Updated December 18, 2025
Why Trust BestColleges
3,700+ Nonprofit, accredited colleges analyzed
6,000+ Users connected with programs every month
300+ College and university partners
40+ Expert reviewers
2026At the center of healthcare delivery, there are digital storage systems that contain patient data. Highly trained healthcare informatics professionals build and maintain these databases, which healthcare providers use to update, research, and share information.
A master’s in health informatics can help you enter this in-demand and rewarding field, and an online program offers the flexibility you need to manage other priorities while earning your degree. Start your journey by exploring the best online master’s in health informatics degrees, and learn what we like about them.
Best Master’s in Health Informatics Online Programs
from our partners appear among these rankings and are indicated as such.
How We Rank Schools
Why We Chose It: Other health informatics programs on our list have up to two specializations, but this program has three.
Northwestern University’s online health informatics master’s stands out as the most customizable degree program due to the three specializations it offers students — the most of any on our list. In addition to the program’s five core courses, students must complete seven classes in one of three specializations: Clinical informatics, health technology informatics, and health administration informatics.
The clinical informatics specialization prepares students for board certification in the medical informatics subspecialty. Students with experience in the information technology field outside of healthcare may benefit from the health technology informatics concentration. If you want to grow in leadership and administration, the health administration informatics specialization focuses more on the business side of healthcare.
What We Like About Northwestern
- Participate in Northwestern’s Health Programs Student Leadership Council, made up of students and alumni, to grow your network.
- Choose a real-world project for your capstone in your workplace, Northwestern, or another organization. If you can’t find one, you can always do a case study instead.
- Northwestern’s School of Professional Studies participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, which means that military-affiliated students may be eligible for additional funding.
What We Don’t Like
- All classes in this program are synchronous, which means there is less flexibility.
- Northwestern is the most expensive program on our list, with a tuition cost of $5,131 per course, totaling $63,132 for tuition alone.
$52,698
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State
$52,698
Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-State
- Acceptance Rate
- 7%
- Students Enrolled
- 22,801
- Institution Type
- Private
Why We Chose It: Instead of a capstone or thesis project, this online program requires a 300-hour health informatics internship.
UNC Chapel Hill’s online master of professional science in biomedical and health informatics program offers the most unique hands-on experience out of all the programs on our list. In place of a capstone or thesis, internship coordinators will help you find a 300-hour internship at the university or at a top health organization in North Carolina’s renowned research triangle, like IQVIA, SAS Institute, and Duke Institute for Health Innovation.
You can begin your internship after completing nine credit hours, and you may also be eligible to complete your internship with your current employer if it is in the health informatics field. By completing an internship instead of a thesis, you can grow your network and potentially enter the workforce more quickly.
What We Like About UNC Chapel Hill Online
- Choose from a one-year fast track, a 1.5-year full-time program, and a 2-3 year part-time program, depending on what best suits your schedule.
- Choose from the clinical informatics track, focusing on information systems, or the public health informatics track, focusing on improving health services quality and efficiency.
- It’s a prestigious university with connections to health industry leaders recognized in the state and nationwide.
What We Don’t Like
- Tuition for out-of-state students is more than double the in-state per-credit rate at $2,009.50, with a max of $18,085.50 per semester.
- The Carolina Health Informatics Program merit-based scholarship is not available for online informatics students.
$10,552
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State
$28,844
Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-State
- Acceptance Rate
- 15%
- Students Enrolled
- 32,680
- Institution Type
- Public
Why We Chose It: This Yellow Ribbon School pays the remaining tuition not covered by other benefits.
If you’re an active member of the military or a veteran looking to grow your career in health informatics, the University of San Diego’s master of science in health care informatics is the best program on our list for you. USD is a Yellow Ribbon institution and a Military Friendly school that covers full tuition remaining after Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits for eligible online graduate students.
The Hahn School of Nursing also has a resource page for military-affiliated students, which includes a list of faculty members with military backgrounds, such as Sheree Scott, PhD, RN, AGCNS-BC, CMSRN, an associate professor who retired from the United States Navy Nurse Corps after 24 years of service.
What We Like About USD Online
- Although the program is part time, you can finish your degree in just 20 months.
