Best Value Online Health Science Bachelor's Degrees

Officially, Granite State College earns the top spot on our cheap online bachelor's degrees in health science ranking because of its low tuition rate. But GSU does plenty more to deserve its place of honor on this list. Indeed, its curriculum is about as comprehensive as they come. Although you'll need an associate's degree (or professional certification) in a health-related field to apply, this is where the academic restrictions end. Once admitted, you'll enjoy a wide-ranging course list that covers everything from nutrition to statistics and will train you for just about any career that "encourage[s] people to live healthier lifestyles."

Looking to gain new skills in health program planning, communication, promotion, and research? Considering a career in hospital administration, policy writing, or human resources? If so, it's worth doing some research into the online health science degree at West Texas A&M. The full four-year program provides a comprehensive survey of healthcare topics with an emphasis on 21st-century skills. Core classes like "Economics of Biotechnology and Health Care" and "Elementary Biostatistics in Health Care Research" will prepare you to succeed in today's data-driven, tech-centric healthcare environment. As an added bonus, you'll have a chance to diversify your studies by choosing electives from pre-approved categories like Health Promotion, Cognitive Health, and Public Policy.

The University of South Dakota describes its BSHS program as "dynamic" and "interdisciplinary." Indeed, the shape-shifting curriculum perfectly reflects the constantly evolving nature of the modern healthcare industry. More specifically, USD's program offers six distinct concentrations, each with its own unique set of requirements and objectives. Traditional options include Pre-Professional Studies, Public Health, and Health Care/Health Care Advancement Studies. However, USD also offers concentrations in Clinical Informatics and Research - and is the only school on this health science bachelor's degrees online ranking to do so! The latter option is particularly unique, as it will prepare you for careers in biostatistics, data analysis, and biomedical research.

At this point on our online health science degree ranking, you might think you've seen it all - every possible type of BSHS program. And yet, here is Missouri State University with yet another option for yet another type of student. In this degree completion program, associate's degree students prepare not for practitioner work (e.g., physical therapist) or graduate school, but for interdisciplinary careers in public health and administration. Although many applicants do come from allied health backgrounds, the curriculum does less to build on this background than to leverage it. That is, you'll draw on your technical experience only to help inform your understanding of new concepts like health literacy, legal issues, and health informatics.

Leadership and hands-on learning: these are the driving forces behind Wilmington University's top online bachelor's degree in health science. This program doesn't just aim to give you new career options; it also works to elevate your skills and accelerate you up the career ladder. Classes like "Leadership for the Healthcare Professional" and "Health Education and Principles of Teaching" will prepare you to take charge in the workplace and serve as a role model for your colleagues. At the same time, a capstone class (complete with professional portfolio) and optional "cooperative learning experience" will help you put your put your newfound skills into practice.

As a BAS (Bachelor of Applied Science), Arizona State's health science program offers a natural next step for students who have earned their AAS (Associate of Applied Science). The main goal of the program is to help healthcare technicians - people who work in radiology or nuclear medicine, for example - break open a whole new range of career options. Graduates can find work as health educators, wellness coordinators, facility managers, and other in-demand occupations. While earning this cheap health science bachelor's degree online, you'll also acquire valuable knowledge in data analysis, communication, and policy that will help you succeed in any number of professional fields.

Are you interested in healthcare but still undecided about your professional career path? No need to despair: the University of West Florida has the perfect program for you. Indeed, the school's "general" BSHS degree claims the broad goal of preparing students "to work in the health professions providing service to individuals and communities." This could include nutrition, wellness, administration, physical/occupational therapy…the list goes on. Whatever you ultimately decide, UWF's cheap online health science degree will keep you on track with relevant classes like "Medical Terminology," "Understanding US Health Care," and "Principles of Human Disease."

The BS in Health Studies at Texas Woman's University represents the paragon of versatility and convenience. Yet its curriculum is not exactly a grab bag of open electives. Rather, the faculty has carefully designed a course of study that prepares students for a range of specific career fields. Because the curriculum focuses on community health, all graduates are eligible to become Certified Health Education Specialists. While earning this BS in Health Science online, you can also add on a teaching certification and become a health instructor. Alternatively, you can orient your studies around a career in public health, occupational therapy, or general preparation for graduate school.

From our research, it's clear that most health science programs are focused - at least in part - on preparing degree candidates for professional graduate school in healthcare. But there are always exceptions to the rule. Take the University of Wisconsin's BS in Health and Wellness Management as a prime example. Truly unique on this online bachelor's degrees in health science ranking, UW's program aims specifically to prepare students for nonclinical careers - such as with insurance companies and community agencies. As such, classes cover primarily conceptual rather than technical topics, like "The Wellness Profession," "Population Health for Wellness Managers," and "Worksite Health Environment."

Forget transfer credits and associate degrees: Washburn University offers a full, four-year Bachelor of Health Science that will teach you all you need to know to have a successful career in healthcare. Housed within the school's Allied Health Department, this affordable online health science degree program comes with three job-oriented tracks: Clinical Laboratory Science, Health Services Administration, and Medical Imaging. If you choose the latter option, you'll then pick a subspecialty in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Radiation Therapy, or Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Or if you opt for the former, you'll graduate well-prepared to sit for the national certification exam to become a medical laboratory scientist.