Learning to streamline patient care issues doesn't happen overnight, but it can happen with one of the Top Affordable Online Bachelor's Degrees in Health Information Management. This career field is in high demand, and any student with a data-oriented brain can learn to add legible medical notes, input insurance information, and bill the proper recipient to create a successful patient-care setting.
Top Most Affordable Online Bachelor's Degrees in Health Information Management 2020
Health information managers have an important role in the security of patient health information. The American Health Information Management Association describes this role as "a combination of business, science, and information technology." This broad spectrum of education opens the door for a variety of professions.
Aside from becoming a health information manager, successful students can seek work as directors, clinical coding specialists, data quality managers, data statisticians, compliance coordinators, and other related jobs. In addition to the breadth of roles, the work environments in which they're needed are equally as vast. Spanning both patient and not-patient care, s graduates work in government agencies, software, and education.
Ultimately, this education results in an information professional with management, finance, and medical knowledge. This person is able to properly manage electronic medical records within health information systems in compliance with industry ethics and patient privacy regulations.
Not only is there a wide range of roles you can opt into with a Bachelor's in HIM, but there's also a strong necessity for more professionals in the field. With a combination of interpersonal, technical, and analytical skills, health information managers are able to provide their expertise in a time when the aging community is in particular need of such professionals.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for health information and medical records technicians is set to grow much faster than average career choices within the next 10 years. The median range earned by these professionals is $45,000 annually, with the highest-earning 10% making over $66,000. Payscale.com puts the starting salary for Registered Health Information Administrators (RHIA) at $65,000, leaving plenty of room to earn more as you gain experience. Students with a bachelor's degree are eligible to gain certification as RHIA, Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) or Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR).
Selection Criteria
Healthcare Administration Degrees uses the best publicly available data from the National Center for Education Statistics, Payscale, and student review sites. Healthcare is a high-earning field with demanding education expectations. Because of that, Healthcare Administration Degrees focuses on the Mid-Career Pay of Graduates, Student Retention Rates, and the Average SAT Scores of accepted students, collectively amounting to 70 percent of a school's final score. Student Reviews and Affordability round out our metrics.
Here are the Top Most Affordable Online Bachelor's Degrees in Health Information Management for 2019!
#14. Franklin University – Columbus, OH
Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management
Website
Net Price: $24,799
Accreditation: CAHIIM
Franklin University understands that not all students start fresh when they set out to pursue their bachelor's degree. This Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management provides students with knowledge of healthcare data and confidence to organize and understand it. There are a total of 120 mandatory semester hours, but students can be eligible to transfer up to 94 previously earned credits, helping to stay on track of education and career goals.
The entire program takes place online and is taught by highly-experienced, real-world practitioners. In addition to learning healthcare management and IT, students also gain knowledge in organizational management. The result is a degree that is impressive to employers and opens the door to fruitful opportunities, all while costing 66% less than the national average.
#13. University of Cincinnati – Cincinnati, OH
Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management
Website
Net Price: $21,050
Accreditation: CAHIIM
The Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management from the University of Cincinnati puts health information systems at its focus. This education prepares students to take the Registered Health Information Administrator exam and can be completed in as little as two years, making it ideal for practicing registered health information technicians. Degree coursework covers 52 credits, teaching fundamentals of the trade, including Financial Management, Human Resources, Performance Improvement, and, of course, Information Systems.
There is a final capstone requirement that's good for seven to ten credit hours. This HIT degree is made with convenience in mind, and UC gives its students extra helpful tips to lead to success, like how to work full time and how to manage learning online. Their track record proves their method works: the RHIT pass-rate for these students in 2017 was 90%.
#12. Davenport University – Grand Rapids, MI
Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management
Website
Net Price: $16,788
Accreditation: CAHIIM
This online Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management from Davenport University also equips students with the knowledge necessary to sit for the RHIT. Before getting into the major requirements, students will take 53 credits related to Foundations of Excellence and Foundations of Health Professionals. Topics in these portions cover things like Achieving Career and Education Success, Anatomy and Disease, Professional Writing, Algebra, and Psychology.