- Working professionals can take one seven-week course at a time, starting in fall, spring, or summer, to continue their careers without interruption.
- The program is approved by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), an organization dedicated to professional development, advocacy, and networking in health informatics.
What We Don’t Like
- International students are not eligible for the online version of the health informatics program.
- Online students must choose one specialization, while on-campus students are allowed to take both.
$28,854
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State
$28,854
Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-State
- Acceptance Rate
- 52%
- Students Enrolled
- 9,714
- Institution Type
- Private
Why We Chose It: This online health informatics master’s program offers the lowest tuition on our list at $907 per credit.
The University of South Florida’s online master’s in health informatics stands out as the most affordable degree program on this list at $907 per credit, or $29,024 total. USF’s program is about $90 less than USD’s, the next most affordable school, and significantly cheaper than Northwestern University’s tuition prices.
Despite its relatively low cost, USF offers benefits similar to those of other programs on our list. USF students have access to HIMSS student memberships, learning center, and discounts through an affiliate program. As a student member, you can attend exclusive events, access valuable resources, and connect with other members nationwide through the HIMSS network.
What We Like About USF Online
- While other programs feature AMIA principles, USF is the only school on our list to be accredited by CAHIIM.
- Similar to the University of San Diego, USF’s health informatics program is approved by HIMSS.
- You can finish your online courses in just eight weeks compared to the traditional 16-week term length.
What We Don’t Like
- Aside from typical advising and career services, there aren’t many unique online resources.
$ 8,350
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State
$19,048
Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-State
- Acceptance Rate
- 43%
- Students Enrolled
- 49,622
- Institution Type
- Public
Why We Chose It: Asynchronous courses and a self-paced timeline allow working students to advance their education without disrupting their lives.
If you’re a working professional, UW-Madison’s MS in clinical and health informatics offers the most flexibility on our list. You can finish your degree in just 18 months, but you can also take your time: UW-Madison allows students to spread their coursework between as few as three and as many as 11 semesters. All classes are asynchronous, so you can listen to lectures and complete coursework at any point during the day as long as you meet your deadlines.
Other programs on our list only offer synchronous classes. This means you’ll need to be in a live virtual class at a set time, which might be difficult for students who are working and studying simultaneously.
What We Like About UW-Madison Online
- Gain access to DiscoverPD, UW-Madison’s grad school professional development resources portal.
- The program is built on core competencies from AMIA, a Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management (CAHIIM) member organization.
- Despite the courses being asynchronous, you’ll still collaborate with your peers on real-world projects.
What We Don’t Like
- The school offers your typical academic and career development resources, but lacks information on online community engagement.
- This program charges the second-highest tuition on our list at $1,600 per credit hour — about $48,000 total — behind Northwestern University.
$10,728
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State
$24,054
Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-State
- Acceptance Rate
- 45%
- Students Enrolled
- 52,097
- Institution Type
- Public
How We Highlight What Schools Do Best
We analyzed each school’s program to identify qualities that set it apart from others on this list, prioritizing factors like affordability, specialization, and flexibility. Based on these strengths, we assigned each school a superlative category.
Since many programs share similar offerings and outcomes, our goal is to simplify your college decision-making by highlighting the features most relevant to your needs.
We verified these schools’ facts in November 2025.
Why You Should Get a Master’s in Health Informatics
Career Advancement: Your current or future employer may require a master’s degree for management-level positions.- Continuing Education: Master’s in health informatics online programs emphasize the latest knowledge and skills professionals need to keep up with advancements in the field.
- Networking Opportunities: Programs with a cohort learning model promote networking and can help you discover career opportunities.
- Sense of Accomplishment: Earning a master’s in health informatics represents a significant achievement that can improve your confidence on the job.
Benefits of Getting Your Health Informatics Master’s Online
- In our 2025 Online Education Trends Report, 99% of online master’s students and graduates said they would recommend online education to others.
- Online education’s flexibility benefits adult learners: Our research found that 47% of full-time degree-seekers are working a full-time job, while 69% of online program graduates feel prepared for their first job offer after graduation.
- Nearly 9 in 10 medical illustration and informatics master’s students in the class of 2023 found a job after graduation, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).
