Masters in Health Administration in USA: Top Universities, Costs, Scholarships, Admissions, Jobs, Salaries

Make your next giant step in the medical sector by pursuing a Master in Health Administration in USA at a top-ranked university. The postgraduate course embraces both sides of the healthcare spectrum- clinical and management, which enables the students to have a comprehensive picture of the industry, making them ready to take up any profession.

The main aim of Masters in Health Administration is to turn their students into leaders in the field of health management and develop their core competencies in the sphere of healthcare systems, IT, health laws and policies, data analysis, leadership skills, and the ability to think critically, etc. Most of the US universities provide the course over 2 years of full-time studying. The average tuition fee for Masters in Health Administration in USA is approx. $36,000- $50,000. An MHA graduate from the USA can earn potentially around $60,000- $90,000.

Masters in Health Administration in USA: Quick Highlights

Masters in Health Administration in USA, quick highlights are mentioned below in the table to give you a brief insight-

Masters in Health Administration in USA: Important Dates and Events

Masters in Health Administration in USA application starting and deadline dates for top universities are mentioned below-

Application Deadline for Top Universities

• Johns Hopkins University starts- September 2025
• Cornell University starts- September 2025
• Columbia University starts- September 2025
• Columbia University deadline- February 2026
• University of Washington deadline- January 15, 2026
• Harvard University deadline- 5 January, 2026

Visa Application Timeline

To apply to a Master in Health Administration in USA for the year 2026, you should start with an F-1 visa in November- December 2025 after you get your I-20 form from the university you are applying to.

Masters in Health Administration in USA Fees

For studying Masters in Health Administration in USA, approximately. The average tuition fee and living cost are mentioned below in the table-

Why Choose a Masters in Health Administration in USA?

• World-Class Education: Get an education from the top-ranked universities all over the world.
• Advanced Healthcare System Exposure: Experience a first-hand exposure to the most advanced system of healthcare in the world.
• International Career Prospects: The degree of MHA in USA is highly appreciated globally, presenting one with opportunities to work in leadership positions in other countries.
• Good Job Market: There is a high demand for healthcare administrators in hospitals, insurance, public health, and consulting.
• Competitive salaries: Good salaries are offered in the healthcare sector across the globe.
• Internship & Practice: On-the-job training via hospital networks and healthcare companies.
• OPT eligibility: Upon graduation, there is a possibility to work in the USA healthcare sector by applying post-study work authorization which is Optional Practical Training (OPT) of up to 3 years.

Also Read: Masters in Health Administration in Canada

Masters in Health Administration in USA Qualifications

• Should have passed undergraduate degree in health science field with 70% or more (GPA- 3.0)  from any recognized board 
• GMAT score- should range between 600-700.
• GRE ( if applicable)- 300- 320 
• IELTS score- 6.5- 7.0
• TOEFL score- 90-100

Masters in Health Administration in USA: Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria category for Masters in Health Administration in USA is mentioned below in detail in the table- 

Masters in Health Administration in USA Application Process

• Research and Shortlist Universities- Select university institutions that have accredited MHA degrees that match your ideas and budget.
• Learn about Eligibility Requirements- bachelor’s degree (ideally in health sciences, revised resume/CV, SOP- Statement of Purpose, Letters of Recommendation (LORs), and Academic transcripts
• Take English Proficiency Test- IELTS (6.5-7.0) or TOEFL (90-100)
• Take Standardized Test- Some colleges may require GRE or GMAT 
• Fill Online Application Form- Directly via official university websites or central systems such as SOPHAS (only for public health programs).
• Pay Application Fee
• Submit Official Scores & Transcripts
• Wait for a decision from the university
• Confirm the admission and fill in the I-20 Form
• Request F-1 student Visa for studying MHA in the USA

SOP, LOR, and Resume for Masters in Health Administration in USA

1.  Statement of Purpose (SOP)

Display your motivation, career objectives, and how you could fit well in the MHA program (only 1-2 pages)

What to be Incorporated:

• Educational experience 
• Healthcare or administration-related work or volunteer experience
• The career goals and the role of the MHA in attaining them
• Reason to choose this University and Programme
• Teamwork, communication skills, and leadership skills
• The tone of the SOP should be formal

2. Letter of Recommendation (LORs)

Written by the professors, supervisors, or employers (in case you have some working/internship experience in healthcare/management, generally 2-3 LORs are required

Contents are to include:

• GPA and abilities
• Organizational and leadership qualities
• Interpersonal and communication skills
• Ethics of a professional and drive to excel in MHA

3. Resume / CV

• It should include all your personal and academic details ( 1-2 pages)
• Contact Information
• Educational Background
• Work/Internship Experience (preferably in the field in healthcare or administration)
• Certifications (public health sector as applicable)
• Certifications (data analysis, health systems, management software, and others)
• Research/Projects (if there is any)
• Voluntary activities (at least it is care-related or community-related work)

Entrance Exams for Masters in Health Administration in USA

To get admission to a Masters in Health Administration program in the USA , one will need entrance tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, and the GMAT/GRE. An individual should be an undergraduate who scored 70% or above, or a GPA of 3.0. These are the prime requirements of most of the universities in terms of admission to the program called Masters in Health Administration in USA.

