Online MBA in Healthcare Administration
Earn Your MBA With a Healthcare Administration Concentration - 100% Online Program
The Healthcare Administration concentration equips students with the skills to lead and innovate in the fast-growing healthcare sector. From analyzing policies to managing healthcare data and finances, this program prepares graduates to solve impactful problems while thriving in diverse and lucrative roles across public, private, and entrepreneurial settings.
Why is NDNU partnering with Rize for the Healthcare Administration Concentration?
Rize’s program doesn’t require a background in healthcare administration or in medicine. It’s accessible, engaging, and relevant, designed with practical case studies and hands-on assignments that will prepare you for the full variety of healthcare administration jobs, from public and private healthcare systems to healthcare start-ups and healthcare roles within banks and consulting. With its emphasis on understanding the real problems that healthcare systems face today, and in using both quantitative and qualitative skills to address those problems, this program is designed to be an ideal complement to the topics covered in a core MBA.
We’re experiencing a data explosion right now, and the healthcare industry is not immune to that. Rize’s program has a substantial focus on empowering graduates to use both financial and healthcare data to drive responsible decision-making. We prepare future healthcare leaders to identify the key metrics and data-driven strategies they’ll need to make impactful decisions confidently.
Learn more about the NDNU and Rize partnership for the healthcare administration MBA.
Download MBA Healthcare Administration Concentration Flyer
Why Healthcare Administration
Working in healthcare administration is so much more than simply managing doctors; it’s work that can be entrepreneurial, innovative, and lucrative, taking place in start-ups and banks just as much as it is in hospitals and fast-growing public programs like Medicare. Employment of medical and health services managers is projected to grow 24% from 2025 to 2035, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. With medical and health services managers earning a median annual wage of $123,860 in May 2025, and the top 10 percent earning more than $224,340, the financial rewards in this field are substantial and the job options rich and diverse.
But beyond the financial benefits, pursuing an MBA in Healthcare Administration prepares you to make a meaningful impact in a vital industry. How can our clinics attract and retain a healthcare workforce? How do we decide whether a new hospital should focus on pediatrics or oncology? How can we evaluate the financial impact of new drugs becoming available to Medicaid beneficiaries? A career after an MBA in Healthcare Administration means a commitment to solving interesting and impactful problems just like these—and just when technology is poised to revolutionize healthcare.
Admissions Information
To be admitted into the MBA program, students need to meet the following requirements:
- A four-year bachelor’s degree or the equivalent from a regionally accredited institution
- A cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or better
- Two academic and/or professional recommendations
- One or more courses in each of the foundation areas of accounting, economics, statistics, and math.
International students should also refer to the general graduate admission requirements.
Program Mission Statements
Transform Healthcare, Transform Lives: Every decision in healthcare ripples through countless lives. Through our MBA in Healthcare Administration, you’ll develop the vision and skills to lead positive change – not just in organizations, but in the communities they serve.
Shape Tomorrow’s Healthcare Today: Healthcare needs more than managers – it needs innovators who can balance the books while improving lives. You’ll learn to make data-smart decisions that serve both your organization’s mission and its bottom line.
Bridge Business and Better Care: In healthcare, success isn’t just measured in dollars – it’s measured in lives improved. You’ll master the unique intersection of finance, management, and healthcare delivery, turning challenges into opportunities for meaningful change.
Lead with Purpose: Healthcare organizations need leaders who understand both the head and heart of the industry. You’ll develop the financial expertise to keep organizations healthy and the strategic vision to help them thrive.
Pursue Career Stability: Healthcare is one of the largest and most complicated industries in the country, with incredible growth opportunities and upcoming challenges. Positioning yourself as a business expert within this field can give you a great chance at career and financial stability.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Analyze the effect of policy changes in the US healthcare system by applying relevant economic frameworks.
- Evaluate key challenges for today’s healthcare systems — from IT systems to human resources and revenue cycles — and manage them effectively and ethically.
- Effectively and ethically manage and communicate healthcare data to support clinical decision-making and improve healthcare outcomes.
- Assess career opportunities and key sectors relevant to healthcare administration.
- Analyze, model, and communicate financial analysis to evaluate and make financial decisions for healthcare organizations.
