by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 5 U.S. colleges awarded 38 degrees and certificates in Health Unit Manager/Ward Supervisor. College Factual ranks 2 schools in its 2027 Best Health Unit Manager/Ward Supervisor 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.
A major in Health Unit Manager/Ward Supervisor involves the study of Health Unit Manager/ward Supervisor. A Program That Prepares Individuals, Under The Supervision Of Nursing Or Medical Service Administrators, To Supervise And Coordinate The Operations Of One Or More Patient Care Units In Hospitals Or Other Health Care Facilities. Includes Instruction In Planning And Initiating Administrative Procedures, Personnel Supervision, Interpersonal Skills, General And/or Specialized Health Care Operations And Procedures, And Consultation With Other Medical, Nursing, And Administrative Team Members.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., health unit manager/ward supervisor is a popular field of study, with 38 degrees awarded annually. 5 colleges award health unit manager/ward supervisor degrees, an average of 8 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 21.
All 38 of the awards are associate degrees, the only level colleges reported.
Women earned 100% of health unit manager/ward supervisor degrees and certificates in the latest year (38 of 38). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are Black or African American (19) and Hispanic or Latino (10).
College Factual ranks 2 schools in its 2027 Best Health Unit Manager/Ward Supervisor Schools ranking, including 2 for associate degrees. It also ranks health unit manager/ward supervisor schools within 2 states. In all, 5 colleges offer health unit manager/ward supervisor programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Health Unit Manager/Ward Supervisor Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
O*NET rates Critical Thinking the most important skill for jobs related to health unit manager/ward supervisor, at 4.1 out of 5. The key knowledge areas are Administration and Management, English Language and Customer and Personal Service. 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 unit manager/ward supervisor degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 38 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to health unit manager/ward supervisor, 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% |
| First professional degree | 3.6% |
| Some college courses | 3.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 3.6% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 3.6% |
Source: O*NET Online.
1 occupations are related to Health Unit Manager/Ward Supervisor, 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 Client Services Director, Medical Office Manager, Laboratory Administrative Director (Lab Admin Director) and Care Coordinator.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to health unit manager/ward supervisor, at 419,330.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Medical and Health Services Managers | 419,330 | 8.8% |
Health Unit Manager/Ward Supervisor 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 unit manager/ward supervisor, with a median salary of $129,557.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $129,557 |
Health Unit Manager/Ward Supervisor has 23 similar majors in the Health Professions field, which together award 88,967 degrees a year; the largest are Health/Health Care Administration/Management (28,683), Health Information/Medical Records Technology/Technician (12,262) and Medical Insurance Specialist/Medical Biller (11,432). Browse all Health Professions majors or the full list of college majors.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
