MHA programs in the United States cost an average of $36,720 to $48,760, according to multiple sources. Unfortunately, the high cost often becomes a deterrent to many professionals who want to advance their knowledge, skills, and careers.
The good news is that there are still a lot of affordable yet high-quality programs in the United States (if you know where to look.) In fact, here are a total of 30 cheap MHA programs that are offered through on-campus, hybrid, and online learning formats.
Cheapest On-Campus MHA Programs
Here are ten on-campus MHA programs from various states with the most affordable tuition fees:
Georgia Southern University-Armstrong
- Savannah, Georgia
- Campus
Program:
Master of Health Administration
Modality: In-person learning at the Savannah, GA campus
In-state tuition: $4,986 a year plus other fees
Out-of-state tuition: $19,890 a year plus other fees
Program Overview:
GSU’s affordable MHA program features 52 credits that are delivered through team-based activities and project-based assignments. Students are taught in small classes to fully equip them with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive as future healthcare executives.
University of Illinois-Chicago
- Chicago, Illinois
- Campus
Program:
Master of Healthcare Administration
Accreditation: CAHME and Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
Modality: Full-time/part-time in-person learning at the Chicago, IL campus
In-state tuition: $6,083 plus other fees
Out-of-state tuition: $12,768 plus other fees
Program Overview:
The University of Illinois-Chicago’s MHA program is considered one of the finest and cheapest in all of the country. Students who are new leaders are qualified to take the 60-credit residential program, while mid-to-senior-level executives are relegated to the 48-credit executive program.
Florida A&M University
- Tallahassee, Florida
- Campus
Program:
Master of Health Administration
Modality: In-person learning at the Tallahassee, FL campus
Accreditation: CAHME
In-state tuition: $7,302 plus fees
Out-of-state tuition: $18,396 plus fees
Program Overview:
Florida A&M’s MHA program features a 47-credit curriculum that includes core courses, a capstone project, and a residency/fieldwork requirement. All of these are carefully constructed to help future health executives improve their managerial, analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
University of Southern Texas
- Location
- Campus
Program:
Master of Science in Health Care Administration
Modality: In-person learning at the Houston, TX campus
In-state tuition: $137 per credit for 54 credits – $7,398 plus other fees
Out-of-state tuition: $458 per credit for 54 credits – $24,732 plus other fees
Program Overview:
UST’s MHA program is a two-year course that is available in both thesis and non-thesis tracks. Prerequisite subjects cover accounting, management, and statistics, while specialized subjects tackle healthcare information systems, healthcare economics, policy analysis, and administration epidemiology.
Oklahoma State University
- Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Online + Campus
Program:
Master’s in Healthcare Administration
Modality: In-person learning at the Tulsa, OK campus; also offered Online
In-state tuition: $233.80 per credit for 32 credits – $7,481.60 plus other fees
Out-of-state tuition: $879.75 per credit for 32 credits – $28,152 plus other fees
Program Overview:
OSU’s MHA program covers 32 credits and requires a thesis or creative component project. Students may focus on the Administration specialization, which is designed for students who want to succeed in the healthcare industry. The Leadership & Entrepreneurship track, meanwhile, is geared towards high-level executives.
Pennsylvania State University-Main
- State College, Pennsylvania
- Online + Campus
Program:
Master of Health Administration
Accreditation: CAHME
Modality: In-person or executive learning at the State College, PA campus; also offered Online
In-state tuition: $12,478 plus other fees
Out-of-state tuition: $21,633 plus other fees
Program Overview:
Penn State’s competency-based curriculum is designed to hone the students’ technical and leadership skills, as well as their emotional intelligence. It also focuses on practice improvement, which students can demonstrate through a 10-week residency program or a terminal capstone project.
Fort Hays State University
- Hays, Kansas
- Online + Campus
Program:
MBA Healthcare Management Concentration
Modality: In-person learning at the Hays, KS campus; also offered Online
Tuition: $374.50 per credit for 33 credits – $12,358.50 plus other fees
Program Overview:
Fort Hays’ Healthcare Management MBA is designed to help students solve the issues and challenges they might face as future healthcare leaders. Delivered alongside core business courses are electives in healthcare organization complexities, administration management, global health, legal issues, and health promotion programming.
Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville
- Edwardsville, Illinois
- Online + Campus
Program:
MBA with a Healthcare Administration Specialization
Modality: In-person learning at the Edwardsville, IL campus; also offered Online (Accelerated program)
US resident tuition: $12,978 plus other fees
International student tuition: $32,445 plus other fees
Program Overview:
The specialized MBA program features eight core programs, which must be taken with four concentration courses. Students may choose from any of the classes in healthcare financing, customer relationship management, organizational change & innovation, health economics & policy, and healthcare topics.
