The Best Master’s in Health Informatics Programs
- Best Master's in Health Informatics Programs
- What to Look For
- Program Accreditation
- Applying to Master's in Health Informatics Programs
- Paying for Master's in Health Informatics Programs
- Career Outlook
- FAQ
Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?
Credit: Armand Burger / E+ / Getty ImagesThe health informatics field demands highly skilled and well-trained professionals who want to improve and transform healthcare delivery, from one-on-one patient interactions to large-scale public health strategies. Individuals working in health informatics use their expertise in healthcare data to help solve real-world problems.
Let’s explore a ranking of the nation’s top master’s in health informatics programs, as well as information on why accreditation is important, and how to apply and pay for your degree program.
Popular Online Health Informatics Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
The Best Master’s in Health Informatics Programs
Georgetown University
Washington, DC- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Georgetown University's health informatics master's degree program offers full- and part-time learning formats, real-world classroom projects, and capstone projects with industry employers. Full-time students can complete the flexible, accelerated program in one year.
The 30-credit curriculum trains health professionals, engineers, and computer science majors to practice clinical informatics. Courses include AI for health applications, data in electronic medical records, and digital health applications.
Georgetown lists an extensive array of financial aid options to offset costs.
- Program: Master's in health informatics and data science
- Campus: Washington, D.C.
- Type: Private
- Accreditations: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Tuition: $29,316 per semester
- Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree in biology, computer science, mathematics, physics, or related; 3.0 GPA; programming proficiency in Python, R, and SQL
- Minimum Time Commitment: 12 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- In-State$59,784
- Out-of-state$59,784
- In-State$54,672
- Out-of-state$56,592
- Retention Rate97%
- Acceptance Rate12%
- Students Enrolled20,984
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment38%
- AccreditationYes
Duke University
- Durham, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Duke University's health informatics master's program prepares nurses to use IT and electronic health data to improve health outcomes through online courses that allow students to continue working while enrolled. The curriculum includes a practicum in a real-world setting and a health informatics synthesis project at a site coordinated by the department's clinical placement office.
Courses include clinical data analytics, creation and use of healthcare databases, health information exchange, and IT systems analysis and design.
- Program: Master of nursing in health informatics
- Campus: Durham, North Carolina
- Type: Private
- Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Tuition: $2,166 per credit
- Admission Requirements: Bachelor of science in nursing or associate degree in nursing and a bachelor's in any field; 3.0 GPA; RN license; coursework in statistics; 3.0 GPA
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- In-State$58,085
- Out-of-state$58,085
- In-State$57,900
- Out-of-state$57,900
- Retention Rate98%
- Acceptance Rate6%
- Students Enrolled17,620
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment24%
- AccreditationYes
University of Pennsylvania
- Philadelphia, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
The University of Pennsylvania offers a master of biomedical informatics for practicing clinicians, such as health informatics practitioners, healthcare administrators, and clinical knowledge managers. The on-campus curriculum includes 10 self-paced course units and a capstone project. Each enrollee completes online HIPAA and CITI training and attends an annual day-long Informatics Day symposium.
Courses introduce biomedical informatics and cover data science, human factors, implementation science, and standards and clinical terminologies. Admission prioritizes demonstrated experience through didactic training or professional work.
- Program: Master of biomedical informatics
- Campus: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Type: Private
- Accreditations: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Tuition: $4,912 per credit unit
- Admission Requirements: Transcripts from all past degrees; familiarity with problems biomedical informatics seeks to solve; clinical experience and knowledge of the U.S. health system
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- In-State$54,652
- Out-of-state$54,652
- In-State$38,732
- Out-of-state$38,732
- Retention Rate98%
- Acceptance Rate7%
- Students Enrolled23,374
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment20%
- AccreditationYes
Case Western Reserve University
- Cleveland, OH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
The health informatics master's program at Case Western Reserve University trains professionals to analyze, interpret, integrate, and manage data to advance clinical care, research, and public policy. Enrollees have backgrounds in biology, computer science, clinical care, health and biomedical sciences, healthcare management and administration, and statistics.
The program offers a 16-month full-time track, an 11-month, non-thesis intensive track, and a part-time option. Students can choose a project/comprehensive exam pathway that includes internships and practicums.
