The Best Bachelor's in Healthcare Administration for 2026

Penn's Health and Societies (HSOC) major, with a Public Health concentration, lives in the College of Arts and Sciences rather than a dedicated health administration school. It is deliberately interdisciplinary: the core draws from anthropology, history, and sociology, and students add methods from epidemiology, political science, business and economics, law, environmental studies, and bioethics. The Public Health concentration requires one public health core course plus five public health elective courses, and every student finishes with a 4000-level HSOC or STSC research seminar as a capstone. Students with a 3.6 major GPA and 3.3 overall GPA can pursue an honors thesis through an independent study. The major totals 34 course units, more of a social-science lens on health than the management-focused curricula at UNC, UCF, or Auburn.

Penn is the most selective and the most consistent completer in this ranking: a 5% admit rate against a 97% graduation rate, the highest of the group. But cost is the tradeoff. Tuition is flat at $60,920 with no in-state discount, so four years runs $243,680 regardless of home state, versus $28,076 for four years at UNC in-state, a $215,604 difference. That gap is likely why Penn's Hakia Score of 95.3 lands fourth on this list despite the best graduation rate here: the score weighs value, not just outcomes. This program fits a student for whom the interdisciplinary, non-management approach to health and Penn's name and network are worth the price, ideally with financial aid covering a meaningful share of that $243,680.

Georgetown's Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management & Policy splits into two tracks. Health Policy Analysis is built around economics, statistics, and how health policy gets made in Washington; Health Management digs into the structure, financing, and organization of health systems. Every student completes a required senior-year internship of at least 16 hours a week, and Health Management majors work directly with senior executives at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital on projects such as service line market analyses and patient-flow time studies, capped by a project presented to the class. Qualified students can also fast-track into an accelerated five-year BS/MS in Epidemiology.

A 95% graduation rate against a 13% admit rate makes this the most selective and highest-completing program on this list, underpinning a Hakia Score of 95.1 and the #5 national rank. Tuition is flat at $67,896 whether you live in DC or not, since Georgetown is private; across four years that is $271,584 before aid, a figure only worth carrying if the internship pipeline into MedStar and a policy-adjacent alumni network (Deloitte, CVS Health, Memorial Sloan Kettering among the placements the program lists) outweigh sticker price. This fits students who can compete for a 13%-admit seat and want management or policy training embedded in the city where health policy is actually written.

Cal State Long Beach's Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration has been a certified member of the Association of University Programs in Health Administration since 1996, per the program's own page, meaning its curriculum, infrastructure, and outcomes went through external AUPHA peer review. The 120-unit core runs through Medical Billing & Coding, Financial Management of Health Care Institutions, Legal Aspects of Health Administration, Population Health Management, Quality Assurance in Health Care, and Principles of Risk Management and Patient Safety, then closes with a two-course internship sequence, HCA 480 and HCA 481, requiring 120 supervised hours at a health care organization spread across two separate semesters.

Admission requires a 2.5 GPA and a C or better in prerequisites like ACCT 201 and ECON 101, reflected in a 46% admit rate, far more open than Georgetown's 13%. The 69% graduation rate is on the lower end here, a tradeoff against price: $6,084 a year for California residents versus $18,684 out of state. Over four years that is $24,336 in-state against $74,736 out of state, a $50,400 gap that makes residency the deciding factor for cost-driven applicants. A Hakia Score of 95 puts it at #6 nationally, just behind Georgetown, and the program suits students who want an AUPHA-certified credential without private-school tuition.

Penn State's Bachelor of Science in Health Policy and Administration blends liberal arts, business administration, and health science coursework to prepare graduates for entry-level roles as health services managers or health analysts, or for graduate study in health law, health services research, public health, or medicine. Every HPA student completes a required internship in a health care-related setting before graduating, and the department publishes semester-by-semester academic plans for both the University Park campus and Penn State's other locations, including World Campus.

