Best Online Health Sciences B.S. Degrees

In a post-pandemic world, health sciences and medical practitioner careers have attracted considerable attention. While doctors and nurses diagnose and treat patients, health sciences professionals fulfill a variety of functions, ranging from public health outreach and hospital management to pharmaceutical research and sales.   

Health sciences degree programs cover a wide array of subjects in nonclinical health, including health administration, health education, health technology, and more. If you’re looking to enter the healthcare industry with a multidisciplinary perspective on health, earning a health sciences bachelor’s degree could be just what you need. But where should you start? 

This blog discusses some of the best online health sciences bachelor’s degree programs in the country. Read on to learn about each program and discover which one is right for you. 

Top Online Health Sciences B.S. Programs

Each of the following degree programs is evaluated based on criteria like tuition, accreditation, program length, and more. For the most up-to-date information, visit each program’s individual website. 

1

Purdue University Global

Health Sciences Bachelor’s Degree

Location: Online (based in West Lafayette, IN)

Average time to graduation: Two to four years

Graduation rate: 27%

Cost of attendance: $371 per quarter credit hour

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Unique offerings

Many of these students transfer previously earned credits into their bachelor’s degree programs to progress faster to graduation. Purdue Global offers a three-week trial period for students interested in undergraduate programs. Bachelor’s programs in the School of Health Sciences include health science, healthcare administration, health informatics, and nutrition.

Additional details

Purdue Global is Purdue University’s fully online university primarily serving busy working adults. It is home to seven schools, including the Concord Law School, School of General Education, and School of Health Sciences. Purdue Global was established in 2018 after acquiring Kaplan University, and it currently hosts more than 40,000 students.

2

Southern New Hampshire University

Health Sciences Bachelor’s Degree

Location: Online (based in Manchester, NH)

Average time to graduation: Two to four years

Graduation rate: 54%

Cost of attendance: $330 per credit hour

Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education

Unique offerings

A B.S. in health sciences at SNHU teaches fundamental principles of patient care, laboratory management, diagnostic data analysis, and more. All students enrolled in the online health sciences bachelor’s program must hold an associate degree in an allied health subject.

Additional details

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is a private, nonprofit university located near Manchester, New Hampshire. SNHU is one of the fastest-growing universities in the country, with more than 3,900 on-campus students and 135,000 students enrolled in online degree programs. These programs emphasize job readiness and career advancement, with subjects ranging from finance and accounting to health and engineering.

3

Ohio State University

Health Sciences Bachelor Degree

Location: Online (based in Columbus, OH)

Average time to graduation: Three to four years

Graduation rate: 83.4%

Cost of attendance: $390 per credit hour

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Unique offerings

The Ohio State Online bachelor’s in health sciences prepares students for health professions in physical and occupational therapy, healthcare delivery, healthcare policy, and other similar fields. Coursework covers topics like disease prevention, ethical decision-making, and integrative medicine.

Additional details

Founded in 1870, Ohio State University is a public research university that offers more than 400 degrees across 16 colleges. Ohio State is one of the largest universities by student population in the nation, with more than 60,000 students enrolled at its flagship Columbus, Ohio campus. The university’s online component, Ohio State Online, was ranked in the top 10 for online undergraduate programs by U.S. News and World Report.

4

Rutgers University

Health Sciences Bachelor’s Degree

Location: Online (based in New Brunswick, NJ)

Average time to graduation: 24 Months

Cost of attendance: $594 per credit hour

Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Unique offerings

An online B.S. in health sciences at Rutgers lets students choose one of the following three tracks: aging, psychiatric rehabilitation, and healthcare management. These tracks are designed to accommodate students who have already completed their associate degree. Courses are taught fully online and last for 15 weeks. Those who complete the program acquire a balanced skill set in team communication, healthcare ethics, and healthcare technology.

Additional details

Rutgers University is the eighth-oldest university in the U.S., with a history dating back to 1766. Since 1945, it has been the official state university of New Jersey. Health sciences degrees are offered via the Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences division, which includes multiple centers around New Jersey.

5

Western Governors University

Health Sciences Bachelor’s Degree

Location: Online (based in Salt Lake City, UT)

Fastest time to graduation: 19 Months

Average time to graduation: Two to four years

Acceptance rate: 100%

Graduation rate: 50%

Cost of attendance: $4,000 six-month term

Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Admission requirements

  • Application form
  • Official high school/college transcripts
  • Nonrefundable application fee of $65

Unique offerings

WGU’s Leavitt School of Health offers an online, accredited Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences that equips students with relevant, marketable skills in healthcare management, health technology, public health, health education, and more.

Additional details

Western Governors University (WGU) is an online, nonprofit university founded in 1997 to create pathways to opportunity through higher education. WGU offers more than 75 bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business, information technology, education, and healthcare. Students at WGU can advance through coursework as quickly as they show mastery of the material, enabling them to graduate faster and save money.

6

Excelsior College

Health Sciences Bachelor’s Degree

Location: Online (based in Albany, NY)

Average time to graduation: Two to four years

Cost of attendance: $510 per credit hour

Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Unique offerings

Students enrolled in a health sciences bachelor’s program at Excelsior can choose an area of emphasis in health and wellness, management, or public health, or they can opt for no emphasis. Program courses cover a variety of topics, including healthcare delivery systems, healthcare informatics, and research strategies.

Additional details

Established in 1971, Excelsior University is a private, online university based in Albany, New York. Excelsior is known for its liberal credit transfer policy, attracting many working adults with associate degrees. The university is also highly military friendly, with a dedicated Center for Military Education and flexible distance learning options for service members.

What Can You Do with a Degree in Health Sciences?

A degree in health sciences can open doors to myriad career paths. Common examples of health sciences careers include the following:

  • Dietitian
  • Healthcare social worker
  • Mental health counselor
  • Respiratory therapist
  • Sterile processing technician
  • Public health consultant 
  • Health promotion specialist
  • Clinical research coordinator
  • Biostatistician 

How Online Health Sciences Programs Work

Online bachelor’s programs in health sciences may differ depending on the university. While some programs involve live lectures, many are asynchronous, meaning that students can access course materials whenever they prefer, with no set class times. Asynchronous learning usually involves a self-paced approach to coursework, but there are usually ample opportunities for students to communicate with instructors over chat or video calls. 

Most programs require on-site clinical experience in addition to online coursework. Be sure to check with a faculty or program advisor about locations—many universities will allow students to fulfill in-person requirements at a participating healthcare center in their area.