The Best Bachelor's in Healthcare Administration Programs in North Carolina for 2027
Key Points: Best Healthcare Administration Bachelor's Programs in North Carolina
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ranks #1 in North Carolina on a 98.2 Program Score, with a 91% graduation rate.
- Public and private schools split this list evenly.
- Cost and quality are not opposites here: the lowest-tuition program on the list, Winston-Salem State University, ranks #6.
- Programs analyzed
- 10
- In-state tuition range
- $3,401-$40,500
- Average graduation rate
- 58%
- Median salary (BLS)
- $123,860
We analyzed 10 healthcare programs in North Carolina on graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes to rank where a bachelor's in healthcare administration actually pays off. In-state tuition among the 10 ranked programs in North Carolina runs from $3,401 to $40,500 a year, a $37,099 spread for the same credential.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill tops the list with a 98.2 Program Score on a 91% graduation rate, at $7,019 a year in-state. Across all 10 ranked schools, the average graduation rate is 58%, ranging from 42% to 91%. The national median pay in the field is $123,860 a year per the BLS, the same benchmark every ranked school here feeds into regardless of tuition paid.
Healthcare Administration Bachelor's Programs in North Carolina, Compared by Score
UNC leads at 98.2, and Barton College closes the chart at 63.8. Longer bars rank higher.
Our Methodology for Ranking Healthcare Administration Bachelor's Programs in North Carolina
Each Program Score runs from 0 to 100: outcomes count for 44%, selectivity and academics for 38%, and scale and value for 18%, all from federal data. See how the weights work.
The 10 Best Healthcare Administration Bachelor's Programs in North Carolina, Ranked for 2027
The 10 best Healthcare Administration Bachelor's Programs in North Carolina, ranked by outcomes.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC · Public
- Grad rate
- 91%
- Admit rate
- 15%
- In-state
- $7,019
- Out-of-state
- $39,228
The B.S.P.H. in health policy and management includes an eight-week internship and a year-long capstone, taken in a cohort of about 50.
- Program Score 98.2
- 91% graduation rate
- $7,019 in-state tuition
- Internship plus year-long capstone
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers a Bachelor of Science in Public Health in health policy and management. The curriculum combines core public health courses with required health policy and management courses, an eight-week internship the summer between junior and senior year, and a year-long capstone. Students move through in a cohort of about 50, work on semester and year-long team projects with community partners, and are matched with a faculty mentor, an academic coordinator and a career services coordinator. Admission to the major is required. The catalog says most graduates enter the workforce right away, with employers including consulting firms, hospitals and health systems, insurers and government agencies, and the majority pursue a graduate or professional degree within two to five years.
The program has a Program Score of 98.2 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. UNC Chapel Hill admits 15% of applicants, and 91% of students graduate. Tuition is $7,019 in-state and $39,228 out-of-state. The major fits students who want a public health foundation alongside management training, and who may continue to graduate school or medical training.
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte, NC · Public · online option
- Grad rate
- 69%
- Admit rate
- 80%
- In-state
- $3,812
- Out-of-state
- $19,065
A 120-credit Health Systems Management degree with 36 major credits that students can complete on campus or online in three to six semesters.
- 69% graduation rate
- Program Score 88.6
- $3,812 in-state tuition
- On-campus or online option
The Bachelor of Science in Health Systems Management at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte prepares students as entry-level generalists for planning, directing and coordinating health services in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations and nonprofit agencies. Students complete general education requirements, 36 credit hours within the major, and electives or a minor to reach the 120 credits required for the degree. The curriculum follows competency domains informed by the American College of Healthcare Executives, including communication, leadership, professionalism, knowledge of the care environment, and business skills. Students can pursue the degree on the main campus or online, and the page says most finish in three to six semesters, with four or five the most common plans. An early-entry route into the school's Master of Health Administration is available to exceptional students.
UNC Charlotte graduates 69% of its students and admits 80% of applicants. In-state tuition is $3,812, compared with $19,065 out of state. The program holds a Program Score of 88.6 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits students who want a healthcare management bachelor's with an online option, and those who may continue to a graduate degree in health administration or public health. Declaring the major requires good academic standing, meaning a GPA of 2.0 or better.
