Online Associates Degree in Healthcare Administration (ASHCA) - Best of 2025

University Headquarters (HQ) is an industry-leading, independent educational organization that provides independent college rankings using a proprietary formula to create first class, unbiased rankings. The team at University HQ strives to provide accurate and trustworthy rankings that highlight the best programs for healthcare administration.

Students in associate healthcare administration degree programs learn how to work in a medical office, hospital, or other health and medical administrative services in the healthcare industry. They learn about healthcare data, medical terminology and medical coding, as well as how to supervise other employees on a managerial basis, and basic business management skills. They are preparing for employment as medical secretaries, medical assistants, and medical records technicians throughout their major courses, which will offer many healthcare-specific courses and business courses. Because there are not many requirements for hands-on learning, these online health care administration programs are easily accessible for online learners.

Students with an associate degree in healthcare administration will also have the opportunity to complete their bachelor's degree in healthcare administration if they are looking for more real-world job opportunities beyond entry-level positions in the healthcare industry. This provides the ability to move up into middle-management positions in the industry. Since most of the courses required for both of these can be found online, students might be able to accelerate their learning.

Featured Online Healthcare Administration Programs

PROS

According to U.S. News and World Report, earning a traditional or an online associate degree in healthcare administration will provide the potential candidate with a good grounding in medical office work. As such, the candidate will learn about patient records management, healthcare data technology, medical coding, and lower-level supervision to become healthcare administrators.

An online associate healthcare administration program is a good option for candidates who either do not have the high school GPA that would enable them to be accepted into a traditional or even an online bachelor's degree program in healthcare administration or who are looking to enter the workplace soon after high school graduation. An associate degree will allow a student who worked full-time on their degree to enter the healthcare industry in two years' time. Accelerated online programs can take as little as 18 months.

Nothing precludes a candidate with an associate degree in healthcare administration who is working in the field from also completing their bachelor's in a healthcare administration program through an online program. There are multiple good, online healthcare administration degree programs offered by top-flight colleges and universities which allow students with an associate degree and some experience in the field to complete their bachelor's degree in healthcare administration or healthcare management. Students can attend through a hybrid associate degree program, with online and in-person courses, or through a 100% online associate degree program.

Lastly, students may qualify for federal financial aid to help them pay for tuition, books and more! Federal financial aid programs such as the PELL Grant have helped thousands of students who qualify to be able to afford to earn their degree.

CONS

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), health care administration graduates with only an associate healthcare administration degree will find that they are limited to positions such as medical secretary, medical assistant, or medical records worker in their healthcare administration careers. Students who have completed a bachelor's degree in healthcare administration can expect to compete for management of healthcare facility positions, human resource management positions, and health and medical administrative healthcare services positions in hospitals, clinics, and other positions as health services managers at medical institutions. This is due to their increased major courses focused on business management skills.

Those earning their degrees online will not have the opportunity to network like students in on-campus courses will.

Typical employment offered to students who have completed a bachelor's degree in healthcare administration program and who have completed at least one internship include nursing home administrators (after passing state licensing requirements), clinical office managers, health information managers, medical insurance underwriters, and social service managers, healthcare services managers and other health care management positions. The yearly median income for such positions in healthcare administration worth from $52,000 to almost $100,000. Such incomes are far higher than those afforded by entry-level job opportunities for healthcare administration associate degree holders.

Also, some of the certifications that can improve one's employment prospects and income are only offered to those with a bachelor's degree in a health care management or health care administration program. These licensure requirements preclude those who have completed an associate degree program from earning these certifications for their healthcare administration careers.

Search Programs

Top 25 Best Online Associate in Healthcare Administration Programs

Elizabethtown College

Score: 79.76

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $36,842
- Out-of-State: $36,842
Net Price: $26,723
Acceptance Rate: 81%
Retention Rate: 85%

Graduation Rate: 76%
Total Enrollment: 2,021
Undergrad Students: 1,737
Graduate Students: 284
Grads Salary: $46,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings

Herzing University-Minneapolis

Score: 79.15

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,420
- Out-of-State: $13,420
Net Price: $19,527
Acceptance Rate: 94%
Retention Rate: 76%

Graduation Rate: 71%
Total Enrollment: 815
Undergrad Students: 808
Graduate Students: 7
Grads Salary: $45,200
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

Cambridge College

Score: 77.64

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $18,072
- Out-of-State: $18,072
Net Price: $21,178
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 100%

Graduation Rate: 50%
Total Enrollment: 2,135
Undergrad Students: 840
Graduate Students: 1,295
Grads Salary: $49,200
Student-to-faculty: 8:1

