Healthcare Innovation: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for forward-thinking professionals, this program equips learners with the strategic mindset and technical expertise needed to drive transformative advancements in healthcare delivery. By integrating interdisciplinary knowledge with real-world application, graduates are prepared to identify systemic challenges and implement data-informed, scalable innovations across clinical, operational, and technological domains.
- Innovation Management: Develops frameworks for identifying, evaluating, and implementing new ideas within complex healthcare environments, emphasizing agility and sustainable impact.
- Medical Device Development: Explores the full lifecycle of healthcare technology—from concept and design to regulatory approval and market integration—focusing on safety, efficacy, and patient-centered outcomes.
- Evidence-Based Practice: Teaches the systematic use of current research and clinical data to guide decision-making, ensuring interventions are both effective and grounded in scientific rigor.
- Systems Thinking: Provides tools to analyze healthcare processes as interconnected networks, enabling the identification of leverage points for improvement and the anticipation of unintended consequences.
- Information Technology in Healthcare: Focuses on digital health solutions, electronic health records, data analytics, and cybersecurity to enhance care coordination and operational efficiency.
- Healthcare Policy and Finance: Examines the economic and regulatory forces shaping healthcare delivery, including reimbursement models, cost containment strategies, and public health funding mechanisms.
- Organizational Change: Builds competencies in leading and managing transformation initiatives, including stakeholder engagement, resistance mitigation, and cultural alignment.
- Leadership in Health Systems: Cultivates ethical decision-making, strategic vision, and collaborative leadership skills essential for guiding multidisciplinary teams toward system-wide improvement.
Healthcare Innovation Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Healthcare Innovation Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Healthcare Innovation degrees, including Medical and Health Services Managers. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 565,840 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical and Health Services Managers 11-9111 | $117,960 | $69,680 - $219,080 | 565,840 | $56.71 |
Healthcare Innovation Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $88,340 in Arkansas to $161,050 in District of Columbia—a 82% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, New York, and Washington. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 565,840 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Healthcare Innovation by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 15 institutions offering Healthcare Innovation programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Healthcare Innovation is found at Arizona State University, Digital Immersion (69 graduates), Washington State University (WSU) (49 graduates), University of New Haven (UNH) (30 graduates), St. Thomas University (STU) (15 graduates), and Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) (14 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 244 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
69 | Scottsdale, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| Washington State University (WSU) |
Post-Master's
|
49 | Pullman, Washington | Public | wsu.edu |
| University of New Haven (UNH) |
Postbac Cert.
|
30 | West Haven, Connecticut | Private | newhaven.edu |
| St. Thomas University (STU) |
Master's
|
15 | Miami Gardens, Florida | Private | stu.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
14 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| Boise State University (BBU) |
Master's
|
14 | Boise, Idaho | Public | boisestate.edu |
| Winona State University (WSU) |
Master's
|
12 | Winona, Minnesota | Public | winona.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Postbac Cert.
|
11 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
9 | Erie, Pennsylvania | Private | lecom.edu |
| Bryant University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
7 | Smithfield, Rhode Island | Private | bryant.edu |
| University of Kentucky (UK) |
Postbac Cert.
|
6 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | uky.edu |
| Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Richmond, Virginia | Public | vcu.edu |
| Southeastern Louisiana University (SLU) |
Other Award
|
2 | Hammond, Louisiana | Public | southeastern.edu |
| Wright State University |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Dayton, Ohio | Public | wright.edu |
| Clemson University |
Master's
|
1 | Clemson, South Carolina | Public | clemson.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Healthcare Innovation programs
How much can I earn with a Healthcare Innovation degree?
Salaries for Healthcare Innovation graduates vary by role and location. Medical and Health Services Managers earn a median of $117,960 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $161,050 compared to $88,340 in Arkansas. Approximately 565,840 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Healthcare Innovation programs?
Currently 15 accredited institutions offer Healthcare Innovation degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Arizona State University, Digital Immersion (69 graduates), Washington State University (WSU) (49 graduates), and University of New Haven (UNH) (30 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
What career paths are available with a Healthcare Innovation degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Medical and Health Services Managers. Related occupations employ approximately 565,840 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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