WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY
Comparing Health Undergraduate Degrees
Ready to Level Up In Your Healthcare Career?
Get started on a healthcare program of your choice from WGU.
Do You Want a Career in Healthcare?
If so, you might be exploring your healthcare degree options. While nursing is a popular degree choice, there are more specialized programs to consider as well. Whether you’re passionate about patient care, technology, or management, WGU offers a number of healthcare degree paths that can align with your interests and skills.
Explore WGU’s online healthcare undergraduate degree programs below and learn more about your options.
Health & Nursing
Health Information Management – B.S.
A program designed for future leaders in HIM....
A program designed for future leaders in HIM.
- Time: 61% of grads earned this degree in 36 months or less.
- Tuition: $4,210 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 36 total courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Medical Terminology
- Healthcare System Applications
- Health Information Law and Regulations
- Healthcare Project Management
- Data Analytics and Information Governance
This CAHIIM-accredited program makes you eligible for the RHIA exam.
Business
Healthcare Administration – B.S.
You can become a healthcare industry leader:...
You can become a healthcare industry leader:
Compare with B.S. Health Information Management
- Time: 63% of graduates finish within 17 months
- Tuition: $3,755 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 40 total courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program include:
- Management
- Communication
- Team Leadership
- Operations
- Scheduling
- Strategic Planning
The online courses in this career-focused business degree program will prepare you with management-level skills and an up-to-date understanding of our healthcare delivery system.
Health & Nursing
Nursing (Prelicensure) – B.S.
A one-of-a-kind nursing program that prepares you to be an RN and a...
A one-of-a-kind nursing program that prepares you to be an RN and a baccalaureate-prepared nurse:
- Locations: Due to in-person clinical requirements, students must be full time residents of Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin to enroll in this program. The coursework in this program is offered online, but there are in-person requirements.
- Tuition: $8,755 per 6-month term for the first 4 terms of pre-nursing coursework and $8,755 per 6-month term for the remaining 4 terms of clinical nursing coursework.
- Time: This program has a set pace and an expected completion time of 4 years. Certain coursework may be accelerated to finish faster.
- WGU offers the prelicensure program in areas where we have partnerships with healthcare employers to provide practice sites and clinical coaches to help teach you and inspire you on your path to becoming a nurse.
- If you don't live in one of our prelicensure states or don't qualify to apply, consider getting our Bachelor's in Health and Human Services instead. This degree allows you to work inside the healthcare industry, while also working directly with patients who need help.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Community Health
- Women's and Children's Nursing
- Pathology
- Physiology
- Research
Health & Nursing
Health and Human Services – B.S.
An online health degree program for students who are committed to making a...
An online health degree program for students who are committed to making a difference for patients in a variety of ways.
- Time: 63% of students finish this program in 24 months
- Tuition: $4,210 per 6-month term
- Courses: 35 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Epidemiology
- Community and Public Health
- Cultural Awareness
- Pathophysiology
- Healthcare Values and Ethics
- Substance Abuse Support
This degree allows you to work inside the healthcare industry, while also directly working with patients who need help.
Health & Nursing
Nursing (RN-to-BSN Online) – B.S.
An online BSN degree program for registered nurses (RNs) seeking the added...
An online BSN degree program for registered nurses (RNs) seeking the added theoretical depth, employability, and respect that a bachelor's degree brings:
- Time: The program is designed to be completed in 1 year.
- Tuition: $5,325 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 23 total courses in this program.
- Transfers: Students can transfer up to 90 credits.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Healthcare Policy and Economics
- Information Technology in Nursing Practice
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Applied Healthcare Statistics
If you don't currently have an RN and don't qualify for your nursing prelicensure program, consider getting our Bachelor's in Health and Human Services instead. This degree allows you to work inside the healthcare industry in a unique way.
Comparing Healthcare Bachelor’s Degrees at WGU
RN-to-BSN
This degree program is designed to help current registered nurses (RN) further their education and earn a bachelor's degree. It builds on knowledge gained in an RN program with more complex and specialized subjects, such as evidence-based practice, leadership, and community health. It can be a great option for current RNs looking for a flexible, reputable, and affordable program.
Health & Nursing
Nursing (RN-to-BSN Online) – B.S.
An online BSN degree program for registered nurses (RNs) seeking the added...
