2023 Most Affordable Online Healthcare Informatics Degrees
An online bachelor’s degree in healthcare informatics online combines aspects of information technology and healthcare. Computer science and health administration are similar to a bachelor’s in health informatics, but a typical online bachelor’s in healthcare informatics will specifically cover database management, health technology, and web development topics. Prospective students can develop programming, communication, web design, and networking skills in the healthcare field. Students may be required to complete a capstone project or internship to graduate. Prospective job outlooks for graduates of a healthcare informatics degree include data analysts, health information technologists, and health information managers, to name a few.
View our methodology for details about rankings or learn more about us. You can also check out our overall list of the most affordable online degrees for some inspiration.
| Rank | School | Locations | Annual Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middle Georgia State University | Macon (GA) | $3,410 | |
| Midland College | Midland (TX) | $5,880 | |
| Fort Hays State University | Hays (KS) | $6,806 | |
| Southeast Missouri State University | Cape Girardeau (MO) | $9,525 | |
| American Public University System | Charles Town (WV) | $11,150 | |
| University of Arkansas Grantham | Kansas City (KS) | $11,179 | |
| Indiana Institute of Technology | Fort Wayne (IN) | $11,970 | |
| Oregon Institute of Technology | Klamath Falls (OR) | $13,620 | |
| Liberty University | Lynchburg (VA) | $13,869 | |
| Mercer University | Macon (GA) | $14,910 |
Middle Georgia State University Macon (GA) Middle Georgia State University (MGA) is a public institution that offers an online Bachelor of Science in Information Technology - Health Informatics totaling 120 credit hours. It can take full-time students four years to complete the program. MGA’s acceptance rate is 99%, with a 26% graduation rate. At MGA, online students complete coursework delivered in asynchronous and synchronous formats on D2L Brightspace. A health informatics curriculum helps students learn information technology principles and how these apply to health. Sample coursework includes Intro to Programming, Web Development, and Networking Essentials. Students must also complete a capstone project before they can graduate. Alumni are eligible to pursue careers like health informatics specialists, chief medical officers, and clinical informaticists.
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Midland College Midland (TX) Midland College (Midland) is a public institution that offers an online Bachelor of Applied Science in Health Services Management - Health Information Management requiring 120 credit hours. Full-time students can take four years to complete this program. At Midland, the acceptance rate is 100%, with a graduation rate of 22%. Midland facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning through the learning management platform, Canvas. Sample coursework includes Health Care Finance, Healthcare Operations Management, and U.S. Health Care Delivery. Students must also complete two healthcare management practicums. Potential job opportunities for graduates include health services administrators, medical technologists, and clinical consultants.
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Fort Hays State University Hays (KS) At Fort Hays State University (FHSU) — a public institution — future students can pursue an online Bachelor of Arts or Science in Information Networking and Telecommunications - Health Informatics. Requiring 120 credit hours, this online degree program typically takes full-time students four years to complete. The university’s acceptance rate is 91%, and 57% of accepted students earn their diplomas. At FHSU, online students complete coursework virtually, which is delivered asynchronously and synchronously, through the platform, Blackboard. A health informatics curriculum prepares students to pursue careers in the high-demand field of health technology. Some of the program’s courses are Introduction to Web Development, Internetworking, and Research Methods in Informatics. A capstone seminar is also required. Graduates may pursue roles as health information analysts, data analysts, and customer care associates.
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Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau (MO) Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) is a public institution offering an online Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management - Healthcare Informatics, which requires 120 credit hours. Full-time students can complete the program in four years. SEMO’s acceptance rate is 93%, and 49% of its students end up graduating. SEMO facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning through the platform Canvas. SEMO's health informatics curriculum helps provide students with a foundation in web development and database systems. Sample coursework includes Principles of Management, Environmental Health, and Healthcare Performance Improvement. The program’s requirements are an internship and 39 senior division hours. Prospective careers for graduates are health service managers, office managers, and clinical analysts.
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American Public University System Charles Town (WV) American Public University (APU) is a private, for-profit institution that offers an online Bachelor of Science in Public Health - Public Health Informatics totaling 120 credit hours. Students can finish this online program in four years if they maintain a full-time schedule. APU accepts 100% of students, but the graduation rate is only 18%. APU’s online students complete coursework asynchronously and synchronously on D2L Brightspace. This program’s curriculum intertwines public health knowledge with that of health informatics. Some of the program’s courses include Medical Terminology, Informatics and Analytics, and Healthcare Data Management and Governance. Students are required to take a senior seminar in public health in order to graduate. Graduates may pursue careers as medical technologists, data analyst specialists, and solution architects.
