Did you know that healthcare occupations are among the most in-demand in the country? The projected overall employment growth is much faster than average for all occupations (BLS, 2023-2033). Around 1.9 million openings per year, on average, are available.
Indeed, now is the best time to consider earning a healthcare degree and getting in on the action. Better yet, consider one of the best healthcare degrees online programs offer. You’ll find that online programs offer:
- Quality education
- Affordable tuition and fees combined with financial aid opportunities
- Flexible and convenient learning format
In this article, we’ll feature 10 of the best healthcare degrees online. We chose them because of their high demand in the healthcare industry.
Related:
- Top Accredited Online Colleges in Healthcare Management
- Highest Paying Online Certificate Programs
- Best Accredited Online Colleges in RN to BSN (RN Required)
- Top Nationally Accredited Online Colleges For Nursing
Benefits of Earning a Healthcare Degree Online
The top online healthcare degree programs offer a wide range of benefits. These advantages contribute to their enduring popularity, particularly among working students and professionals. Freshmen college students are also welcome.
Flexibility
Online programs accommodate the busy schedules of working students and professionals through:
- Synchronous classes that you can attend from anywhere with an Internet-connected computer
- Asynchronous courses that you can attend at your own time and complete at your own pace
- Effective access to a learning management system and virtual student support services
You can enjoy a good work-life balance with such flexibility. Time management, effective study habits, and discipline are vital.
Cost Savings
Online programs enable students to save money on their education through:
- In-state tuition and fees for all students (WGU and SNHU), affordable tuition and fees, or no tuition (University of the People)
- Low to no transportation and parking costs (i.e., no on-campus visits or low residency)
- Access to digital textbooks and resources (i.e., less money spent on course materials)
Accreditation
Of course, the best online healthcare degree programs have regional and programmatic accreditation. Be sure to choose only from accredited programs. Accreditation means quality education and job market credibility.
Top 10 Best Healthcare Degrees You Can Get Online
These are the best healthcare degrees online because of their quality education and affordable costs. We also love their flexible schedules, self-paced study, and low residency.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
The BSN degree is among the most popular because of its excellent career prospects. Graduates become registered nurses (RN) and, with advanced education, nurse managers.
Students in BSN programs gain the knowledge, skills, and clinical experience for RN positions. BSN programs usually have a four-year completion period, but accelerated online nursing degree programs are available.
Master of Public Health (MPH)
Professionals with online public health degrees find rewarding work in diverse sectors. Occupations include public health officers, epidemiologists, and policy analysts.
Candidates in MPH programs tackle rigorous courses in community health, epidemiology, and health policy. Many programs also require them to complete an internship. The hands-on experience enables them to translate their knowledge into skills.
Healthcare Administration
There’s a high demand for professionals with healthcare administration online degrees. Projected job growth for healthcare managers is 61,400 openings/year (BLS, 2023-2033). Job titles include healthcare managers and hospital administrators.
Students acquire the essential competencies in healthcare leadership, policy, and ethics. Internships are also a must to gain practical skills and create a network.
Medical Billing and Coding
If you’re looking for affordable online healthcare degrees, consider medical billing and coding. LSU Online, for example, offers an affordable program with $9,100 total tuition. You can earn an associate’s degree, a diploma, or a certificate to start your career.
Medical and coding programs teach skills for handling healthcare records and insurance claims. Job titles include medical coders and health information technicians.
Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA)
Look for accredited healthcare degrees online for aspiring OTAs by ACOTE. These programs prepare students for support roles. OTAs work with licensed OTs in hospitals, clinics, and schools in patient care.
Pharmacy Technician
As a pharmacy technician, you’ll support pharmacists in hospital and retail settings. It is among the in-demand online degrees for healthcare careers, too. Pharmacy technicians can earn more than $57,130 per year.
Education for pharmacy technicians focuses on pharmacology, prescriptions, and medical ethics. Earn a certificate, a diploma, or an associate’s degree to become one.
Radiologic Technology
If you want to assist doctors in their correct diagnoses, be a radiologic technologist. Check out two-year medical degrees online programs in radiologic technology. Santa Fe College and Southeast Community College offer these programs.
