Illinois is home to many hospitals, healthcare systems, and care facilities that require adept managers and leaders. And while many of them consider the applicants’ experience, most of them are looking for MHA graduates.
Gain the educational advantage you need (and the salary raise you deserve) by applying for any of these MHA programs in Illinois:
MHA Programs in Illinois
Working professionals who are interested in enhancing their healthcare leadership and management skills may apply for any of the 20 MHA programs in Illinois. Here are some of them:
University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign
- Urbana-Champaign, Illinois
- Campus
Program:
Master of Health Administration
Modality: In-person learning at the Urbana-Champaign, IL campus
In-state tuition: $16,776 plus other fees
Out-of-state tuition: $32,760 plus other fees
Program Overview:
Modeled after business administration programs, the university’s MHA degree provides students with comprehensive training in the fields of healthcare financial management, leadership, and strategic planning. Students can also get real-world insights through the Applied Practice Experience and Integrative Learning Experience programs.
Northern Illinois University
- DeKalb, Illinois
- Online + Campus
Program:
MS in Health Sciences
Modality: In-person learning at the DeKalb, IL campus or Online
In-state tuition: $505 per credit for 30 credits – $15,150 plus other fees
Out-of-state tuition: $874.24 per credit for 30 credits – $26,227.20 plus other fees
Program Overview:
The MS program is designed to build competencies in communications, quality measurements, leadership, and analysis, all of which are crucial for aspiring healthcare managers. The program also offers a good theoretical foundation for those who wish to pursue doctoral studies.
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
- Carbondale, Illinois
- Online + Campus
Program:
Master of Health Administration
Modality: In-person learning at the Carbondale, IL campus or Online
In-person program tuition: $23,079 plus other fees
Online program tuition: $19,583.33 plus other fees
Program Overview:
SIU-Carbondale’s MHA program features courses in health policy and law, healthcare financing, human resources, organizational behavior, and supply chain and inventory management. It also requires the completion of a faculty-supervised research project prior to graduation.
Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville
- Edwardsville, Illinois
- Online + Campus
Program:
MBA with a Healthcare Administration Specialization
Modality: In-person learning at the Edwardsville, IL campus or Online (Accelerated program)
US resident tuition: $12,978 plus other fees
International student tuition: $32,445 plus other fees
Program Overview:
The specialized MBA program focuses on healthcare courses in finance, policy and economics courses that equip students with the skills they need to lead organizations. The course also tackles customer relationship management, which is designed to help students formulate strategies that enhance provider-patient relationships.
Aurora University
- Aurora, Illinois
- Campus
Program:
Healthcare (MBA Track)
Modality: In-person learning at the Aurora, IL campus
Tuition: $580 per credit for 36 credits – $20,880
Program Overview:
Created for students who wish to pursue healthcare leadership opportunities, AU’s Healthcare MBA offers courses that focus on healthcare management, healthcare financing, and healthcare information management. Full-time students enrolled in the Plus-One program may finish the entire course in 12 months.
DePaul University
- Chicago, Illinois
- Campus
Program:
Health Care Administration, Public Administration (MPA)
Accreditation: Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration
Modality: In-person learning at the Chicago, IL campus
Tuition: $780 per credit for 58 credits – $45,240 plus other fees
Program Overview:
The specialized MPA curriculum provides students with the skills necessary to improve processes in hospitals, healthcare organizations, and other agencies. It also provides students with the competencies required to fulfill leadership roles in nonprofit/governmental organizations and regulatory agencies.
Dominican University
- River Forest, Illinois
- Online + Campus
Program:
Master of Science in Healthcare Management
Modality: In-person learning at the River Forest, IL campus or Online
Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Tuition: $889 per credit for 30 credits – $26,670 plus other fees
Program Overview:
Dominican’s MSHM program offers a hybrid of foundational business and healthcare-specific courses in communications, financial planning, and change management. Such topics are taught in small, flexible classes that may be taken on-campus or online.
Loyola University Chicago
- Chicago, Illinois
- Online + Hybrid
Program:
Master in Healthcare Administration
Modality: Hybrid or Online
Tuition: $44,400 plus other fees
Program Overview:
The curriculum takes a holistic approach that integrates a variety of essential competencies, including organizational management, ethics, leadership, and patient safety. Aligned with Jesuit values, the program also features hands-on immersions and a capstone project that students can take in their respective communities.
National Louis University-Illinois
- Chicago, Illinois
- Online + Campus
Program:
Master in Health Services Administration
Accreditation: International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)
Modality: In-person learning at the Chicago, IL campus or Online
Tuition: $790 per credit for 36 credits – $28,440 plus other fees
Program Overview:
The curriculum offers practical, applications-focused courses that provide students with the acumen they need to address real-life healthcare industry challenges. Students may specialize in any of the three concentrations offered, namely Fundamentals of Design Thinking, Long-Term Care Administration, and Public Health Leadership.