North Carolina A & T State University
Greensboro, NC · Public
- Grad rate
- 57%
- Admit rate
- 50%
- In-state
- $3,540
- Out-of-state
- $17,400
The B.S. in Health Services Management pairs internships with industry partners and requires a 2.75 GPA to enter the major.
- Program Score 85.4
- 57% graduation rate
- $3,540 in-state tuition
- Internships with industry partners
North Carolina A&T State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Health Services Management through the Department of Population Health Management and Policy in its Hairston College of Health and Human Sciences. The curriculum covers health systems, healthcare leadership and management, economics, healthcare technology, data systems, and health services research. The university says students work one-to-one with faculty and industry partners in internship opportunities. Entry to the major requires a minimum high school GPA of 2.75, a 2.75 college GPA for current students who switch, and for transfer students a C in Economics and Statistics within the past five years. Graduates are prepared for roles such as practice and program manager, patient service manager, health operations manager, medical office manager and medical coder.
The program carries a Program Score of 85.4 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. North Carolina A&T admits 50% of applicants, and 57% of students graduate. Tuition is $3,540 in-state and $17,400 out-of-state. The degree fits students aiming for management work in clinics, hospitals and other health organizations who want internship access and a low in-state price.
Appalachian State University
Boone, NC · Public · online option
- Grad rate
- 75%
- Admit rate
- 90%
- In-state
- $4,242
- Out-of-state
- $21,875
An online or on-campus BS in Health Sciences with a Health Care Management focus, built for health workers with a North Carolina community college AAS.
- 75% graduation rate
- Program Score 85
- $4,242 in-state tuition
- Online or Boone and Hickory campuses
Appalachian State University's Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences is a degree-completion program for people who already hold a health-related Associate of Applied Science from a North Carolina community college. Students choose a focus area, Public Health or Health Care Management, and the program sits in the Department of Nutrition and Health Care Management. It can be completed online or in person at the Boone and Hickory campuses. The degree totals 120 hours, with at least 30 health-related hours coming from the AAS, and most full-time students finish in two years. Applicants need a cumulative college GPA of 2.25 or higher, and only grades of C or better transfer.
Federal data shows a 75% graduation rate and a 90% admit rate. In-state tuition is $4,242 and out-of-state tuition is $21,875. The program earns a Program Score of 85 out of 100, which is the basis for its ranking. The school enrolls about 21,570 students. The program fits working clinicians such as technicians and therapists who want to move into leadership, prepare for graduate study or teach in their discipline, and who need an online route that credits their associate degree coursework.
University of Mount Olive
Mount Olive, NC · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 52%
- Admit rate
- 76%
- In-state
- $26,216
- Out-of-state
- $26,216
University of Mount Olive's 100% online healthcare management degree uses accelerated 7.5-week classes and carries ACBSP accreditation.
- Program Score 76.3
- 52% graduation rate
- $26,216 tuition
- 100% online, 7.5-week classes
The University of Mount Olive offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a Healthcare Management major, delivered 100% online with no on-campus requirements. Classes are accelerated at 7.5 weeks, start dates are multiple, and the school says there is no application fee or entrance test. The page states ACBSP accreditation and a transfer-friendly structure for applying prior credits. Topics include the U.S. healthcare system, managerial accounting, information systems, long-term care, health insurance and managed care, healthcare law and ethics, and healthcare quality management. The program prepares students for the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's Basic Certificate in Quality and Safety, and it leads into the school's MBA in Healthcare Management.
The program earns a Program Score of 76.3 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. Federal data show a 52% graduation rate and a 76% admit rate. Tuition is $26,216 for in-state and out-of-state students alike. It suits working adults and transfer students who want a business-based healthcare degree they can complete online around a job, with a clear path to a graduate degree afterward.
Winston-Salem State University
Winston-Salem, NC · Public · online option
- Grad rate
- 47%
- Admit rate
- 78%
- In-state
- $3,401
- Out-of-state
- $14,057
Winston-Salem State University's healthcare management B.S. follows AUPHA standards and includes a practicum internship.