- Program: Master's in biomedical and health informatics
- Campus: Cleveland, Ohio
- Type: Private
- Accreditations: Higher Learning Commission
- Tuition: $2,248 per credit
- Admission Requirements: Unofficial transcripts; a resume or CV highlighting work and volunteer experience and research positions; three recommendation letters with one or more from a professor
- Minimum Time Commitment: 11 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- In-State$54,020
- Out-of-state$54,020
- In-State$49,358
- Out-of-state$50,838
- Retention Rate93%
- Acceptance Rate27%
- Students Enrolled12,201
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment16%
- AccreditationYes
CUNY Brooklyn College
- Brooklyn, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
CUNY Brooklyn College offers a master of science in health informatics that prepares students to perform project management, database programming, computer-based reporting, and epidemiological analysis. The curriculum addresses computer security, clinical and non-clinical care organizational structure, and health policies, laws, and regulations.
A health informatics specialization is available through the master of science in computer science program, with courses that explore computer applications in health sciences.
CUNY Brooklyn lists numerous financial aid resources for graduate students.
- Program: Master's in health informatics
- Campus: Brooklyn, New York
- Type: Public
- Accreditations: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Tuition: $5,545 per semester
- Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution; transcripts; two recommendation letters
- Minimum Time Commitment: Not specified
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- In-State$6,930
- Out-of-state$14,880
- In-State$11,090
- Out-of-state$20,520
- Retention Rate79%
- Acceptance Rate51%
- Students Enrolled15,938
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment88%
- AccreditationYes
DePaul University
- Chicago, IL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Students can complete health informatics master's degrees at DePaul University through in-person or online delivery. The program offers technical and hands-on experience in AI and digital technologies used to improve human health. The curriculum design suits individuals interested in technology careers and clinicians looking to expand their tech skills.
Courses include introductory and foundational topics; electives in databases and systems, analytics, and innovations in healthcare; and independent study and graduate internship practicums. Students may also qualify for graduate assistantships.
- Program: Master's in health informatics
- Campus: Chicago, Illinois
- Type: Private
- Accreditations: Higher Learning Commission
- Tuition: $955 per credit
- Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution; 2.5 GPA; transcripts
- Minimum Time Commitment: Not specified
- On-Campus Requirements: No
- In-State$41,361
- Out-of-state$41,361
- In-State$17,951
- Out-of-state$21,719
- Retention Rate84%
- Acceptance Rate70%
- Students Enrolled20,917
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment66%
- AccreditationYes
Medical College of Wisconsin
- Milwaukee, WI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
The University of Wisconsin Milwaukee offers its master's in health informatics on campus and online. The program develops in-demand skills, including clinical decision support, computer programming, database design and management, and systems analysis and design. Learners can specialize in data analytics, health information exchange, or predictive modeling.
The flexible curriculum, ideal for working professionals, comprises 33 credits and includes a professional project or thesis. Electives include health information technology procurement, biomedical natural language processing, and a seminar in health outcomes assessment.
- Program: Master's in health care informatics
- Campus: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Type: Public
- Accreditations: Higher Learning Commission
- Tuition: $5,551 per semester for Wisconsin residents, $8,326 per semester for Midwest residents, $12,266 per semester for out-of-state students
- Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree in any field; a background in health- or information/computer-related field or similar; 2.75 GPA
- Minimum Time Commitment: Not specified
- On-Campus Requirements: No
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- In-State$30,000
- Out-of-state$30,000
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled1,538
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment16%
- AccreditationYes
Fordham University
- Bronx, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Fordham University's applied health informatics master's program focuses on building a community of experts to promote equity and access to digital health worldwide. International students comprise 85% of learners in the program.
The 36-credit online curriculum includes courses in models for clinical information, the business of health informatics, and AI in healthcare. Each enrollee must complete a research project/thesis and/or an applied project capstone. The program prefers applicants with professional or volunteer healthcare experience.
- Program: Master of science in applied health informatics
- Campus: Bronx, New York
- Type: Private
- Accreditations: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Tuition: $1,100 per credit
- Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution (or international equivalent); 3.0 GPA
- Minimum Time Commitment: 12 months
- On-Campus Requirements: No
- In-State$54,730
- Out-of-state$54,730
- In-State$23,112
- Out-of-state$23,112
- Retention Rate88%
- Acceptance Rate54%
- Students Enrolled16,556
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment26%
- AccreditationYes
University of Utah
- Salt Lake City, UT
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Designed for working students, the part-time University of Utah's master's in biomedical informatics offers training in applied technical skills and health care analytics management. Enrollees work as biologists, clinicians, and healthcare professionals and have also graduated with IT and data science degrees.