Key Skills You'll Gain:
- Healthcare Economics & Policy
- Navigate financial models & regulations
- Leadership & Management
- Optimize healthcare operations
- Data Analytics in Healthcare
- Leverage big data for better decision-making
- Healthcare Finance
- Drive financial sustainability
The Role of a Healthcare Leader:
- Lead Healthcare Organization:
- Drive hospital, insurance, and startup growth
- Manage Costs & Revenue Cycles:
- Ensure financial sustainability and efficiency
- Leverage Data for Better Care:
- Use analytics to improve patient outcomes
- Shape Healthcare Policy:
- Navigate regulations and advocate for strategic change
Rize Concentration (3 Units / 8-Week Courses)
BUS 4120 – Structure and Economics of US Healthcare System
- Students gain a comprehensive understanding of the US healthcare system’s structure and economics, covering topics such as principles of health economics and insurance markets, hospital and physician payment models, financing of the healthcare system, analysis of health policy changes, and consolidation and integration of the industry.
BUS 4150 – Management of Healthcare Organizations
- Students explore healthcare management principles and practices, emphasizing strategic analysis, workforce and IT management, revenue optimization, leadership, recognition and dealing with ethical issues, effective teams, and quality management.
BUS 4160 – Data Analysis for Healthcare Management
- Students learn to manage and communicate healthcare data, focusing on dashboards, patient-level data presentation, EHR systems, data analytics, data visualization tools, and ethical considerations.
BUS 4170 Healthcare Finance
- Students learn to use financial data for quantitative decision-making in healthcare organizations, covering cost accounting, financial statement analysis, capital budgeting, pricing and cost analysis, discounted cash flow analysis, Excel modeling, and presenting financial recommendations.
Course Highlights
Structure and Economics of the US Healthcare System: Decode the complexities of healthcare economics and policy. You’ll explore how money flows through the system and how changes in policy ripple through organizations. Through real examples, you’ll learn to navigate – and influence – this evolving landscape.
Management of Healthcare Organizations: Master the art of leading in healthcare’s unique environment. From building strong teams to optimizing revenue cycles, you’ll learn to balance the human and financial sides of healthcare delivery.
Data Analysis for Healthcare Management: Turn information into insight. You’ll learn to work with healthcare data in ways that improve decision-making and patient outcomes. No prior analytics experience needed – just bring your curiosity and drive to make things better.
Healthcare Finance: Make the numbers work for your mission. Through hands-on practice with financial modeling, you’ll learn to make decisions that keep your organization financially healthy while serving its community
Subject Matter Expert
Dr. Robert Hansen is the Norman W. Martin 1925 Professor of Business Administration at Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business and was previously Senior Associate Dean. He served as faculty director of the Center for Business and Society and co-faculty director of the Business Bridge Program and the Master of Health Care Delivery Science Program at the College. His expertise is in microeconomics, with a focus on game theory, auction markets, and public policy. His teaching has been in the economics, public policy including healthcare policy, and finance areas. He has written and published articles in the areas of auction theory, corporate finance and corporate policy, industrial organization, and law and economics.
Healthcare Administration Concentration FAQ’s
Online-First: This program is built to ensure that its online classes are not merely attempting to recreate the in-person experience but truly leverage the strengths ofonline learning. Students can enjoy the flexibility of remote coursework and engage with students at other leading institutions, bolstering their professional networks for the future.
Holistic Approach to Healthcare Leadership: This MBA specialization is designed to address the unique complexities of the healthcare ecosystem, blending policy,finance, operations, and patient care. Courses like “Structure and Economics of the US Healthcare System” and “Management of Healthcare Organizations” equipstudents to lead with both financial expertise and human-centered strategy.
Interdisciplinary Skill Development: This program is a comprehensive leadership development experience designed to balance financial performance with ethicaldecision-making, data visualization, and policy navigation in healthcare. It bridges disciplines to prepare graduates as innovators who drive meaningful change andalign organizational goals with patient needs.
Healthcare Professionals Seeking Leadership Roles
Nurses and Clinical Staff:
Why: To transition from clinical roles to administrative and managerial positions,
leveraging their clinical experience to improve healthcare operations and patient
outcomes.
Example: A registered nurse (RN) aiming to become a clinic manager or director of
nursing.
Physicians and Allied Health Professionals:
Why: To gain business and management skills necessary for running healthcare facilities,
departments, or private practices.
Example: A physician looking to manage a hospital department or start their own practice.
Individuals with a Background in Healthcare Administration
Current Healthcare Administrators:
Why: To advance their careers, deepen their knowledge, and update their skills in
healthcare management and policy.
Example: A hospital administrator seeking to move into a higher executive role such
as a hospital CEO or COO.
Healthcare Managers:
Why: To enhance their strategic planning, financial management, and leadership capabilities.
Example: A manager in a healthcare insurance company aiming for a director-level position.
Professionals Transitioning into Healthcare
Business Professionals:
Why: To pivot their career into the healthcare sector, applying their business acumen
to healthcare settings.