- Program Score 73.8
- $3,401 in-state tuition
- AUPHA-guided curriculum
- Practicum internship
Winston-Salem State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management, guided by the standards of the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA). The curriculum builds skills in ethical and legal leadership, the healthcare environment, communication and professionalism, with sample courses in Health Law and Ethics, Population Health, and Professional Growth and Leadership in Healthcare. Service learning is built into several courses, and an internship gives students a practicum experience. The university reports partnerships with regional healthcare organizations including Novant and Atrium Wake Forest. The degree can lead to roles such as healthcare administrator or hospital administrator, or to graduate study.
Federal figures show a 47% graduation rate and a 78% admit rate at WSSU. In-state tuition is $3,401 against $14,057 out of state, a wide gap that favors North Carolina residents. The program earns a Program Score of 73.8 out of 100, the basis for its ranking. It is a strong fit for in-state students who want an AUPHA-guided degree with hands-on practicum experience, a low price, and a path into health administration or a graduate program afterward.
Gardner-Webb University
Boiling Springs, NC · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 55%
- Admit rate
- 77%
- In-state
- $33,770
- Out-of-state
- $33,770
Gardner-Webb University's Healthcare Management B.S. pairs 36 hours of business core with 21 hours of healthcare coursework and a required internship or practicum.
- Program Score 73.6
- 55% graduation rate
- $33,770 tuition, in-state and out-of-state
- Required internship or practicum
Gardner-Webb University offers a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management through the Broyhill Undergraduate School of Management. Beyond general education and prerequisites, the degree includes 36 credit hours of core business courses and 21 hours of Healthcare Management coursework. Students build an understanding of human relations management, organizational behavior and operations management, with a Christian business ethics emphasis. An internship or practicum in healthcare management is required. The degree is available on campus and through the Online Undergraduate Program, and the school also offers a 15-hour minor in Healthcare Administration. The page says graduates are prepared for business and health-related careers in hospitals, doctor offices and other healthcare organizations, and that many pursue further study in the GWU Graduate College of Business.
The Program Score of 73.6 out of 100 is the basis of this program's ranking. Gardner-Webb graduates 55% of its students and admits 77% of applicants. Tuition is $33,770 for in-state and out-of-state students alike. The program fits students who want a management degree with hands-on healthcare experience, and who value a faith-informed approach to business ethics.
Methodist University
Fayetteville, NC · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 44%
- Admit rate
- 75%
- In-state
- $40,500
- Out-of-state
- $40,500
Methodist University's Health Care Administration major is nationally certified by AUPHA and runs 69 credits ending in a strategic planning capstone.
- Program Score 72.2
- 44% graduation rate
- $40,500 tuition
- 69-credit major with capstone
Methodist University offers a Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration, which the school states is nationally certified by the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA). The major totals 69 credits, including 57 credits of major coursework and 12 credits of electives. Required courses include Health Insurance & Managed Care, Long-Term Care Administration, Health Care Informatics, Quality Assessment & Performance Improvement, and Economics & Finance of Health Care Organizations. Students finish with a Senior Seminar and a Strategic Planning Capstone. Electives let students add entrepreneurship, negotiation, disaster management, public administration or policy analysis. An 18-credit minor is also available.
The program earns a Program Score of 72.2 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. Federal data show a 44% graduation rate at Methodist and a 75% admit rate. Tuition is $40,500 for both in-state and out-of-state students. The curriculum fits students who want a defined health administration sequence with a capstone, particularly those aiming at long-term care, insurance or health system management roles. The relatively low graduation rate is worth weighing against the structured plan of study.
North Carolina Wesleyan University
Rocky Mount, NC · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 42%
- Admit rate
- 80%
- In-state
- $34,936
- Out-of-state
- $34,936
NC Wesleyan offers healthcare administration as a major, an undergraduate certificate, or a concentration in Organizational Leadership.