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University of Arkansas Grantham Kansas City (KS) The University of Arkansas Grantham (UA Grantham) is a private, for-profit institution offering an online Bachelor of Science in Information Systems - Health Informatics, which totals 120 credit hours. Students can complete this online program in 38 months at a full-time pace. The university’s acceptance rate is 100%, with a 25% graduation rate. At UA Grantham, remote students complete coursework in an asynchronous format on Blackboard, meaning that they can learn at their own pace. A health informatics program helps students develop programming, communication, and medical technology skills. The degree's curriculum covers security and privacy in healthcare organizations, advanced database systems, and healthcare informatics. Alumni often pursue careers as health services administrators, clinical informaticists, and medical coders.
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Indiana Institute of Technology Fort Wayne (IN) At Indiana Institute of Technology (Indiana Tech) — a small, private nonprofit institution — prospective students can pursue an online Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management. Requiring 120 credit hours, this program can take full-time students up to four years to complete. Indiana Tech’s acceptance rate is 63%, and 36% of its students complete their degrees. Online students at Indiana Tech complete coursework through Blackboard, which is delivered in asynchronous and synchronous formats. The curriculum covers skills in health information management, data mining, and regulatory compliance. The health information management program includes the following core courses: Analytical Writing, Clinical Data Governance, and Medical Terminology. Prospective career outlooks for graduates are health information manager, health data architect, and informatics researcher.
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Oregon Institute of Technology Klamath Falls (OR) Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT) is a public institution offering an online Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics. This four-year program totals 182 credit hours. The institution accepts 95% of applicants, and it holds a 50% graduation rate. At OIT, distance learners complete coursework asynchronously and synchronously through Canvas. Students can expect a health informatics curriculum that helps them develop skills in data analytics, programming, and medical terminology. Sample coursework includes Networking, Medical Terminology, and Business Presentations. Prospective careers for graduates are health services administrators, system analysts, and programmer analysts.
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Liberty University Lynchburg (VA) Liberty University (LU) is a private, nonprofit institution that offers an online Bachelor of Science in Informatics - Healthcare Informatics requiring 120 credit hours. Prospective students can expect to take four years to complete this program at a full-time pace. LU’s acceptance rate is 50%, with a 34% graduation rate. LU facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning via Canvas' learning management system. In a health informatics curriculum, students receive the foundation needed to pursue careers in health information technology. The program’s courses include Foundations of Pharmacology, Healthcare Informatics, and Healthcare Enterprise Systems. Graduates may pursue careers as data systems managers, technologists, and healthcare administrators.
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Mercer University Macon (GA) Mercer University (Mercer) is a private, nonprofit institution offering an online Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics. Since it requires 120 credit hours, students typically take about four years to finish if they have a full-time schedule. Mercer's acceptance rate is 78%, with a graduation rate of 61%. At Mercer, online students complete coursework that's delivered through Canvas in both asynchronous and synchronous formats, depending on the instructor. Sample coursework for Mercer's health informatics degree includes Survey of Health Informatics, Data Analytics, and Health Information Standardization. Students must complete a capstone project before they can graduate. Prospective jobs for program alumni include clinical informatics manager, hospital IT analyst, and insurance claims analyst.
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Overview of Online Healthcare Informatics Bachelor's Degrees
An online bachelor's in healthcare informatics prepares students for careers working with and analyzing data in a healthcare setting. Students will learn to harness the power of data to improve operations in healthcare facilities,
Some programs offer specializations to help students fine-tune their degree to fit their personal and professional interests. While healthcare informatics is somewhat specialized on its own, students might be able to focus on areas such as data analysis and management, system administration, project management, healthcare management, healthcare administration, or health information management. Some online degree programs may also include an internship or capstone project, where you'll have the opportunity to apply what you've learned in a real-world setting.
Students with bachelor's degrees in healthcare informatics can pursue a variety of careers in the industry, including jobs in health information management, clinical data analytics, health IT project management, and informatics consulting.
Already have a bachelor's degree? See our list of the best online master's degrees in healthcare informatics to advance your career in the industry.
Common Courses
In addition to general undergraduate requirements such as English, math, science, and social sciences, students will take a core set of classes in healthcare informatics to give them a strong foundation in how professionals use data in the healthcare setting. Classes will cover healthcare data, information technology, regulations and compliance with laws about health data, management in a healthcare setting, and analytics. Common courses for healthcare analytics majors include research and data analysis in healthcare, management in healthcare organizations, law and ethics for healthcare professionals, and biostatistics.