An online BSN degree program for registered nurses (RNs) seeking the added theoretical depth, employability, and respect that a bachelor's degree brings:
- Time: The program is designed to be completed in 1 year.
- Tuition: $5,325 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 23 total courses in this program.
- Transfers: Students can transfer up to 90 credits.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Healthcare Policy and Economics
- Information Technology in Nursing Practice
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Applied Healthcare Statistics
If you don't currently have an RN and don't qualify for your nursing prelicensure program, consider getting our Bachelor's in Health and Human Services instead. This degree allows you to work inside the healthcare industry in a unique way.
Prelicensure
WGU's prelicensure pathway allows you to earn licensure as an RN and earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in one program. The curriculum covers topics such as mental health, medical dosage calculations, critical care nursing, and more. Upon graduation, you’ll earn a BSN and meet the requirements to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. You must then pass the exam to become a licensed registered nurse.
WGU’s prelicensure program is open to a limited number of RNs and only available in select states: Texas, New Mexico, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Idaho, Kansas, Missouri, Ohio, Utah, and Nevada.
Health & Nursing
Nursing (Prelicensure) – B.S.
A one-of-a-kind nursing program that prepares you to be an RN and a...
A one-of-a-kind nursing program that prepares you to be an RN and a baccalaureate-prepared nurse:
- Locations: Due to in-person clinical requirements, students must be full time residents of Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin to enroll in this program. The coursework in this program is offered online, but there are in-person requirements.
- Tuition: $8,755 per 6-month term for the first 4 terms of pre-nursing coursework and $8,755 per 6-month term for the remaining 4 terms of clinical nursing coursework.
- Time: This program has a set pace and an expected completion time of 4 years. Certain coursework may be accelerated to finish faster.
- WGU offers the prelicensure program in areas where we have partnerships with healthcare employers to provide practice sites and clinical coaches to help teach you and inspire you on your path to becoming a nurse.
- If you don't live in one of our prelicensure states or don't qualify to apply, consider getting our Bachelor's in Health and Human Services instead. This degree allows you to work inside the healthcare industry, while also working directly with patients who need help.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Community Health
- Women's and Children's Nursing
- Pathology
- Physiology
- Research
Who Should Pursue a BSN?
For nurses who enjoy direct patient care, aim for career longevity, and want to advance in their industry, a BSN is a crucial step to achieving those goals. Many hospitals look for nurses with BSNs when they’re staffing, and in some states, a BSN is required to become a full-time nurse. It’s also a key component to stepping into senior leadership roles.
BSN Career Outcomes
If you earn your BSN, there are many career paths open to you, including:
Who Should Pursue a BSN?
For nurses who enjoy direct patient care, aim for career longevity, and want to advance in their industry, a BSN is a crucial step to achieving those goals. Many hospitals look for nurses with BSNs when they’re staffing, and in some states, a BSN is required to become a full-time nurse. It’s also a key component to stepping into senior leadership roles.
Health Information Management
This program is all about keeping patient data and information safe, organized, and accessible. The curriculum provides a solid foundation in computer information systems and technology for healthcare organizations. Coursework in data analytics, health systems, and security will teach you how to handle patient and financial data. WGU’s health information management program also provides a simulation experience that gives you a glimpse into how HIM operates and functions in the real world.
Who Pursue a Health Information Management Degree?
If direct patient care isn’t your passion but health and technology are, a health information management degree is a great intersection of these two fields. Because there’s a strong statistical and information technology component to this field, this degree works best with people who have experience or interest in these subjects.
Health Information Management Career Outcomes
If you earn a health information management degree, there are many career paths open to you, including:
Health & Nursing
Health Information Management – B.S.
A program designed for future leaders in HIM....
A program designed for future leaders in HIM.
- Time: 61% of grads earned this degree in 36 months or less.
- Tuition: $4,210 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 36 total courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Medical Terminology
- Healthcare System Applications
- Health Information Law and Regulations
- Healthcare Project Management
- Data Analytics and Information Governance
This CAHIIM-accredited program makes you eligible for the RHIA exam.
Healthcare Administration
Because this program is more directly focused on the business side of healthcare, it sits within WGU’s business college. WGU’s healthcare administration degree will help you get the medical understanding you need, as well as give you business fundamentals that will enable you to run medical facilities effectively. The coursework in this program includes topics such as human resources, healthcare management, business management, healthcare data, and more.