- Program Score 69.7
- 42% graduation rate
- $34,936 tuition
- Major, certificate or concentration
North Carolina Wesleyan University offers a B.S. in Healthcare Administration, built on foundational business courses and aimed at managing hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and other care facilities. The page says the field is available as a major and as an undergraduate certificate, and also as a concentration within the Organizational Leadership major. Coursework covers public health, economics, healthcare policy and law, data management and strategy, with highlighted courses in healthcare administration, medical terminology, legal and ethical issues, and professional writing. Faculty with industry experience use applied learning approaches. The university also lists a program information sheet and a plan of study in its catalog.
The program earns a Program Score of 69.7 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. Federal data show a 42% graduation rate and an 80% admit rate. Tuition is $34,936 for in-state and out-of-state students alike. The flexible structure suits students who want to start with a certificate or fold healthcare administration into a broader leadership degree, and the completion rate suggests asking about advising and support before enrolling.
Barton College
Wilson, NC · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 46%
- Admit rate
- 94%
- In-state
- $37,000
- Out-of-state
- $37,000
Barton College's 120-credit Healthcare Administration B.S. offers five concentrations, from informatics to healthcare financial management.
- Program Score 63.8
- 94% admit rate
- $37,000 tuition, in-state and out-of-state
- Five concentrations, 120 credit hours
Barton College offers a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration inside its School of Business & Innovation, so students study healthcare systems, policy and ethics alongside accounting, management, analytics and leadership. The degree totals 120 credit hours and the page lists the format as Online, Professional Studies. Students choose from five concentrations: Healthcare Administration Generalist, Healthcare Informatics and Analytics, Healthcare Financial Management, Healthcare Human Resources Management and Healthcare Marketing. The page says no clinical background or science-heavy coursework is required, because the focus is management and operations. Optional extras include the Healthcare+ Pathways Program, which offers eligible students an annual $2,000 scholarship, and the AHEC Scholars Program, a two-year shadowing initiative.
The Program Score of 63.8 out of 100 is the basis of this program's ranking. Barton graduates 46% of its students and admits 94% of applicants. Tuition is $37,000 per year for in-state and out-of-state students alike. The program fits students who want a business route into healthcare leadership without clinical training, such as future practice managers, department supervisors or health information managers, and who value choosing a concentration that matches their strengths.
Graduation Rates at the Ranked Healthcare Administration Bachelor's Programs in North Carolina
The median school on this list graduates 54% of its students. The highest rates belong to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (91%) and Appalachian State University (75%). The school with the highest rate is also ranked #1.
- #1 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill91% graduation rate
- #4 Appalachian State University75% graduation rate
- #2 University of North Carolina at Charlotte69% graduation rate
Institution-wide graduation rates reported to IPEDS. They describe the whole school, not this program alone.
How Selective Are the Healthcare Administration Bachelor's Programs in North Carolina?
On this list, 1 school admits fewer than half of applicants, the most selective being University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill at 15%.
- #1 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill15% admitted
- #3 North Carolina A & T State University50% admitted
- #8 Methodist University75% admitted
Institution-wide admit rates for first-time applicants, reported to IPEDS. Open-admission schools do not report one.
Public and Private Healthcare Administration Bachelor's Programs in North Carolina
This list holds 5 public and 5 private nonprofit schools. Their median Program Scores: 85.4 public and 72.2 private nonprofit.
Control (public, private nonprofit, for-profit) as reported to IPEDS. Public schools usually charge residents less; private schools charge everyone the same rate.
Campus Size Across the Healthcare Administration Bachelor's Programs in North Carolina
Enrollment on this list runs from 1,235 at Barton College to 32,438 at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Of the 10, 3 enroll 20,000 students or more and 6 enroll fewer than 5,000.
Total institution enrollment reported to IPEDS, all levels and programs.
What Graduates of the Healthcare Administration Bachelor's Programs in North Carolina Earn
| Rank | School | Median earnings, 4 years outEarnings, 4 yrs | Average net priceNet price |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of North Carolina at Chapel HillUNC | $110,204 | $11,305 |
| #2 | University of North Carolina at CharlotteNorth Carolina at Charlotte | $52,400 | $15,142 |
| #4 | Appalachian State UniversityAppalachian State | $66,227 | $16,082 |
| #5 | University of Mount OliveMount Olive | $61,758 | $18,927 |
| #6 | Winston-Salem State UniversityWinston-Salem State | $45,182 | $12,817 |
| #7 | Gardner-Webb UniversityGardner-Webb | $47,089 | $21,150 |
| #8 | Methodist UniversityMethodist | $58,849 | $25,760 |
Graduates of UNC earn the most four years after finishing, a median of $110,204; the lowest figure here is $45,182 at Winston-Salem State.