Learners complete 30 credits of online and in-person coursework and can choose from three tracks: applied clinical informatics, biomedical AI and data science, and translational bioinformatics. A background in biology helps translational bioinformatics students.
- Program: Master's in biomedical informatics
- Campus: Salt Lake City, Utah
- Type: Public
- Accreditations: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
- Tuition: $1,005 per credit for Utah residents; $3,580 per credit for out-of-state students
- Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution; 3.0 GPA; Python programming for biomedical AI and data science and translational bioinformatics tracks
- Minimum Time Commitment: Not specified
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- In-State$7,749
- Out-of-state$27,201
- In-State$6,970
- Out-of-state$24,607
- Retention Rate87%
- Acceptance Rate95%
- Students Enrolled34,464
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment66%
- AccreditationYes
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
- Lubbock, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
The health informatics nursing master's degree at Texas Tech University Health Science Center qualifies graduates for their national certification exams. The primarily online, 39-credit curriculum includes core courses such as foundations in interprofessional collaborations; population health; and informatics, quality, and safety.
Specialty topics cover public health informatics, health information technology systems development life cycle, and practical application of statistics in healthcare. Students complete an informatics capstone. Students can apply for financial aid and School of Nursing scholarships.
- Program: Master of science in nursing, health informatics
- Campus: Lubbock, Texas
- Type: Public
- Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Tuition: $272 per credit for Texas residents; $682 per credit for out-of-state students
- Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree in nursing from an accredited school and program; 3.0 GPA; RN license; C in undergraduate research and statistics courses; nursing informatics or technology experience; two years of clinical experience
- Minimum Time Commitment: Not specified
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- In-State$6,665
- Out-of-state$19,344
- In-State$6,360
- Out-of-state$16,176
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled5,378
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment64%
- AccreditationYes
Using Our Rankings: What To Look For in a Master’s in Health Informatics Program
The NurseJournal rankings team used several data metrics to identify and rank the nation’s best master’s in health informatics programs. These metrics can also be important for students when evaluating potential programs. These metrics include admission requirements, program accreditation, curriculum, and learning format.
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements help students understand the program’s prerequisite coursework and the student’s eligibility for the program. Admission criteria often reflect the program’s mission and expectations. This allows students to highlight their most relevant experiences and skills.
Program Curriculum
The curriculum for your master’s in health informatics program should reflect your professional goals and interests. The program should offer practical experiences and include every profession in the interdisciplinary health informatics team — an important hallmark of the field. Consider programs that include guest lectures, industry partnerships, and networking events that can help you make connections.
Accreditation
Accreditation is critical to ensure the program meets quality standards for curriculum, faculty, and services. Attending an accredited school is a prerequisite for your own professional licensure and opens the door to federal and state financial aid. Accreditation holds schools accountable for quality education and increases the likelihood that your credits can be transferred to another school if needed.
Program Length
Understanding a program’s anticipated duration helps you determine your time and financial commitments and make decisions about important related matters, such as living arrangements. Accredited programs typically have a standard range of credits that students must meet in order to graduate.
Online Learning Format and Requirements
Online and hybrid programs have technology requirements that can significantly impact the educational experience. Technology requirements tend to be relatively straightforward — think a solid internet connection or installing specific software platforms — but shouldn’t be overlooked or put off to the last minute.
Why Is Master’s in Health Informatics Program Accreditation Important?
Accreditation is a vital criterion for master’s in health informatics programs. Schools are accredited by established authorities that review the program and determine if the graduates are qualified to function in the specific role. It is important to know that all programs listed in NurseJournal rankings are accredited.
There are several more reasons why accreditation is crucial, including:
- Ensures the program meets national quality standards
- Students in accredited programs are eligible for federal and state financial aid
- Credits accrued can be easily transferred to another accredited school
- Graduate programs require a degree from an accredited program
- Most employers prefer graduates from accredited programs
- Accreditation is necessary for state licensure and advanced certification
- Graduates of an accredited program have more career opportunities
How Online Master’s in Health Informatics Degree Programs Work
Online master’s programs in health informatics usually allow students to conduct most of their coursework online, with the exception of real-world experiences like internships, an essential part of the preparing students for work after graduation.
