Study Masters in Health Informatics in USA 2025
As a degree programme, Masters in Health Informatics in USA is an amalgamation of various disciplines, i.e. Information Technology, Healthcare and Data Science. Designed primarily to facilitate a quicker and efficient healthcare system, Master's/MS in Health Informatics will instil the necessary skills that allow professionals to combine their knowledge of computer and data science with the needs of today’s healthcare system.
Commonly offered as a two-year programme, students can choose between an MS or Masters in Health Informatics in USA as their graduate degree programme. This programme allows aspirants to contribute to society in the healthcare system without having to pursue a medical or nursing course.
Let’s dive into the details about the 2-year master’s programme offered by some of the top universities here!
Why Study Masters in Health Informatics in USA?
Highlighted here are some reasons why you should choose to study Masters in Health Informatics in USA:
- Growing Demand: As the demand for a quicker and efficient healthcare sector grows, so does the demand for skilled and qualified candidates who can decode the languages of medicine and computer science and transform them into an effective data system.
- A Leading Healthcare Sector: With innovation and research at the forefront, the US houses a leading healthcare sector dedicated to improving medicine and healthcare. Additionally, with top companies like Google and Apple working tirelessly towards digitising healthcare, the US has become the perfect place to gain the necessary skills and knowledge to combine healthcare and technology.
- Tremendous Career Prospects: With AI and extensive data-driven medical practices being enforced around the world, several reports across the pond report that the health informatics industry is expected to grow over US$100 billion by 2030. Therefore, it is safe to assume that immense career opportunities for all health informatics professionals are waiting in the near future.
- World’s Best Universities: The USA is home to numerous universities that have been recognised the world over for their academic excellence and industry expertise as a result of comprehensive industry relations. In both fields, i.e. healthcare and information technology, US universities have been recognised among the top by different independent ranking lists, such as QS, Times Higher Education and US News and World Report.
Masters in Health Informatics: What You’ll Study?
While each university offering a Masters in Health Informatics in USA will define the curriculum and subjects that students will be covering during the two years of studies scheduled, we have curated a list of some of the common and useful topics that can help you finalise if this is the right course for you.
| Introduction to Health Informatics | Managing Health Informatics |
| Organisation and Management of Healthcare Systems | Artificial Intelligence in Medicine |
| Health Information Standards | Computational Methods for Informatics |
| Population and Public | Population and Public |
| Global Health Informatics | Political and Economic Aspects of Health |
| Data Analytics in Healthcare | Cloud Computing Concepts |
| Designing Consumer Health Technologies | Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis |
Note: The subjects listed above have been taken from a select list of universities that offer an MS or Masters in Health Informatics in USA. As stated above, each university will define the subjects and projects that students must undertake to complete the course and receive their degree.
Difference Between Health Informatics and Health Data Analysis
While mistakenly clubbed together, there are stark differences between the two health information management programmes and courses. Let us dive deeper into this analysis to understand which might be better suited to your professional aspirations:
Terminology:
Health Informatics is often a broader term that encompasses data analysis within the subject. As a subject, a student will learn about the entire ecosystem for healthcare data management, starting with the collection and storage of data, to the distribution of the data, and even maintaining the privacy of the data. Meanwhile, Health Data Analytics deals with processing and analysing the data collected through the systems created by Health Informatics professionals and providing a deeper and greater understanding of the data. In other words, Health Informatics is a broader term, while Health Data Analytics is a specialised subset of Health Informatics.
Activities:
As a Health Informatics Professional, you will be tasked with designing and developing different healthcare systems based on the needs and requirements of the healthcare sector. This also includes the management of the lifecycle of the created information system, studying the flow of information throughout the hospital for efficiency and effectiveness, and creating solutions and decision-making models that reduce the overall personal, professional and legal hurdles that medical professionals face on a day-to-day basis.
As a Health Data Analyst, your role will require you to collect and analyse existing data to isolate patterns and new data by manipulating large data sets. Additionally, you will also use different statistical models to analyse patient data, and create reports and presentations to help disseminate information in an easy-to-consume manner.
Top Universities for Masters in Health Informatics in USA
Choosing the right college for your higher studies is as crucial as choosing the right programme for your graduate studies. Therefore, here is a list of some of the best universities for an MS or Masters in Health Informatics in USA that international students can apply to.
| University Name | QS World University Ranking 2026 |
|---|---|
| Cornell University | #16 |
| John Hopkins University | #24 |
| Columbia University | #38 |
| University of Michigan - Ann Arbor | #45 |
| Duke University | #62 |
| University of Washington | #81 |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | #140 |
Note: The universities listed above specifically offer a course related to a Masters in Health Informatics in USA that have been ranked and recognised by QS World University Rankings. However, there are other top-ranking universities that offer degree programmes that can lead to a career in health informatics but do not lead to a degree in the same field.
