Healthcare administration vs. healthcare management
The difference between healthcare administration and healthcare management is a common point of confusion. Explore the differences between these two healthcare degrees as you research educational opportunities.
By: James M. Tobin, Edited by: Rebecca Munday
Last updated: June 13, 2025
Master's in healthcare administration degree vs. healthcare management degree
Master's in healthcare administration programs typically lead to master of science (MS) degrees. These programs focus on optimizing the day-to-day operations of healthcare facilities. They develop leadership qualities and tools for improving organizational efficiency and patient outcomes.
Specific course topics include:
- Operations management
- Finance and business strategy
- Health policy, ethics, and compliance
Healthcare management programs explore similar topics but from a different perspective. They emphasize big-picture thinking and strategic planning, equipping professionals with skills for building long-term organizational prosperity.
Some schools host MS programs in healthcare management, while others offer it as a master of business administration (MBA) concentration track.
Admissions requirements
Schools often design their master's programs in healthcare administration and management for busy, working professionals. To get into either program, applicants typically need a bachelor's degree with a strong academic record and 1-3 years of full-time professional experience.
Healthcare administration programs typically require more work experience. However, schools often consider applicants from diverse professional backgrounds. You may not specifically need healthcare experience, though it may help.
Healthcare management programs are more likely to require in-field professional experience. This may include healthcare experience, business management experience, or both.
Cost
A 2020 National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) study found that students in health-focused business or management programs paid average tuition fees of $20,878. These parameters apply to both healthcare administration and healthcare management and represent a useful cost estimate for either program type.
You could save some money by pursuing an MBA in healthcare management degree rather than an MS degree. The same NCES study found that MBA students paid average tuition fees of $17,057.
MBA programs are widely available, with schools often competing to attract students. MS programs in healthcare administration or management are less common academic specializations, which may partially explain the cost differences.
Curriculum
MS programs in healthcare administration and healthcare management share similar curricula. For example, both program types cover:
- Healthcare systems and informatics
- Financial management and reporting
- Quality-of-care management
- Managerial strategy and decision-making
- Healthcare law, ethics, and compliance
However, administration programs delve more deeply into human resource management, operations, and communications. Meanwhile, management programs explore accounting, economics, and organizational behavior more deeply.
MBA in healthcare management curricula focus on versatile proficiencies in accounting, finance, marketing, and strategic decision-making. Your courses will likely explore these topics in the context of improving patient care and health outcomes.
Program outcomes
As with other aspects of healthcare administration vs. healthcare management, program outcomes share some similarities. Both programs position students to pursue professional roles that positively impact healthcare operations and the quality of patient care.
However, healthcare administration degrees tend to lead to middle management roles. Examples include program manager, budget analyst, and service coordinator positions. In addition, healthcare administration master's degrees can also lead to opportunities in:
- Biopharmaceutical research and sales
- Health insurance and payer organizations
- Compliance
MS and MBA degrees in healthcare management typically lead to behind-the-scenes, executive-track roles focused on business development, strategy, and finance. Sample position titles include health services manager, healthcare consultant, and director of service operations.
Salary and career outlook
Drawing on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the following section explores salaries, salary ranges, and job growth projections for positions associated with degrees from both tracks. Note that some of these careers are fairly broad — your precise earning potential will depend on your position title, level of responsibility, location, employment setting, and experience.
| Career | Degree track | 25th percentile salary (May 2023) | Median annual salary (May 2023) | 75th percentile salary (May 2023) | Job growth (2023-33) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget analyst | Healthcare administration | $68,540 | $84,940 | $107,470 | +4% |
| Sales representative | Healthcare administration | $64,700 | $99,710 | $143,220 | +1% |
| Management consultant | Healthcare management, MBA | $74,540 | $99,410 | $130,800 | +11% |
| Medical and health services manager | Healthcare management, MBA | $86,080 | $110,680 | $157,640 | +29% |
Healthcare administration vs. healthcare management: which degree is right for me?
Choosing between healthcare administration and healthcare management can be difficult, especially considering the close overlap between the two fields. The following overview may help you decide which degree to pursue:
Healthcare administration may be a better choice if:
- You want a more active, middle-of-the-road role in healthcare settings.
- You'd like to impact the day-to-day operations and functions of healthcare institutions.
- You're interested in positions in adjacent industries, such as pharmaceuticals and insurance.
Healthcare management or an MBA may be a better choice if:
- You have a background or an interest in long-term organizational strategy.
- You'd like to pursue an executive-track career.
- You aspire to organizational leadership.
As you weigh your options, carefully compare curricular details to see which topics and proficiencies the program emphasizes. If you need further clarity, reach out to the school for more information about program outcomes and career tracks.