Health Informatics Master’s Degrees: Best Programs, Jobs, and Salaries

If you are interested in landing a senior role working with medical data analytics, biomedical systems, information technology, or healthcare management, then you might want to look into the best health informatics master’s degrees. This article details the best online and on-campus degree programs and describes the best jobs available for professionals in this field.

Health informatics is the scientific field that works with the storing, retrieval, and evaluation of electronic medical records in various medical fields to improve patient health. The connection between technology and the healthcare industry is the career of health informatics.

Health informatics is one of the fastest-growing areas in the healthcare industry, and universities nationwide are taking note. A master’s in health informatics is now available in many different forms, including online and in-person programs.

The master’s in health informatics program is ideal for professionals who wish to transition into careers in the healthcare field or healthcare professionals looking to further their careers. Read about the best health informatics master’s programs below to ensure that you find an accredited university that is up to the standards of healthcare employers.

What Is Health Informatics?

Health informatics is a medical field that uses information technology and data analytics to maintain, upgrade, and evaluate healthcare tech systems. Health informatics professionals work to improve patient data collection, storage, and analysis. A health informatics education can help you pursue a job in nursing informatics, database design, IT consulting, or healthcare administration.

What Is a Health Informatics Master’s Degree?

A health informatics

master’s degree

is a two-year graduate degree that teaches biomedical informatics, data analysis, systems analysis, and healthcare ethics through core and elective courses. These programs often offer several specializations in data science, information technology, and project management.

An advanced degree will allow you to advance in your healthcare industry career. Students pursue a health informatics master’s degree after they have earned an undergraduate degree, and often after gaining experience in a healthcare setting or with data analytics.

Health Informatics Master’s Degree Requirements

Health informatics master’s degree programs require applicants to have a bachelor’s degree in any information technology, health care, or data science major. Many schools will ask for letters of recommendation, official transcripts, and other documentation from prospective students.

You will need to complete the required credit hours and might be required to complete a capstone project or a thesis, depending on the program you choose. If you choose the thesis track, you will need to get your thesis approved by your academic counselor to complete your master’s degree.

To pursue a master’s in health informatics, students must have a bachelor’s degree in health informatics or a related field such as health information technologies or health care administration. GRE test scores may also be required depending on the university. Previous experience in the healthcare industry is not typically required, but it may be helpful while completing the degree.

How Long Does it Take to Earn a Master’s in Health Informatics Online?

The length of a master’s program in health informatics varies depending on the university and whether it is full or part-time. Typically, students who pursue the degree full-time take two and a half years to complete the 30 to 50 credits. Whereas accelerated programs can be completed in as little as 18 months, dual programs may take five years or more.

How Much Does a Health Informatics Master’s Degree Cost?

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the

average tuition cost of a master’s degree

is $19,314. This number will change depending on the school and the program. You might find that online education programs are cheaper than in-person degree programs, and a private university will cost more than a public university.

The cost of a master’s degree depends on several factors, including whether the student is based in the same state as the university. Career compensation does not influence a university’s master program tuition. However, the investment will be worth it in the long run. Lower tuition will be extended to students that live in the same state as the university.

Online programs may cost the same as in-state tuition, depending on the university. Some colleges have a flat fee for online education programs. Per-credit costs for a master’s degree can vary from $700 to $4,000. Students should expect to pay $20,000-$30,000 for their entire program or possibly more. While not as likely, students of health informatics master’s programs may have to pay up as much as $74,000 for their complete higher education.

There are schools that offer scholarships, grants, or loans. Make sure to research the financial aid available before applying to a specific program. Be careful as some sites are supported by ads and only show schools that are advertisers. Research is always encouraged after finding a school on these sites.

Health Informatics Master’s Degree Financing Options: How to Pay for Your Health Informatics Degree

Some financing options for your health informatics master’s degree include scholarships, private loans, and employer sponsorship. Make sure to speak with a school admissions representative to figure out the best options available for your specific situation.

Best Health Informatics Master’s Degree Programs and Schools: Overview

Best Colleges for Health Informatics: Top Health Informatics Master’s Degree Programs

Read below to find out more about the top health informatics master’s degree programs to help you with your school search. Choose the program that offers the curriculum needed to land your dream job in health informatics and information management.

Master of Management in Clinical Informatics

| Duke University

Duke University is globally recognized for its computer science, economics, biology, and computer engineering programs. This degree is a great choice if you wish to work in clinical informatics and business analytics fields. The curriculum focuses on a combination of data analytics, information technology, and computer science.