Davenport students also take a 3-credit course on Medical Terminology and Healthcare Law and Ethics before getting into major courses. With this foundation, the remainder of the curriculum opens up to HIT-focused requirements related to coding, leadership, and health information systems. The program boasts high rates of retention (72%), job-placement (87.5%), and student satisfaction (6.14/7).
#11. Dakota State University – City, ST
Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management
Website
Net Price: $16,513
Accreditation: CAHIIM
Creating well-rounded and highly knowledgeable professionals is the goal of Dakota State University's Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management. The selective program provides training and knowledge in designing and managing healthcare information systems, collecting and analyzing patient data, and using classification systems in a spectrum of facilities.
To help better instill this knowledge, and to ensure it meets medical, legal, and ethical standards, all students partake in supervised professional practices. The curriculum equips you to prepare for this practice, job interviews, and ultimately a career in the field. Courses that count for the most credits are in Human Anatomy, Fundamentals of Disease Coding, and Management of HIM Centers, but there are plenty of other courses devoted to math, science, and communication in the field.
#10. University of Wisconsin – Various Campuses, WI
Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management & Technology (HIMT)
Website
Net Price: $15,910
Accreditation: CAHIIM
The Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management & Technology from the University of Wisconsin is at the forefront of the evolving health information industry. The 61-credits within the degree combine both health information management and health information technology studies so students are well-equipped not to just find a job, but to lead the way in the development of this field.
With specific career goals in mind, you'll choose from two concentrations: Health Information Management or Health Information Technology. All students will join together in learning the core courses, including Statistics for Healthcare, Ethical Issues, Quality Assessment, and Billing. The program is held online, which makes it especially accessible for adults juggling work and family in addition to school.
#9. University of Central Florida – Orlando, FL
Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics and Information Management
Website
Net Price: $15,341
Accreditation: CAHIIM
The growing information technology field is represented well through the Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics and Information Management at the University of Central Florida. The coursework is based on an understanding that proper organization and analysis of the information could change, or even save, a patient's life. In total, there are 120 credit hours to be completed, which can be done in two years with a full-time schedule. You're also responsible for a community-based internship, which functions as a capstone.
Ideally, all students will also be employed part-time in a healthcare setting, so they can demonstrate familiarity with the coursework and implement it in the process. The program prepares students for roles as data analysts, database administrators, or IT coordinators, among other roles, but with the highly-respected CCA and RHIA certifications.
#8. Augusta University – Augusta, GA
Bachelor of Science in Health Information Administration
Website
Net Price: $13,381
Accreditation: CAHIIM
This Bachelor of Science in Health Information Administration from Augusta University functions as a bachelor's completion program. Your first two years should be completed at an accredited university (or at Augusta University) before entering the second phase of education as a student of the HIA program. This prior education and experience will help to satisfy general and specific technical standards that are expected of all HIA students.
Your junior year kicks off with Principles of Healthcare Management and works through Data Management, Record Processing, System Analysis, Ethics, and Research Methodology throughout the subsequent two years. To ensure that you've taken all the necessary prerequisites to begin this specialized online program, there are handy links provided by Augusta to gauge readiness and check off necessary prerequisites.
#7. East Carolina University – Greenville, NC
Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management
Website
Net Price: $13,327
Accreditation: CAHIIM
At East Carolina University, you can learn from a distance and prepare for the RHIA exam through their online Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management. In this program, the first two years are predominantly spent in general education courses, liberal arts courses, and electives. There is also a scattering of healthcare courses, like Health in Modern Society and Professional Roles & Environments in Healthcare.
The latter half of the program takes a deeper look into HIT expectations, providing valuable coursework in Ethical Codes & Laws in Healthcare, Privacy & Security in Health Information Systems, Health Data Management, and others. With a 97% retention rate and a 100% passing rate of the RHIA exam this past year, the students at ECU prove they're not only happy in the program but also successful.
