2024 Best Online Masters in Healthcare Analytics Degree Programs

Ready to start your journey?

The need for healthcare professionals is on the rise, and a masters in healthcare analytics could help you advance your qualifications as an analyst or leader in this lucrative field.

Best Online Masters in Healthcare Analytics Degree Programs

As healthcare facilities rely more and more on technology, professionals are needed to evaluate data that explores effectiveness of treatments, facilities, needs, and services.

Editorial Listing ShortCode:

With a growing number of accredited schools offering online healthcare analytics masters programs, earning an advanced degree in this field is more convenient than ever.

Online Masters in Healthcare Analytics Programs

Man taking Online Masters in Healthcare Analytics

Healthcare data analytics professionals use critical thinking skills and computer and software knowledge to collect, protect, and interpret data in the healthcare field. They can also use healthcare data to make decisions that can improve the quality of patient care. Their work could also improve the efficiency and effectiveness of caregivers and healthcare facilities.

Healthcare analysts and managers may work directly for clinics, hospitals, private practices, and other healthcare facilities. An MS in Health Analytics is a practical program that helps prepare you to utilize healthcare data and maintain data systems to assist the needs of patients, employees, and administrators alike.

Editorial Listing ShortCode:

Online master’s in healthcare analytics programs include classes that combine computer science and health sciences, covering topics such as:

  • Data entry
  • Software usage
  • Statistics
  • Ethics for the medical profession
  • Security breaches and privacy concerns

A career in healthcare data analytics puts you behind the scenes, as you’re not directly involved in patient care or medical assistance. With the growing use of technology, the importance of data analytics and security to the medical field cannot be overstated.

There are a range of positions in this field, including:

  • Health information technologists
  • Medical registrars
  • Health information managers
  • Senior data analysts
  • Chief medical information officers
  • Data architects

The positions you may qualify for can depend on a number of factors, such as your employer and your level of experience.

Healthcare Analytics Careers & Salaries

Healthcare Analytics Careers & Salaries

An advanced degree in data analytics in healthcare can help prepare you for a variety of jobs. Many graduates work as healthcare data analysts for a hospital, clinic, or other healthcare facility.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, here are some potential career paths for professionals with expertise in healthcare analytics.

Careers Annual Median Salaries
Chief Executives $179,520
Computer and Information Research Scientists $131,490
Actuaries $105,900
Medical and Health Services Managers $101,340
Data Scientists $100,910
Computer Systems Analysts $99,270
Management Analyst $93,000
Operations Research Analysts $82,360
Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars $55,560
Medical Records Specialists $46,660

The same skills that help you analyze data for a hospital can also help you analyze insurance policies and claims. These skills could also benefit leaders and managers. For instance, a nursing home administrator can examine data to improve work conditions for employees and improve services to patients and their families.

Editorial Listing ShortCode:

A graduate degree in this field can help you advance your qualifications, which may help you work toward senior or leadership roles.

Health Analytics Masters Curriculum & Courses

People taking their Health Analytics Masters

A healthcare data analytics master’s degree online program provides a wide variety of classes that can directly apply to the field. Here are examples of classes you may come across:

  • Introduction to American Healthcare and Analytics: You’ll learn the basics of health information technology and consumerism, and you’ll consider the future of technology and analytics in healthcare.
  • Programming for Health Analytics: You’ll install and launch software and get hands-on experience in using programming tools.
  • Data Security and Ethics: You’ll study federal privacy laws to understand the ethical concerns of data collection and potential data breaches.
  • Statistics for Analysis: You’ll learn software-specific usage for data collection retrieval.
  • Leadership in Healthcare: You’ll learn about leadership principles and practices in the healthcare sector, including the removal of information silos within organizations.
  • Machine Learning Applications: You’ll learn how to implement open-source software for data collection and how to collect data efficiently.
  • Advanced Data Modeling: You’ll discover problems with data preparation and model strategies for overcoming them.
  • Data Literacy: You’ll become familiar with SQL, a popular programming language used to draw data from databases, and you’ll learn about current and future data trends related to the healthcare field.
  • Feature Engineering and Text Mining: You’ll use electronic health record data and software programs to construct analytical modeling features.
  • Capstone: Instead of a thesis, the capstone project is a completed research project the student has designed, collected, and analyzed.

Most MS degrees end with a capstone or final project rather than a thesis.

Admissions Requirements

Woman preparing requirements for Health Analytics Masters

It’s common for an MS in Health Analytics program to have the following admission requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0, on average
  • Completed application plus an application fee
  • GRE or GMAT test scores (not required by all schools)
  • Statement of intent

Some colleges do not require standardized test scores but may require a writing test. Since admission requirements can vary from school to school, it’s helpful to check your prospective school’s specific criteria.

MS in Healthcare Analytics Programs Accreditation

University offering Health Analytics Masters

When researching online master’s degrees in healthcare analytics, it’s beneficial to make sure that the college or university you select is regionally accredited.