An 86% graduation rate and 61% admit rate sit in the middle of this group: more accessible than Georgetown's 13% admit rate but more selective than UT Dallas's 65%. Tuition runs $20,066 for Pennsylvania residents and $41,212 for everyone else, a $21,146 annual gap that compounds to roughly $84,584 over four years for nonresidents. That gap is the number to weigh against Penn State's scale, over 50,000 students, and against the College of Health and Human Development's own news page, which reports the college ranked first in its NIH-funding category. A Hakia Score of 94.8 places it #7 nationally, fitting students who want a management-and-policy blend without Georgetown's admit-rate ceiling.

UT Dallas's Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Studies is a 120-credit pre-professional degree rather than a management track: it pairs required science coursework with healthcare foundation classes covering the philosophical, historical, psychological, sociological, and biological context of the field, then lets students choose among more than ten pre-professional tracks, including pre-med, pre-PA, pre-dentistry, pre-pharmacy, pre-physical therapy, pre-occupational therapy, and clinical dietetics. A required health profession internship rounds out the 51 upper-division credit hours.

The program's own page reports that students who go through its Health Professionals Evaluation process are admitted to health professional schools at a 69% rate, compared with a 40% national admission rate; that gap is the core evidence behind its pre-professional pitch. On the bachelor's degree itself, UT Dallas posts a 76% graduation rate and a 65% admit rate, a relatively open entry point on this list, with tuition at $10,639 for Texas residents and $36,139 for nonresidents. That $25,500 annual gap adds up to roughly $102,000 across four years for out-of-state students. A Hakia Score of 94 ranks it #8 nationally, and the program fits students planning to apply onward to medical, dental, pharmacy, or allied-health school rather than students seeking a healthcare management career straight out of a bachelor's.

WashU's Bachelor of Science in Integrated Studies: Health Care Management is built for adult students completing a degree through University College (CAPS), not a standalone pre-professional major. The curriculum runs 75 units total: 18 in basic requirements, 27 in distribution requirements, 27 in the health care management core, and 3 electives. Coursework covers the scientific, social, political, economic, ethical, and organizational sides of health care, and the program frames graduates for hospital administration, community health, and public health roles rather than clinical practice.

The numbers here are unusual for an adult-completion track: a 94% graduation rate against a 12% admit rate, the kind of selectivity gap normally reserved for WashU's flagship undergraduate college. Tuition is flat at $64,500 a year regardless of residency, since it is a private school; four years runs $258,000, or about 2.1 years of the $123,860 median salary the BLS reports for medical and health services managers nationally. A Hakia Score of 93.5 puts it at #9 nationally among bachelor's healthcare administration programs. It fits a student who wants the WashU name and an interdisciplinary, policy-and-ethics-heavy foundation, and who can absorb private-school pricing without an in-state discount.

Walden's Healthcare Management concentration sits inside its online BS in Health Studies: students pick three courses from five, Context of Healthcare Delivery, Health Informatics, Interprofessional Teamwork in Healthcare, Current Issues in Healthcare Policy and Practice, and Healthcare Organization Theory and Behavior, and the concentration posts to the transcript once all three are complete. The courses run from health IT for clinical and managerial decisions to the culture and leadership theory inside healthcare organizations, and the program folds in employer-recognized micro-credentials at no added cost or time.

The full degree is 181 quarter credit hours, priced at $360 per credit hour plus a $185 quarterly program fee, for a sticker cost of $68,120. Walden's Believe and Achieve Scholarship cuts that to $47,810 at minimum time to completion, which is 48 months starting from scratch; transfer credit, up to 135 credits accepted, shortens it further. Against the $123,860 national median the BLS reports for medical and health services managers, that scholarship price is under five months of salary. Admission requires no essay, no SAT or ACT, and no application fee, just a high school diploma plus age 21 or older, 12 quarter credits, or active military service. With a Hakia Score of 93.4, ranked 10th nationally, it fits someone who already has some college credit and wants a management specialization layered onto a health studies degree without relocating.

