by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 16 U.S. colleges awarded 284 degrees and certificates in Healthcare Innovation. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 81% of graduates. College Factual ranks 6 schools in its 2027 Best Healthcare Innovation 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 Healthcare Innovation explores A Program That Prepares Individuals To Innovate Solutions And Lead Change Within A Healthcare Organization. Includes Instruction In Innovation Management, Medical Device Development, Evidence-Based Practice, Systems Thinking, Information Technology, Healthcare Policy And Finance, Organizational Change, And Leadership.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., healthcare innovation draws strong interest, with 284 degrees awarded annually. 16 colleges award healthcare innovation degrees, an average of 18 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 96.
By level, the 284 awards include 46 bachelor’s degrees, 230 master’s degrees and 8 doctorates.
Women earned 71% of healthcare innovation degrees and certificates in the latest year (202 of 284). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (146) and Hispanic or Latino (29), and international students earned 47.
College Factual ranks 6 schools in its 2027 Best Healthcare Innovation Schools ranking, including 2 for bachelor’s degrees and 3 for master’s degrees. It also ranks healthcare innovation schools within 1 state. In all, 16 colleges offer healthcare innovation programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Healthcare Innovation Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common healthcare innovation credential is the master’s degree: 230 of the 284 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to healthcare innovation call most for Speaking, Critical Thinking and Complex Problem Solving, 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 Problem Sensitivity.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a healthcare innovation degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 46 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 230 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 8 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to healthcare innovation, 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% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 3.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 3.6% |
| First professional degree | 3.6% |
Source: O*NET Online.
1 occupations are related to Healthcare Innovation, 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 Healthcare System Director, Medical Records Supervisor, Care Coordinator and Cancer Center Director.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to healthcare innovation, at 419,330.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Medical and Health Services Managers | 419,330 | 8.8% |
Healthcare Innovation 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 healthcare innovation, with a median salary of $129,557.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $129,557 |
Healthcare Innovation has 23 similar majors in the Health Professions field, which together award 88,721 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.
