Rankings / MBA Concentration
Best MBA Programs for Healthcare Management
- 15
- Schools
- $83,798
- Avg. Earnings
- 82%
- Avg. Graduation
- $28,920
- Avg. Net Price
- $22,351
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $74,502 at the low end to $111,371 at the top. That 1.5× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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University of Michigan-Ann Arbor offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $83,648 against $13,138 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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Cost and quality are not at odds here. The most affordable school, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor at $13,138 a year in net price, delivers earnings of $83,648, matching or exceeding the list average.
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Completion rates separate this field: University of Pennsylvania graduates 97% of its students, well above the 82% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor University of Pennsylvania: graduates owe only 0.14× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor ($13,138/yr) and Case Western Reserve University ($41,190/yr) produce graduates earning $83,648 and $87,989 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $28,052 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor outperforms University of Pennsylvania: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
- Completion is where this ranking's schools diverge most: University of Pennsylvania graduates 97% of its students versus 68% at Thomas Jefferson University. Access without completion is opportunity unclaimed.
The Takeaway
A consistent pattern: the schools that finish at the top get there by delivering strong earnings, manageable debt, and real mobility rather than by charging more or rejecting more applicants. Those outcomes are what define educational value.
What This Means for Students
For students evaluating these schools, begin with University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and University of Pennsylvania. Look past sticker price: pull each school's net price for your income level, compare it against projected earnings, and let the data guide the decision instead of the brand.
Why this ranking matters
Business is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $83K within a decade, and management analyst roles are projected to grow 10%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-20
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 University of Pennsylvania #1 overall | $111,371 ▲ +33% vs avg | $28,699 | 97% | 82 |
| 2 Emory University #2 overall | $80,137 ▼ -4% vs avg | $22,585 | 91% | 79 |
| 3 Boston University #3 overall | $83,238 ▼ -1% vs avg | $24,402 | 89% | 76 |
| $92,538 ▲ +10% vs avg | $30,915 | 90% | 76 | |
| $82,860 ▼ -1% vs avg | $15,678 | 89% | 72 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best MBA Programs for Healthcare Management
This analysis ranks 15 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $83,798 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 82% and an average net price of $28,920.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: University of Michigan-Ann Arbor — Net Price: $13,138 | Graduation Rate: 93%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: University of Pennsylvania — 97% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: University of Pennsylvania — Median alumni earnings: $111,371
Data Insight
The most expensive quartile of colleges costs 373% more than the most affordable — but their graduates earn just 34% more.
Healthcare Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the U.S. healthcare workforce?
$83,238
Median earnings (10yr)
80%
Median graduation rate
$29,498
Median net price
1.7%
Avg. mobility rate
Health-professions programs sit at the center of one of the country’s most acute labor stories. An aging population and chronic shortages in nursing and allied health mean these programs are, in effect, staffing the health system. The schools that rise here pair classroom training with real clinical placements and strong licensure pass rates. That pairing is the difference between holding a credential and holding a job.
Start with the medians across these 15 schools. Graduates earn a median of $83,238 ten years after enrollment, or about $35,238 above the $48,000 a typical American worker earns. The median graduation rate is 80%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $29,498 a year with about $24,000 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 22% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 1.7%.
One pattern runs through this list: programs with deep clinical partnerships move their graduates into the workforce faster. University of Pennsylvania tops the ranking, and the median graduate here earns $83,238 ten years after enrollment. Demand outruns supply in this field, so the bottleneck is training capacity and credential attainment rather than hiring.