University of South Dakota
- Vermillion, South Dakota
- Campus
Program:
Administration (M.S.) – Health Services Administration
Modality: In-person learning at the Vermillion, SD campus
In-state tuition: $395.45 per credit for 36 credits – $14,236.20 plus other fees
Out-of-state tuition: $709.35 per credit for 36 credits – $25,536.60 plus other fees
Program Overview:
Designed for early- and mid-career professionals, USD’s MS Administration program is comprised of healthcare-specific courses that can help improve the students’ leadership, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
Framingham State University
- Framingham, Massachusetts
- Campus
Program:
Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA)
Modality: Full-time/part-time in-person learning at the Framingham, MA campus
Tuition: $1,390 per course for 11 courses – $15,290 plus other fees
Program Overview:
Framingham State’s pragmatic, broad-based curriculum requires students to complete nine core courses, one elective course, and one capstone project. All in all, these classes are designed to equip the students with the technical knowledge and practical skills they need to succeed as mid-level healthcare administrators.
Cheapest Hybrid MHA Programs
Here are ten affordable hybrid MHA programs that utilize a combination of online and in-person classes:
California State University-Long Beach
- Long Beach, California
- Hybrid
Program:
Master in Health Care Administration Accelerated Program (MSHCA-AP)
Modality: Hybrid
In-state tuition: $4,134 per semester plus other fees
Program Overview:
CSU-Long Beach’s accelerated MSHCA program is designed for professionals with five or more years of work experience. The 45-credit hour program features 15 core courses that cover topics in human resources, financial management, research, and population health management.
Marshall University
- Huntington, West Virginia
- Hybrid
Program:
Master of Science in Health Care Administration
Modality: Hybrid
In-state tuition: $4,580 per semester plus other fees
Out-of-state tuition: $11,012 per semester plus other fees
Program Overview:
Marshall University’s MSHCA program is designed to provide a firm understanding of leadership and management within the field of healthcare. Courses tackled in the program include financial management, economics, marketing, and field research.
Angelo State University
- San Angelo, Texas
- Hybrid
Program:
Hospital and Health Care Facilities Administration M.S.
Modality: Hybrid
In-state tuition: $7,246 plus other fees
Out-of-state tuition: $14,808 plus other fees
Program Overview:
Angelo State University’s MS program features 30 credit hours of courses delivered in a flexible eight-week format. Students are also given the opportunity to hone their skills through a paid one-year residency program at their healthcare organization of choice.
Texas State University
- San Marcos, Texas
- Hybrid
Program:
Master of Health Administration
Accreditation: CAHME
Modality: Hybrid
In-state tuition: Maximum of $9,291.06
Out-of-state tuition: Maximum of $18,741.06
Program Overview:
TSU’s MHA program focuses on principal study areas, such as the factors that affect healthcare, management organizational behaviors, and health & disease. Courses also cover specializations in financial management, human resource management, data analysis, and marketing.
University of Houston-Clear Lake
- Clear Lake, Texas
- Campus + Hybrid
Program:
Healthcare Administration MHA
Modality: Hybrid; in-person learning also offered at the Clear Lake, TX campus
In-state tuition: $9,796 plus other fees
Out-of-state tuition: $19,408 plus other fees
Program Overview:
The university’s flexible eight-week class format provides students the opportunity to learn while working full-time. They are also given the chance to put their skills to the test through internship programs at Houston Methodist, St. Luke’s Hospital, and MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Kennesaw State University
- Kennesaw, Georgia
- Hybrid
Program:
Master of Science in Healthcare Management and Informatics
Modality: Hybrid
In-state tuition: $296 per credit for 36 credits – $10,656 plus other fees
Out-of-state tuition: $1,066 per credit for 36 credits – $38,376 plus other fees
Program Overview:
Kennesaw State’s 24-month MS program offers a combined curriculum that hones each student’s leadership skills, as well as their mastery of information systems and data analytics for effective organizational management.
University of Central Missouri
- Warrensburg, Missouri
- Online + Campus + Hybrid
Program:
Master of Business Administration (MBA) – Healthcare Administration
Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Modality: Hybrid; Online and in-person learning at the Warrensburg, MO campus also offered
In-state tuition: $356 per credit for 33 credits – $11,748 plus other fees
Out-of-state tuition: $712 per credit for 33 credits – $23,496 plus other fees
Program Overview:
UCM’s MBA program starts with core courses that are designed to hone the student’s acumen in accounting, finance, and statistics. The healthcare-specific classes, meanwhile, are developed to boost the student’s knowledge of healthcare information systems, law & ethics, and health insurance.
Texas Woman’s University
- Denton, Texas
- Online + Face to Face Classes
Program:
Master of Healthcare Administration
Accreditation: CAHME
Modality: Hi-flex (combination of online and face-to-face classes)
In-state tuition: $288 per credit for 45-51 credits – about $12,960 to $14,688 plus other fees
Out-of-state tuition: $708 per credit for 45-51 credits – about $31,860 to $36,108 plus other fees
Program Overview:
Texas Women’s MHA program focuses on theoretical knowledge, experiential learning, and real-world immersions. Students may also opt to further build their knowledge and specialize in either the fields of Business Analytics or Global Health.
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
- Brooklyn, New York
- Online + Campus + Hybrid
Program:
Master of Healthcare Administration
Modality: Hybrid; Online and in-person learning at the Brooklyn, NY campus also offered
In-state tuition: $12,206
Out-of-state tuition: $24,496
Program Overview:
SUNY Downstate’s MHA program is known for its focus on equity, inclusion, and diversity. The flexible curriculum, which can be completed in 12 months, is built to help future leaders be champions of organizations that represent minorities or marginalized communities.
