MHA vs. MHI vs. MBA: Degree Comparison Guide

There are often multiple pathways you can take to reach your goals. In the case of your education, this might mean that several different degree programs can prepare you to work in your industry of choice. In fact, multiple programs can even prepare you for the same job! Even so, there are many factors you take into consideration to ensure you’re choosing the right program for you. While many paths can take you to your destination, only one of them will be perfect for you.

For instance, do you feel pulled toward a high-level career in health care? If you have a vision for the field and are excited to put it into motion, then a master’s degree may be in your future. But is a master’s degree in health administration, health informatics, or business administration the best option? Read on to find out!

Key Takeaways:

• MHA, MHI, and MBA are three distinct graduate degree options that prepare students for career opportunities in health care and beyond.
• MHA and MHI degrees specialize in health care topics; an MBA covers a range of business topics but is less focused on the health care industry.
• While all three degree programs emphasize leadership and management, they differ in their focus areas and career trajectories.

What Is an MHA?

If you’re drawn to the field of health administration, you’re most likely passionate about the health care field and take naturally to leadership roles. An executive Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree can help you take that next step. Ideal for mid-career health professionals, an MHA can help you climb the ranks within a health care organization. Earning your degree from a CAHME accredited program, such as the University of Cincinnati’s, also helps you stand out amongst your peers.

A combination of business and health administration coursework ensures that MHA graduates are more than “managers.” MHA programs emphasize quality improvement, inter-professional team development, cultural competency, and the building of healthy communities.

What Is an MHI?

The field of health informatics combines communication, information technology, and health care. In the health care industry, data systems allow providers to access and share patient medical records throughout the treatment process. Health informatics professionals’ work focuses on streamlining those systems, ensuring both their data security and efficiency.

Additionally, health informatics tackles technological challenges and innovations at every level—from the broader organizational level to the individual patient level. A Master of Health Informatics (MHI) degree equips graduates with skills in health information technology, business, project management, and data analytics. And as an HIMSS Approved Education Partner, UC’s MHI program has met the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society’s rigorous accreditation standards.

What Is an MBA?

A Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree prepares you for a constantly evolving workforce. More importantly, it provides you with the skills you need to take charge and lead any organization into the future. Through MBA coursework, you’ll become well-versed in accounting, economics, finance, leadership, operations management, business analytics, information technology, and marketing.

While these skills can lead you toward a career at a Fortune 500 company, they can just as easily be utilized within a health care career. MBA programs provide you with invaluable skills that set you apart in dynamic, fast-paced industries—like health care.

Key Differences Between MHA, MHI, and MBA Degrees

MHA, MHI, and MBA degrees can all lead to fulfilling careers. However, if you’re trying to choose the best one for you, you’ll want to evaluate their differences. Each of these programs encourages you to take your current skill set to the next level through different methods.

Curriculum and Coursework

A major contrast between each of these programs is their coursework. While there will always be overlap, each program has courses that are specific to its focus area.

In an MHA program, the curriculum places a huge emphasis on health system management and leadership. Graduates of these programs not only understand how the United States health care system began; they also gain the skills to evaluate how these health systems function and improve their operations. Other coursework includes:

• Global Health Systems
• Health Care Economics and Finance
• Health Policy and Regulation
• Health Quality (Evidence-Based Decision-Making for Managers)

While an MHI degree also promotes an understanding of the U.S. health care system, the curriculum primarily hones in on health informatics. Data analytics and health IT are the cornerstones of this program. Along with the opportunity to earn certificates in Health Information Security or AI through additional coursework, students also study:

• Health Information Legislation, Privacy and Security
• Workflow Process Analysis, System Development, Human Factors and Usability
• Leadership and Strategic Management in Health Settings
• Leveraging Analytics and Business Intelligence Tools for Healthcare

An MBA curriculum provides a general business education with advanced coursework in management, leadership, and business principles. The MBA program also allows students to pursue certificates and concentrations, such as a Health Care Administration Certificate—perfect for MBA students who want to pursue a health care leadership career. Typical MBA courses include:

• Managerial Economics
• Financial Management
• Marketing for Managers
• Operations and Supply Chain Management

Skill Set

You may have noticed something when comparing these three programs: they all offer coursework in leadership and management. Leadership skills can take you down a multitude of career paths. However, the additional skills you build through each degree program are different.