Quincy University
- Quincy, Illinois
- Online + Campus
Program:
Master of Business Administration – Healthcare Administration
Modality: In-person learning at the Quincy, IL campus or Online
Tuition: $525 per credit for 30 credits – $15,750 plus other fees
Program Overview:
Quincy’s new MBA program follows a ten-week course curriculum that includes ten core business and four healthcare concentration classes. The specialized courses are designed to enhance the student’s knowledge of healthcare policy, health business sectors, healthcare law, and ethical leadership.
Rockford University
- Rockford, Illinois
- Online + Hybrid
Program:
Healthcare Administration MBA
Accreditation: IACBE
Modality: Hybrid (in-person classes at the Rockford, IL campus with online components)
Tuition: $770 per credit for 30 credits – $23,100 plus other fees
Program Overview:
The Rockford MBA offers foundational courses in general finance, management, business law, marketing, accounting, and business research alongside three specialized courses in healthcare finance, US healthcare, and organizational leadership. Classes are offered in eight-week courses that are taught in the evenings.
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
- North Chicago, Illinois
- Campus
Program:
Health Administration (MS)
Modality: In-person learning at the North Chicago, IL campus
Tuition: $721 per credit for 46 credits – $19,366 plus other fees
Program Overview:
Rosalind Franklin’s MS program equips students with the knowledge and skills to oversee and solve healthcare-specific issues in finance, regulatory and legal compliance, human resource management, facility management, and information technology.
CAHME-Accredited MHA Programs in Illinois
Here are three Illinois universities that offer MHA programs accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME):
Governors State University
- University Park, Illinois
- Campus + Hybrid
Program:
Master of Health Administration
Accreditation: CAHME
Modality: Full-time/part-time in-person learning at the University Park, IL campus or Hybrid
In-state tuition (Illinois and Indiana residents): $353 per credit for 54 credits – $19,062 plus other fees
Out-of-state tuition: $706 per credit for 54 credits – $38,124 plus other fees
Program Overview:
GSU’s MHA program equips students with the competencies needed to manage regulations, finances, legal issues, human resources, technology, and policies that are specific to healthcare settings. It also covers basic courses in strategic planning, informatics, economics, and research.
University of Illinois-Chicago
- Chicago, Illinois
- Campus
Program:
Master of Healthcare Administration
Accreditation: CAHME and Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
Modality: Full-time/part-time in-person learning at the Chicago, IL campus
In-state tuition: $6,083 plus other fees
Out-of-state tuition: $12,768 plus other fees
Program Overview:
The university’s curriculum, which is aligned with the NCHL competency model, provides students with expertise in the fields of healthcare finance, physician relations, operational leadership, and strategic marketing and planning. The university offers a standard residential program for new graduates or young professionals and an executive program for mid-to-senior-level managers.
Rush University
- North Chicago, Illinois
- Campus
Program:
Master of Science (MS) in Health Systems Management
Accreditation: CAHME
Modality: Full-time/part-time in-person learning at the North Chicago, IL campus
Residential track tuition: $1,283 per credit for 58 credits – $74,414 plus other fees
Executive track tuition: $1,283 per credit for 52 credits – $66,716 plus other fees
Program Overview:
Rush offers two tracks: residential and executive, which are designed for students with less than five years and more than five years of experience, respectively. Both programs follow a teacher-practitioner curriculum model that offers experiential learning through immersive classes and real-world projects.
Online Masters in Healthcare Administration Programs in Illinois
Busy students who require educational flexibility may earn their graduate diplomas through these online MHA programs in Illinois:
University of Illinois-Springfield
- Springfield, Illinois
- Online
Program:
Master of Business Administration with a Concentration in Healthcare Management
Modality: Online
Accreditation: AACSB
Tuition: $15,270 plus other fees
Program Overview:
The university’s online MBA degree is designed for aspiring leaders who wish to hone their skills in healthcare leadership, marketing, organizational behavior, and operations management. Students are also taught how to formulate strategies and practices that further improve healthcare services.
Concordia University Chicago
- Chicago, Illinois
- Online
Program:
MBA in Health Care Management
Modality: Online
Tuition: $728 per credit for 48 credits – $34,944 plus other fees
Program Overview:
Concordia’s online MBA program provides healthcare professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to address organizational challenges. The curriculum features three 16-week semesters per year and a total of 48 hours of online coursework.