Online students can coordinate in-person education requirements with local healthcare facilities and, in some cases, their school or program officials. Some schools will help students find a location for these experiences, while other schools leave this responsibility solely to the student.
Applying to a Master’s in Health Informatics Degree Program
Candidates wishing to apply to a master’s in health informatics degree program typically need a bachelor’s degree, academic transcripts, a resume, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. Some programs may require GRE scores or relevant work experience. However, the application requirements can vary from school to school, so check in with your program to find their specific requirements.
- Admission Requirements: Some programs require healthcare or IT experience, while others don’t. Admission to a master’s program requires a bachelor’s degree from an accredited program, transcripts, a letter of recommendation, a letter of intent, and a current resume or CV..
- Admission Materials: Programs typically require specific prerequisites or a certain amount of relevant professional experience. Others are open to candidates with a bachelor’s degree in another field. To work as a nurse informaticist after completing the degree, you must have passed the NCLEX, hold an active nursing license, and have 1-2 years of clinical experience.
- GPA Requirement: Programs require a 3.0 GPA but may admit students with lower GPAs on a conditional basis.
Paying for Master’s in Health Informatics Programs
A master’s in health informatics involves considerable costs, which can be affected by program length, your place of residency, and whether students can work while in school, among other factors. Typically, in-state tuition costs are considerably lower than out-of-state tuition. Many programs are designed to accommodate the schedules of working professionals, which can help offset costs.
Additionally, candidates may reduce their out-of-pocket expenses through financial aid like scholarships or grants, student loans, or tuition reimbursement from their employer. There may be specific advantages and disadvantages to different options. For example, an employer’s tuition reimbursement program may require several years of employment as a prerequisite.
What Can You Do With a Career in Health Informatics?
Nurses with a master’s degree in health informatics typically manage and analyze healthcare data to improve patient outcomes and overall operations. Professionals can be employed as chief medical information officers, health informatics directors, data scientists, clinical informatics managers, clinical informatics analysts, and health informatics specialists.
These professionals often play a crucial role in implementing and optimizing electronic health records systems to ensure data accuracy and support clinical decisions and policymaking. Most find the role rewarding. In this position, nurses can significantly impact patient care, improve healthcare efficiency, and contribute to cutting-edge medical research.
Professionals who find fulfillment in the field often enjoy using technology to solve complex challenges and enhance the quality of care. Most nurses with a master’s in health informatics work in hospitals, clinics, public health organizations, and research institutions. Positions are also open in government agencies and insurance companies where they focus on health data management, regulatory compliance, and system integration.
The earning potential varies based on the individual’s experience, education level, job location, and additional certifications. According to Payscale, the average annual salary for a bachelor’s- or master’s-prepared health information specialist is $84,433 as of May 2024. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical and health services managers, which includes health informaticists, earned a median annual salary of $110,680 as of 2023.
According to ZipRecruiter, the highest-paying roles for a nurse with a master’s in health informatics include clinical informatics director, whose average salary tops out at $185,000 per year, and a nursing informatics analyst, with an average annual salary of $98,500.
Frequently Asked Questions About Master’s in Health Informatics Degree Programs
Yes. A master’s in health informatics is worth it for graduates who enjoy working in technology and want to use data management and analysis to impact patient care. It can also pay off financially, as people who earn their master’s degrees generally tend to have higher ceilings on earning potential compared to people with a less-advanced degree. As one example in health informatics, a chief nursing informatics officer, which typically requires a master’s degree, commands an average annual salary of $155,833 as of May 2024 per ZipRecruiter.
Related Resources
What Can You Really Do with a Nursing Informatics Degree?
A nursing informatics degree prepares nurses for in-demand, high-paying careers. Learn about nursing informatics jobs, salaries, and career advancement.
The Best Online MSN in Health Informatics Programs
Interested in working as an informaticist, researcher, or data analyst? Then earning an MSN with an emphasis on healthcare informatics might be the right option for you.
How AI Can Transform Nursing Practice
The future of artificial intelligence (AI) in nursing is gaining popularity, and despite fears, its possibilities are endless. Learn more about the future of AI in nursing and how it is successfully being incorporated into nursing to support nurses and improve patient care.