#6. Ferris State University – Big Rapids, MI
Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management
Website
Net Price: $12,973
Accreditation: CAHIIM
Ferris State also abides by the principle that students are only ready to move on to a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management after they meet the program's general education requirements. The program is in place for students who've attained an associate-level degree and are RHIT-certified. Degree courses offered are intended to be taught online, ensuring that there aren't any errors or hiccups in transferring material from an in-person style to the web. Once you begin, you'll always have the opportunity to seek assistance from the program advisor.
Experience plays a big role in the success of this degree, and students in Michigan have the opportunity to learn alongside industry-leaders for their internship. Other students who are farther away can immerse themselves in their own local community to start building connections and experience for a role upon graduation. An impressive 92% of graduates from this program have found employment or have opted to continue their education.
#5. Granite State University – Concord, NH
Health Information Management (B.S.)
Website
Net Price: $12,905
Accreditation: NECHE
It's important to have a general education foundation when you begin a Health Information Management Bachelor of Science, and Granite State University makes the most of your hard-earned credits. They are very accepting of transfer credits, which results in a student body made of 80% transfer students.
As long as students have an Associate's Degree in Health Information, they can hit the ground running in courses like Health Care Policy, Law and Ethics, and Human Services. The majority of the coursework can be done online with the exception of a few on-campus requirements. Granite State makes attaining your B.S. affordable and is ranked as one of the top online Bachelor's degrees from U.S. News & World Report.
#4. Indiana University-Bloomington – Indianapolis, IN
Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management
Website
Net Price: $12,488
Accreditation: CAHIIM
The Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management from Indiana University-Bloomington prepares students for a global approach to HIM. The curriculum teaches up-to-date billing and coding technologies, so you're ready to begin the role as soon as you graduate. The program also allows you to work completely online, which leaves room for part-time work either in the sector or otherwise. There is also a mentored practicum which helps to integrate education learned in the program into real-world scenarios.
If you want to push your education as far as possible in as little time necessary, there's the option to complete a master's in addition to a bachelor's degree in just five years. Help in job placement is also offered to HIM graduates through IUPUI Career services, where employers can post jobs for students to browse and apply.
#3. Rutgers University – New Brunswick, NJ
B.S. in Health Information Management
Website
Net Price: $12,020
Accreditation: CAHIIM
In the health information management field, it seems there are limitless options – and Rutgers University adds yet another to consider. Achieve your BS in Health Information Management in four years, or create a joint degree for a dual-major. Students can receive a valuable Certificate in Health Information Management upon graduation or sit for the RHIA. 90% of students find themselves related work within six months of graduating and 100% within a year.
Rutgers also provides an opportunity to earn a coding certificate by taking courses, such as Medical Terminology, Disease Pathology, and Classification & Reimbursement Systems. Students, of course, also have the option to simply apply for the BS in Health Information Management, which requires English, Math, Statistics, Physiology, and Intro to Computers as prerequisites.
#2. Western Kentucky University – Bowling Green, KY
Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management
Website
Net Price: $11,817
Accreditation: CAHIIM
Without having any previous college credits, you can enroll in the online Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management from Western Kentucky University. The core courses in this program cast a wide net on the industry, allowing room for students who have varied career goals.
Degree courses cover Anatomy & Physiology, Healthcare Payment Systems, and Medical Terminology. There's also an ICD-10 Coding requirement, which can be waived as long as there's proof of an existing certification. This highly-competitive education comes at an impressively affordable price, and the flexibility of being able to complete it all online makes it one of the top affordable degrees in HIM.
#1. Louisiana Tech University – Ruston, LA
Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics & Information Management
Website
Net Price: $10,683
Accreditation: CAHIIM
When it comes to affordability and quality, you can't beat the Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics & Information Management from Louisiana Tech University. The program begins with general education credits and moves into health information courses during the junior and senior years of study. These core requirements cover Health Records Professional Practice, Technology Applications for Healthcare, Coding & Classification of Procedures, and other lessons in Healthcare systems.
The final semester focuses on supervised internship experience so that students can apply their knowledge to real practice. Students can sit for the registration exam from AHIMA in their final semester, which will earn them the RHIA credential. This credential opens up the door to high-paying roles in the industry.