McKendree University
- Lebanon, Illinois
- Online
Program:
Master of Health Administration
Modality: Online
Tuition: $525 per credit for 30 credits – $15,750 plus other fees
Program Overview:
McKendree’s online MHA provides students with the business skills and healthcare knowledge required for leading organizations. It also features an 80-hour precepted practicum that immerses students in challenging leadership scenarios.
Northwestern University
- Chicago, Illinois
- Online
Program:
Master of Science in Healthcare Administration Online
Modality: Online
Tuition: $40,836 plus other fees
Program Overview:
Northwestern students are immersed in coursework that tackles healthcare models and explores the delivery of excellent yet cost-effective care. The program also features courses in strategic planning, healthcare leadership, financial management, and human resource management.
University of St. Francis
- Joliet, Illinois
- Online
Program:
Master of Science Degree in Health Administration
Modality: Online, with some elective courses offered one evening a week
Tuition: $699 per credit for 36 credits – $25,164 plus other fees
Program Overview:
The convenient online program offers rigorous learning content for students who wish to scale the leadership ladder. Students are also given the opportunity to specialize in any of the five concentration tracks available, namely Healthcare Data Science, Healthcare Leadership, Long-Term Care Management, Population Health, and Quality Improvement.
No GRE Required MHA Programs in Illinois
Here are some Illinois universities that do not require applicants to submit their Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores:
- Concordia University Chicago
- Dominican University
- Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
- University of Illinois-Springfield
GRE submissions are optional for University of Illinois-Chicago applicants, while the following schools have waived the GRE requirement according to the following GPA marks:
- Northern Illinois University – 3.25 and above
- Quincy University – 3 and above
- Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville – 3 and above
Accelerated MHA Programs in Illinois
Several Illinois universities offer MHA/MBA programs that can be completed in 12 months. They are:
- Aurora University (Plus One track)
- Dominican University
- Quincy University
- Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville (online program)
- University of Illinois-Springfield
Affordable Masters in Healthcare Administration Programs in Illinois
Many of Illinois’ public universities are known to have cheap tuition fees. However, the most affordable program for in-state and out-of-state students is offered by the University of Illinois-Chicago. The CAHME-accredited institution only costs $6,083 plus other fees for in-state students. Meanwhile, out-of-state students will only need to pay $12,768 plus other fees.
All MHA Programs in Illinois
| University Name | Program Name | Degree | State/Location | Delivery Mode | Program Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Governors State University College of Health Human Services | Healthcare Management | MHA | IL | Residential Non-Executive Part-Time | Healthcare Management |
| Rush University College of Health Sciences | Healthcare Management | MS-HSM | IL | Residential Non-Executive Full-Time | Healthcare Management |
| Rush University College of Health Sciences | Healthcare Management | MS | IL | Residential Executive Full-Time | Healthcare Management |
| University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine | Certified Quality & Safety | MS | IL | Online Non-Executive Part-Time | Certified Quality & Safety |
| University of Illinois Chicago School of Public Health | Healthcare Management | MHA | IL | Residential Non-Executive Full-Time | Healthcare Management |
| University of Illinois Chicago School of Public Health | Healthcare Management | MHA | IL | Hybrid Executive Full-Time | Healthcare Management |
| University of Illinois at Chicago | Master of Health Administration (MHA) | Master's | IL | Hybrid or Online | Master of Health Administration (MHA) |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Master of Health Administration (MHA) | Master's | IL | On-campus | Master of Health Administration (MHA) |
| DePaul University | Master of Health Administration (MHA) | Master's | IL | Hybrid or Online | Master of Health Administration (MHA) |
What Types of Careers Can I Pursue With an MHA Degree in Illinois?
MHA graduates of Illinois universities are sure to succeed in any of the following leadership positions:
Hospital Administrator
There are 181 hospitals in Illinois, and many of them require directors and managers who can help them deliver quality healthcare services at reasonable costs.
Clinical Director
MHA graduates possess the leadership skills required of clinical directors, who work to maintain practice standards, supervise staff, oversee legal aspects, and direct treatment program policies.
Health Department Administrator
MHA graduates can lead the Illinois Health Department’s many field offices and departments and help them enact the agency’s mission of “re-envisioning health policy,” “promoting health equity,” and “preventing disease and injury.”
Home Healthcare Manager
MHA graduates can take the role of home healthcare managers, who work to hire and supervise staff and plan budgets. Their education also prepares them for the task of evaluating and improving the overall patient experience.
Healthcare Program Director
MHA graduates have the leadership skills necessary to function as healthcare program directors for the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services’ many medical programs. Such directors are responsible for supervising operations and ensuring that services are optimally delivered.