The podium
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Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
University of Pennsylvania lands at #1 with a 82/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (74/100). Graduates earn a median $111,371 a decade after enrolling, 33% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,699 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Emory University lands at #2 with a 79/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (70/100). Graduates earn a median $80,137 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,585 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Boston University lands at #3 with a 76/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $83,238 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,402 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Northeastern University lands at #4 with a 76/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $92,538 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $30,915 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
College Park, MD · 45% accepted · $15,678 net
Why it ranks #5
University of Maryland-College Park lands at #5 with a 72/100 composite, led by academic quality (90/100) and pulled down by social mobility (60/100). Graduates earn a median $82,860 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,678 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor lands at #6 with a 70/100 composite, led by academic quality (92/100) and pulled down by social mobility (52/100). Graduates earn a median $83,648 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,138 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Case Western Reserve University lands at #7 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $87,989 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $41,190 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Clarkson University lands at #8 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $89,696 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $30,305 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Stony Brook University lands at #9 with a 68/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (75/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $74,502 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,784 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
University of Scranton lands at #10 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (36/100). Graduates earn a median $74,652 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $32,568 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Quinnipiac University lands at #11 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (27/100). Graduates earn a median $83,759 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $40,675 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Assumption University lands at #12 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (37/100). Graduates earn a median $74,895 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $29,498 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Thomas Jefferson University lands at #13 with a 63/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $77,449 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $28,928 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Merrimack College lands at #14 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (28/100). Graduates earn a median $75,584 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $37,927 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Drexel University lands at #15 with a 61/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (77/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (33/100). Graduates earn a median $84,648 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $38,509 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 15 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Top states on this list
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become Management Analysts and related roles — a field with $99,410 median pay and 10% projected growth.
See the Management Analyst career guide →Choosing an MBA program with a concentration in Healthcare Management is a significant step toward a rewarding career. With the healthcare industry rapidly evolving, having a strong educational foundation is essential for anyone looking to lead in this field. The programs listed here are among the best options available, each offering a unique blend of business acumen and healthcare expertise, which can significantly impact your future earnings.
What sets the top schools in this list apart are their outcomes. These include average earnings post-graduation, graduation rates, and levels of student debt. For instance, while the average earnings for graduates in these programs stand at $78,851, individual schools vary widely in their financial outcomes. Understanding these differences can help prospective students gauge the potential return on their educational investment.
Take Cornell University and Georgia Institute of Technology as examples. Cornell graduates earn an impressive $104,043 annually, while Georgia Tech’s graduates earn a solid $102,772. However, their debt levels differ significantly, with Cornell graduates taking on $14,000 in debt compared to Georgia Tech’s $21,672. These numbers illustrate the trade-offs students may face in terms of cost and potential earnings, providing a clearer picture of what to expect from each program.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 10 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 1.7%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Clarkson University leads the group at 3%, with Northeastern University (2.4%) and Boston University (2%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 3.7% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. University of Pennsylvania enrolls the most, at 5.8%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 45.2% across the list, peaking at 54.7% at Case Western Reserve University.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.79, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Boston University is highest at 1.89.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
Where These Schools Are Located
The data reveals an interesting pattern when comparing schools like the University of Pennsylvania and Washington and Lee University. While Penn graduates earn $111,371, Washington and Lee's graduates earn $94,810. This difference in earnings could be attributed to the varying program strengths and networking opportunities provided at each institution, making it essential for students to consider what each school can specifically offer.
Now that you've seen the list, how should you weigh these figures against your own priorities? Consider factors such as location, your fit with the program, campus culture, and your financial situation. For instance, if maintaining a low debt load is critical for you, CUNY Bernard M Baruch College stands out with its exceptionally low net price, but may offer different networking opportunities compared to higher-priced options. Prioritize what matters most for your career path and lifestyle.
Ultimately, the path from an MBA program to a stable life hinges on the choices we make today. For many families, selecting the right program is a crucial decision that influences not just education but long-term financial stability. With careful consideration of the data, prospective students can make informed choices that align with their goals and circumstances.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best MBA Programs for Healthcare Management: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best MBA Programs for Healthcare Management ranking? +
University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA ranks #1 in our 2026 Best MBA Programs for Healthcare Management ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $111,371 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 97% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
University of Pennsylvania posts the highest median earnings on this list: $111,371 ten years after enrollment, well above the $83,798 average across the 15 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor leads: graduates earn a median $83,648 against net price of about $13,138 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
University of Pennsylvania has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 97%, compared with a 82% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $28,920 a year across the 15 ranked schools with cost data. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is among the most affordable at roughly $13,138. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best MBA Programs for Healthcare Management ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 15 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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