Master of Biomedical Informatics

| Harvard University

Harvard University is a world-renowned ivy league institution that is famous for its law, engineering, business, and economics majors. This biomedical informatics degree will help you land jobs as a health research coordinator, biomedical informatician, or data scientist.

Depending on your learning preference you can choose the accelerated master or traditional master’s program option. The degree covers bioinformatics, statistics, data structures, physics, and engineering to help students succeed as health informaticists.

Master of Science in Health Informatics

| Marshall University

This interdisciplinary program in health informatics covers data analytics, information technology, software design, and development topics. The degree covers health information management, management information systems, consumer health informatics, health policy, and other crucial aspects of the health care system.

Master of Science in Health Informatics

| Northeastern University

Northeastern University is a private research university that offers several graduate and undergraduate degree programs in health sciences, engineering, web design, information technology, and education.

Health informatics graduate students can pursue careers as project managers, security analytics, and clinical analytics. In this professional program, you will learn about health information management, healthcare administration, database management, health interface design, and clinical information systems.

Master of Science in Clinical Informatics Management

| Stanford University

Stanford University is best known for its majors in computer science, engineering, and economics. This master of science degree will help you

become a data analyst

, healthcare informatician, or health system manager. It covers biodesign, health information systems and technology, marketing science, medicine data, bioethical challenges, and healthcare quality.

Master of Science in Applied Health Informatics

| Stony Brook University

Stony Brook University’s health informatics program will cover biomedical science, health informatics management, database systems design, statistics, digital health informatics, and health administration. Students can choose either the clinical informatics track or the public health informatics track.

Master of Professional Science in Biomedical and Health Informatics

| The University of North Carolina

This master’s in health informatics and biomedical informatics program is for those interested in healthcare systems management, data science, or network administration in the healthcare field. It covers information visualization, systems analysis, web development, consumer health information, and healthcare quality.

Master of Health Informatics

| University of Michigan

University of Michigan offers both on-campus and online degree programs in a wide range of subject areas including actuarial mathematics, business administration, computer science, and behavioral neuroscience.

This health informatics degree program will help you penetrate the health informatics field and land jobs such as information specialist, database analyst, and clinical informatician. Core courses cover health systems management, health informatics evaluation methods, health infrastructures, clinical informatics, imaging informatics, and medical natural language processing.

Master of Science in Health Care Informatics

| University of San Diego

University of San Diego is a private research university that offers advanced degrees in business, psychology, computer science, journalism, and management. This degree program will help you enter senior positions in the field of health informatics. Core courses cover healthcare analytics, systems analysis, electronic medical record systems, and biostatistics.

Master of Science in Health Informatics

| University of South Florida

University of South Florida’s degree in health informatics with a concentration in healthcare analytics will help you enter the information sciences and health care management fields. You will learn about pharmacy informatics, medicine business models, health data visualization, project management, and healthcare data mining.

Best Online Health Informatics Master’s Degree Programs and Schools: Overview

Best Colleges for Health Informatics: Top Online Health Informatics Master’s Degree Programs

An online Master’s Degree in Health Informatics is a great option if you prefer to learn in your own home. Read below to find the top online health informatics master’s degree programs and their curriculums to help you find the best program according to your career goals.

Online Master of Advanced Study in Health Informatics

| Arizona State University

Arizona State University offers a degree in health informatics that will help you enter the fields of data analytics, clinical informatics, or public health informatics. You will learn health systems engineering, database modeling, biomedical informatics, and health systems workflow analysis.

Master of Science in Health Informatics

| Brandeis University

Brandeis University is a private research university that offers both in-person and online programs in several fields. Graduates from this degree in health informatics go on to build careers in project management, biomedical informatics, consumer health informatics, and public health informatics.

Health informatics students will learn about medical information systems, health data analytics, biomedical informatics, biostatistics, population health informatics, digital health informatics, and electronic health records.

Master of Science in Health Informatics

| Drexel University

Drexel is a private research university based in Philadelphia and is best known for its marketing, psychology, computer science, and business majors. The university offers this degree in conjunction with its partner programs drawn from its School of Nursing, School of Public Health, and School of Business.

This program will teach you about biomedical informatics, data analytics, information assurance, data mining, health care ethics, healthcare administration, health information technologies, and healthcare economics.

Master of Science in Health Informatics

| George Mason University

George Mason University is a public research university that offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in health administration, business management, information technology, and communication.

