What can you do with a Health Services Administration degree?

First, some facts. Of the Health Services Administration graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 308 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 66%, Health Services Administration graduates have a slightly lower likelihood (-1%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 66%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, only 32% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Health Services Administration graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Health Services Administration graduate and our analysis:


Relevance score: 69%

We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2016 from James Madison University with a Bachelor's degree in Health Services Administration. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Quality Management Intern
Johnston Willis Hospital
Jun 2016 - Aug 2016
The Quality Management Intern position may involve some understanding of health services processes, but does not directly utilize core knowledge from a Health Services Administration degree on a daily basis.

Care Management Program Operations Coordinator
Advance Health
Sep 2016 - Aug 2017
The role of Care Management Program Operations Coordinator requires substantial application of skills and knowledge related to health services policies and administration, making it highly relevant.

Complex Care Management Analyst
Signify Health
Aug 2017 - Nov 2019
As a Complex Care Management Analyst, the job directly utilizes knowledge from health services administration in analyzing and improving care systems, requiring specific expertise from the degree.

Financial Analyst - Transfer Center
HCA Healthcare
Nov 2019 - Nov 2021
The Financial Analyst position may involve skills in data analysis and business management that can be transferable, but it does not center on health services knowledge as a core requirement.

Financial Analyst
Parallon
Nov 2021 - Sep 2022
Similar to Job #3, the Financial Analyst role at Parallon uses analytical skills that might be beneficial, but lacks direct relevance to health services administration knowledge and practices.

Senior Business Analyst
Aetna, a CVS Health Company
Sep 2022 - Present
While the Senior Business Analyst position at Aetna may benefit from knowledge of healthcare systems and policies, it primarily focuses on business analysis, which is not a core requirement of Health Services Administration.

ABOUT

Experienced and self-motivated analytical and administrative employee. Excels at collaborating with team members to meet and exceed company objectives and high-priority deadlines. Performs well in a competitive environment in which leadership skills are necessary to succeed. Self-motivated and attentive - adept to transitioning to new projects and rapidly delivering exceptional results. Experienced in working directly with executive level stakeholders to provide timelines, clarify analysis objectives, and follow up to ensure all needs are met.

What jobs can you get with a Health Services Administration degree?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


After examining the various job roles held by graduates with degrees in Health Services Administration, it's clear that there's a diverse range of positions they've taken up, with a notable concentration in a few common areas. Many graduates find themselves in roles that directly relate to healthcare management and operations, such as Patient Access Specialists, Care Coordinators, and various administrative positions within hospitals and health systems. These jobs typically leverage the core skills learned in their programs, including navigating healthcare regulations, managing patient care processes, and understanding hospital operations. For instance, roles like the Patient Access Manager and Healthcare Consultant not only rely on administrative knowledge but also require an understanding of patient interactions and healthcare policy, making them very relevant to the degree.

However, not all job roles are as directly tied to the principles of Health Services Administration. Some graduates have taken on roles in fields that, while possibly benefiting from their knowledge base, don't utilize their specialized skills on a daily basis. Positions in human resources, sales, and general management often focus more on broader business practices rather than the administrative and regulatory focus unique to healthcare settings. For instance, jobs like Financial Analyst, Recruiter, or General Manager in non-healthcare industries do not leverage the health-specific education acquired through their degree programs. Additionally, several graduates now work in retail, hospitality, or unrelated business sectors, indicating that many might not have found direct pathways into healthcare roles despite their educational background.

Overall, while there are common and relevant roles within the healthcare sector for graduates of Health Services Administration, there is also a significant portion who do not directly apply their education in their current jobs. It suggests that while a degree in Health Services Administration offers valuable skills that are applicable in numerous settings, a large number of graduates may need to navigate a competitive job market that often leads them into positions less aligned with their specialized training. Consequently, it raises the question of how well the job market accommodates the skills obtained through Health Services Administration programs and whether graduates find fulfillment and applicability of their learned expertise in their selected career paths.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Health Services Administration graduates:

What kind of career trajectories do Health Services Administration graduates have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

When looking at the career trajectories of recent graduates in Health Services Administration, one thing is evident: the journey can vary widely. Generally, many of these new alumni find themselves stepping into entry-level roles soon after graduation. For instance, most begin their careers as administrative interns, assistants, or coordinators in healthcare settings. Taking the graduates from City University of New York-Herbert H. Lehman College and Auburn University as examples, they kicked off their careers in internships or in positions like Charge Capture Specialist and Care Navigator, showing a strong inclination towards operational and administrative roles within healthcare systems right off the bat.

Fast forward five to ten years, a pattern begins to crystallize. Many graduates transition into managerial or specialized roles. For example, graduates from Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis, who may start as Patient Access Specialists, can shift into roles like Employee Relations Consultant, indicating a growth in responsibility and specialization within the healthcare industry. The upward trajectory isn’t unique; it’s echoed by numerous other instances, suggesting that those in Health Services Administration tend to climb the ranks steadily as they gain experience and develop their expertise. However, it's not all smooth sailing for everyone; some end up in unrelated fields or stagnant positions, pointing to the competitive nature of healthcare administration and the necessity of constant skill development and networking.

In summary, graduates of Health Services Administration typically see promising beginnings, often landing relevant jobs shortly after graduation. As they progress in their careers, many do achieve higher positions and responsibilities, but the spectrum of outcomes also reveals that not everyone stays aligned with healthcare—some venture into totally different sectors or face setbacks. This variability underscores both the potential and unpredictability of pursuing a career in health services administration, suggesting a need for adaptability and proactive planning in one's career path.

How hard is a Health Services Administration degree?

A Bachelor’s degree in Health Services Administration is generally considered to be on the easier side when compared to some other degree programs, but it still requires a solid commitment. You'll cover topics like healthcare law, finance, and ethics, which can be complex and require some critical thinking, but overall, it's accessible for most students, especially if you have an interest in the subject. If you stay organized, keep up with readings, and engage in your coursework, you'll likely find it manageable. Of course, everyone's experience is different, so if you’re not into health topics or have difficulty with more analytical subjects, it might be a bit tougher for you. But many find it to be a pretty straightforward path, especially if you’re motivated and willing to put in the effort!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 2 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Health Services Administration.

Do Health Services Administration graduates tend to make good money?

Based on the job histories of these Health Services Administration graduates, it seems like many of them have made a solid start in their careers, especially if they graduated from well-regarded colleges like UCF or Xavier. For instance, graduates who moved into roles like Operations Manager or Practice Manager at reputable healthcare institutions suggest they're likely pulling in decent salaries. However, some others began with positions like interns or entry-level staff roles, which typically pay less. So, while many are on a strong path that could lead to good earnings, it's clear that starting salaries vary a lot depending on their specific roles and regions they are in.

Over time, we see several individuals progressing into managerial or higher-level positions, which generally offer a significant pay increase. For example, graduates moving from administrative roles to management or specialized positions likely see an upward trend in their income. Ultimately, it seems like many are building valuable experience and advancing in their careers, which can translate to earning better money as they gain experience and take on more responsibility. So, all in all, they seem to be on a great path, but the actual earnings would depend heavily on their current role and responsibilities.

What buzzwords do Health Services Administration graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Health Services Administration. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Health Services Administration?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Health Services Administration (ordered by the average relevance score of their Health Services Administration graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
Ohio University 82 17
University of Central Florida 65 40
Florida International University 65 19
City University of New York-Herbert H. Lehman College 58 14