The University of Miami's BS in Health Science, housed in the School of Nursing and Health Studies, runs six tracks: pre-medicine, pre-occupational therapy, pre-physical therapy, pre-pharmacy, Health Sciences General, and Management/Health Policy, the track aimed at students headed toward administration rather than a clinical license. Students on that track can pursue a 4+1 Master of Public Health, residential or online, adding a graduate credential in one additional year after the bachelor's finishes. The school also points to its Simulation Hospital Advancing Research and Education (S.H.A.R.E.) facility as a training resource, though that resource serves the wider School of Nursing and Health Studies, not the Management/Health Policy track alone.

UM graduates 84% of its students and admits 19% of applicants, a selective but not extreme bar. Tuition is flat at $60,720 a year with no in-state break, since it's private; four years runs $242,880, or about 1.96 years of the $123,860 national median for medical and health services managers reported by the BLS. Enrollment across the university is 19,852. A Hakia Score of 93.2 ranks it 11th nationally. It suits a student who wants a pre-professional health science degree with a management track and a fast, built-in path to a master's, and who can pay private-school tuition without residency savings.

FIU's Bachelor of Health Services Administration (BHSA) is a 60-credit, upper-division program in the Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing and Health Sciences, built around systems engineering and financial management of health organizations, health services research, economics, politics, legal aspects of health systems, and program planning and evaluation. Students choose Traditional, taught face to face at the Biscayne Bay Campus with electives available on either campus or online, or fully Online through the FIU Online platform. The program runs five semesters and can be taken full time or part time, with a stated limit on the number of students admitted each cycle.

In-state tuition is $4,721 a year against $16,529 out-of-state, a 3.5x gap that makes residency the single biggest cost decision a prospective student faces here. Against the $123,860 national median that the BLS reports for medical and health services managers, that in-state tuition is under two weeks of salary. FIU graduates 74% of its students and admits 55% of applicants, far more accessible than the private options in this tier. Enrollment across the university is 54,723. With a Hakia Score of 92.8, it ranks 12th nationally, and it fits a Florida resident or budget-focused student who wants both an on-campus and an online path to the same degree.

George Washington University is a private, nonprofit institution in Washington, DC. Its Bachelor's in Healthcare Administration program ranks #13 of the 25 analyzed here with a 92.5 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 92.8 group average, in the middle third of the 25 ranked programs, 5.7 points behind top-ranked University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The program graduates 84% of its students, above the 81% average across the ranked schools. George Washington University admits 47% of applicants, more selective than the 48% average for the group. That is more open than the 5% rate at University of Pennsylvania, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 68% to 97%.

On cost, George Washington University charges $67,420 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $269,680 in tuition. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,996 at University of North Florida to $67,896 at Georgetown University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with a $123,860 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the draw here is above-average completion paired with genuine selectivity.

Based in Storrs, CT, University of Connecticut is a public institution. Its Bachelor's in Healthcare Administration program lands at #14 of the 25 ranked here, earning a 92.3 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 92.8 group average, in the middle third of the 25 ranked programs, 5.9 points behind top-ranked University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The program graduates 83% of its students, above the 81% average across the ranked schools. University of Connecticut admits 52% of applicants, less selective than the 48% average for the group. That is more open than the 5% rate at University of Pennsylvania, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 68% to 97%.

On cost, University of Connecticut charges $17,010 a year in-state, roughly 2.3x the $39,678 out-of-state rate. Over four years that is about $68,040 in tuition for residents, against $158,712 for non-residents. That puts it mid-pack on price on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,996 at University of North Florida to $67,896 at Georgetown University. Graduates step into a field with a $123,860 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the main draw here is its above-average completion.

James Madison University is a public institution in Harrisonburg, VA. Its Bachelor's in Healthcare Administration program ranks #15 of the 25 analyzed here with a 92.2 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 92.8 group average, in the middle third of the 25 ranked programs, 6 points behind top-ranked University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The program graduates 80% of its students, below the 81% average across the ranked schools. James Madison University admits 72% of applicants, less selective than the 48% average for the group. That is more open than the 5% rate at University of Pennsylvania, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 68% to 97%.