St. Francis College
- Brooklyn, New York
- Online + Campus + Hybrid
Program:
Master of Science in Healthcare Management
Modality: Hybrid; Online and in-person learning at the Brooklyn, NY campus also offered
Tuition: $16,000 plus other fees
Program Overview:
The college offers an MS Management degree that equips students with the skills and knowledge they need to lead businesses. And, with the Healthcare Management track, students get the specialized education they need to oversee hospitals, clinics, and other related industries.
Cheapest Online MHA Programs
Those who are unable to attend campus classes on a regular basis can still get their MHA through any of these ten affordable online programs:
Cleveland State University
- Cleveland, Ohio
- Online
Program:
Master of Healthcare Management
Modality: Online
In-state tuition: $8,385 plus other fees
Out-of-state tuition: $14,393.60 plus other fees
Program Overview:
Designed for working students, Cleveland State’s online MHA program is comprised of courses that tackle the most common challenges in healthcare management, such as people management, financial management, healthcare law, and healthcare market analysis.
California State University-East Bay
- Hayward, California
- Online
Program:
MS in Healthcare Administration
Modality: Online
In-state tuition: $8,539 plus other fees
Out-of-state tuition: $13,464 plus other fees
Program Overview:
CSU-East Bay’s quarter-based program is designed to help students meet the five proficiencies needed for healthcare organization effectiveness: leadership, professionalism, healthcare knowledge, business knowledge, and communication/relationship management.
Midwestern State University
- Wichita Falls, Texas
- Online
Program:
Master of Health Administration
Modality: Online with in-person workshops and seminars available to interested students
In-state tuition: $8,813 plus other fees
Out-of-state tuition: $11,738.45 plus other fees
Program Overview:
MSU’s online MHA program is designed for students who wish to work full-time as they continue to enrich their leadership skills and knowledge. With various courses featuring internet discussions and written assignments, students may readily complete the course in two to three years.
Texas Tech University-Health Sciences Center
- Lubbock, Texas
- Online
Program:
Master of Science in Healthcare Administration
Modality: Online
In-state tuition: $9,540 plus other fees
Out-of-state tuition: $24,660 plus other fees
Program Overview:
The distance-based accelerated program was created to provide working professionals with the flexibility they need to pursue higher education. Courses are taught by seasoned professionals who are or have had experience working as CFOs, quality experts, and federal healthcare executives, to name a few.
Union College
- Schenectady, New York
- Online
Program:
Master of Healthcare Administration
Modality: Online
Tuition: $11,100 plus other fees
Program Overview:
Union College’s online MHA courses are delivered in eight-week schedules that students can readily access with 24/7 tech support. Students are required to complete 12-credit core components and 18-credit discipline-specific components in administration, financial management, informatics, and healthcare law/ethics.
Missouri Southern State University
- Joplin, Missouri
- Online
Program:
Master of Science in Healthcare Administration
Modality: Online
In-state tuition: $374 per credit for 30 credits – about $11,220 plus other fees
Out-of-state tuition: $680 per credit for 30 credits – about $20,400 plus other fees
Program Overview:
MSSU’s affordable online MSHA program is available for students who wish to enhance their skills and become key leaders in their respective health organizations. Courses cover the basics, as well as specialized classes in healthcare law, conflict resolution, and organizational behavior.
Southeast Missouri State University
- Cape Girardeau, Missouri
- Online
Program:
M.S. in Healthcare Management
Accreditation: AACSB
Modality: Online
Tuition: $409.50 for 30 credits – $12,285 plus other fees
Program Overview:
Semo’s customizable online MHA program is designed for students who wish to specialize in general management, administration, patient safety, or informatics. On top of finishing the core requirements, students need to complete 12 credit-hour classes in their preferred concentration track.
Louisiana State University-Shreveport
- Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Online
Program:
Online Master of Health Administration
Modality: Online
Tuition: $12,474 plus other fees
Program Overview:
The program features 10 specialized graduate courses that can be taken in flexible seven-week terms. Students can complete the entire program in a year, making it ideal for executives looking for an affordable yet accelerated MHA degree.
Columbia Southern University
- Orange Beach, Alabama
- Online
Program:
Master of Business Administration – Healthcare Management
Modality: Online
Tuition: $349 per credit for 36 credits – $12,564 plus other fees
Program Overview:
Suited for healthcare managers who wish to achieve higher roles, CSU’s online MBA is designed to provide students with the competencies they need to lead their respective healthcare organizations. Concentration courses cover topics in financial management, legal foundations, advanced management, and policy analysis.
University of Arkansas-Grantham
- Little Rock, Arkansas
- Online
Program:
Healthcare Administration Online Master’s Degree Program
Modality: Online
Tuition: $350 per credit for 36 credits – $12,600 plus other fees
Program Overview:
UA-Grantham’s online MHA provides students with the insights and strategies they need to direct hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare organizations. Such are delivered through core courses in health service management, financial management, strategic management, and managerial economics, to name a few.