This online health informatics master’s degree offers concentrations in data analytics, population health informatics, and health informatics management. Depending on your choice, you will learn biomedical informatics, health care informatics & information management, clinical informatics, and health administration.

Master of Science in Health Informatics

| Indiana University

This master’s in health care informatics program will help you build a career in health informatics administration, data analysis, clinical informatics, or as a clinical care specialist. You’ll

learn health informatics

, project management informatics, healthcare security, digital health informatics, biomedical analytics, and clinical data management.

Master of Science in Health Informatics

| Logan University

Logan University is a Missouri-based private institution that offers several undergraduate and graduate accelerated programs in sports science, chiropractics, business management, and computer science.

This health informatics degree provides ample hands-on experience and teaches you about information systems management, systems analysis, consumer health care informatics, biomedical informatics, analytical processing, and data management.

Master of Science in Health Informatics

| Medical University of South Carolina

The Medical University of South Carolina’s master’s program in health informatics offers an interdisciplinary curriculum covering data analytics, information systems, and healthcare informatics. It will help you become a chief information officer, data analyst, clinical informaticists, or a healthcare administrator.

Master of Health Informatics

| Purdue University Global

Purdue University Global offers degrees in health informatics, business administration, computer science, and communication. This master’s degree will help you gain advanced educational and hands-on experience in healthcare informatics. Classes cover health information systems, database design, project management, and health information ethics.

Master of Science in Health Informatics

| Regis University

This master’s degree offers two specialization options in data science and health care informatics. Depending on your choice of the interdisciplinary field programs, you will learn data analytics, statistical methods, health informatics administration, information systems, nursing informatics, or business intelligence in your online program.

Master of Science in Clinical and Health Informatics

| University of Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin is a high-ranking school known for its economics, information technology, psychology, and biology departments. This master’s degree will help you land jobs in operational care management and information technology. You will learn about health information systems, clinical practices, health security, and biomedical information problems.

What’s the Average Health Informatics Master’s Degree Salary?

According to PayScale, the average annual

salary for a health informatics master’s degree holder

is $73,000. However, know that the salary range differs depending on your professional experience and job title.

Top Health Informatics Master’s Degree Jobs and Salaries: Overview

Best Health Informatics Master’s Degree Jobs Explained

Health informatics master’s degrees open doors to a variety of careers in the health industry, including administrative or managerial positions. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare jobs are expected to grow by 14 percent from 2018 to 2028. Here are a few positions where having a master’s degree would be advantageous.

Information Systems Managers

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $151,150
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  
  11%
  
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  482,000
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  California, New York, New Jersey

Information systems managers are tech research professionals responsible for the design, management, and development of security software systems and networks. Their job duties include approving software upgrades, negotiating contracts with vendors, and managing IT teams.

Medical Service Managers

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $104,280
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  
  32%
  
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  429,800
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  Washington DC, New York, Hawaii

The job role of a medical service manager is to plan, direct, and coordinate medical and health services. Their responsibilities include medical budget management, patient care management, and daily operations management. A Master’s Degree in Health Informatics can help you enter this field.

Healthcare Informatics Consultant

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $103,399
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  32%*
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  429,800
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  Washington DC, New York, Hawaii

Healthcare informatics consultants work with healthcare organizations, healthcare providers, and medical and financial staff to maintain an efficient, ethical, and legal healthcare system. They train healthcare professionals, implement software updates, and find solutions for a more optimal clinical informatics system.

Clinical Informatics Analyst

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $89,351
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  9%**
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  416,400
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  Washington DC, Alaska, Washington

Clinical informatics analysts, also known as clinical informaticists, are information technology, data science, and healthcare professionals. Their job responsibilities are similar to a network administrator, and they troubleshoot, maintain, and test health care systems.

They are also responsible for collecting and analyzing medical data to improve the overall healthcare information technology system. This career requires a blend of technical skills and strong organizational skills.

Operations Research Analysts

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $86,200
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  
  25%
  
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  104,100
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  Washington DC, New Jersey, California

The primary responsibility of an

operations analyst

is to provide efficient and productive solutions for an organization’s daily operations. Their job duties include consulting operations managers on resource distribution, creating efficient supply chain procedures, and budget management.

IT Consultant

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $73,989
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  
  14%
  
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  N/A
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey

A Master’s Degree in Health Informatics with a concentration in information technology can help you become an IT consultant in the health industry. Job responsibilities include maintaining, analyzing, and troubleshooting an organization’s IT system to provide optimal solutions increase system efficiency.