View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings

Rasmussen University-Minnesota

Score: 74.99

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,899
- Out-of-State: $10,899
Net Price: $17,858
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 100%

Graduation Rate: 48%
Total Enrollment: 3,058
Undergrad Students: 2,649
Graduate Students: 409
Grads Salary: $45,700
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

Monroe College

Score: 71.62

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $17,922
- Out-of-State: $17,922
Net Price: $9,157
Acceptance Rate: 60%
Retention Rate: 70%

Graduation Rate: 56%
Total Enrollment: 7,011
Undergrad Students: 5,916
Graduate Students: 1,095
Grads Salary: $34,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings

Colorado Christian University

Score: 71.35

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $39,266
- Out-of-State: $39,266
Net Price: $23,313
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 83%

Graduation Rate: 61%
Total Enrollment: 8,964
Undergrad Students: 7,602
Graduate Students: 1,362
Grads Salary: $42,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings

Wake Technical Community College

Score: 63.92

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,336
- Out-of-State: $7,582
Net Price: $3,914
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 68%

Graduation Rate: 31%
Total Enrollment: 21,551
Undergrad Students: 21,551
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $35,300
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

Berkeley College-Woodland Park

Score: 62.34

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $28,600
- Out-of-State: $28,600
Net Price: $17,068
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 64%

Graduation Rate: 44%
Total Enrollment: 2,078
Undergrad Students: 1,944
Graduate Students: 134
Grads Salary: $35,900
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

Montgomery County Community College

Score: 61.16

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,250
- Out-of-State: $16,230
Net Price: $7,621
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 65%

Graduation Rate: 23%
Total Enrollment: 8,596
Undergrad Students: 8,596
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $37,400
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

Iowa Central Community College

Score: 61.14

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,376
- Out-of-State: $7,668
Net Price: $7,984
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 53%

Graduation Rate: 37%
Total Enrollment: 5,058
Undergrad Students: 5,058
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $34,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City

Score: 61.14

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,779
- Out-of-State: $9,564
Net Price: $7,015
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 45%

Graduation Rate: 13%
Total Enrollment: 4,340
Undergrad Students: 4,340
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $43,700
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings

Minnesota West Community and Technical College

Score: 60.74

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,484
- Out-of-State: $12,332
Net Price: $11,577
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 67%

Graduation Rate: 37%
Total Enrollment: 3,352
Undergrad Students: 3,352
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $34,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings

Valley College-Martinsburg

Score: 60.46

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,995
- Out-of-State: $15,995
Net Price: $24,165
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 100%

Graduation Rate: 68%
Total Enrollment: 615
Undergrad Students: 615
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $25,800
Student-to-faculty: 24:1

Manor College

Score: 59.55

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $19,964
- Out-of-State: $19,964
Net Price: $17,540
Acceptance Rate: 93%
Retention Rate: 61%

Graduation Rate: 36%
Total Enrollment: 583
Undergrad Students: 583
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $35,200
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

Terra State Community College

Score: 59.42

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,660
- Out-of-State: $10,316
Net Price: $12,513
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 63%

Graduation Rate: 26%
Total Enrollment: 2,207
Undergrad Students: 2,207
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $36,700
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

Tyler Junior College

Score: 58.81

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,002
- Out-of-State: $5,752
Net Price: $10,375
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 65%

Graduation Rate: 21%
Total Enrollment: 11,901
Undergrad Students: 11,901
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $37,800
Student-to-faculty: 20:1

Colorado Technical University

Score: 58.68

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,760
- Out-of-State: $12,760
Net Price: $16,106
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 46%

Graduation Rate: 20%
Total Enrollment: 24,808
Undergrad Students: 22,393
Graduate Students: 2,415
Grads Salary: $46,100
Student-to-faculty: 31:1

View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings

Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology

Score: 58.37

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,018
- Out-of-State: $6,928
Net Price: $9,211
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 57%

Graduation Rate: 30%
Total Enrollment: 5,021
Undergrad Students: 5,021
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $33,100
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

Point University

Score: 57.01

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $22,300
- Out-of-State: $22,300
Net Price: $19,890
Acceptance Rate: 24%
Retention Rate: 69%

Graduation Rate: 26%
Total Enrollment: 2,015
Undergrad Students: 1,943
Graduate Students: 72
Grads Salary: $31,400
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

Pitt Community College

Score: 56.77

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $1,972
- Out-of-State: $6,580
Net Price: $7,291
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 68%

Graduation Rate: 28%
Total Enrollment: 7,144
Undergrad Students: 7,144
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $29,200
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