On cost, James Madison University charges $8,150 a year in-state, roughly 3x the $25,496 out-of-state rate. Over four years that is about $32,600 in tuition for residents, against $101,984 for non-residents. That puts it mid-pack on price on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,996 at University of North Florida to $67,896 at Georgetown University. Graduates step into a field with a $123,860 national median salary reported by the BLS. It earns its place in the top 25 on the balance of cost, completion, and outcomes.

University of South Florida is a public institution in Tampa, FL. Its Bachelor's in Healthcare Administration program ranks #16 of the 25 analyzed here with a 92.0 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 92.8 group average, in the middle third of the 25 ranked programs, 6.2 points behind top-ranked University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The program graduates 77% of its students, below the 81% average across the ranked schools. University of South Florida admits 43% of applicants, more selective than the 48% average for the group. That is more open than the 5% rate at University of Pennsylvania, the most selective program on this list.

On cost, University of South Florida charges $4,559 a year in-state, roughly 3x the $15,473 out-of-state rate. Over four years that is about $18,236 in tuition for residents, against $61,892 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,996 at University of North Florida to $67,896 at Georgetown University. Graduates step into a field with a $123,860 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with genuine selectivity.

Based in Providence, RI, Providence College is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Bachelor's in Healthcare Administration program lands at #17 of the 25 ranked here, earning a 91.9 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 92.8 group average, in the lower third of the 25 ranked programs, 6.3 points behind top-ranked University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The program graduates 86% of its students, above the 81% average across the ranked schools. Providence College admits 51% of applicants, less selective than the 48% average for the group. That is more open than the 5% rate at University of Pennsylvania, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 68% to 97%.

On cost, Providence College charges $62,520 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $250,080 in tuition. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,996 at University of North Florida to $67,896 at Georgetown University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with a $123,860 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the main draw here is its above-average completion.

University of North Florida is a public institution in Jacksonville, FL. Its Bachelor's in Healthcare Administration program ranks #18 of the 25 analyzed here with a 91.3 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 92.8 group average, in the lower third of the 25 ranked programs, 6.9 points behind top-ranked University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The program graduates 69% of its students, below the 81% average across the ranked schools. University of North Florida admits 53% of applicants, less selective than the 48% average for the group. That is more open than the 5% rate at University of Pennsylvania, the most selective program on this list.

On cost, University of North Florida charges $3,996 a year in-state, roughly 4x the $16,799 out-of-state rate. Over four years that is about $15,984 in tuition for residents, against $67,196 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,996 at University of North Florida to $67,896 at Georgetown University. Graduates step into a field with a $123,860 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the main draw here is its low in-state cost.

Based in Scottsdale, AZ, Arizona State University Digital Immersion is a public institution. Its Bachelor's in Healthcare Administration program lands at #19 of the 25 ranked here, earning a 90.8 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 92.8 group average, in the lower third of the 25 ranked programs, 7.4 points behind top-ranked University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Arizona State University Digital Immersion admits 67% of applicants, less selective than the 48% average for the group. That is more open than the 5% rate at University of Pennsylvania, the most selective program on this list. It is one of the larger campuses in the ranking, enrolling 72,994 students.

On cost, Arizona State University Digital Immersion charges $11,478 a year in-state, versus $13,776 for out-of-state students. Over four years that is about $45,912 in tuition for residents, against $55,104 for non-residents. That puts it mid-pack on price on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,996 at University of North Florida to $67,896 at Georgetown University. Graduates step into a field with a $123,860 national median salary reported by the BLS. That median runs roughly 11x the program's annual in-state tuition. For prospective students, the main draw here is its an online option.

State University of New York at Cortland is a public institution in Cortland, NY. Its Bachelor's in Healthcare Administration program ranks #20 of the 25 analyzed here with a 90.5 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 92.8 group average, in the lower third of the 25 ranked programs, 7.7 points behind top-ranked University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The program graduates 68% of its students, below the 81% average across the ranked schools. State University of New York at Cortland admits 60% of applicants, less selective than the 48% average for the group. That is more open than the 5% rate at University of Pennsylvania, the most selective program on this list.