Clinical Analyst

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $70,817
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  
  7%
  
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  907,600
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  California, Virginia, New York

Similar to a clinical informatics professional, these business professionals are also responsible for maintaining an efficient healthcare system. Their job responsibilities include database design, clinical system software upgrades, data security, and information quality assurance.

Electronic Health Records Manager

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $70,440
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  32%*
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  429,800
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  Washington DC, New York, Hawaii

Electronic health records managers, or EHR managers, are responsible for overseeing electronic records teams and systems. They assign professional duties, approve system software upgrades, and coordinate EHR design and maintenance projects.

Information Resource Manager

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $70,138
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  11%***
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  482,000
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  California, New York, New Jersey

Information resource managers are responsible for data collection, storage, and security. They also manage the security and functionality of the information system of an organization. Their job duties include overseeing IT customer service teams, approving IT operations, and managing department budgets.

Medical Records Specialist

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $45,420
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  
  9%
  
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  416,400
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  Washington DC,  Alaska, Washington

A medical records specialist is responsible for maintaining both paper and EHR health information. Their duties include updating records, maintaining patient confidentiality, and updating electronic databases.

*The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) categorizes healthcare informatics consultants under medical and health services managers.

**BLS categorizes clinical informatics analysts under medical records and health information specialists.

***BLS categorizes information resource management under computer and information systems managers.

Health Informatics Bootcamp vs Health Informatics Master’s Degree: Which Is Better?

The choice between a Master’s Degree in Health Informatics or a health informatics bootcamp will depend on your career goals and resources. Both options can help you build a successful career in health informatics. A coding bootcamp offers short-term tech training that prepares you for an entry-level career by teaching you specific in-demand industry skills.

Benefits of a Health Informatics Master’s Degree

• 
  High-compensation rate.
  
  A Master’s Degree in Health Informatics can help you enter a senior or managerial career in health informatics that comes with a high annual salary.
• 
  A wide range of career opportunities.
  
  Depending on your master’s specialization you can take diverse career paths in health informatics. Some job options include operations research analyst, clinical informatician, data analyst, and biomedical informatician.
• 
  Pathway to a doctoral degree.
  
  A master’s in health informatics meets the admission requirements and paves the way for your doctoral degree. You can get a Phd from medical schools and build a career in nursing, biomedicine, or medical research.
• 
  Many specialization options.
  
  Health informatics is a combination of data science, analytics, healthcare, and information technology. Depending on your career goals you can specialize in any of those fields.
• 
  Minimal previous work experience required.
  
  A master’s degree in health informatics will qualify you for various senior roles that won’t require much in-field work experience.

Benefits of a Health Informatics Bootcamp

• 
  Short time commitment.
  
  A health informatics bootcamp will get full-time students ready for a data science or
  
  systems analysis
  
  job within a few weeks to a few months.
• 
  Affordable education.
  
  A coding bootcamp education is usually more affordable than a traditional university, allowing you to acquire new skills without sacrificing your finances.
• 
  In-demand skills training.
  
  Bootcamps train you on in-demand IT and data science industry skills, which are essential for a career in health informatics.
• 
  Career placement services.
  
  Bootcamps often offer career placement services including resume critique, interview prep, and employer networking opportunities.
• 
  Financing options.
  
  Depending on your financial preference you can pay for a bootcamp with income share agreement loans, scholarships, private loans, or installment payments.

Health Informatics Resources and Professional Associations

Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society

This society, founded in 1961, has almost 70,000 members and represents more than 450 nonprofit organizations. The society provides online courses, digital publications, certifications, and recorded conference sessions.

American Health Information Management Association

Certificate practice tests, study guides, online discussion groups, and workshops are all resources for members of AHIMA. Students can join this association for only $49 a year, while recent graduates must pay $79.

American Nursing Informatics Association

Representing 18 regional chapters across the country, this association holds annual conferences and provides a quarterly publication to all members.

Should You Get a Master’s Degree in Health Informatics?

If your goal is to land a senior career in this field and affect the future of healthcare, then you should get a health informatics master’s degree. This degree will qualify you for high-level professions including a chief security officer, clinical informaticist, healthcare system manager, and IT manager.

Master’s programs in health informatics will also prepare you to further your education and get a doctoral degree in the data science, medicine, or information technology field, if this is part of your career goals. Careers in health informatics often earn high salaries, and healthcare is a fast-growing field.

Health Informatics Master’s Degree FAQ