Master’s in Healthcare Administration vs. MBA: Which is Right for You?

If you're hoping to move forward in healthcare administration — or transition into the field — an advanced degree could equip you with the knowledge and skills you'll need.

A Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Healthcare Management and a Master of Science (MS) in Healthcare Administration are two graduate-level options, but which one should you choose?

What is the Best Master’s Degree for Healthcare Administration?

An MS in Healthcare Administration and an MBA with a concentration in Healthcare Management have distinct benefits, and your choice should depend on where you see yourself in the future.

"Neither degree universally carries more weight," said Dr. Brandon Ryans, an associate dean of health professions at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) who has over a decade of experience in higher education. "The preferred degree depends on the role and career trajectory."

Here are some of the differences between the programs at SNHU:

For leadership roles in hospitals, health systems and healthcare organizations, Ryans recommends the MS in Healthcare Administration. "It is especially valuable for professionals who want to navigate the regulatory, ethical and operational complexities unique to healthcare systems," he said.

If you're aiming for a cross-industry leadership role, however, Ryans said the MBA with a health management concentration might be for you.

"An MBA may carry more weight in roles that intersect with broader business functions, such as consulting, healthcare technology, pharmaceuticals or executive leadership positions requiring strong financial and strategic expertise across industries," he said.

Read more: MBA vs. MS: Understanding the Differences to Make the Right Decision

Healthcare Management vs. Healthcare Administration: What’s the Difference?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) notes that medical and health service managers can also be called healthcare administrators or healthcare executives. However, healthcare management typically refers to supervising and managing a certain team or department within a healthcare organization, according to Ryans.

"Healthcare administration, by contrast, operates at a more strategic and systems level," Ryans said. "It involves organizational leadership, policy implementation, financial oversight and long-term planning across entire healthcare systems or networks."

MBA With a Concentration in Healthcare Management

The majority of your MBA program will focus on business topics and functions, like people management, organizational strategy and data analysis.

"An MBA with a healthcare concentration is fundamentally a business degree, with healthcare as a contextual application," Ryans said. "It emphasizes core business disciplines such as finance, operations, strategy, and leadership, often preparing graduates for cross-industry mobility."

In addition to your core MBA requirements, a healthcare management concentration may include courses like:

• "Healthcare Informatics"
• "Topics in Health Administration"
• "Social and Organization Issues in Healthcare"

MS in Healthcare Administration

A master's in healthcare administration goes into more depth as opposed to the breadth of an MBA. "It signals specialized knowledge of healthcare systems, regulations and delivery models," Ryans said.

For example, courses in the 36-credit program at SNHU may include:

• "Biostatistics"
• "Healthcare Finance and Reimbursement"
• "Healthcare Quality and Improvement"
• "Health Policy and Law"
• "Program Design, Planning and Evaluation"

"A master’s in healthcare administration is designed for the healthcare sector," said Ryans. "It integrates business principles with healthcare-specific competencies, including regulatory compliance, healthcare policy, population health, quality improvement, and reimbursement systems."

Is Healthcare Administration a Good Career?

Healthcare administration could allow you to make a difference on an organization-wide scale, potentially impacting thousands of lives. But the job outlook in the field is also worth considering.

An aging population is expected to increase demand for these professionals in the coming decade, according to BLS data.* Roles for medical and health service managers and administrators are projected to grow 23% by 2034, BLS reports, making it one of the fastest growing occupations overall.*

In addition to that faster-than-average projected growth, BLS noted that medical and health service managers earned a higher-than-average median salary in 2024 at $117,960.*

"Healthcare is highly regulated, data-driven and interdisciplinary," Ryans said. "Graduate education helps professionals develop the analytical, strategic, and leadership competencies needed to navigate these complexities effectively."

*Cited job growth projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Actual salaries and/or earning potential may be the result of a combination of factors including, but not limited to: years of experience, industry of employment, geographic location, and worker skill.

Mars Girolimon '21 '23G is a staff writer at Southern New Hampshire University where they earned their bachelor’s and master’s, both in English and creative writing. In addition to their work in higher education, Girolimon’s short fiction is published in the North American Review, So It Goes by The Kurt Vonnegut Museum & Library, X-R-A-Y and more. Connect with them on LinkedIn.