California offers health informatics graduate programs for several career paths, including clinical informatics, health data analytics, digital health, healthcare leadership, and academic research. The seven programs below include public and private universities, online and campus options, accelerated degrees, and research-focused study.
Program titles and structures vary. Some schools offer a dedicated health informatics master’s degree, while others provide an informatics pathway within healthcare administration, informatics, or bioinformatics.
Compare the degree type, curriculum, delivery format, cost, and final project before applying.
California Health Informatics Programs
| School | Location | Program | Format | Estimated Tuition | Typical Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Coast University | Los Angeles | MHA – Informatics Track, 30 credits | Online | $23,850 tuition; $24,900–$26,400 estimated direct cost | 8, 12, or 20 months |
| National University | San Diego | MS in Health Informatics, 33 credits | Online | About $23,128 | 13 months on average |
| San José State University | San José | MS in Informatics – Health Career Pathway, 30 units | Online, mostly asynchronous | About $19,590 | 18–24 months |
| UC Davis | Davis | MS in Health Informatics, 48 units | Campus | About $27,097 for five quarters of resident tuition and required fees | 5 quarters full time; up to 3 years part time |
| UCLA | Los Angeles | MS or PhD in Bioinformatics – Medical Informatics subfield | Campus, full time | About $23,131 per year for residents; $38,233 for nonresidents | 5 quarters for MS; 5 years normative for PhD |
| University of San Diego | San Diego | MS in Health Care Informatics, 30 units | Online or evening campus classes | $29,850 online | 20 months; 24 months for dual track |
| University of San Francisco | San Francisco | MS in Digital Health Informatics, 36 units | Hybrid | About $55,980 | 3–6 semesters |
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 California Program May Fit You Best?
For a Dedicated Online Health Informatics Degree
National University offers a 33-credit MS in Health Informatics with online delivery, monthly starts, and an average completion time of 13 months. Its curriculum covers electronic health records, health information exchange, systems planning, biostatistics, and a capstone. The accelerated schedule may suit students who want to finish quickly.
The University of San Diego provides another flexible option. Its MS in Health Care Informatics is available online or through evening campus classes. Students can select Health Care Informatics or Healthcare Data Analytics & AI. A dual-track option includes both areas.
For Health Data Analytics and Technical Study
San José State University combines a broad informatics core with health informatics, epidemiology, and health data analytics courses. The program is fully online and mostly asynchronous. Its lower estimated tuition may appeal to working professionals who meet the program’s technical-readiness expectations.
The University of San Francisco offers a hybrid MS in Digital Health Informatics with study in healthcare data analysis, advanced statistics, machine learning, digital health, and clinical informatics. Weekly synchronous meetings and evening scheduling support students who want regular interaction while continuing to work.
For Healthcare Leadership With Informatics Training
West Coast University may fit students who want healthcare management training with a smaller informatics concentration. Its 30-credit MHA includes 21 health administration credits and nine informatics credits. The program offers 8-, 12-, and 20-month online schedules.
This degree is management-centered. Students who want most of their coursework devoted to programming, analytics, clinical informatics, or informatics research should compare WCU with the dedicated informatics degrees on this page.
For Research and Academic Preparation
UC Davis offers an in-person MS in Health Informatics with thesis and capstone plans. The interdisciplinary program covers clinical data, electronic health records, decision support, data modeling, interoperability, and health information systems. Students should note that fall 2026 admission was suspended and confirm the current application cycle before planning to apply.
UCLA provides the most research-focused route in this group. Students earn an MS or PhD in Bioinformatics and select Medical Informatics as their subfield. The program emphasizes quantitative and biomedical research rather than healthcare administration or health information management.
How to Compare California Health Informatics Degrees
Check the Official Degree Title
A program’s title often shows its main focus. National University, UC Davis, the University of San Diego, and the University of San Francisco award degrees centered on health or digital health informatics. SJSU awards an informatics degree with a Health pathway. WCU awards an MHA with an Informatics track. UCLA awards a bioinformatics degree with a Medical Informatics subfield.
Compare Technical Depth
Review the number of courses devoted to analytics, databases, programming, statistics, machine learning, and information systems. Also check whether the curriculum assumes prior technical knowledge. SJSU expects technical readiness, while several other programs accept students from a wider range of academic backgrounds.
Consider the Final Project
A thesis can help students prepare for doctoral study or research work. A capstone often focuses on an applied healthcare problem. UC Davis offers both thesis and capstone plans, UCLA offers capstone and thesis routes for MS students, and several professional programs require applied capstone projects.
Calculate the Full Cost
Tuition is only one part of the cost. Students should also review mandatory fees, books, technology charges, travel for campus meetings, and the income effects of full-time study. California residency can affect costs at public universities. Employer assistance, military benefits, scholarships, and transfer credit may lower the final amount.
Explore More Health Informatics Programs
Compare California with health informatics programs by state, review online health informatics programs, or learn more about master’s degrees in health informatics.