Example: A graduate from a different industry wanting to specialize in healthcare
administration.
IT and Tech Professionals:
Why: To understand healthcare-specific challenges and apply their technical skills
to improve healthcare systems and data management.
Example: An IT manager interested in managing healthcare information systems or EHR
projects.
Recent Graduates
Graduates with Degrees in Healthcare or Related Fields:
Why: To gain specialized knowledge and skills in healthcare administration, enhancing
their employability and career prospects.
Example: A recent graduate with a degree in public health or health sciences looking
to enter healthcare management.
Graduates with Business Degrees:
Why: To combine their business knowledge with healthcare management, positioning themselves
for leadership roles in the healthcare sector.
Example: A business administration graduate aiming for a role in healthcare consulting
or hospital administration.
Individuals Passionate About Healthcare Policy and Ethics
Policy Analysts and Public Health Professionals:
Why: To gain a deeper understanding of the business and administrative aspects of
healthcare, enhancing their ability to influence healthcare policies and practices.
Example: A public health professional interested in developing and implementing healthcare
policies at a governmental or organizational level.
Ethics and Compliance Officers:
Why: To ensure that healthcare organizations operate within legal and ethical standards,
and to manage compliance issues effectively.
Example: An ethics officer aiming to oversee compliance and ethical standards in a
large healthcare organization.
Entrepreneurs and Innovators
Healthcare Entrepreneurs:
Why: To understand the complexities of the healthcare market, develop viable business
models, and lead successful healthcare startups.
Example: An entrepreneur looking to launch a health tech startup or innovative healthcare
service.
Innovators in Healthcare Technology:
Why: To bridge the gap between technology and healthcare management, ensuring successful
integration of new technologies in healthcare settings.
Example: A tech innovator aiming to develop and manage the implementation of new healthcare
technologies. And of course, this program is also accessible to those who want to
move into the field.
Individuals with No Related Background or Experience
Career Changers with a Passion for Healthcare:
Why: To transition into a morally rewarding, lucrative, and dynamic field that impacts
lives and communities.
Example: Someone from a completely different industry (e.g., finance, education, retail)
who is drawn to the healthcare sector’s potential for positive impact and career growth.
It is important to note that since the healthcare industry has such a wide reach, students who don’t want to work in a hospital or clinic per se could certainly find employment in a bank, consulting firm, start-up, or medical device company, just to name a few. Healthcare administration does not always mean working in a hospital!
If you decide you truly do not want to work in any healthcare-adjacent field, there are still many transferable skills from this course. You’ll have learned Excel modeling, data visualizations, how to identify and communicate key metrics regarding a project’s success, and how to go about thinking through whether a decision is financially and ethically sound for all involved. These are all in-demand skills for management and analytical work in other fields outside of healthcare administration.
State Authorization for Online Programs
The Department of Education requires that institutions offering online or distance learning programs outside of their home states must seek authorization to operate from regulatory bodies in those states. Each state has a different set of requirements when it comes to allowing out-of-state colleges and universities to offer online degree programs to its residents.
Program at a Glance
| Detail | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Format | 100% online, eight-week courses |
| Total MBA units | 36 units across 12 courses |
| Time to finish | As little as 18 months |
| Tuition | $530 per unit ($19,080 total program tuition) |
| Healthcare background | Not required |
| Admission | Bachelor’s degree, 2.5 GPA, two recommendations, prior coursework in accounting, economics, statistics and math |
Want to see where this degree can lead? Read our guide to MBA in Healthcare Administration careers and salary, learn the steps to become a healthcare administrator, or explore the full online MBA. Current rates are on the tuition and fees page. Salary and growth figures come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the healthcare administration MBA fully online?
Yes. Every course is 100% online and runs in eight-week sessions. If you live outside California, check the list of authorized states to confirm NDNU can enroll students where you live.
Do I need healthcare experience to apply?
No. The concentration is designed for students with or without a healthcare background, including career changers from business, IT and other fields. You will need a bachelor’s degree and prior coursework in accounting, economics, statistics and math.
How long does the online MBA in healthcare administration take?
You can finish the full MBA in as little as 18 months. The program is 36 units, and courses run in eight-week sessions.
How much does the program cost?
MBA tuition is $530 per unit, or $19,080 for the full program. Check the tuition and fees page for current rates and the financial aid page for ways to lower your cost.
What jobs can I get with a healthcare MBA?
Graduates work toward roles such as clinic manager, hospital department leader, healthcare director and operations or finance roles in insurers, health tech and consulting firms. BLS reports a median annual wage of $123,860 for medical and health services managers in May 2025.