Program List
1. University of Alabama at Birmingham – MSHA – Birmingham, AL
Acceptance rate: ~40%
Unique qualities: Top-ranked; intensive 33‑month program with administrative residency.
2. University of Minnesota – Twin Cities – MHA – Minneapolis, MN
Acceptance rate: ~38%
Unique qualities: Nationally ranked; strong business integration and dual‑degree options.
3. Rush University – MS in Health Systems Management – Chicago, IL
Acceptance rate: Not reported
Unique qualities: Residential & executive options tied to Rush Health system.
4. University of Michigan – MHSA – Ann Arbor, MI
Acceptance rate: ~38%
Unique qualities: Competency‑based curriculum with required internship.
5. UNC Chapel Hill – MHA – Chapel Hill, NC
Acceptance rate: ~19%
Unique qualities: Highly selective; residential & executive track.
6. Virginia Commonwealth University – MHA – Richmond, VA
Acceptance rate: Not reported
Unique qualities: Leadership‑focused with required paid residency.
7. Johns Hopkins University – MHA – Baltimore, MD
Acceptance rate: Not reported
Unique qualities: Coursework + 11‑month administrative residency.
8. Cornell University – Sloan MHA – Ithaca, NY
Acceptance rate: Not reported
Unique qualities: Ivy‑League MHA with multiple executive and dual‑degree tracks.
9. George Washington University – Online MHA – Washington, DC
Acceptance rate: Not reported
Unique qualities: Online with in‑person immersions.
10. Ohio State University – MHA – Columbus, OH
Acceptance rate: Not reported
Unique qualities: Strong job placement and experiential learning.
11. Columbia University – MHA – New York, NY
Acceptance rate: Not reported
Unique qualities: Full‑time, part‑time & executive pathways.
12. Army–Baylor University – MHA – Waco, TX
Acceptance rate: Not reported
Unique qualities: Military/VA-focused; tuition‑free; required residency.
13. University of Iowa – MHA – Iowa City, IA
Acceptance rate: Not reported
Unique qualities: Consulting projects & applied learning.
14. University of Pittsburgh – MHA – Pittsburgh, PA
Acceptance rate: Not reported
Unique qualities: Residency‑based program tied to UPMC.
15. Tulane University – MHA – New Orleans, LA
Acceptance rate: Not reported
Unique qualities: Finance‑ & strategy‑oriented; campus and online.
16. University of Southern California – MHA – Los Angeles, CA
Acceptance rate: Not reported
Unique qualities: Includes 1,000‑hour residency.
17. University of Washington – MHA – Seattle, WA
Acceptance rate: Not reported
Unique qualities: Hybrid & full‑time options with internship opportunities.
18. Boston University – Health Sector MBA – Boston, MA
Acceptance rate: Not reported
Unique qualities: Health‑sector MBA with global opportunities.
19. Medical University of South Carolina – MHA – Charleston, SC
Acceptance rate: Not reported
Unique qualities: Residential & executive tracks.
20. Pennsylvania State University – MHA – State College, PA
Acceptance rate: Not reported
Unique qualities: Leadership‑ and EQ‑focused training.
21. Trinity University – MSHA – San Antonio, TX
Acceptance rate: Not reported
Unique qualities: 16‑month didactic + 12‑month paid residency.
22. New York University – Online MHA – New York, NY
Acceptance rate: Not reported
Unique qualities: Online CAHME MHA with in‑person immersion.
23. St. Louis University – MHA – St. Louis, MO
Acceptance rate: Not reported
Unique qualities: Longstanding program; hybrid options.
24. Texas A&M University – MHA – College Station, TX
Acceptance rate: Not reported
Unique qualities: Early‑career and executive tracks.
25. University of Colorado – Denver – MBA Health Admin – Denver, CO
Acceptance rate: Not reported
Unique qualities: Health‑focused MBA with specializations.
26. University of Illinois – Chicago – MHA – Chicago, IL
Acceptance rate: Not reported
Unique qualities: Dual CAHME & CEPH accreditation.
27. George Mason University – MHA – Fairfax, VA
Acceptance rate: Not reported
Unique qualities: Competency‑based curriculum.
28. Rutgers University – MHA – New Brunswick, NJ
Acceptance rate: Not reported
Unique qualities: Flexible pacing; no GRE requirement.
29. University of Florida – MHA – Gainesville, FL
Acceptance rate: Not reported
Unique qualities: Applied learning & networking focus.