You can look up your school’s recognized accreditation status by visiting the US Department of Education’s website. When a college is regionally accredited, it means that their educational offerings, faculty, and facilities adhere to strict standards of excellence.

Editorial Listing ShortCode:

Employers, certification boards, and federal aid programs often require applicants to earn their education from an accredited institution.

Healthcare Analytics Licensure and Certifications

While health care analysts do not need to be licensed, there are number of industry certifications you can pursue. Some healthcare analytics master’s degree programs even aim to prepare you for various certifications.

Here are a few of the professional certifications available in this field:

While certification is not necessarily required to enter the healthcare data analytics industry, becoming certified can help you demonstrate mastery, professionalism, and commitment in the field.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Health Analytics Masters Financial Aid

To apply for government financial aid, such as student loans, you can complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online. You can also check with your school’s financial aid office for scholarships specific to your program.

A number of schools offer graduate assistance (GA) programs as well. Some GA programs pay a student’s full-time tuition and offer a stipend for working as a teacher’s assistant or in a research capacity. Some colleges even offer GA work online. Your school’s financial aid department or graduate program department can help guide you through the application process.

If your degree will benefit your present job, your employer may offer tuition assistance. You can check with your human resources department or direct supervisor to seek this information.

What Is a Healthcare Analytics Masters Degree?

Medical & Health Services Manager discussing with staff

A healthcare analytics masters degree is an advanced degree that teaches students to design programs to seek and collect data. This data can be used to forecast needs and improve healthcare services to all involved, from the provider to the patient.

With the growth of electronic health data, it is necessary to have qualified people working to protect, collect, and examine that data. While some entry-level positions allow employees to begin with an associate’s degree, pursuing a healthcare analytics master’s degree can help you develop your expertise and leadership abilities.

Furthering your education can enable you to advance your qualifications in the growing and ever-evolving field of electronic data management.

Is Healthcare Data Analytics a Good Career?

Computer Systems Analysts working together in hospital lab

Yes, healthcare data analytics is a good career for many professionals. Healthcare data analytics can be a rewarding career path for those who are computer savvy and want to be part of the healthcare field without being a direct care provider.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 28% job growth for medical and health services managers over the next ten years, which is much faster than average. The median salary for this job category, which includes health information managers, is $101,340.

Editorial Listing ShortCode:

Health information managers may also supervise medical records specialists and health information technicians, other common positions in this field. A growing number of universities now offer health information management degree online or on-campus programs as well.

What Can You Do with a Masters in Healthcare Analytics Degree?

Hospital's Chief Executives in a meeting

With a master’s in healthcare analytics, you may pursue a wide range of opportunities, from simple data entry and collection to analysis and management. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics shows that the more lucrative careers are in the management of people and the implementation of programs based on data analysis.

Graduates may work as medical registrars, healthcare data analysts, health information technologists, or database administrators. Those with experience may qualify for positions as health information managers. Some may even become chief information officers. With software design experience, you might be able to pursue a position as an information research scientist.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Masters in Health Analytics Online?

Woman pursuing Masters in Health Analytics online

A masters program can generally be completed in 1 to 2 years of full-time study. Programs that consist of 36 credit hours can often be finished in 1 year if there is no thesis requirement. Most MS programs in healthcare analytics require a capstone project in lieu of a thesis.

Many online programs offer classes that last for 6 weeks to 8 weeks. They may also offer accelerated tracks if you wish to complete your graduate degree as quickly as possible. While part-time enrollment can allow you to have added flexibility, it can also extend your time to completion.

What’s the Difference Between an MBA vs. Masters in Healthcare Analytics?

Computer & Information Research Scientists discussing

Here are some key differences between a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Healthcare Analytics and a Master of Science (MS) in Healthcare Analytics.

  • MBA in Healthcare Analytics: An MBA is a broader degree that will cover general business topics outside of healthcare. A concentration in healthcare analytics will include some specialized courses on this topic.
  • MS in Healthcare Analytics: This graduate degree program specifically focuses on software and data analysis skills needed for a job in the healthcare field.

While an MBA will include broader business courses, an MS in Healthcare Analytics is directly geared toward understanding the special needs and demands of the healthcare field.

What’s the Difference Between a Master of Healthcare Analytics vs. Informatics?

Here are some key differences between healthcare analytics professionals and healthcare informatics professionals.

  • Healthcare analytics: An analyst tends to design data collection tools as well as collect and analyze data. The Informatics specialist
  • Healthcare informatics: An informatics specialist tends to implement solutions based on the collected and analyzed data.

The difference between these two sectors can also depend on the size of the company for which you work. For instance, in smaller settings, an information manager would likely perform the tasks of collecting and analyzing data as well as proposing solutions and improvements.

Is a Masters in Healthcare Data Analytics Worth It?

