Virginia offers health informatics graduate programs for several career paths, including health data analytics, informatics management, health care administration, nursing informatics, and research. The six schools below include public and private universities, online and campus options, and master’s and doctoral degrees.
Program titles and structures vary. Some schools offer a dedicated health informatics master’s degree, while others provide informatics through a healthcare administration track or a nursing degree for registered nurses.
Compare the degree type, curriculum, delivery format, cost, and final project before applying.
Virginia Health Informatics Programs
| School | Location | Program | Format | Estimated Tuition | Typical Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Mason University | Fairfax | MS in Health Informatics, 30–36 credits | Campus or online | About $20,010–$24,012 in state on campus; $800 per credit online | About 2–3 years |
| Liberty University | Lynchburg | MS in Health Informatics, 42 credits | Online | About $25,200 at the full-time rate | About 2 years |
| Norfolk State University | Norfolk | Master of Health Informatics, 33 credits | Online, with an in-person internship | About $27,621 in state | About 16 months full time |
| University of the Potomac | Falls Church | MS in Healthcare Informatics, 36 credits | Online or hybrid | $16,200 tuition; about $18,200 with fees | About 2 years |
| ECPI University | Virginia Beach | MS in Healthcare Administration – Health Informatics Track, 36 credits | Online | $25,920 tuition; about $27,265 with fees | About 14 months |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | Richmond | DNP in Nursing Informatics, 60 credits | Online, with in-person practicum work | About $42,000 | 3.5 years part time |
Tuition estimates use the rates available when each profile was reviewed. Universities can change tuition, fees, schedules, and admission policies. Confirm current costs and requirements with each school.
Which Virginia Program May Fit You Best?
For a Dedicated Health Informatics Degree
George Mason University offers a CAHIIM-accredited MS in Health Informatics on campus in Fairfax or online. Campus students choose from five concentrations, including Health Data Analytics, Public Health Informatics, and AI in Health, and every student finishes with a practicum or thesis. The online version offers two concentrations and a flat per-credit rate for all students.
Norfolk State University offers a 33-credit Master of Health Informatics with online coursework, a fixed cohort schedule, and a 240-hour in-person internship. Applicants can hold a bachelor’s degree in any major, and the program does not require the GRE or recommendation letters.
For a Flexible Online Degree
Liberty University offers a 42-credit online MS in Health Informatics with mostly 8-week courses and a capstone project. Liberty also offers an MA in Medical Sciences with a health informatics cognate and an MSN in Nursing Informatics for registered nurses. Reduced rates are available for military students.
University of the Potomac offers a 36-credit MS in Healthcare Informatics online or in a hybrid format at its Falls Church campus. Its courses divide evenly among business, health, and information technology, and the program has the lowest listed tuition on this page. The degree does not include a capstone or practicum.
For Healthcare Leadership With Informatics Training
ECPI University offers an online MS in Healthcare Administration with a three-course Health Informatics track in data science, predictive analysis, and analytic tools. Courses run in 5-week terms, and students can finish in about 14 months.
This degree is management-centered. Students who want most of their coursework devoted to informatics should compare ECPI with the dedicated health informatics degrees on this page.
For Registered Nurses and Doctoral Study
Virginia Commonwealth University offers a part-time BSN-to-DNP with a concentration in nursing informatics. Lecture courses are online, while practicum courses include in-person work at a practice setting. The program requires an RN license and does not lead to nurse practitioner certification.
Students interested in research can also review George Mason’s PhD in Health Services Research, which offers a concentration in Knowledge Discovery and Health Informatics.
How to Compare Virginia Health Informatics Degrees
Check the Official Degree Title
A program’s title often shows its main focus. George Mason, Liberty, Norfolk State, and the University of the Potomac award degrees centered on health informatics. ECPI awards an MS in Healthcare Administration with an informatics track. VCU awards a Doctor of Nursing Practice with a nursing informatics concentration.
Confirm Accreditation
All six schools hold institutional accreditation, but programmatic accreditation differs. George Mason’s MS in Health Informatics is accredited by CAHIIM, and VCU’s DNP is accredited by CCNE. Students who plan to pursue a specific credential should check its eligibility rules before choosing a program.
Consider the Final Project
George Mason students complete a practicum or thesis, Norfolk State requires an in-person internship, and Liberty and ECPI end with capstone courses. The University of the Potomac’s program does not include a capstone. Students who want applied experience should compare these requirements closely.
Calculate the Full Cost
Tuition is only one part of the cost. Students should also review technology fees, program fees, books, and any required travel. Virginia residency affects costs at George Mason’s campus program and at Norfolk State, while George Mason’s online program and the private universities on this page charge the same rate regardless of residency. VCU students should confirm which rate applies to the informatics concentration. Employer assistance, military benefits, scholarships, and transfer credit may lower the final amount.
Explore More Health Informatics Programs
Compare Virginia with health informatics programs by state, review online health informatics programs, or learn more about master’s degrees in health informatics.