On cost, State University of New York at Cortland charges $7,070 a year in-state, roughly 2.4x the $16,980 out-of-state rate. Over four years that is about $28,280 in tuition for residents, against $67,920 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,996 at University of North Florida to $67,896 at Georgetown University. Graduates step into a field with a $123,860 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the main draw here is its low in-state cost.

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities is a public institution in Minneapolis, MN. Its Bachelor's in Healthcare Administration program ranks #21 of the 25 analyzed here with a 90.3 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 92.8 group average, in the lower third of the 25 ranked programs, 7.9 points behind top-ranked University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The program graduates 85% of its students, above the 81% average across the ranked schools. University of Minnesota-Twin Cities admits 80% of applicants, less selective than the 48% average for the group. That is more open than the 5% rate at University of Pennsylvania, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 68% to 97%.

On cost, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities charges $15,148 a year in-state, roughly 2.4x the $36,296 out-of-state rate. Over four years that is about $60,592 in tuition for residents, against $145,184 for non-residents. That puts it mid-pack on price on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,996 at University of North Florida to $67,896 at Georgetown University. Graduates step into a field with a $123,860 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the main draw here is its above-average completion.

Based in Norman, OK, University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus is a public institution. Its Bachelor's in Healthcare Administration program lands at #22 of the 25 ranked here, earning a 90.2 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 92.8 group average, in the lower third of the 25 ranked programs, 8 points behind top-ranked University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The program graduates 75% of its students, below the 81% average across the ranked schools. University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus admits 77% of applicants, less selective than the 48% average for the group. That is more open than the 5% rate at University of Pennsylvania, the most selective program on this list.

On cost, University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus charges $5,220 a year in-state, roughly 4x the $22,800 out-of-state rate. Over four years that is about $20,880 in tuition for residents, against $91,200 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,996 at University of North Florida to $67,896 at Georgetown University. Graduates step into a field with a $123,860 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with an online option.

Based in Tucson, AZ, Pima Medical Institute-Tucson is a private, for-profit institution. Its Bachelor's in Healthcare Administration program lands at #23 of the 25 ranked here, earning a 90.0 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 92.8 group average, in the lower third of the 25 ranked programs. The program graduates 72% of its students, below the 81% average across the ranked schools. Pima Medical Institute-Tucson holds an open-admission policy, accepting every qualified applicant. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 68% to 97%. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 2,676 students. The degree is also offered online, which widens access for working students.

Graduates step into a field with a $123,860 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the main draw here is its an online option.

Saint Louis University is a private, nonprofit institution in Saint Louis, MO. Its Bachelor's in Healthcare Administration program ranks #24 of the 25 analyzed here with an 88.9 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 92.8 group average, in the lower third of the 25 ranked programs. The program graduates 80% of its students, below the 81% average across the ranked schools. Saint Louis University admits 75% of applicants, less selective than the 48% average for the group. That is more open than the 5% rate at University of Pennsylvania, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 68% to 97%.

On cost, Saint Louis University charges $54,760 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $219,040 in tuition. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,996 at University of North Florida to $67,896 at Georgetown University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with a $123,860 national median salary reported by the BLS. It earns its place in the top 25 on the balance of cost, completion, and outcomes.

Based in Indianapolis, IN, American College of Education is a private, for-profit institution. Its Bachelor's in Healthcare Administration program lands at #25 of the 25 ranked here, earning an 88.8 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 92.8 group average, in the lower third of the 25 ranked programs. The university enrolls 14,263 students overall. The degree is also offered online, which widens access for working students.

On cost, American College of Education charges $5,160 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $20,640 in tuition. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,996 at University of North Florida to $67,896 at Georgetown University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with a $123,860 national median salary reported by the BLS. That median runs roughly 24x the program's annual in-state tuition. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with an online option.