Considering the fact that Illinois has the fifth-highest number of facility managers and hospital system administrators of all states in the nation, you will not make a mistake if you choose to get the education and start your journey towards this career.
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Health Administration Degrees in Illinois
Whether you will choose the undergraduate and graduate-level programs in healthcare administration, it all depends on the level of education you wish to achieve and what kind of work you want to do.
Attending classes is available on campus locations throughout Illinois, as well as through flexible online programs designed especially for busy working professionals.
These are some of the best-accredited schools in Illinois:
GOVERNORS STATE UNIVERSITY – College of Health and Human Services – University Park
- Master of Healthcare Administration (On-Campus, Hybrid)
The estimated cost per academic year is $4236 for an in-state resident and $8472 for an out of state one.
The school is proud to be accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Schools & Colleges; Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education.
RUSH UNIVERSITY – College of Health Sciences – Chicago
- Master of Science in Health Systems Management (On Campus)
The estimated cost per academic year is $13,788.
The school is proud to be accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Schools & Colleges; Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education.
THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-CHICAGO – School of Public Health – Chicago
- Master of Healthcare Administration (On Campus)
- Executive Master of Healthcare Administration (On Campus, Accelerated)
The estimated cost per academic year is $13,023 for an in-state resident and $19,143 for an out of state one.
The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Schools & Colleges; Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education; Council on Education for Public Health.
Future students can select from various bachelor’s degree programs in the areas of healthcare management, administration, and business:
- Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
- Bachelor of Health Administration (BHA)
- Bachelor of Science (BS) in Healthcare Administration
- Bachelor of Science (BS) in Healthcare Management
Undergraduate Degrees in Healthcare Administration and Management programs usually last four years and consist of 120-semester credits.
60 credits are related to general undergraduate credits and 60 to upper-division core courses.
The last two years are devoted to more specific courses and these upper-division classes will feature subjects such as:
- Human resources management
- Business and administration leadership
- Healthcare economics
- Principles of management and marketing
- Analysis of financial statements
- Strategic planning and healthcare management
- Organizations and information systems
- Strategic planning in a business environment
In case online programs are not suitable for you, there are undergraduate programs located in cities across the state, including:
- Chicago
- DeKalb
- Urbana
- Champaign
- Springfield
- Macomb
- Quad Cities
A graduate degree is the best option for individuals who wish to advance an executive leadership career in hospital system administration and management so these schools typically admit students who have earned their undergraduate degree.
Illinois residents can choose different graduate degree options including:
- Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA)
- Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Healthcare Management or Administration
- MHA/MBA dual degree program
- Master of Science in Healthcare Administration (MSHA)
- JD/MSHA dual degree program
- MSN/MBA dual degree program
- Master of Public Health (MPH)
If you have a major other than healthcare administration, you can also enroll, but with the completion of the necessary prerequisite courses.
It is worth noting that each school has its own specific enrollment requirements, but the majority of them will require the following:
- Minimum undergraduate GPA
- Essay on academic and professional goals
- Letters of recommendation
- Official undergraduate transcripts
- Years of professional work experience
- Current employment in the healthcare industry for a specified number of years
The graduate studies will cover the following courses in health administration:
- Advanced financial management for healthcare organizations
- Healthcare policy and law
- Quantitative evaluations for healthcare organizations
- Service line development
- Decision making data analysis
- Strategy for the management of large healthcare organizations
- Global economics for healthcare managers
- Healthcare accounting
- Compliance for accreditation
Master’s programs are usually between 36-60 semester credits and they can be completed in 18 and 24 months’ time.
MBA students would choose an area of focus such as healthcare administration, healthcare business, or healthcare management.
A thesis or capstone research project is obligatory before the end of your education.
Campus locations where you can attend a master’s program are:
- Chicago
- Joliet
- Oak Lawn
- Champaign
- Carbondale
- Springfield
Job Postings in Healthcare Administration in Illinois
Northwestern Medicine in Winfield – Strategic Planning and Business Development Consultant – He/she will be responsible for evaluating proposals and plans and preferred applicants should have an MHA or MBA.
VHA-UHC Alliance in Chicago – Manager of Networks – His/her duty will be to ensure a high level of member engagement and loyalty so the preference will be given to applicants with an MHA, MBA, or MSN.
Possible Employers and Professional Resources for Health Administrators in Illinois
Significant Employers of Healthcare Administrators and Managers
Hospitals
- Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago
- Rush University Medical Center in Chicago
- University of Chicago Medical Center
- Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn
- Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood
- Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge
- NorthShore Evanston Hospital
Federal Medical Facilities
- Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in Chicago
- VA Illiana Health Care System in Danville
- Edward Hines Jr VA Hospital in Hines
- Marion VA Medical Center
Health Insurance Companies
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois
- Aetna
- Coventry Health Care of Illinois
- Illinicare Health
- UnitedHealthcare of the Midwest
Professional Resources
- First Illinois Chapter, Healthcare Financial Management Association
- Southern Illinois Chapter, Healthcare Financial Management Association
- Illinois Hospital Association
- Illinois Society of Healthcare Risk Management
- Illinois Primary Health Care Association
- Illinois Health Information Management Association
- Illinois Medical Group Management Association
- Chicago Health Executives Forum
- Health Management Associates
- Health Care Administrators Association
- American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management
Health Administration Salaries and Job Growth in Illinois
Illinois’s healthcare administrators and managers earn the average annual salary of $119591, according to the US Department of Labor.
Plus, the Illinois Department of Employment Security believes that the number of healthcare administration jobs in the state will increase by 13 percent over the next decade.
This combination of factors has contributed to a growing demand for facility managers and health system administrators.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Healthcare Administrators in Illinois
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Chicago | $123,434 |
| Rockford | $115,271 |
| Aurora | $122,343 |
| Naperville | $120,936 |
| Peoria | $112,476 |
| Springfield | $107,479 |
| Joliet | $119,940 |
| Elgin | $121,446 |
| Waukegan | $116,406 |
| Cicero | $123,434 |
Regional Salary in Illinois
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, IL | 160 | $116,310 | $55.92 | $203,250 | $60,190 |
| Carbondale-Marion, IL | 220 | $116,680 | $56.1 | $173,950 | $61,290 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | 310 | $128,970 | $62 | $209,750 | $65,900 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | 11,980 | $135,990 | $65.38 | $219,660 | $75,810 |
| Danville, IL | 90 | $118,740 | $57.09 | $162,760 | $76,090 |
| Decatur, IL | 110 | $110,900 | $53.32 | $169,160 | $58,800 |
| Kankakee, IL | 150 | $114,990 | $55.28 | $186,200 | $63,060 |
| Peoria, IL | 590 | $119,300 | $57.35 | $205,710 | $62,400 |
| Rockford, IL | 410 | $124,140 | $59.69 | $200,900 | $72,880 |
| Springfield, IL | 330 | $118,470 | $56.96 | $205,910 | $61,130 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
