Updated: March 4, 2020
Welcome to our ranking of the best online Ph.D. in healthcare administration programs.
In the past decade, college education has become so competitive that earning a master's degree is practically expected in many fields. This is especially true for students who aspire to managerial roles. The MHA degree is becoming increasingly ubiquitous on healthcare professionals resumes. So to really stand out, many aspiring industry leaders and current administrators are taking that extra step to swap their MHA credential for a Doctor of Health Administration (DHA) degree. As online education continues to improve, more professionals are making the choice to keep their day jobs (because why wouldn't you if you could?) and study online.
Methodology
Unfortunately, the current options for online Ph.D. in healthcare administration students are extremely limited. We're confident that will change in the coming years, but as it stands now, there are only about a dozen online DHA degrees in the United States. As much as possible, we tried to limit our selection to public and private non-profit universities, although one for-profit school made it on this top 10 list. We then ascertained an approximate figure for annual tuition and fees using data from College Navigator. This included averaging in-state and out-of-state costs for public schools. We ranked the final set in order of affordability. From over $30,000 a year to less than $10,000, this DHA degree online ranking has it all. Read on!
Ranking is as follows:
Student/Faculty ratio:
15:1 or less- 3 points
16:1 to 19:1- 2 points
20:1 and above- 1 point
Average Graduate Tuition Rate:
Less than $13,000- 3 points
$13,000 to $20,000- 2 points
Greater than $20,000- 1 point
10. A T Still University-Kirksville, Missouri
Online Doctor of Health Administration Degree
Website
Average Graduate Student Tuition: $25,453/yr
Student to Faculty Ratio: 11:1
Points: 4
The online Doctor of Health Administration degree at A.T. Still University represents the pinnacle of training for health administration professionals. The program blends theory with practical knowledge. It prepares students to offer a positive influence on healthcare administration systems. Coursework covers areas like:
-healthcare economics
-organization informatics
-health organization governance
-strategic change management.
The 62 credit hour program is offered 100% online with no on-campus residency requirements. This flexible program allows students to choose between an applied or theoretical dissertation, depending on their personal and professional goals.
9. MCPHS University-Boston, Massachusetts
Doctor of Health Sciences (DHS): Healthcare Management
Website
Average Graduate Student Tuition: $20,880/yr
Student to Faculty Ratio: 15:1
Points: 4
The Doctor of Health Sciences online is offered by the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. It's a part-time program preparing students to understand and address complex health care issues. The university takes a modified approach to this traditional program, offering a Doctor of Health Sciences with four concentration options:
-healthcare management
-health-professions education
-public health
-patient safety and quality improvement.
Core coursework for all concentration areas covers areas like:
-contextual leadership
-qualitative and quantitative research methods
-leadership in health care
-research design.
The program provides students with the flexibility needed to continue working full-time while earning their degree.
8. Central Michigan University-Mount Pleasant, Michigan
Online Doctor of Health Administration
Website
Average Graduate Student Tuition: $12,870/yr in-state and $18,942/year out-of-state
Student to Faculty Ratio: 22:1
Points: 4
Central Michigan University Global Campus features a top online Doctor of Health Administration following a hybrid cohort model. The same cohort of students go through the 63 credit hour program from start to finish. The program consists of 15 online courses, six face-to-face seminars, and a comprehensive exam. A 12 credit dissertation in a specific area of healthcare administration completes the program. Coursework covers areas like:
-population health
-statistics
-quantitative analysis
-organizational theory and behavior for health professions.
7. Northcentral University-San Diego, California
Online Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration: Health Care Administration
Website
Average Graduate Student Tuition: $16,553/yr
Student to Faculty Ratio: 1:1
Points: 5
The ACBSP accredited online doctorate in Health Care Administration is a 60 credit hour program that takes about four years to complete. NCU offers weekly program start dates so students can get started on their degree right after being accepted into the program. The curriculum is comprised of 20 courses taught through a unique, one- to-one mentoring approach not used by any other school in our list. Graduates are successful in positions like:
-financial management
-research
-health care policy
-health care education.
