What is the difference between healthcare management and healthcare administration?

Healthcare management focuses on overseeing an entire organization, including its strategy, finance, and operations. This typically involves high-level decision-making. In contrast, healthcare administration deals with managing specific departments or services and focuses on the day-to-day operations within the facility.

What does BA in healthcare administration mean?

A bachelor of arts (BA) in healthcare administration is an undergraduate degree that focuses on service management and coordination. These programs cover topics like healthcare policy, ethics, finance, and operations and prepare students for entry-level healthcare roles managing daily functions and improving service efficiency.

Is a bachelor's in business administration the same as healthcare administration?

No, a bachelor's in business administration program typically covers broad business fundamentals like finance, marketing, and management, which can be applied to various industries. A bachelor's in healthcare administration program targets skills for managing healthcare settings, patient care, and regulatory compliance.

What is the difference between a bachelor's and a master's in healthcare administration?

A bachelor's in healthcare administration is an undergraduate degree that provides students with foundational knowledge in operations and entry-level management skills. A master’s in healthcare administration is a graduate-level degree that provides advanced training in strategic leadership, policy, and complex decision-making. Earning a master's can help you qualify for advanced healthcare administration roles with higher salaries.

Bachelor's degrees in healthcare administration

A bachelor's in healthcare administration can equip students for diverse opportunities in management and policy. Explore career options and salary expectations.

Explore healthcare programs

Why pursue an online bachelor's in healthcare administration?

Learn the business side of healthcare

Understand healthcare operations, finance, and policy to help you make effective and informed decisions.

Build leadership skills

Develop strategic decision-making, team management, and communication skills to guide teams and improve organizational outcomes.

Join a fast-growing field

Graduates can enter a rapidly expanding field driven by healthcare demand, including diverse career opportunities in management and policy.

Bachelor's in healthcare administration programs prepare students to manage healthcare facilities, understand healthcare policies and financials, and deliver patient care effectively. Discover what you learn in a bachelor's in healthcare program, potential career options, and salary expectations.

Find the right online bachelor's in healthcare program for you

What jobs can you get with an online bachelor's in healthcare administration?

Graduates with a bachelor's degree in healthcare administration can qualify for diverse roles within healthcare management, including:

Medical office administrator
Medical and health services manager
Healthcare program coordinator

These roles focus on improving healthcare facility operations and patient care delivery and ensuring regulatory compliance.

These professionals typically oversee budgets, manage staff, and coordinate department activities in order to streamline services and maximize patient satisfaction.

Graduates of a bachelor's in healthcare administration program might also analyze data to improve healthcare delivery and handle logistics, including resource allocation. They typically work in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, public health organizations, and insurance companies.

Salary expectations and career outlook for healthcare administration

After graduation, you can qualify for entry-level positions in the healthcare sector. Executive roles with higher salary potential usually require a master's degree and are not open to graduates with a bachelor's degree

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical and health services managers earned a median annual salary of $110,680 in 2023. Salaries vary by state, experience, industry, and organization.

The Bureau projects that jobs for these professionals will grow by 29% from 2023–33. This is much faster than the average 4% projected growth for all occupations. The healthcare industry's rapid growth and increasing demand for efficient management contribute to higher-than-average growth projections.

What can you learn in an online bachelor's in healthcare administration program?

An online bachelor's in healthcare administration program provides students with foundational knowledge in healthcare management, policy, and operations. Programs typically require roughly 100 credits and might take as little as two years to finish, depending on the institution.

Courses often include:

Healthcare law and ethics
Health services management
Ethical leadership
Evidence-based public health

Program curricula equip students to handle administrative tasks, regulatory compliance, and resource allocation in large organizations.

Some programs require students to complete a capstone project, practicum, or internship. These experiential components help students build professional skills and connect what they learn in the classroom with practical healthcare administration challenges.

Related bachelor's degrees in healthcare administration

Bachelor's in health science: Prepare for patient-facing roles by earning a bachelor's in health science. Gain important clinical knowledge, understand how to promote healthy living, and explore health research.
Bachelor's in public health: Learn about disease prevention, health policy, and community health in a bachelor's in public health program. Graduates are positioned for roles in health education and policy.
Bachelor's in business administration: Study general finance, marketing, and management topics. A bachelor's in business administration prepares you to work in various industries, including healthcare administration.

Further education in healthcare administration

(MHA): Fine-tune your strategic planning, policy, and complex management skills. A master's in healthcare administration prepares graduates for advanced leadership roles, greater responsibilities, and increased salary potential.
Doctorate in healthcare administration: Gain expertise in high-level policy, organizational strategy, and industry innovation. A doctorate prepares graduates for executive roles, academic positions, and research.
PhD in healthcare administration: Prepare for research, academia, and policy development by pursuing a PhD in healthcare administration. These programs help students develop expertise in health systems, leadership, and data analysis.