Health Administration graduates earn $58,716 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 24.2%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Medical & Health Services Manager is among the highest-growth roles in the field.
This page covers Health Administration as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Health and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
Health Administration is a focused area of study within Health. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $58,716 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 1,975 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 85,302 students complete it each year. Training is clinical and hands-on, often leading to licensure or certification.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$44,526
Median Earnings · 4yr
$58,716
Colleges Offering
1,975
Graduates / Year
85,302
Avg Net Price / yr
$20,258
How Much Do Health Administration Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing Health Administration, a typical graduate earns $58,716, near the national median for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $41,903 and $80,437, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Source: College Scorecard.
Earnings grow steadily as you advance past entry-level roles. The four-year figure is a better long-term target.
$58,716
4-Year National Median
Near the national median for college graduates.
$58,982
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every Health Administration graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out widely, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Specialization and credential level drive most of the gap. Advanced practice roles (nurse practitioners, CRNAs, physician assistants) anchor the top; entry-level clinical and support roles sit at the bottom.
$41,90325th pct.
$58,716Median
$80,43775th pct.
A Solid Financial Return
Solid ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $58,716 and an estimated $81,032 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 2.8 years.
Based on outcomes from 605 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 85,302 students who complete Health Administration programs each year, the majority (27%) earn a certificate degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
27%24%24%22%
Certificate27%
Associate's24%
Bachelor's24%
What Can You Do With a Health Administration Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Health Administration graduates show up in 8 different occupations, and Information Security Analyst pays the most at $129,180/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Reading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingActive ListeningSpeaking
Day-to-day responsibilities
Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. Assess system vulnerabilities for security risks and propose and implement risk mitigation strategies. May ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure. May respond to computer security breaches and viruses.
Develop plans to safeguard computer files against accidental or unauthorized modification, destruction, or disclosure and to meet emergency data processing needs.
Monitor current reports of computer viruses to determine when to update virus protection systems.
Encrypt data transmissions and erect firewalls to conceal confidential information as it is being transmitted and to keep out tainted digital transfers.
Plan, direct, or coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, public health agencies, or similar organizations.
Direct, supervise and evaluate work activities of medical, nursing, technical, clerical, service, maintenance, and other personnel.
Develop and maintain computerized record management systems to store and process data, such as personnel activities and information, and to produce reports.
Plan, implement, and administer programs and services in a health care or medical facility, including personnel administration, training, and coordination of medical, nursing and physical plant staff.
Time ManagementReading ComprehensionActive ListeningSpeakingCoordination
Day-to-day responsibilities
Plan, direct, or coordinate one or more administrative services of an organization, such as records and information management, mail distribution, and other office support services.
Prepare and review operational reports and schedules to ensure accuracy and efficiency.
Critical ThinkingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningJudgment and Decision MakingSpeaking
Day-to-day responsibilities
Plan, direct, or coordinate operations and functionalities of facilities and buildings. May include surrounding grounds or multiple facilities of an organization's campus.
Monitor the facility to ensure that it remains safe, secure, and well-maintained.
Oversee the maintenance and repair of machinery, equipment, and electrical and mechanical systems.
Oversee construction and renovation projects to improve efficiency and to ensure that facilities meet environmental, health, and security standards, and comply with government regulations.
Plan, direct, or coordinate student instruction, administration, and services, as well as other research and educational activities, at postsecondary institutions, including universities, colleges, and junior and community colleges.
Design or use assessments to monitor student learning outcomes.
Recruit, hire, train, and terminate departmental personnel.
Direct, coordinate, and evaluate the activities of personnel, including support staff engaged in administering academic institutions, departments, or alumni organizations.
ProgrammingActive ListeningCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingQuality Control Analysis
Day-to-day responsibilities
Create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software and web developers or other individuals. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.
Write, analyze, review, and rewrite programs, using workflow chart and diagram, and applying knowledge of computer capabilities, subject matter, and symbolic logic.
Correct errors by making appropriate changes and rechecking the program to ensure that the desired results are produced.
Perform or direct revision, repair, or expansion of existing programs to increase operating efficiency or adapt to new requirements.
Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as financial accounting, principles of marketing, and operations management.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
Active ListeningReading ComprehensionActive ListeningCritical ThinkingSpeaking
Day-to-day responsibilities
Examine, evaluate, and investigate eligibility for or conformity with laws and regulations governing contract compliance of licenses and permits, and perform other compliance and enforcement inspection and analysis activities not classified elsewhere.
Warn violators of infractions or penalties.
Evaluate applications, records, or documents to gather information about eligibility or liability issues.
Advise licensees or other individuals or groups concerning licensing, permit, or passport regulations.
Top Colleges for Health Administration
Not sure where to study Health Administration? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Health Administration graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Health Programs
Health Administration is not the only path through Health: 30 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Health Administration program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
The data on Health Administration shows 4 measurable strengths and 4 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
PROS
Above-average earningsFour-year median of $58,716 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science programs.
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $44,526 at graduation to $58,716 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Fast-growing fieldRelated careers are projected to grow up to +24.2% over the next decade, with Medical & Health Services Manager among the fastest-growing roles.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 171,800 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
Licensure often requiredMost roles in this field require state licensure or certification before you can practice. Budget time and costs for board exams alongside your degree.
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Declining roles in some areas1 related career show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.
Highly competitive market85,302 students graduate from this program every year, one of the higher volumes nationally. Entry-level competition can be stiff.
Health Administration Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Health Administration graduates earn?
$58,716 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $41,903 and $80,437, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for a Health Administration degree?
$44,526 in the first year out. That grows to $58,716 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with a Health Administration degree?
Information Security Analyst is one path, and it pays a median of $129,180 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does a Health Administration program take?
One to two years of full-time study for most Health Administration certificates, and some community colleges get you through in a single semester. That makes it one of the fastest ways into the field.
How many colleges offer Health Administration?
1,975 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
Is a Health Administration degree worth it?
$58,716 median earnings four years out against $20,258 a year in average net price. That is a reasonable payback window, best at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between Health Administration and Health?
Health Administration is the narrower of the two: Health covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Health Administration-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Health Administration graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Health Administration graduates consistently look for clinical judgment, patient communication, and evidence-based decision-making. Licensure, certifications, and supervised clinical hours are typically required or strongly preferred in most roles. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Is graduate school worth it for Health Administration graduates?
Often, yes. Advanced degrees in this field (nurse practitioner, physician assistant, doctor of physical therapy) typically come with significantly higher pay and a wider scope of practice, which is why most students in health fields eventually go back for one. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Health Administration graduates?
Outlook is moderate overall: related occupations average +7.4% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Medical & Health Services Manager is among the strongest-growth roles at +24.2%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.
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