You can apply for jobs as an imaging specialist or radiologic technologist. If you want, you can also earn a bachelor’s degree in the field.
Nutrition and Dietetics
Dietitians and nutritionists plan and implement food and nutrition programs. These can be for individuals, groups, or communities that want to lead healthy lives.
Students explore the science of nutrition and healthy living. Courses include basic and advanced nutrition science.
Health Informatics
If you’re looking for flexible online healthcare education, consider health informatics. You can attend online classes and engage in hands-on learning. Courses focus on data management, electronic health records, and IT in healthcare.
You can become a health informatics specialist or an IT healthcare manager. Continuing education is a must.
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA)
As an SLPA, you’ll work under the supervision of a speech-language pathologist. You will provide support in patient care and management. Among your duties are assisting in therapy sessions and supporting families.
You can work in diverse settings, too. Hospitals, private clinics, and schools are popular.
Career Prospects for Online Healthcare Graduates
We must say that earning an online healthcare degree isn’t easy. Healthcare degrees have a strong STEM component and, thus, are more challenging. But when you consider the excellent career prospects, you’ll want to earn a healthcare degree.
Growing Demand
There’s an increasing need for healthcare professionals across diverse fields. Nursing, health informatics, and health administration are among the fields with the highest demand.
The high demand for healthcare professionals is because of:
- An aging population that is projected to need more healthcare services for their medical conditions
- A growing population that also needs healthcare services to maintain good health
- The advancement of technologies in the healthcare industry
Plus, the healthcare industry is always in demand regardless of the economy.
Competitive Salaries
Healthcare professions have among the highest median annual salaries among all occupations. (Dollar figures are from BLS, May 2023):
| Healthcare Profession | Annual Salary |
| Health information technologists and medical registrars | $62,990 |
| Dietitians and nutritionists | $69,680 |
| Radiologic and MRI technologists | $76,020 |
| Registered nurses | $86,070 |
| Medical and health services managers | $110,680 |
Healthcare workers also receive bonuses and retirement plans, among other benefits.
Career Advancement Opportunities
When you’ve earned an online healthcare degree, you can pursue certifications next. You’ll become more competitive for leadership jobs. You can earn, for example, the CHDA (health informatics) or CHES (public health) credential.
Career advancement in the healthcare industry means continuing education and professional development. You should attend workshops and conferences, complete CE courses, and other activities. These are vital in renewing your license and certification, too.
How to Choose the Right Online Healthcare Program
Here’s what you can do to make the right choice in an online healthcare degree program.
Current Accreditation
First, check if the online college has a regional or national accreditation. Check the official website of the accreditation agency, too.
Then, check for programmatic accreditation. It will depend on the industry and profession, such as:
- Nursing – CCNE or ACEN
- Health informatics – CAHIIM or ACCME
- Health administration – CAHME or NAB
- Occupational therapy – ACOTE
- Radiologic Technology – JRCERT or JRCNMT
Program Format
You must also consider the learning formats – synchronous or asynchronous classes. Then, determine which learning format you’re comfortable with. You may find that each one has its pros and cons, but both work well in an online program.
Cost and Financial Aid
Be sure to compare the tuition and fees in every online program you’re interested in. But don’t immediately choose the program with the lowest tuition and fees.
You must also compare the financial aid opportunities. Many online programs have higher tuition and fees but offer more generous financial aid. Plus, you should consider their quality of instruction, reputation, and graduate outcomes.
Student Support Services
Being a successful online student means having easy access to effective student support services. Look for career counseling and internship placement assistance. Ask about technical support, tutoring, and financial aid guidance, too.
Conclusion
Quality, affordability, and flexibility are the best benefits of the best healthcare degrees online programs. You enjoy these benefits when you choose from one of our featured degrees. Be sure to explore these degrees and, thus, take the first crucial step to a successful healthcare career.
If you want more information about accredited online healthcare programs, visit our Accredited Online Colleges now. We offer useful resources to jumpstart your education and career.