IELTS/ TOEFL Tips

• Should know the target Score: 6.5- 7.0 in IELTS or 90-100 in TOEFL
• It is always good to start planning your preparation early in time i.e. 3-4 months before the exam to forge effective reading and listening behavior.
• Access healthcare articles (e.g., WHO, CDC or Harvard Health) to be more acquainted with industry terms.
• Add Healthcare Documentaries/Podcasts Healthcare to your list, watch the TED Talks Health.
• Do practice using sample SOP prompts in an itinerary writing style, as it will help in the TOEFL writing and your actual SOP as well.
• Practice Mock Speaking on Healthcare-related themes like speaking on the topics related to health care, such as health insurance, the hospital system, or management of patients.

GMAT/GRE Tips

• Look up University Requirements: Quite a lot of MHA programs are GRE-optional or even test-optional, check before planning.
• Target Score: GRE- target above 300; GMAT- competitive above 600 on most public health/health administration applications.
• Practice Verbal Reasoning: MHA needs good communication and critical thinking- improve reading comprehension with the help of public health articles.
• Review Simple Math: GRE/GMAT Quant presents data interpretation around basic algebra--compare it to medical statistics or total costs of projects.
• Use Case-Study Based Practice: Practice questions can simulate real MHA situations- such as how to control the budget in the hospitals or the analysis of the flow of patients.
• Read synopses of Healthcare Documentation: read health policy reports (WHO, CDC, etc.) and summarize in 2-3 sentences. Excellent GRE reading.
• You can also watch GMAT/GRE Strategy Videos on Health Topics: Certain YouTube channels modify GRE word problems to have health-related contexts- check out niche topics.

Masters in Health Administration in USA Cutoff

USA Universities for Masters in Health Administration require 70% or more in undergraduate programs. 

IELTS/TOEFL Cutoff

The cutoff for different entrance exams is mentioned below in the table-

Masters in Health Administration in USA Syllabus

The Masters in Health Administration in USA syllabus is mentioned below in detail including core and specialised subjects-

Core Subjects-

• Health Law and Policy
• Human Resources
• Analytics and Financial Management
• Healthcare Communication

Specialization Subjects-

• Healthcare quantitative analysis
• Community Health law and policy
• Organisational Behaviour and Communication in Healthcare
• Healthcare Human Resource Management
• Global Healthcare Studies

Best Universities for Masters in Health Administration in USA

The QS top ranked universities for studying Masters in Health Administration in USA are listed below in the table- 

Masters in Health Administration in USA Scholarships

There are various scholarships available for International students to pursue higher studies in USA. Some of the scholarships are mentioned below in the table-

Career Scope after Masters in Health Administration in USA

There are many career scopes after studying for a Masters in Health Administration in USA. Most companies hire MHA graduates from USA at different posts like-

• Clinical Operational Manager
• Healthcare Administrator
• Health Service Manager
• Medical and Health Service manager
• Chief Nursing Officer

Top Recruiters/ Placement Companies

• MSH
•  CHG Healthcare
• HealthTrust Workforce Solutions
• All Medical Personnel
• Triage Staffing, CompHealth
• Weatherby Healthcare
• Jackson + Coker
•  AMN Healthcare

Masters in Health Administration in USA Salary Package

Masters in Health Administration graduates from the USA are offered great salaries annually. The salary detail is mentioned below-

Conclusion

Studying a Master of Health Administration in USA is a life change to anyone who intends to become a leader and front-runner in the health sector across the world. Having an opportunity to receive world-class education, engage in practical practice, and one of the developed health sectors in the world, students have an opportunity to acquire the necessary skills as well as exposure in various leadership situations. The career opportunities trickle down with options ranging in the fields of hospital management, healthcare advisory, and administration, all of which carry immense potential. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.1 What are the specific admission requirements of a Masters in Health Administration in USA?

Ans. The specific admission requirements of a Masters in Health Administration in USA are- 

• Undergraduate degree with more than 70% or GPA (3.0)
• IELTS- 6.5 - 7.0
• TOEFL- 90-100
• GMAT- 600-700 
• GRE- 300- 320

Q.2 For studying Masters in Health Administration in USA, IELTS or TOEFL is required?

Ans. Yes, English proficiency tests are a mandatory requirement for international students to study Masters in Health Administration in USA

Q.3 What is the fee for pursuing a Masters in Health Administration in USA?

Ans. The fee for pursuing a Masters in Health Administration in USA is as follows.

• Tuition Fees: $36,000- $50,000
• Living Cost: $1,500- $2,000

Q.4 What career options do I have after studying Masters in Health Administration in USA?

Ans. There are various career options available:-

• Clinical Operational Manager
• Healthcare Administrator
• Health Service Manager
• Medical and Health Service manager
• Chief Nursing Officer

Q.5 Which are the best universities for Masters in Health Administration in USA?

Ans. The best-ranked universities for Masters in Health Administration in USA are-

• Johns Hopkins University
• Cornell University
• Columbia University
• University of Washington
• Harvard University
• University of Southern California