Who Should Pursue a Healthcare Administration Degree?
Every healthcare organization needs to be run with strong business principles in order to be successful, and healthcare administrators are the people who make it happen. If you want to help people on their healthcare journey, but aren’t interested in directly working with their medical needs, a healthcare administration degree could be a good option for you.
Healthcare Administration Career Outcomes
If you earn your healthcare administration degree, there are many career paths open to you, including:
Business
Healthcare Administration – B.S.
You can become a healthcare industry leader:...
You can become a healthcare industry leader:
Compare with B.S. Health Information Management
- Time: 63% of graduates finish within 17 months
- Tuition: $3,755 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 40 total courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program include:
- Management
- Communication
- Team Leadership
- Operations
- Scheduling
- Strategic Planning
The online courses in this career-focused business degree program will prepare you with management-level skills and an up-to-date understanding of our healthcare delivery system.
Health and Human Services
The health services program readies students for responsibilities in patient-focused healthcare, communication, leadership, care coordination and more. It includes instruction in value-based care, social determinants in health, and care coordination. Graduates of this program are prepared to help patients in other areas of their care, beyond physical healing. They’re able to navigate patients through a complex health system, assisting with everything from insurance, provider referrals, medical resources, and appointments.
Who Should Pursue a Health and Human Services Degree?
This program is geared toward those who want to help patients but don’t necessarily want to be a doctor or nurse, or have a job focused on physical patient care. If you consider yourself highly organized, are an excellent communicator, and can work well under pressure, you might want to consider a degree in health and human services.
Health and Human Services Career Outcomes
If you earn your health and human services degree, there are many career paths open to you, including:
Health & Nursing
Health and Human Services – B.S.
An online health degree program for students who are committed to making a...
An online health degree program for students who are committed to making a difference for patients in a variety of ways.
- Time: 63% of students finish this program in 24 months
- Tuition: $4,210 per 6-month term
- Courses: 35 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Epidemiology
- Community and Public Health
- Cultural Awareness
- Pathophysiology
- Healthcare Values and Ethics
- Substance Abuse Support
This degree allows you to work inside the healthcare industry, while also directly working with patients who need help.
What Program is Right for You?
It ultimately comes down to your interests and career aspirations. Ask yourself:
Do I want to work directly with patients?
Am I interested in helping people navigate their medical journey?
Do I see myself in a management role?
Is technology something that interests me?
Wherever you land on these questions, the good news is, WGU has a healthcare degree program that will connect with your passions and prepare you for the career you desire.
What Do WGU's Programs Have in Common?
Whichever degree you choose, there is a wide variety of career opportunities open to students of both degree programs. There are also major benefits associated with pursuing a degree program with WGU, including a flexible schedule, coursework and lessons that are fully accessible online, affordable options for every student, and more. Any of the nursing undergrad degrees from WGU can help you achieve your goals—it just depends on your experience and what you want your future to be.
Why WGU?
Be Career Ready
Designed with input from healthcare leaders, our accredited programs give you the skills and credentials today’s employers need. That’s why 97% of employers said they’d hire another WGU grad.1
1: 2023 Harris Poll of 300 employers of WGU grads.
Get and Keep the Job You Want to Have
85% of WGU graduates are employed in their degree fields—and 87% are employed full-time.2
2: 2023 Harris Poll of 1,655 WGU grads.
Save Money
With flat-rate tuition that is 47% lower than the national average3 and generous need-based scholarships, our degrees are an excellent investment that you can afford.
3: National rates reported by the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System in 2022. WGU average rate does not include rates for WGU Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Prelicensure program.
Work as You Need While Going to School
At WGU, you can complete courses, take tests, and graduate on your schedule. In fact, many of our healthcare students work full-time while earning their life-changing bachelor’s or master’s degrees.
COST & TIME
An Affordable Bachelor's Degree
By charging per term rather than per credit—and empowering students to accelerate through material they know well or learn quickly—WGU helps students control the ultimate cost of their degrees. The faster you complete your program, the less you pay for your degree.
Prepared for Success on the Job
*From a 2023 Harris Poll of 300 employers of WGU graduates.
100% of employers said that WGU graduates were prepared for their jobs.*
97% of employers said that they would hire another WGU grad.*
98% of employers said WGU graduates met or exceeded expectations.*