Medical Records Specialist discussing with a doctor

Yes, a masters in healthcare data analytics is worth it for many students. As technology is increasingly used in the healthcare field, the need for health data analytics professionals continues to grow.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 17% job growth for health information technologists and medical registrars over the next ten years, which is much faster than average. A masters can also help you prepare for senior or leadership roles in the field. Those with experience may pursue positions as health information managers or chief health information officers.

Editorial Listing ShortCode:

Over the next decade, medical and health services managers are expected to see 28% job growth (Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Universities Offering Online Masters in Healthcare Analytics Degree Program

Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.

Averett University

Averett University

Students at Averett University can earn a Master of Science in Applied Healthcare Data Analytics. The program is offered entirely online. To graduate, students must complete 31 credit hours. The curriculum consists of courses such as Applied Data Mining and Healthcare Operational Research. Graduates often go on to become healthcare analysts and clinical intelligence analysts.

Averett University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Clarkson University

Clarkson University

Clarkson University offers an MS in Healthcare Data Analytics. The program is offered entirely online, and most students can finish it within 1 to 2 years. To graduate, students must complete 36 credit hours. The core curriculum for healthcare data makes up 27 of the required credit hours, while the remaining 9 credits hours are obtained from electives in related subjects.

Clarkson University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Iowa State University

Iowa State University

Students can earn a Master of Healthcare Analytics through Iowa State University. The program is fully online, but students will need to complete a practicum either with their employer or through an approved institution. The program requires the completion of 30 credit hours and can potentially be finished in just 15 months.

Iowa State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Marquette University

Marquette University

Marquette University offers an online program for an MS in Health Care Analytics. The program is entirely online and can potentially be completed in just 18 months. Start dates are in the fall, spring, and summer. Students must complete 30 credit hours, 15 in computer science and 15 in healthcare. There is also a capstone project component.

Marquette University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

MGH Institute of Health Professions

MGH Institute of Health Professions

Students at MGH Institute of Health Professions can earn an MS in Healthcare Data Analytics. The coursework is fully online, but students are required to meet on campus for occasional sessions. The program provides students with opportunities to work with real data. To graduate, students must complete 36 credit hours. The program can potentially be completed in just 2 years.

MGH Institute of Health Professions is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

Northwestern University

Northwestern University

Northwestern University offers an MS in Health Analytics that can be completed entirely online. The program consists of 11 courses. There are entry course options offered for students without analytics or clinical backgrounds. The curriculum consists of courses such as Data Visualization and Storytelling and Data Security, Ethics, and Governance. Students must also complete a capstone project in their final semester.

Northwestern University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Rutgers University

Rutgers University

Students at Rutgers University can earn an MS in Healthcare Analytics and Intelligence. The program is offered in a hybrid format, with some work completed at the New Brunswick campus. GMAT or GRE test scores are required to apply. To graduate, students must complete 36 hours. Students who take courses full-time on the fast track can potentially finish in 18 months.

Rutgers is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

University of Arkansas – Little Rock

University of Arkansas Little Rock

The University of Arkansas—Little Rock offers an MS in Healthcare Data Analytics. The program features some fully online courses and some blended courses. To graduate, students must complete 36 credit hours: 24 hours from cores courses, 9 from electives, and 3 from a capstone project. Full-time students can potentially finish the program in 2 years.

UA Little Rock is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

University of Louisville

University of Louisville

Students can earn an MSHI in Healthcare Analytics from the University of Louisville. The program is offered entirely online. Classes are asynchronous. Students may be able complete the program in just 2 years. The program requires the completion of 32 credit hours. Students in the program also earn an SAS Certificate in Healthcare Analytics.

The University of Louisville is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

University of South Florida

University of South Florida

The University of South Florida offers an MSHI in Healthcare Analytics. The program is offered in an online format. Each course is 8 weeks long. The program can potentially be completed in just 2 years. To graduate, students must complete 32 credit hours: 26 hours from the core curriculum and 6 hours from electives.

The University of South Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Getting Your Master in Healthcare Analytics Online

Man taking his Master Degree in Healthcare Analytics Online

A masters in healthcare analytics program can help you develop your expertise in this growing field. As healthcare facilities continue to rely more on technology and data, the demand for health information professionals will continue to grow.

Pursing your masters online offers the flexibility to earn your degree while maintaining other work or family obligations. These days, many online degree programs offer a full student experience, including tutoring services. When researching accredited schools, you can ask admissions counselors about the educational support the college offers its online students.

The sooner you start exploring healthcare analytics masters programs, the sooner you can find the program that best fits your professional interests and goals.

Ready to start your journey?
Ronna Pennington
WRITTEN BY
Ronna has a bachelor's in Mass Media Communications and a Master of Liberal Arts in History from Henderson State University, and a MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Arkansas at Monticello. Ronna has also served as a student support specialist in the distance education department, helping students learn the tools available to them as online students.