Keiser University-Ft. Lauderdale

Score: 55.2

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $24,136
- Out-of-State: $24,136
Net Price: $33,865
Acceptance Rate: 97%
Retention Rate: 69%

Graduation Rate: 44%
Total Enrollment: 19,020
Undergrad Students: 16,960
Graduate Students: 2,060
Grads Salary: $36,800
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings

Berkeley College-New York

Score: 55.08

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $28,600
- Out-of-State: $28,600
Net Price: $23,301
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 57%

Graduation Rate: 35%
Total Enrollment: 1,882
Undergrad Students: 1,818
Graduate Students: 64
Grads Salary: $36,900
Student-to-faculty: 22:1

View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings

Bryan University-Springfield

Score: 53.57

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,868
- Out-of-State: $15,868
Net Price: $20,210
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: N/A

Graduation Rate: 69%
Total Enrollment: 135
Undergrad Students: 127
Graduate Students: 8
Grads Salary: $24,400
Student-to-faculty: 12:1

New England College

Score: 52.34

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $41,578
- Out-of-State: $41,578
Net Price: $29,512
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 61%

Graduation Rate: 31%
Total Enrollment: 2,852
Undergrad Students: 1,043
Graduate Students: 1,809
Grads Salary: $35,500
Student-to-faculty: 7:1

View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings

Hodges University

Score: 51.66

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,580
- Out-of-State: $15,580
Net Price: $18,083
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 29%

Graduation Rate: 20%
Total Enrollment: 443
Undergrad Students: 339
Graduate Students: 104
Grads Salary: $36,600
Student-to-faculty: 10:1

Certificate Vs. Associates

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, students hoping to become a medical secretary, medical assistant, or medical records technician can also find employment after attending a post-secondary program in their desired field and achieving certification. Certification programs for those three occupations tend to be a year in duration.

Of the three types of employment, it is more likely for a candidate to obtain employment in the field as a medical records technician through certification programs. Such healthcare administration programs for medical records technicians tend to provide healthcare-specific courses in anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, communication, health data coding systems and classification, computer technology, healthcare statistics, and reimbursement means.

Students who intend to pursue certifications rather than healthcare administration associate degree programs are encouraged to take health, computer science, biology, and mathematics courses in high school. These will prepare you for your major courses in a healthcare administration program, whether you take campus-based classes or earn an online associate degree. Most employers hiring medical secretaries prefer the candidate to have completed an associate degree in healthcare administration or a related field. Students who are pursuing a healthcare administration associate degree can expect to be taking courses in office technology and procedures; medical terminology; anatomy; health and medical administrative services; business management skills; medical office management, insurance billing, transcription, and business communications.

Some states require medical assistants to either be certified or successfully pass an examination. According to the Institute for Credentialing Excellence, there are five different certifications offered for medical assistants. There are post-graduation certifications available for students who have completed their associate degree in healthcare administration such as Certified Professional Secretary, Certified Administrative Professional, or Certified Medical Assistant.

What Healthcare Administration Associate Degrees are Available?

There are Associate of Arts Healthcare Administration programs, Associate of Science Healthcare Administration programs, and Associate of Applied Science Healthcare Administration programs. The latter type of healthcare administration program does not allow for transfer of units to a bachelor's degree; it’s designed for students who simply want to get into the career field quickly. The Associate of Arts will add more liberal arts coursework to the degree, while the Associate of Science will have more of an emphasis on science courses. Both the Associate of Arts and the Associate of Science degrees earn transferable units for those who intend to earn their bachelor's degrees. Also, many programs allow students to concentrate on a specific portion of the field, like medical records in the health care system. Students can choose to continue school to earn their bachelor's degree to further career advancement and potentially obtain higher job positions in healthcare administration such as a human resources manager or healthcare manager position at a healthcare clinic or other medical institution.

Admission Requirements

Most associate degree programs in healthcare administration only require the student to have earned a high school diploma or GED. More competitive programs will expect a certain high school GPA or will expect certain high school coursework, such as biology, mathematics, computer science, and/or health. Also, more competitive programs will ask the candidate to supply letters of recommendation from teachers and/or employers. There may be an internship that will be a part of one's associate degree program that will be a requirement for successful graduation.

How long does it take to earn a Healthcare Administration Associates?

Typically, a student attending school full-time will be able to complete an associate degree in two years. Students who have to juggle work and school, or school and family, may find that they will have to attend school less than full-time. This will delay their program completion. Some programs may have options to accelerate the program, which may help a student complete the program in closer to a year and a half.