Funding an Online Healthcare Informatics Degree
How much your degree will cost is one of the biggest factors in making decisions about higher education. While the high price tag at many colleges and universities can make a degree seem out of reach, most students use financial aid to help lower the cost. Financial aid includes gift aid, such as grants and scholarships, as well as student loans.
The first step in applying for aid is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or the FAFSA. When you fill out the FAFSA, the federal government sends your financial information to the colleges you're interested in. Once you've applied to each school and are accepted, they will send you a financial aid offer with any federal grants, scholarships, and information on student loans if you qualify for them. Your financial aid offers can help you decide where to go to school and understand how much it might cost you.
Financial Aid
Grants and scholarships are often seen as the best financial aid options because they don't need to be repaid. Grants and scholarships might come from the federal government, your state, or your school. You can also apply for more scholarships from outside sources, such as nonprofits or businesses. The federal work-study program is another option for students who want to get a part-time job while they study.
Some students might also qualify for employer-funded tuition assistance programs through their work. These programs are offered by many companies, including Target and T-Mobile, to help employees pay for a college degree.
After gift aid options are exhausted, many students use loans to help bridge the gap. Federal student loans are generally seen as a better option over private loans because they offer benefits such as fixed interest rates and a variety of repayment options, including income-driven repayment plans. Private loans also do not qualify for any federal loan forgiveness programs.
Need to borrow money to pay for school? Our student loan guide can help you borrow responsibly and keep your debt low.
What Can You Do With an Online Healthcare Informatics Degree?
A bachelor's degree in healthcare informatics can open the door to career opportunities in a variety of healthcare settings. This degree blends healthcare and information technology to train professionals who can effectively manage, analyze, and use patient data for better healthcare outcomes. Below are some potential career paths you can pursue, with career data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):
Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars
Information technologists and medical registrars work with healthcare organizations to help them implement digital healthcare systems and analyze health data. They might be involved in designing, implementing, and optimizing health information systems and clinical databases. They also may use patient data to improve the quality of care.
Health Informatics Specialists
Informatics specialists work in different healthcare facilities to develop and manage digital healthcare systems. Health informatics specialists are a type of computer systems analysts that use their skills in computer and information science alongside knowledge of healthcare and nursing to effectively manage health data and use it to improve health services.
Health Information Managers
With a bachelor's degree and a few years of experience in the industry, healthcare informatics professionals can often move into management positions. Health information managers are in charge of patient records and focus on maintaining and ensuring the accuracy, security, and privacy of sensitive health information. The BLS projects rapid growth in the field, with a projected 56,600 job openings for medical and health service managers over the next 10 years.
FAQs About Online Healthcare Informatics Degrees
How Do I Choose a Bachelor's in Healthcare Informatics?
When choosing an online bachelor's in healthcare informatics, there are a few factors to keep in mind. Students should look for a program that will help them meet their professional goals, whether that's a degree that focuses more on healthcare management or emphasizes informatics and computer science skills. They should also choose an accredited college with a good reputation. Accreditation is one of the most important things to look for when choosing an online school because it means the school is regularly evaluated by an accreditation organization to make sure it meets academic standards. Other things to think about include tuition, financial aid opportunities, alumni outcomes, and online program format.
What Are the Admission Requirements for Healthcare Informatics Degrees?
While it varies depending on the school, some of the most common admissions requirements for bachelor's programs include a high school diploma or GED and high school transcripts. Some colleges require students to have a certain GPA in high school or standardized test scores from the SATs or ACTs, although this is less often required for online programs. Other application materials might include a personal statement or application essay and letters of recommendation.
Is a Healthcare Informatics Degree Worth the Cost?
Whether or not a healthcare informatics degree will be worth the cost depends on how much the degree costs, personal and professional career goals, and what kind of salary and career outcomes students can expect after graduation. In general, jobs in healthcare informatics management tend to net high salaries compared to other careers available to those with just a bachelor's degree. While it may take a few years to see this higher payoff, students who are interested in the field will likely have opportunities to boost their salary and advance their career if they choose to pursue them. Students can maximize their return on investment by saving money in college and keeping the cost of their degree low. Choosing an affordable online college or one that offers good financial aid opportunities can help lower the cost of college. Attending online also makes it easier to work while in school, which helps reduce income lost during college.
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By OnlineU Staff Writers | 6/22/2023