Online Colleges

17 Best Online Health Science Degrees of 2026

University of Missouri is best for a well-rounded public program, University of Cincinnati for a public university with strong health-science options, and University of Vermont for a small public option. Decide whether you need a clinical-adjacent pathway, a low-cost degree or maximum transfer credit, then confirm accreditation and total tuition.

Our top 3 picks

Independent picks from our 2026 ranking. No paid placements.

See all 17 ranked
Advertiser disclosure RaveReviews may earn a commission from links on this page. That never influences our scores or rankings. How we make money.
The RaveReviews AlgorithmSources, weights and method

How the score works

We collect published rankings in this category, normalize each placement to a 0–100 scale, weight the sources by category fit and recency, and average only the lists where a provider appears. The result is divided by 10 and rounded to one decimal.

  1. 01Collect the source rankings.
  2. 02Normalize every position.
  3. 03Weight the sources.
  4. 04Calculate the RaveReviews Algorithm score.

Scoring factors

  • Student outcomes30%
  • Affordability25%
  • Flexibility20%
  • Student support15%
  • Reputation and accreditation10%
Read the full methodology
The ranking at a glanceScores, chart and shortlist shape

Score curve

How the top 10 scores fall from first to tenth.

#1#5#10

Top scores

The first five, scored out of 10.

01
University of Missouri
8.9
02
University of Cincinnati
8.8
03
University of Vermont
8.8
04
University of Memphis
8.3
05
Quinnipiac University
8.0

What you need to know before you choose.

Compare 17 online health science programs by tuition, accreditation, flexibility and support.

Confirm what the health science degree is designed to lead to, because some programs prepare students for clinical graduate study while others suit healthcare administration. Check regional accreditation, lab or practicum requirements and whether credits transfer, then compare total tuition.

What the research says.

This shortlist is built from published rankings, not a single editor's opinion. Here is the evidence behind the score.

17options reviewed
6.8average score
8.9top score
3authority sources

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.

Nelson MandelaFormer President of South Africa

Key insights

17options reviewed

Compared on value, features, ease, support and reputation.

5weighted ranking factors

The same published model across every category.

0paid placements

Compensation never changes a score or a rank.

Education options ranked

17 options, scored on value, features, ease of use, support and reputation.

01

University of Missouri

RecommendedBest overall
★★★★★8.9Students who want the strongest overall online health science program.
  • 100% online
  • Regionally accredited
  • Public university
02

University of Cincinnati

Best public option
★★★★★8.8Students who prefer a public university for an online health science degree.
  • 100% online
  • Regionally accredited
  • 52-65 credits
03

University of Vermont

Top five
★★★★★8.8Students who want a top five program.
  • 100% online
  • Regionally accredited
  • Public university
04

University of Memphis

Top five
★★★★★8.3Students who want a top five program.
  • 100% online
  • Regionally accredited
  • Public university
05

Quinnipiac University

Top five
★★★★★8.0Students who want a top five program.
  • 100% online
  • Regionally accredited
  • Private nonprofit
06

Excelsior University

Top 10 RaveReviews Algorithm
★★★★★7.9Students who want a top-ten strong program.
  • 100% online
  • Regionally accredited
  • Private nonprofit
07

Nova Southeastern University

Top 10 RaveReviews Algorithm
★★★★★7.5Students who want a top-ten strong program.
  • 100% online
  • Regionally accredited
  • Private nonprofit
08

Old Dominion University

Top 10 RaveReviews Algorithm
★★★★★7.1Students who want a top-ten strong program.
  • 100% online
  • Regionally accredited
  • Public university
09

Arizona State University, Online

Top 10 RaveReviews Algorithm
★★★★★6.7Students who want a top-ten strong program.
  • 100% online
  • Regionally accredited
  • Public university
10

University of Kansas

Top 10 RaveReviews Algorithm
★★★★★6.7Students who want a top-ten strong program.
  • 100% online
  • Regionally accredited
  • Public university
11