How to Choose the Best Master’s in Health Informatics Program for You
Choosing the best master’s in health informatics program requires comparing costs, program lengths, application requirements, and other factors. Contact schools’ admissions departments to learn more before you apply.
How Much Does an Online Master’s in Health Informatics Cost?
Online Master’s Degrees in Computer and Information Sciences and Health Professions
Avg. Tuition & Fees (2019-2020)
$10,308
Avg. Net Price (2019-2020)
$8,490
In comparison, graduate school at public universities costed $38,820.
Find Financial Aid for Your Master’s in Health Informatics
How Long Does It Take to Get a Master’s in Health Informatics?
Typical # of Credits
30-36 Credits
Typical Program Length
1-2 Years
You may graduate sooner if you enroll in an accelerated master’s program. Consider this option if you don’t plan to work full time while in school.
Programs with concentrations or dual-degree tracks may require students to earn more than 36 credits. University class catalogs provide the latest graduation requirements, so be sure to read those carefully.
Master’s in Health Informatics Application Requirements
Accreditation for Master’s in Health Informatics Programs
Programmatic accreditation isn’t a necessity, but looking for it can help you narrow down the best online health information master’s programs for you.
Schools you apply to should also hold institutional accreditation, ideally from a regional accreditor. This ensures your degree is widely recognized and that the school meets basic quality standards.
What Can You Do With a Master’s in Health Informatics?
You can pursue many jobs — or advance in your current role — with a master’s in health informatics. Many senior positions require a solid grasp of computer science fundamentals. With experience, you could even qualify for a managerial role.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects strong growth for some health informatics careers, such as positions for health information technologists, which are projected to grow by 15% between 2024 and 2034.
Below are some additional master’s in health informatics jobs you could pursue and their average salaries.
| Job | Avg. Annual Salary | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Data Analyst | $79,980 (August 2025) | Help companies make data-driven decisions. Responsibilities include finding missing data. |
| Clinical Informatics Manager | $105,970 (May 2025) | Develop and oversee your employer’s informatics program and coordinate activities with other department heads. |
| Health Informatics Specialist | $78,220 (July 2025) | Manage and troubleshoot databases and develop and test new databases. |
| Health Information Management Director | $82,420 (September 2025) | Oversee medical records coding. Responsibilities include managing many employees. |
| Health IT Project Manager | $100,980 (July 2022) | Help hospitals and other healthcare centers adopt new technologies, develop budgets, and manage employees. |
Learn More About Master’s in Health Informatics Jobs
Is an Online Health Informatics Master’s Degree Worth It?
Many find an online master’s in health informatics degree worthwhile.
According to our research, 99% of online master’s students and graduates say they would recommend online education to others.
Online education can benefit adult students in many ways, such as by offering asynchronous classes, which allow students to complete coursework on their own schedule.
An online health informatics master’s degree can also help you advance your career — even earn more money.
The latest data from NACE shows that the average starting salary for medical illustration and informatics master’s degree-holders exceeds $70,000. In comparison, 2023 graduates with a health-related bachelor’s degree earn a median income of around $62,000.
Education Beyond a Master’s in Health Informatics
If you have a master’s in health informatics, you could continue your education by earning a doctor of health informatics (DHI) or a Ph.D. in health informatics or a related field, like healthcare management or data science.
Courses in a DHI program may include scientific writing, biostatistics, and machine learning. This degree qualifies you for many leadership positions at the intersection of healthcare and technology.
Alternatively, you might want to get a Ph.D. in health informatics. This degree is especially useful if you want to work as a professor or researcher. Classes such as application development and research methods prepare you to write a dissertation and become an expert in your field.
DHI and Ph.D. in health informatics programs can take anywhere from 3-7 or more years.
Frequently Asked Questions About Master’s in Health Informatics Online Programs
According to Payscale, chief information officers (CIO) earn significantly more than other health informatics professionals. As of September 2025, these C-suite executives made an average of $179,680 per year. This figure does not include other forms of compensation, such as bonuses.
Chief health informatics officers (CHIOs) and chief medical informatics officers are high-ranking technology managers in healthcare settings. CHIOs oversee a healthcare organization’s IT department and computer systems.
Explore More College Resources
Other Healthcare Resources
link