Top 30 Best Healthcare Administration Master’s Programs

Doctor and patients reviewing medication on a digital screen.
Choosing a Master’s in Healthcare Administration (MHA) is a pivotal step for anyone seeking leadership roles across hospitals, health systems, consulting firms, and public health organizations. Today’s best programs combine rigorous academic preparation with hands‑on experiential training, strong industry partnerships, and alumni networks that open doors to competitive fellowship and residency placements. The following list highlights 30 of the nation’s most respected programs, including their locations, acceptance rate information when available, and distinguishing features. Whether you are seeking a residential, hybrid, or online pathway, this guide provides an excellent starting point for comparing the top MHA degrees in the country.

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

RankSchool / ProgramLocationAcceptance RateUnique Qualities
1University of Alabama at Birmingham – MSHABirmingham, AL~40%Top-ranked; intensive 33‑month program with administrative residency.
2University of Minnesota – Twin Cities – MHAMinneapolis, MN~38%Nationally ranked; strong business integration and dual‑degree options.
3Rush University – MS in Health Systems ManagementChicago, ILNot reportedResidential & executive options tied to Rush Health system.
4University of Michigan – MHSAAnn Arbor, MI~38%Competency‑based curriculum with required internship.
5UNC Chapel Hill – MHAChapel Hill, NC~19%Highly selective; residential & executive track.
6Virginia Commonwealth University – MHARichmond, VANot reportedLeadership‑focused with required paid residency.
7Johns Hopkins University – MHABaltimore, MDNot reportedCoursework + 11‑month administrative residency.
8Cornell University – Sloan MHAIthaca, NYNot reportedIvy‑League MHA with multiple executive and dual‑degree tracks.
9George Washington University – Online MHAWashington, DCNot reportedOnline with in‑person immersions.
10Ohio State University – MHAColumbus, OHNot reportedStrong job placement and experiential learning.
11Columbia University – MHANew York, NYNot reportedFull‑time, part‑time & executive pathways.
12Army–Baylor University – MHAWaco, TXNot reportedMilitary/VA-focused; tuition‑free; required residency.
13University of Iowa – MHAIowa City, IANot reportedConsulting projects & applied learning.
14University of Pittsburgh – MHAPittsburgh, PANot reportedResidency‑based program tied to UPMC.
15Tulane University – MHANew Orleans, LANot reportedFinance‑ & strategy‑oriented; campus and online.
16University of Southern California – MHALos Angeles, CANot reportedIncludes 1,000‑hour residency.
17University of Washington – MHASeattle, WANot reportedHybrid & full‑time options with internship opportunities.
18Boston University – Health Sector MBABoston, MANot reportedHealth‑sector MBA with global opportunities.
19Medical University of South Carolina – MHACharleston, SCNot reportedResidential & executive tracks.
20Pennsylvania State University – MHAState College, PANot reportedLeadership‑ and EQ‑focused training.
21Trinity University – MSHASan Antonio, TXNot reported16‑month didactic + 12‑month paid residency.
22New York University – Online MHANew York, NYNot reportedOnline CAHME MHA with in‑person immersion.
23St. Louis University – MHASt. Louis, MONot reportedLongstanding program; hybrid options.
24Texas A&M University – MHACollege Station, TXNot reportedEarly‑career and executive tracks.
25University of Colorado – Denver – MBA Health AdminDenver, CONot reportedHealth‑focused MBA with specializations.
26University of Illinois – Chicago – MHAChicago, ILNot reportedDual CAHME & CEPH accreditation.
27George Mason University – MHAFairfax, VANot reportedCompetency‑based curriculum.
28Rutgers University – MHANew Brunswick, NJNot reportedFlexible pacing; no GRE requirement.
29University of Florida – MHAGainesville, FLNot reportedApplied learning & networking focus.
30University of Kentucky – MHALexington, KYNot reportedExperiential & communication‑based training.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Expert Advice, Delivered!

Get admissions tips and advice from the experts at Top Grad School Consultants.

Want Us to Help You Get Accepted?

Schedule a free initial consultation below to learn how we can help you get accepted. Guaranteed.
Shopping Cart
  • Your cart is empty.