6. Franklin University-Columbus, Ohio
Online Doctor of Healthcare Administration (DHA)
Website
Average Graduate Student Tuition: $15,816/yr
Student to Faculty Ratio: 13:1
Points: 5
Franklin University features an online doctor of healthcare administration program that can be completed in just three years. This includes a year for dissertation work. Students can transfer in up to 24 credit hour of previously earned credits, saving both time and money. Franklin University provides students with a personalized program, allowing students to choose from a wide variety of elective coursework to meet their personal and professional goals. There are no on-campus residency requirements, making this an ideal program for working professionals.
5. Walden University-Minneapolis, Minnesota
Online Doctor of Healthcare Administration (DHA)
Website
Student to Faculty Ratio: 18:1
Points: 5
Are you seeking an online DHA program with a relevant curriculum? Walden University's a top online DHA program is designed to keep up with the radical transformation in the health care industry. This DHA online features a multidisciplinary curriculum blending both theory and research. Face-to-face residencies provide students with the opportunity to engage with their peers and faculty. Online students can take advantage of support services designed to prepare students to balance family, work, and school responsibilities.
4. Grand Canyon University-Phoenix, Arizona
Online Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Health Care Administration
Website
Average Graduate Student Tuition: $9,737/yr
Student to Faculty Ratio: 19:1
Points: 5
Grand Canyon University offers the unique Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Health Care Administration program. It's the only program of its kind to make our list. Students can expect to gain a deeper awareness and understanding of the complexities facing the health care industry. While the majority of the program is offered online, students have the opportunity to travel to campus to collaborate with peers and faculty and work on their dissertation. The program features a relevant curriculum with the majority of courses focused on health care administration.
3. Liberty University-Lynchburg, Virginia
Online Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.)-Healthcare Management
Website
Average Graduate Student Tuition: $8,217/yr
Student to Faculty Ratio: 19:1
Points: 5
The School of Business at Liberty University features an affordable online Doctorate in Business Administration-Healthcare Management. There are no required on-campus residency requirements. This 60 credit hour program includes eight week courses and no set login times. Students can begin the program at any one of eight different start dates offered each year. The program consists of 48 credit hours of core business courses that include a dissertation. Healthcare management specialization courses cover areas like:
-healthcare administration
-healthcare informatics
-legal and ethical issues
-managing human capital in healthcare.
2. University of Mississippi Medical Center-Jackson, Mississippi
Online Doctor of Health Administration
Website
Average Graduate Student Tuition: $8,190/yr in-state and $23,454/year out-of-state
Student to Faculty Ratio: 16:1
Points: 5
The University of Mississippi Medical Center offers an online accredited DHA program. It's designed to train leaders to navigate and manage change in the health care environment. Students come from a variety of backgrounds, including education and administration, as well as licensed or certified health care practitioners. The program is designed for part-time students and can be completed in just nine semesters. Coursework covers a variety of topics from epidemiology to health policy. Most of the program is delivered online, but there are on-campus face-to-face sessions incorporated throughout the program.
1. University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Online Executive Doctoral Program in Health Leadership (DrPH)
Website
Average Graduate Student Tuition: $9,943/yr in-state and $27,154/year out-of-state
Student to Faculty Ratio: 13:1
Points: 6
The University of North Carolina has a reputation as a national leader in higher education. Thanks to its online Ph.D. in Healthcare Administration, students from across the country can take advantage of its superior academics. In many ways, this program isn't your average DHA. It's officially dubbed the Executive Doctoral Program in Health Leadership (DrPH). This three-year, cohort based, degree program is designed to help current industry leaders advance their careers. Students can complete a substantial amount of coursework from home or work and are only required to come to campus for three on-site visits each year.
You've reached the end of our ranking of doctorate in health administration online degrees.
See also: 50 Best Schools for a Healthcare Administration Degree 2016
Sources:
College Navigator
The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)