It is a really good idea to pursue as much financial aid in the form of scholarships and grants that you can, especially if it will reduce the number of hours you have to work each week. This will allow you to focus on completing your program.

Get Matched With Online AS Healthcare Administration Schools

Potential Careers in Health Science with an Associates

Medical Secretary
Medical secretaries work in the front of a doctor's office, clinic, nursing home, or other medical facility and they may maintain patient information, schedule appointments, submit medical insurance claims, bill patients, order supplies for the facility, and transcribe medical reports.
Average annual salary - $38,800
Medical Assistant
Medical assistants perform work within the front office and also perform clinical work in a medical office or hospital. They enter information into insurance forms and medical records, provide injections to patients, take their vital signs, and help the doctor perform examinations and other medical procedures.
Average annual salary – $34,300
Medical Records Technician
Medical records technicians maintain paper and/or electronic health information. They are responsible for the accuracy, privacy, and security of sensitive health information. They may also code medical information so that patients receive proper reimbursement from their medical insurer.
Average annual salary – $37,200

Options to Advance

There are certificate programs that allow medical secretaries, medical records technicians, and medical assistants to advance in their field. Another avenue for advancement in the field is to complete one's bachelor's in healthcare administration. Students who complete their bachelor's degree can expect to compete for middle-management positions in the healthcare industry with much higher income potential.

There are some top colleges in the nation that provide bachelor's-completion programs. These are programs that accept students with associates in healthcare administration and provide the rest of a bachelor's program in healthcare administration. Admission requirements usually expect a certain GPA level or better from all of the associate program work. There may be a requirement for work experience in the industry.

Some of the colleges that provide bachelor's-completion programs for candidates who seek to advance in their field after earning their associate degree include Rush University in Chicago, Illinois; Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Champlain University in Burlington, Vermont. Drexel and Champlain require a 2.5 GPA on prior college coursework, while Rush requires a 2.0 GPA. Champlain has no requirement that the associate degree needs to be in healthcare administration.

Medical assistants who would like to advance in their field can work on their RN, Physician Assistant, or Nurse Practitioner certifications. According to U.S. News and World Report, it is essential to ensure that credits earned in your associate program can be transferred to a four-year institution at a later date, if that is your desire. One means of ensuring credit transferability is to attend a regionally or nationally-accredited associate degree program. The other means of ensuring credit transferability is to discuss the issue with your school's guidance counselor or academic advisor.

Frequently Asked Questions

What will you do in a career focused on healthcare administration?

If you’re considering earning a degree in healthcare administration, it’d be best if you knew what your daily tasks might include after you graduate and find a job. These tasks often include negotiating with vendors and hiring temporary staff when your staffing needs are unmet. You’ll also likely be required to run risk management and financial analysis in order to ensure that the financials of your facility are solid year to year. You will help staff create policies that will benefit not only the company, but also the patients, so that patient outcomes are positive, and your company can continue to grow and serve those in your community. Finally, though this might be the most important goal, you must ensure that the facility complies with all pertinent healthcare law in your state, as well as federal laws governing care of patients, patient information tracking and protection, billing practices, etc.

Will an associate degree allow me to work as a healthcare administrator?

Though this is an excellent degree to earn if you want to make your way into the healthcare administration field, you may only have access to entry-level degrees with an associate’s. After earning some experience, you may be able to move into more advanced supervisory positions, but it may be easier to do so with a bachelor’s degree. For that reason, many who earn an associate degree in this field eventually go back to school to earn a more advanced degree so that they can more easily advance in their career. Even so, those who wish to get into the field quickly, with the least amount spent on your education, shouldn’t be worried about not being able to make their way into the field. There are plenty of roles in smaller facilities where someone with an associate degree can gain the experience they need.

Best Online Associate in Healthcare Administration Degrees for 2025

PROS

CONS

Search Programs

Top 25 Best Online Associate in Healthcare Administration Programs

Herzing University-Minneapolis

Rasmussen University-Minnesota

Wake Technical Community College

Berkeley College-Woodland Park

Montgomery County Community College

Iowa Central Community College

Valley College-Martinsburg

Manor College

Terra State Community College

Tyler Junior College

Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology

Point University

Pitt Community College

Bryan University-Springfield

Hodges University

Certificate Vs. Associates

What Healthcare Administration Associate Degrees are Available?

Admission Requirements

How long does it take to earn a Healthcare Administration Associates?

Get Matched With Online AS Healthcare Administration Schools

Potential Careers in Health Science with an Associates

Options to Advance

Frequently Asked Questions

What will you do in a career focused on healthcare administration?

Will an associate degree allow me to work as a healthcare administrator?

sources:

Search All Programs