- Healthcare consultant
- Director of operations
- Service line administrator
How to Choose a Master’s in Healthcare Administration Program
The best MHA or healthcare administration master’s program depends on your career goals, work experience, location, and preferred learning format. Some students are best served by a full-time residential program with internship and fellowship preparation. Others may need an executive, hybrid, or online format that allows them to keep working while earning their degree.
When comparing programs, consider the following factors:
- Accreditation: CAHME accreditation is one of the most important markers of quality for graduate healthcare management education.
- Format: Decide whether you need an on-campus, online, hybrid, residential, or executive program.
- Experience level: Some programs are designed for early-career students, while others are built for working clinicians or managers.
- Internships and fellowships: Students who want post-graduate administrative fellowships should look closely at placement support and alumni outcomes.
- Location: Healthcare administration programs often have strong regional networks, so location can matter for internships and jobs.
- Curriculum: Look for courses in healthcare finance, operations, strategy, quality improvement, analytics, policy, leadership, and organizational behavior.
- Alumni network: A strong alumni network can help with mentorship, internships, fellowships, and job placement.
Is a Master’s in Healthcare Administration Worth It?
A master’s in healthcare administration can be worth it for students who want to move into leadership roles in healthcare. The field is growing quickly, and healthcare organizations need leaders who understand both business and patient care environments. For students who want to manage hospitals, clinics, health systems, payer organizations, consulting teams, or healthcare programs, an MHA or similar healthcare administration master’s degree can provide a focused pathway into the field.
That said, the value of the degree depends heavily on the program you choose, your professional experience, your internship or fellowship opportunities, and the strength of the school’s healthcare network. Before enrolling, compare total cost, scholarships, employment outcomes, format, accreditation, and the types of roles graduates typically pursue.
