HEALTH Specialization

Health Administration

Health Administration graduates earn $58,716 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 28.5%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Information Security Analyst is among the highest-growth roles in the field.

About Health Administration

Health Administration is a focused area of study within Health. Graduates typically earn around $58,716 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. The program is available at 1,975 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 85,302 students complete this program each year. Training is clinical and hands-on, often leading to licensure or certification.


Median Earnings · 1yr
$44,521
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?

Health Administration graduates earn $58,716 four years out, near the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $41,903 and $80,437.

$44,521
1 Year After Graduation

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.

$58,714
4-Year Institutional Median

Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.


Earnings Range

There is a wide earnings spread across Health Administration graduates. 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.


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 615 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.

Certificate 27%
Associate's 24%
Bachelor's 24%

What Can You Do With a Health Administration Degree?

Health Administration connects to 8 occupations in the job market. Information Security Analyst leads at $129,180/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

↗ +28.5% Zone 4: Considerable preparation
$129,180
$98K $164K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 16,000 openings/yr 191K employed nationally
Reading Comprehension Critical Thinking Complex Problem Solving Active Listening Speaking
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.
↗ +23.2% Zone 4: Considerable preparation
$123,860
$95K $166K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 62,100 openings/yr 597K employed nationally
Speaking Critical Thinking Writing Monitoring Social Perceptiveness
Day-to-day responsibilities

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.
↗ +4.6% Zone 3: Medium preparation
$114,130
$86K $157K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 23,200 openings/yr 264K employed nationally
Time Management Reading Comprehension Active Listening Speaking Coordination
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.
  • Set goals and deadlines for the department.
  • Acquire, distribute and store supplies.
↗ +3.8% Zone 3: Medium preparation
$106,660
$82K $139K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 13,200 openings/yr 156K employed nationally
Critical Thinking Reading Comprehension Active Listening Judgment and Decision Making Speaking
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.
↗ +1.7% Zone 5: Extensive preparation
$104,590
$81K $144K 25th–75th pct.
Master's degree 15,100 openings/yr 180K employed nationally
Critical Thinking Reading Comprehension Active Listening Writing Speaking
Day-to-day responsibilities

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.
↘ -6.0% Zone 4: Considerable preparation
$100,390
$76K $131K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 5,500 openings/yr 92K employed nationally
Programming Active Listening Critical Thinking Complex Problem Solving Quality 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.
↗ +5.7% Zone 5: Extensive preparation
$99,080
$64K $142K 25th–75th pct.
Doctoral or professional degree 8,100 openings/yr 82K employed nationally
Speaking Instructing Reading Comprehension Active Listening Writing
Day-to-day responsibilities

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.
↗ +3.0% Zone 4: Considerable preparation
$80,730
$61K $109K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 33,300 openings/yr 417K employed nationally
Active Listening Reading Comprehension Active Listening Critical Thinking Speaking
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

The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Health Administration students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

# College Graduates Acceptance Net Price/yr Earnings 10yr
1 Ultimate Medical Academy Clearwater, FL · Nonprofit 7,389 Open $20,457 $29,194
2 DeVry University-Illinois Lisle, IL · For-Profit 3,830 98.4% $30,770 $45,987
3 Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NH · Nonprofit 1,625 99.5% $36,708 $50,318
4 Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, IN · Public 804 Open $7,258 $37,186
5 Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZ · Nonprofit 510 78.9% $22,472 $42,186
6 Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, FL · Nonprofit 440 97% $30,498 $39,696
7 Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD · Nonprofit 430 6.4% $18,809 $87,555
8 Louisiana State University-Shreveport Shreveport, LA · Public 422 50.6% $7,022 $47,477
9 Colorado State University Global Denver, CO · Public 414 98.4% $16,510 $76,813
10 University of Central Florida Orlando, FL · Public 385 40.1% $10,411 $58,308
11 Ross College-Sylvania Sylvania, OH · For-Profit 305 Open $22,893 $29,898
12 George Washington University Washington, DC · Nonprofit 302 47.1% $36,586 $90,873
13 University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC · Public 298 79.6% $15,435 $57,289
14 College of Lake County Grayslake, IL · Public 285 Open $7,607 $43,424
15 Florida International University Miami, FL · Public 274 54.7% $9,288 $60,249
16 Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Boston, MA · Nonprofit 260 85.2% $39,545 $125,557
17 Liberty University Lynchburg, VA · Nonprofit 226 99% $29,357 $44,813
18 Ohio University-Main Campus Athens, OH · Public 214 85% $21,637 $52,581
19 University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL · Public 214 88.2% $18,749 $54,501
20 CUNY Lehman College Bronx, NY · Public 197 56.6% $3,148 $58,013

Ranked by Health Administration graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

Plan Your Path

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.

Health Administration Degree: Pros & Cons

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 earnings Four-year median of $58,716 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science programs.
  • Strong salary growth Median earnings climb from $44,521 at graduation to $58,716 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
  • Fast-growing field Related careers are projected to grow up to +28.5% over the next decade, with Information Security Analyst among the fastest-growing roles.
  • Strong hiring volume Related occupations generate more than 176,500 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
  • Licensure often required Most 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 expected Top 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 areas 1 related career show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.
  • Highly competitive market 85,302 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?
Health Administration graduates earn a national median of $58,716 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $41,903 and $80,437. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.
What is the starting salary for a Health Administration degree?
One year after graduation, Health Administration degree holders earn a median of $44,521. That climbs to $58,716 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.
What jobs can you get with a Health Administration degree?
Health Administration degree holders pursue careers including Information Security Analyst, which pays a median of $129,180/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Health Administration program take?
Most Health Administration certificate programs take one to two years of full-time study. Some are available in as little as one semester at community colleges.
How many colleges offer Health Administration?
1,975 colleges and universities in the United States offer Health Administration programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
Is a Health Administration degree worth it?
With a median 4-year salary of $58,716 and an average net price of roughly $20,258/yr, a Health Administration degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.
What is the difference between Health Administration and Health?
Health Administration is a focused concentration within the broader Health field. The Health major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Health Administration-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.
What skills do employers look for in Health Administration graduates?
Employers hiring Health Administration graduates consistently prioritize clinical judgment, patient communication, and evidence-based decision-making. Licensure, certifications, and supervised clinical hours are typically required or strongly preferred in most roles.
Is graduate school worth it for Health Administration graduates?
In health fields, advanced degrees (nurse practitioner, physician assistant, doctor of physical therapy) typically unlock significantly higher salaries and expanded scope of practice, making graduate education a strong investment for most students. The right answer depends on your career goals, program cost, and whether your target role explicitly rewards an advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Health Administration graduates?
The job outlook for Health Administration graduates is strong overall. Related occupations project an average of +8.1% job growth over the next 10 years. Information Security Analyst is among the strongest-growth roles at +28.5%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.

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