An MHA graduate will gain skills in health system management, financial analysis, strategic planning, communication, and evidence-based decision-making. Graduates of MHI programs develop competency in data analytics, project management, database modeling and design, and health informatics. As for MBA graduates, their skill set will be rooted in organizational management, accounting, marketing, and strategic management.

Job Outlook and Careers

Earning a master’s degree can act as a stepping stone to securing your dream job! Let’s take a look at what this means for MHA, MHI, and MBA graduates.

MHA Careers

An MHA degree opens doors to varied leadership roles within the health care industry. For example, as an administrative services and facilities manager, you can utilize your management skills and keep a health care organization running smoothly. Even better, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6% growth for this role by 2033. With an MHA, your other career options include:

• Hospital Administrator
• Health Policy Advocates
• Director of Finance
• Operations Manager

MHI Careers

MHI graduates can embark on a wide range of careers in computer science, health IT, data analytics, and leadership within the health care industry. One potential career path is becoming a medical and health services manager, for which employment is projected to grow 29% from 2023 to 2033. Along with positive job outlook in this role, you can also pursue the following careers with an MHI:

• Clinical Data Manager
• Database Architect
• Health Informatics Specialist
• Medical Records Specialist

MBA Careers

For MBA graduates, the job outlook is promising. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that overall employment in business and financial occupations will grow faster than the average for all occupations between 2023 and 2033. Careers you can pursue with an MBA include:

• Business Intelligence Analyst
• Chief Executive
• Financial and Investment Analyst
• Health Care Administrator

Which Program Is Right for You?

Understanding your long-term goals is key when choosing a master’s program—and one of those goals may be your industry of choice.

Degree programs in health care administration and health informatics are both firmly oriented toward a health care career. A crucial difference between the two fields is that, while an MHI is heavily focused on health information technology and data systems, an MHA is geared toward careers in leadership and management. By contrast, a business administration degree can be leveraged within the health care industry or elsewhere.

Therefore, if you have your heart set on working in health care, it may be worthwhile to pursue a more specialized health care degree, such as an MHA or MHI. On the other hand, an MBA may keep your options more open if you haven’t determined your dream career yet. While it won’t offer the same level of concentrated health care coursework, you’ll still graduate with many transferable skills.

How UC Online Can Help

If any of these programs caught your interest, then you’re in luck. At the University of Cincinnati, we offer the following online graduate programs: Master of Health Administration, Master of Health Informatics, and Master of Business Administration.

Depending on your goals and interests, one of these programs could be exactly what you need to level up in your career. And best of all, these programs are offered 100% online, making them ideal for working professionals. Gone are the days of putting your career on pause to further your education.

Want to Explore Your Options at UC? Contact Your Enrollment Advisor Today to Get Started

Still have questions? That’s okay! Jot them down—and then contact your personalized Enrollment Services Advisor today. As members of UC’s dedicated online staff, the Enrollment team is ready to answer your questions and help you take the next step in your career.

We know you have what it takes to pave the way for the future of health care. Let us show you how—at UC, we’ll be there every step of the way to offer support.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the main difference between an MHA, MHI, and MBA?

The difference primarily lies in scope and focus. An MHA focuses on health care administration; an MBA offers a broader business education; and an MHI focuses on information technology and data systems within the health care field.

Do I need a healthcare background to apply for an MHA or MHI?

The MHI program does not require any healthcare or IT experience, and your bachelor’s degree may be in any field. While the MHA program does not require a bachelor’s degree in a health care-related field, it is geared toward current health care professionals (two years of experience is preferred).

Do I need an undergraduate degree in business to apply for an MBA?

No, at UC you do not need a business degree to apply for the MBA program. We do, however, recommend two years of work experience before you enter the MBA program (including any co-ops or internships).

Which degree offers the highest salary potential?

Salary potential will vary depending on the career you ultimately choose, regardless of what degree you hold. While all three degrees open doors toward careers earning six figures or more, MBA graduates may have a leg-up given the variety of industries they’re equipped to work in.