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Best Healthcare Colleges in the U.S.

Why a degree in healthcare?
You’ve always loved helping people and found an interest in those sluggish science classes. Whether you prefer to diagnose, treat, or prevent, it’s obvious healthcare is the place for you.
What healthcare degree options exist?
In healthcare, you need others, and they definitely need you. The healthcare industry added 271,000 new positions last year, and the upward trend is continuing in 2014. Job boards have already seen a 16% increase in healthcare job postings compared to this time last year*.
There's a shortage of healthcare professionals worldwide. With an overall aging population and the increasing complexity of the healthcare system, the time has never been better to be a trained and qualified healthcare professional. If it’s time to start your healthcare career, up, up and away!
*HealthECareers, http://www.healthecareers.com/article/healthcare-job-outlook-most-new-jobs-projected/174918
Best Healthcare Colleges in the U.S. for 2021
Rank | School Name | Location | Description | Rating | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Harvard University | Cambridge, MA |
Harvard University offers 52 Healthcare Degree programs. It's a large private university in a mid sized city. In 2015, 803 students graduated in the study area of Healthcare with students earning 426 Master's degrees, 280 Doctoral degrees, 67 Bachelor's degrees, and 30 Certificates degrees. | Based on 44 Reviews |
Read more: Harvard University Reviews
| |
2 | Duke University | Durham, NC |
Duke University offers 80 Healthcare Degree programs. It's a large private university in a mid sized city. In 2015, 1,201 students graduated in the study area of Healthcare with students earning 677 Master's degrees, 300 Doctoral degrees, 168 Bachelor's degrees, and 56 Certificates degrees. | Based on 24 Reviews |
Read more: Duke University Reviews
| |
3 | Yale University | New Haven, CT |
Yale University offers 31 Healthcare Degree programs. It's a large private university in a mid sized city. In 2015, 794 students graduated in the study area of Healthcare with students earning 462 Master's degrees, 170 Doctoral degrees, and 162 Certificates degrees. | Based on 12 Reviews |
Read more: Yale University Reviews
| |
4 | University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, PA |
University of Pennsylvania offers 61 Healthcare Degree programs. It's a large private university in a large city. In 2015, 1,512 students graduated in the study area of Healthcare with students earning 822 Master's degrees, 473 Doctoral degrees, 187 Bachelor's degrees, and 30 Certificates degrees. | Based on 56 Reviews |
Read more: University of Pennsylvania Reviews
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5 | Vanderbilt University | Nashville, TN |
Vanderbilt University offers 43 Healthcare Degree programs. It's a large private university in a large city. In 2015, 986 students graduated in the study area of Healthcare with students earning 763 Master's degrees, and 223 Doctoral degrees. | Based on 28 Reviews |
Read more: Vanderbilt University Reviews
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6 | Georgetown University | Washington, DC |
Georgetown University offers 28 Healthcare Degree programs. It's a large private university in a large city. In 2015, 866 students graduated in the study area of Healthcare with students earning 476 Master's degrees, 196 Doctoral degrees, 167 Bachelor's degrees, and 27 Certificates degrees. | Based on 32 Reviews |
Read more: Georgetown University Reviews
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7 | Northwestern University | Evanston, IL |
Northwestern University offers 71 Healthcare Degree programs. It's a large private university in a small city. In 2015, 712 students graduated in the study area of Healthcare with students earning 342 Master's degrees, 342 Doctoral degrees, 27 Certificates degrees, and 1 Bachelor's degree. | Based on 40 Reviews |
Read more: Northwestern University Reviews
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8 | University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA |
University of Southern California offers 80 Healthcare Degree programs. It's a large private university in a large city. In 2015, 1,752 students graduated in the study area of Healthcare with students earning 789 Master's degrees, 752 Doctoral degrees, 130 Bachelor's degrees, and 81 Certificates degrees. | Based on 52 Reviews |
Read more: University of Southern California Reviews
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9 | MCPHS University | Boston, MA |
MCPHS University offers 47 Healthcare Degree programs. It's a medium sized private university in a large city. In 2015, 1,955 students graduated in the study area of Healthcare with students earning 893 Bachelor's degrees, 684 Doctoral degrees, 357 Master's degrees, and 21 Certificates degrees. |
Read more: MCPHS University Reviews
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10 | Washington University in St Louis | Saint Louis, MO |
Washington University in St Louis offers 34 Healthcare Degree programs. It's a large private university in a large suburb. In 2015, 682 students graduated in the study area of Healthcare with students earning 332 Doctoral degrees, 289 Master's degrees, 37 Bachelor's degrees, and 24 Certificates degrees. | Based on 36 Reviews |
Read more: Washington University in St Louis Reviews
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List of all Healthcare Colleges in the U.S.