Washburn University

Best value
★★★★★6.3Budget-conscious students who want a lower-cost online health science degree.
  • 100% online
  • Regionally accredited
  • Public university
12

Purdue Global

Two-source RaveReviews Algorithm
★★★★★5.9Students who want a program ranked by at least two publishers.
  • 100% online
  • Regionally accredited
  • Public university
13

University of the Incarnate Word

Single-source entry
★★★★★5.8Students who want a program ranked by a single specialist publisher.
  • 100% online
  • Regionally accredited
  • Private nonprofit
14

Thomas Jefferson University

Single-source entry
★★★★★5.6Students who want a program ranked by a single specialist publisher.
  • 100% online
  • Regionally accredited
  • Private nonprofit
15

Northern Arizona University

Two-source RaveReviews Algorithm
★★★★★5.1Students who want a program ranked by at least two publishers.
  • 100% online
  • Regionally accredited
  • Public university
16

Southwest Baptist University

Single-source entry
★★★★★5.0Students who want a program ranked by a single specialist publisher.
  • 100% online
  • Regionally accredited
  • Private nonprofit
17

Ferris State University

Two-source RaveReviews Algorithm
★★★★★3.5Students who want a program ranked by at least two publishers.
  • 100% online
  • Regionally accredited
  • Public university

The University of Missouri is a public institution with an online health science program and published out-of-state tuition of $36,056 per year.

David KrugHead of Content, RaveReviews
Read the University of Missouri review
8.9RaveReviews Algorithm

Compare the top options

The details that matter most, in one view.

OfferUniversity of MissouriUniversity of CincinnatiUniversity of VermontUniversity of Memphis
RaveReviews Algorithm8.98.88.88.3
Best forStudents who want the strongest overall online health science program.Students who prefer a public university for an online health science degree.Students who want a top five program.Students who want a top five program.
Price$36,056$13,976$19,000$10,000
Highlight100% online100% online100% online100% online

Showing the top 4 of 17 options. See every ranked option.

The questions buyers actually ask

Clear answers to the decisions that come after the shortlist.

What is the best choice in online health science degrees?

If you want the short answer, start with University of Missouri. It earned a 8.9 out of 10 in our 2026 ranking, and it is the option we would shortlist first for students who want the strongest overall online health science program.. That does not mean it is the right choice for every reader. It means it is the most defensible place to begin.

The ranking is a shortlist, not a finish line. The right option depends on the job you need done, the total cost after fees and the support you will actually use. University of Cincinnati is the stronger fit for students who prefer a public university for an online health science degree.. University of Vermont is worth a close look for students who want a top five program.. Start with the top pick, then compare the runner-up on the details that change your decision.

Most buyers do not need the longest feature list. They need a clear answer to a smaller question. What will this cost over a year? What happens when something goes wrong? Can I leave without a penalty? Those questions separate a good shortlist from a good decision.

How did we rank online health science degrees?

We used the same five-factor model across this category. Student outcomes at 30%, affordability at 25%, flexibility at 20%, student support at 15%, reputation and accreditation at 10%. The weights are published because a score without a method is just a vibe with a decimal point.

The process starts with the evidence a buyer can actually check. We review provider materials, published pricing, contract terms and the support model. Then we compare the details that tend to cause regret later. A low headline price does not count for much if the service fee, cancellation term or coverage limit undoes it.

We also separate popularity from quality. A brand can be everywhere and still be a poor fit for your situation. The ranking rewards fit, not advertising spend. That is why the top pick may not be the most famous name on the page.

What should you look for in online health science degrees?

Start with the features that affect your actual use case. For University of Missouri, the relevant details include 100% online, regionally accredited, public university. Those are not decoration. They are the parts of the product that determine whether it works on a normal Tuesday, not just on the day you sign up.

