Low Cost Online MHA Programs to Help You Save
If you’re looking to become a healthcare administrator or advance in your current healthcare administration career, you might be a good candidate for a Master’s in Healthcare Administration (MHA). The top online MHA degree programs can be a convenient way to earn a degree, especially with more cost-effective options for prospective students like you. With EduMed, discover some of the most affordable online MHA programs you can apply to today.
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Nursing Healthcare AdminProfiling Low-Cost Online MHA Programs
What makes a program affordable? Although tuition & fees tend to stand out the most, other factors make a difference, as well. For example, are you in-state or out-of-state? Sometimes online students have different rates. What about financial aid, scholarships, and other types of aid? Payment plans? There are so many things to consider. The good news is, EduMed has profiled a number of today’s most affordable online MHA programs with a special eye on cost. Use the profiles below to get a good handle on how MHA finances work, and to see which schools have the lowest rates.
University of North Carolina Wilmington
The MHA in Healthcare Administration at the University of North Carolina Wilmington is a fully online, asynchronous-learning program designed for early to mid-career healthcare professionals. In this program, you will be studying healthcare systems, health informatics, and more. To apply, you should already hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school with a “B” average in relevant undergraduate courses, and you must apply through the UNCW Graduate School’s website.
Tuition and Fees: Although UNCW is a state school, all distance education graduate students are billed at a flat tuition rate of $293.23/credit, in addition to a technology fee of $31.28/credit. There is also a security fee of $3.34/credit for all distance education courses.
Financial Aid: Students in the UNCW online MHA program are eligible to apply for federal and state aid. Beyond that, UNCW encourages online MHA students to retain paid employment over the course of their studies, and institutional financial aid may also be available; contact the financial aid office for further details.
Appalachian State University
The online MHA at Appalachian State is a 46 credit program with three start dates available each year, and students have the option to complete studies through a full- or part-time schedule. Within the program, you will also have the option of choosing between a concentration in Health Care Leadership or Health Informatics. Courses are delivered in both synchronous and asynchronous formats, though students are encouraged to attend an optional in-person orientation on campus.
Tuition and Fees: As a state school, Appalachian State offers a tuition rate of $494/credit for North Carolina residents. Out of state students pay a significantly higher rate of $1,253.28 per credit, including mandatory fees. All students regardless of residency pay a flat fee of $120 to cover book rental.
Financial Aid: Students in this program are eligible for state and federal aid, including grants and student loans. Beyond that, Appalachian State offers financial aid including both need-based aid and scholarship opportunities, which are both available to online graduate students. Tuition discounts are also available for veterans and active duty military.
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green State University offers a fully online Master of Health Services Administration, or MHSA. This program is intended for both working professionals and recent graduates who hold a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. The program requires 37 credits to complete, including courses in health finances, healthcare law and ethics, and more. You must hold a bachelor’s from an accredited school with a GPA of 2.75 or higher to be considered for admission.
Tuition and Fees: Bowling Green State charges all MHSA students a flat tuition rate, regardless of residency status. This program has an annual cost of $13,730 per year, with additional costs dependent on if you choose to purchase services, such as a meal plan, from the school.
Financial Aid: Over 90 percent of BGSU students receive some form of financial aid over the course of their studies, including scholarships, grants, work study, and loans. Furthermore, students in the MHSA program are eligible to receive both state and federal financial aid, including federally subsidized student loans.
Additional Costs: This program includes a mandatory internship. If you are commuting to your internship, you may incur various commuting costs.
Programs that might interest you:
Comparing Online & Campus MHA Costs
Although convenience and flexibility are clear benefits of choosing to study online, especially when considering the savings on relocation and commuting costs, there are other ways that studying online can save you money. Let’s take a quick look at some of the financial benefits and drawbacks of earning your MHA online:
- Benefit: Many state schools charge online students in-state tuition rates. This helps attract talented out-of-state students to the program, and online programs today have platforms that accommodate more students. Getting the in-state tuition rate as an online student could save you thousands.
- Drawback: Some online MHA programs don’t include any fees related to campus learning, but they do include technology expenses and online course materials.
- Benefit: No commuting, parking, or travel fees. Online learning means you choose your location, although you need a place where you can (1) concentrate and (2) communicate in real-time if needed.
- Drawback: If you study online, make sure that won’t impact your eligibility for work study programs, and therefore reduce your total financial aid package. Check with each school for details.
Cost-Cutting for Prospective MHA Students
Beyond finding a school with relatively low tuition and/or strong healthcare administration financial aid packages, there are other ways that you can reduce costs for your MHA program. Check out some of the following ideas and learn which ones might work for you.
Apply for Scholarships, Fee Waivers, and More
Many online MHA programs offer financial aid opportunities specifically for their online students. These opportunities often take the form of in-house scholarships and grants. A prime example is the MHA Online Program at the University of Utah, which offers several program-specific scholarships and tuition discounts. Contact the financial aid office at each program you’re considering to find out if you’re eligible for MHA-specific financial aid opportunities.
Maintain Part-Time Employment
While not precisely a cost-reduction method, maintaining a paid part-time job can help give you a source of income while you study and reduce your potential student loan burden. Depending on the job in question, you may be able to utilize relevant healthcare-related skills on the job and while you study. Just be sure that you can maintain a consistent study schedule and keep up with classwork in addition to your professional responsibilities.
Take Advantage of Employer Tuition Reimbursement
A lot of employers today appreciate the value of retaining their best employees, and one way they do so is by offering an employer tuition reimbursement program. These plans reimburse employees for all or a portion of the cost of programs like online MHAs in exchange for a commitment to remain with the company for a stated period after graduation. If you like the healthcare organization you work for and want to continue working there after graduating, be sure to ask if they have employer tuition reimbursement programs.
Expert Insight
I was able to save tremendously while pursuing my master’s through my workplace tuition assistance program. In my case, I paid for the course out of pocket and they reimbursed me a set amount depending on the grade I received for the class.
Explore Loan Forgiveness Programs
Even if you ended up taking out a substantial amount of student loans, you may not have to pay all of them back if you qualify for a loan forgiveness program. Student loan forgiveness programs, such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), will pay off the balance of your loans if you meet certain conditions–in the case of PSLF, this means working for a certain amount of time in one of the many public service occupations that are eligible.
