by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 705 U.S. colleges awarded 28,683 degrees and certificates in Health Care Management. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 50% of graduates. College Factual ranks 400 schools in its 2027 Best Health Care Management Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $35,689 one year after completing, rising to $45,915 after four years.
Studying Health Care Management involves the study of Health/health Care Administration/management. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Develop, Plan, And Manage Health Care Operations And Services Within Health Care Facilities And Across Health Care Systems. Includes Instruction In Planning, Business Management, Financial Management, Public Relations, Human Resources Management, Health Care Systems Operation And Management, Health Care Resource Allocation And Policy Making, Health Law And Regulations, And Applications To Specific Types Of Health Care Services.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, health care management draws strong interest, with 28,683 degrees awarded annually. 705 colleges award health care management degrees, an average of 41 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 3,177.
By level, the 28,683 awards include 121 certificates, 1,346 associate degrees, 12,213 bachelor’s degrees, 14,438 master’s degrees and 564 doctorates.
Women earned 79% of health care management degrees and certificates in the latest year (22,638 of 28,683). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (11,857) and Black or African American (6,418), and international students earned 757.
College Factual ranks 400 schools in its 2027 Best Health Care Management Schools ranking, including 63 for associate degrees, 222 for bachelor’s degrees, 228 for master’s degrees and 18 for doctorates. It also ranks health care management schools within 48 states. In all, 705 colleges offer health care management programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Health Care Management Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common health care management credential is the master’s degree: 14,438 of the 28,683 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to health care management call most for Speaking, Critical Thinking and Reading Comprehension, and for knowledge of Administration and Management, English Language and Customer and Personal Service, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Comprehension, Written Comprehension and Oral Expression.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a health care management degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 121 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1,346 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 12,213 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 14,438 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 564 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to health care management, at 46.4%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 46.4% |
| Master’s degree | 21.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 10.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 7.1% |
| Some college courses | 3.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 3.6% |
| First professional degree | 3.6% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 3.6% |
Source: O*NET Online.
1 occupations are related to Health Care Management, with an average median salary of $129,557; the strongest outlook belongs to Medical and Health Services Managers, at 8.8% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Laboratory Administrative Director (Lab Admin Director), Clinical Manager, Hospital Superintendent and Healthcare Manager.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to health care management, at 419,330.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Medical and Health Services Managers | 419,330 | 8.8% |
Health Care Management graduates earn a median $35,689 one year after completing their program, $45,915 after four years and $40,536 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $35,689 |
| 4 years | $45,915 |
| 5 years | $40,536 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to health care management, with a median salary of $129,557.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $129,557 |
Health Care Management has 23 similar majors in the Health Professions field, which together award 60,322 degrees a year; the largest are Health Information/Medical Records Technology/Technician (12,262), Medical Insurance Specialist/Medical Biller (11,432) and Medical Insurance Coding Specialist/Coder (10,263). Browse all Health Professions majors or the full list of college majors.
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