Then look at the terms. Price is easy to compare. Contract length, service fees, cancellation rules, support hours and eligibility are harder. They are also where most of the real cost hides. Ask for the total annual cost, not the monthly teaser. Ask what happens if you need to cancel, move or change the plan.

Finally, check the track record. A provider that answers a sales call quickly may be slow when you need help. Read recent reviews, look for patterns and ask how disputes are handled. The best time to learn how a company behaves is before you depend on it.

How much do online health science degrees cost?

University of Missouri starts at $36,056 /year (out-of-state). University of Cincinnati starts at $13,976 /year (in-state). University of Vermont starts at $19,000 /year (approx.). Those prices are a starting point, not a full budget. The final number depends on the plan, the contract, the add-ons and where you live.

Here is the part most shoppers miss. The cheapest monthly price is often the most expensive decision. A low rate with a long contract, a large service fee or a narrow coverage set can cost more than a higher headline price with clean terms. Compare the total cost over the period you expect to use the product.

Set a budget before you compare. Then decide which features are worth paying for. If you cannot explain why an upgrade matters to your actual use, it is probably not an upgrade. It is a sales feature.

Which option is best for students who want the strongest overall online health science program.?

University of Missouri is the pick here because the university of missouri is a public institution with an online health science program and published out-of-state tuition of $36,056 per year.. It is not the cheapest option in the category, and it is not trying to be. It is the option that makes the fewest compromises where the decision matters most.

That recommendation comes with a condition. If your priority is different, the ranking should change. A reader who needs the lowest possible upfront cost should look at the value pick. A reader who needs hands-on support should pay attention to service quality. The best answer is always relative to the job.

Use the top pick as a benchmark. Compare every other option against it on price, terms and the one feature you cannot do without. If another option wins on those three points, it deserves a closer look.

What should you verify before you buy?

Verify the total cost, not the promotional price. Ask for the monthly cost after any introductory period ends. Ask about setup fees, service fees, cancellation fees and anything that changes when you add a user, a location or a feature. The number you see in an ad is rarely the number you will pay in month twelve.

Verify the terms that are easy to miss. Contract length, renewal rules, data practices and support hours matter more than most buyers expect. If the provider cannot explain them clearly before the sale, assume the answer will be harder to get afterward.

Verify the fit with your actual workflow. A demo can make any product look simple. A free trial or a short pilot can show you what the product feels like on a normal day. Use the trial to test the one feature you need most. That is a better use of time than touring every menu.

What should you do next?

Start with the top pick and read the full review. Then compare the runner-up on the three details that matter most to you. If you are still unsure, use the comparison table and the methodology on this page. The goal is not to keep researching forever. The goal is to make a decision you can explain.

Before you sign up, confirm the current price, the contract term and the cancellation policy directly with the provider. Prices change. Terms change. A ranking can point you in the right direction, but the final check has to happen at the source.

If this ranking helped you narrow the list, stop there. A shortlist of two or three good options is enough. The best decision is the one you can act on with confidence, not the one that keeps you in the research phase for another month.

Who wrote and reviewed this ranking

Every ranking has a named editor and a separate quality review before publication.

David Krug

David Krug

Head of Content

David leads the RaveReviews editorial team, turning research into clear comparisons and useful guides. He oversees content strategy, testing standards and the final read on every ranking.

LinkedIn
Annie Membreve

Annie Membreve

Head of Quality Control

Annie runs quality control at RaveReviews, checking sourcing, scoring and the details readers rely on. She reviews every ranking before publication and manages corrections.

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Frequently asked questions

Are online Health Science degrees respected by employers?

Regionally accredited online degrees are generally treated the same as campus degrees. Recognition depends on the institution, program accreditation and your field.

How much does an online Health Science degree cost?

Compare total program cost, fees, transfer credit and any residency requirements. The published tuition figure is only one part of the budget.

Can I transfer credits?

Often, yes, but the amount varies. Ask for a transfer evaluation in writing before you enroll.