Masters in Health Informatics in USA: Admission Requirements
If you have finalised the decision to study at any one of the top universities in the country offering the programme, then getting ready for admissions is the next step. Inevitably, each university will define the admission requirements for international students to study Masters in Health Informatics in USA, however, listed below are some general eligibility criteria you will have to consider:
- Bachelor’s Degree: Depending on the university, international students must have acquired a bachelor’s degree equivalent to a 4-year undergraduate degree offered in the US. While a UG degree in a related field may not be the norm, it is advisable to confer with the desired university and see if you qualify.
- Students must have achieved a minimum of 3.0 GPA on a scale of 4.0 or an equivalent score in their undergraduate degree programme.
- Standardised Test: Many universities accept international students based on their GRE scores; however, some have decided to waive this requirement altogether. Therefore, please check with the university for this requirement as well.
- ELP Tests: All non-native English-speaking students are required to submit a valid English Language Proficiency test score at the time of application. Some accepted tests include:
- IELTS Academic - minimum of 6.5 and recommended 7.0
- TOEFL iBT - minimum of 90 and recommended 100
- Letters of Recommendation: For most graduate degree programmes, applicants are required to submit 2-3 LORs at the time of application. Additionally, each university will specify the format and the number of LORs, as well as other requirements in this regard that the applicant must adhere to.
- Statement of Purpose: Depending on the university, applicants may be required to submit a Statement of Purpose highlighting their motivation, reasoning and ability to pursue the programme or be asked to write an essay or answer a few questions as per the directions of the university offering the course.
- Work Experience: Some universities may prefer students who possess valid work experience in a field related to the course they are applying to. Therefore, while it is not compulsory, it is advisable to gain experience.
Cost to Study Masters in Health Informatics in USA
The actual costs of studying in the USA will be determined by the course you choose, whether it is a theory/research or coursework-based programme, as well as the university you have chosen to pursue the 2-year degree programme. Outlined below are some costs to study Masters in Health Informatics in USA you must consider before applying to a course:
| University Name | Annual Tuition Fees (in USD) |
|---|---|
| University of Michigan - Ann Arbor | US $60,000 |
| John Hopkins University | US $ 71,000 |
| University of Washington | US $52,000 (Total fees) |
| Cornell University | US $45,000 - $50,000 |
| Duke University | US $72,000 |
Note: The costs listed above have been provided for reference purposes and candidates are advised to confer with the university or with AECC Counsellors to get the latest information regarding the tuition fees to study in USA today.
Masters in Health Informatics in USA: Career Scope
As we have highlighted above, a Masters in Health Informatics is expected to grow into a US $100 Billion industry, with numerous job opportunities arising over the horizon by 2030. Let’s check out some of the popular roles you can pursue after graduating with a Masters in Health Informatics in USA.
| Job Roles | Average Annual Salary (in USD) |
|---|---|
| Clinical Informatics Specialist | US $70,000 - $125,000 |
| Chief Medical Information Officer | US $92,000 - $200,000 |
| Healthcare Data Scientist | US $75,000 - $130,000 |
| Healthcare IT Consultant | US $65,000 - $120,000 |
| Public Health Informatics | US $75,000 - $135,000 |
Sources: Glassdoor, Indeed, Payscale, Ziprecruiter
Note: The salaries listed above have been provided as a reference since the actual salaries depend on a number of factors, such as professional experience and job position. These salaries are also a representation of the overall salaries that graduates of the programme receive without considering their years of professional experience.
OPT After Masters in Health Informatics in USA
A major reason why students choose to study Masters in Health Informatics in USA is to avail of the Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows students to stay back in the country and find suitable work opportunities to gain valuable experience.
As per regulations, students on an F-1 visa can stay back in the country on OPT for 12-36 months, depending on the field of study. Primarily, the USA permits graduates finding jobs in STEM to stay back up to 36 months, and since Health Informatics falls under the STEM category, students will be permitted to stay back for up to 36 months to find and gain relevant work experience.
As a growing industry in a highly competitive market, choosing to study Masters in Health Informatics in USA can be the right move for you, if you plan to contribute to society through your skills and knowledge of healthcare and technology. The USA, being a top research and innovation centre, will help you learn the latest and greatest technologies to exist and use them to benefit your career and the society you wish to improve. If you wish to learn more about studying a Masters or MS in Health Informatics in USA, then reach out to AECC Counsellors and get expert guidance to study abroad today.