30. University of Kentucky – MHA – Lexington, KY
Acceptance rate: Not reported
Unique qualities: Experiential & communication‑based training.
Healthcare administration is rapidly evolving, and the programs listed here equip future leaders with the analytical, managerial, and strategic skills necessary to guide health systems through change. Whether your goals lie in hospital leadership, consulting, health policy, digital health, or system redesign, choosing the right MHA program can set the foundation for a meaningful and impactful career. Use this guide as a starting point as you evaluate programs that align with your mission, learning style, and professional aspirations.
Comparison Table
| Rank | School / Program | Location | Acceptance Rate | Unique Qualities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Alabama at Birmingham – MSHA | Birmingham, AL | ~40% | Top-ranked; intensive 33‑month program with administrative residency. |
| 2 | University of Minnesota – Twin Cities – MHA | Minneapolis, MN | ~38% | Nationally ranked; strong business integration and dual‑degree options. |
| 3 | Rush University – MS in Health Systems Management | Chicago, IL | Not reported | Residential & executive options tied to Rush Health system. |
| 4 | University of Michigan – MHSA | Ann Arbor, MI | ~38% | Competency‑based curriculum with required internship. |
| 5 | UNC Chapel Hill – MHA | Chapel Hill, NC | ~19% | Highly selective; residential & executive track. |
| 6 | Virginia Commonwealth University – MHA | Richmond, VA | Not reported | Leadership‑focused with required paid residency. |
| 7 | Johns Hopkins University – MHA | Baltimore, MD | Not reported | Coursework + 11‑month administrative residency. |
| 8 | Cornell University – Sloan MHA | Ithaca, NY | Not reported | Ivy‑League MHA with multiple executive and dual‑degree tracks. |
| 9 | George Washington University – Online MHA | Washington, DC | Not reported | Online with in‑person immersions. |
| 10 | Ohio State University – MHA | Columbus, OH | Not reported | Strong job placement and experiential learning. |
| 11 | Columbia University – MHA | New York, NY | Not reported | Full‑time, part‑time & executive pathways. |
| 12 | Army–Baylor University – MHA | Waco, TX | Not reported | Military/VA-focused; tuition‑free; required residency. |
| 13 | University of Iowa – MHA | Iowa City, IA | Not reported | Consulting projects & applied learning. |
| 14 | University of Pittsburgh – MHA | Pittsburgh, PA | Not reported | Residency‑based program tied to UPMC. |
| 15 | Tulane University – MHA | New Orleans, LA | Not reported | Finance‑ & strategy‑oriented; campus and online. |
| 16 | University of Southern California – MHA | Los Angeles, CA | Not reported | Includes 1,000‑hour residency. |
| 17 | University of Washington – MHA | Seattle, WA | Not reported | Hybrid & full‑time options with internship opportunities. |
| 18 | Boston University – Health Sector MBA | Boston, MA | Not reported | Health‑sector MBA with global opportunities. |
| 19 | Medical University of South Carolina – MHA | Charleston, SC | Not reported | Residential & executive tracks. |
| 20 | Pennsylvania State University – MHA | State College, PA | Not reported | Leadership‑ and EQ‑focused training. |
| 21 | Trinity University – MSHA | San Antonio, TX | Not reported | 16‑month didactic + 12‑month paid residency. |
| 22 | New York University – Online MHA | New York, NY | Not reported | Online CAHME MHA with in‑person immersion. |
| 23 | St. Louis University – MHA | St. Louis, MO | Not reported | Longstanding program; hybrid options. |
| 24 | Texas A&M University – MHA | College Station, TX | Not reported | Early‑career and executive tracks. |
| 25 | University of Colorado – Denver – MBA Health Admin | Denver, CO | Not reported | Health‑focused MBA with specializations. |
| 26 | University of Illinois – Chicago – MHA | Chicago, IL | Not reported | Dual CAHME & CEPH accreditation. |
| 27 | George Mason University – MHA | Fairfax, VA | Not reported | Competency‑based curriculum. |
| 28 | Rutgers University – MHA | New Brunswick, NJ | Not reported | Flexible pacing; no GRE requirement. |
| 29 | University of Florida – MHA | Gainesville, FL | Not reported | Applied learning & networking focus. |
| 30 | University of Kentucky – MHA | Lexington, KY | Not reported | Experiential & communication‑based training. |