School Logo | School Name | Average tuition | Student Teacher Ratio | Enrolled Students |
---|---|---|---|---|
|
Harvard University Cambridge, MA |
5/5
|
14 : 1 | 29,652 |
|
Duke University Durham, NC |
5/5
|
5 : 1 | 15,984 |
|
Yale University New Haven, CT |
5/5
|
5 : 1 | 12,385 |
|
University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA |
5/5
|
12 : 1 | 24,876 |
|
Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN |
5/5
|
4 : 1 | 12,567 |
|
Georgetown University Washington, DC |
5/5
|
13 : 1 | 18,459 |
|
Northwestern University Evanston, IL |
5/5
|
10 : 1 | 21,655 |
|
University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA |
5/5
|
16 : 1 | 43,401 |
|
MCPHS University Boston, MA |
5/5
|
31 : 1 | 7,074 |
|
Washington University in St Louis Saint Louis, MO |
5/5
|
9 : 1 | 14,688 |
|
Tufts University Medford, MA |
5/5
|
11 : 1 | 11,137 |
|
Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD |
5/5
|
6 : 1 | 22,686 |
|
Brown University Providence, RI |
5/5
|
12 : 1 | 9,458 |
|
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC |
3/5
|
17 : 1 | 29,084 |
|
Emory University Atlanta, GA |
5/5
|
7 : 1 | 13,788 |
|
University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA |
3/5
|
12 : 1 | 41,908 |
|
New York University New York, NY |
5/5
|
8 : 1 | 50,027 |
|
Boston University Boston, MA |
5/5
|
11 : 1 | 32,158 |
|
Northeastern University Boston, MA |
5/5
|
15 : 1 | 19,940 |
|
Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OH |
5/5
|
9 : 1 | 11,340 |
|
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI |
3/5
|
7 : 1 | 43,651 |
|
Cornell University Ithaca, NY |
5/5
|
12 : 1 | 21,904 |
|
University of Virginia-Main Campus Charlottesville, VA |
4/5
|
11 : 1 | 23,883 |
|
Boston College Chestnut Hill, MA |
5/5
|
15 : 1 | 14,354 |
|
University of the Sciences Philadelphia, PA |
5/5
|
11 : 1 | 2,664 |
Find Local Colleges with Healthcare Majors in the U.S.
Top Schools offering Healthcare Degrees in the U.S.
Questions About Healthcare Degrees
What are the different degrees I can get in healthcare?
If you’re looking to make an impact on our nation’s health, start with a bachelor’s degree. A bachelor’s degree will be your key into entry-level and mid-level positions in healthcare. This degree requires around 120 hours of coursework. For example, you can pursue an administrative-based healthcare degree—think healthcare management, public health, biotechnology, or health information technology. Do you want to work one on one with patients? For careers focused on direct patient care, consider nursing, nutrition science, physician assistant studies, medical imaging, radiation therapy, recreation therapy, or speech-language pathology. If you like the sound of a laboratory-based position, explore programs like clinical laboratory science, microbiology, toxicology, or biomedical technology.
Depending on what you study, a master’s degree can require 30 credits or more beyond the bachelor’s level. You can pursue a graduate education in any of the bachelor’s program options above to enhance your knowledge and career opportunities in those areas. Or dive into a specialty. A master’s degree in nurse anesthesia or occupational therapy for example will give you specified knowledge that prepares you for a niche career. Other specialties include physical therapy, kinesiology, neurobiology, health policy, pharmaceutical sciences, gerontology, pathology, and respiratory care. Willing to dedicate several years to training beyond the bachelor’s level? You might be interested in a professional degree to become a doctor of medicine, pharmacy, audiology, dentistry, chiropractic care, ophthalmology, or veterinary medicine.