UNC leads on both counts: the top rank among these schools and the highest graduate pay.
Net price, what the average aided undergraduate pays after grants, ranges from $11,305 a year at UNC to $25,760 at Methodist.
College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Earnings cover each school's programs in this field at this degree level; net price is for full-time first-time undergraduates receiving aid.
What a Bachelor's in Healthcare Administration Costs in North Carolina
In-state tuition among the 10 ranked programs in North Carolina runs from $3,401 to $40,500 a year. Winston-Salem State University anchors the low end at $3,401, while Methodist University sits at the top at $40,500. At public schools that in-state figure is the resident rate; out-of-state students routinely pay two to three times as much, which can reorder this list entirely for anyone moving in from elsewhere.
Run the four-year math and the gap widens: about $13,604 in tuition at the low end against roughly $162,000 at the high end for the same bachelor's in healthcare administration. Against the national median of $123,860 a year, the cheaper degree pays its tuition back far faster.
Published annual tuition and required fees reported to IPEDS. Private schools charge one rate regardless of residency; public schools charge non-residents the out-of-state rate shown on each card.
Online Healthcare Administration Options in North Carolina
7 of the 10 ranked North Carolina programs offer a confirmed online or distance-education option, which widens access for working students who cannot relocate. An accredited online healthcare administration degree carries the same standing as its on-campus version, since accreditation attaches to the program and school, not the delivery format.
- #2 University of North Carolina at CharlotteCharlotte, NC
- #4 Appalachian State UniversityBoone, NC
- #5 University of Mount OliveMount Olive, NC
- #6 Winston-Salem State UniversityWinston-Salem, NC
- #8 Methodist UniversityFayetteville, NC
- #9 North Carolina Wesleyan UniversityRocky Mount, NC
Based on each school reporting distance-education offerings to IPEDS. Whether this specific degree is fully online varies, so confirm the format with the school.
Healthcare Administration Careers and Pay After a North Carolina Program
Every degree on this list points toward the same national labor market. The Bureau of Labor Statistics puts national median pay in the field at $123,860 a year, a figure that applies across the profession rather than to any single school here, and it holds whether a graduate paid $1,000 or $40,500 a year in tuition. That is the core tradeoff this ranking is built to expose: a higher price does not buy a higher starting salary in the federal wage data.
Keep Exploring
Common Questions About Healthcare Administration Bachelor's Programs in North Carolina
What is the best healthcare administration bachelor's degree in North Carolina?
By Program Score, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ranks first among the 10 healthcare administration programs in North Carolina we analyzed, with a 98.2 score and a 91% graduation rate. The score weighs graduation rate, selectivity, in-state cost, and outcomes, so the top school balances all four rather than winning on any one.
How much does a healthcare administration bachelor's degree cost in North Carolina?
In-state tuition among the ranked North Carolina programs runs from $1,000 to $40,500 a year. These are resident rates at public schools; out-of-state students pay more, so confirm your residency status and check the out-of-state column before comparing.
Is an online healthcare administration bachelor's degree respected by employers?
Yes, when the school is accredited. An accredited online degree lists the same on a transcript as the on-campus version, and accreditation, not delivery format, is what protects the credential. Every program ranked here is accredited and reporting to the federal IPEDS system.
What salary can graduates expect?
The BLS reports a national median of $123,860 a year for the field. That is a national benchmark, not an North Carolina-specific figure or a promised outcome for any single school, but it is the number every tuition dollar on this page should be measured against.
Data Sources
- U.S. Dept. of Education (IPEDS)
- BLS Occupational Outlook: Medical and Health Services Managers
- BLS wage data (OEWS)
- CAHME (Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education)
- AUPHA (Association of University Programs in Health Administration)
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard (earnings by field of study; net price)