What are some of the skills and experiences I will gain through healthcare?
As a student in any healthcare program you will need to memorize and get comfortable using medical terminology related to your area of study. Expect to take science courses if you want to work in a lab or with patients. Regardless of your program, you will learn to communicate with patients, families, administrators, and other healthcare providers. You’ll also examine healthcare laws such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Healthcare professionals are required to practice in accordance with federal and state laws to protect patients’ health and privacy. Students enrolled in clinical-based programs learn to assess patients’ mental and physical needs, assist with or provide treatments, and follow care plans. Meanwhile, future administrators learn to manage office staff, electronic health records, budgets, and programs in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Most academic programs require students to complete practicums or internships in hospitals or clinics. That’s right, hands on experience. Through this fieldwork students will evaluate patients and create care plans under supervision within the bounds of what students are allowed to do by law.
What are healthcare programs seeking in their applicants?
If you’re a math and science lover, you’re already on the right track. Admissions committees will look at your academic transcript to see that you have successfully completed the required math and science courses in high school—with preferably a B or higher—so they know you can handle the course content. But math and science skills aren’t all you need to be a competitive applicant. Admissions committees seek well-rounded students. They like to see in your application that you have been actively involved outside of the classroom. It’s never too late to volunteer at your local hospital or clinic! Or consider planning events with a student club like Relay for Life, or interning in a health-related role.
Should I study healthcare online or on a campus?
Do you already work in the healthcare field but need a degree to move up in your career? An online program might be a great option. With an online program you can add to your credentials without completely disrupting your schedule. But if you have some flexibility you will truly benefit from an on-campus program. There you can apply classroom learning in facilities like clinical simulation centers and anatomy labs. Professors and classmates will give you valuable feedback as you practice. You’ll develop deeper relationships with professors and advisors, some of which may work directly in healthcare. They can help you pinpoint your healthcare niche and locate experiential opportunities. These resources will prepare you to transition from studying healthcare to working in the field.
What are the cutting-edge careers in this industry?
If you want to get into a unique specialty, consider genetic counseling. Genetic counselors help patients determine if their families will be at risk of specific hereditary conditions by testing DNA. Between 2014 and 2024, there will be a 29% increase in the employment of genetic counselors, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Further, look at O*Net OnLine’s list of new and emerging careers with a bright outlook and you’ll see that technology-based healthcare careers are trending. Bioinformatics scientist and informatics nurse specialist are among the emerging career options. In these positions you would design computer systems for healthcare professionals who need to track and analyze patient or biological information. Further, according to CareerBuilder, some of the most in-demand jobs of 2016 are expected to be registered nurse, occupational therapist, surgical technologist, speech-language pathologist, pharmacist, and physical therapist. If you’re looking into healthcare you have no shortage of desirable career options.
How do you work your way to the top in the healthcare industry?
Competitive applicants in the healthcare job market boast practical, hands-on experience. In fact, academic programs often require you to complete clinical experiences, internships and practicums where you observe and perform basic duties related to your specialty area under supervision. This fieldwork serves as a networking opportunity too. While you gain experience for your resume, you gain contacts in your future field. For that competitive edge, dive into research at a research assistantship at college or volunteer for a clinic, health non-profit, hospital, or hospice. You can even give professional conference presentations. Just remember Amy Cuddy’s power pose when you’re on stage.
Are there scholarships or grants available to people looking to study healthcare?
Absolutely! Land a scholarship from National Health Services Corps or Nurse Corps and they will cover your tuition and fees when you commit to fulfilling their respective service obligations. Apply for a Tylenol Future Care Scholarship and you could receive an award of up to $10,000. You can even look into state-specific scholarships related to your profession, like the Florida Public Health Foundation scholarship for prospective masters in public health students. Spend time searching for scholarship information on the websites of state health departments, health nonprofit organizations, corporations, national and regional professional associations, and universities. With persistence and follow-through you’ll find many ways to fund your healthcare education.
*HealthECareers (http://www.healthecareers.com/article/healthcare-job-outlook-most-new-jobs-projected/174918)Health care careers are not only rewarding, but the industry itself is booming. As our population continues to age and medical technology advances further and further, more and more health care professionals are needed. It's one of the few industries that has trouble finding enough qualified workers.