The Students Before Profits Award was created to recognize nonprofit colleges and universities offering degrees that put students before profits and education before the bottom line. For our ranking of the 2017 Online Bachelor’s in Health Information Management / Health Informatics award winners, we chose online programs from nonprofit colleges and universities, accredited by trusted and independent accreditation boards, with lower than average tuition costs and have ranked them by affordability.
As the Health Information Management market explodes with opportunities, many students are looking for ways to gain the training and understanding needed to transition to a career within this burgeoning, exciting new job market. Most students looking to transition into a career in health information management are currently working in some sort of work environment are in need of a program that is online, affording the potential student the necessary balance to accommodate current work-related obligations while studying to prepare for new, exciting work opportunities.
With the growing movement towards digital record keeping and bookkeeping, many health care organizations are looking for workers who understand the technological principles and can negotiate the potential technological hurdles that befall an organization as they move to design, implement, and maintain a health information system. Requiring a deft blend of information technology skills and an understanding of health care systems, patient needs and ethical procedures related to patient confidentiality, the Health Information Management field of study requires a student ready to take on this multi-disciplined career. Through the completion of this degree, students will be ready to jump into careers like that of a health information systems analyst, or will be positioned to further their studies in the field by pursuing a post-graduate degree such as a Master of Science in Health Informatics. As this job market continues to expand with the demand for health information systems increases within health care organizations, graduates of a Health Information Management degree can look forward to a healthy job market with plentiful options of gainful employement.
Note that tuition rates listed below are based on cost per credit and individual programs may have additional fees.
#1. Western Governors University
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In the year 1995, the Western Governors Association – a non-partisan organization of the governors that make up the Western region of the United States – met to discuss issues facing higher-education in their states. Building off of ideas and discussions from that meeting, the Western Governors University was founded just two years later. Located in Salt Lake City, Utah, the school is actually entirely online with various teaching centers located throughout the west. The school forgoes the traditional seasonal semester model, with a rolling semester system starting each month, allowing a greater flexibility for enrollment. Using a cohort system of education, students are grouped together and move through the courses together as a unit creating a system of support and discussion typically not found in non-cohort class systems. Currently, the school enrolls just over 72,000 students with fifty-five different degree programs to choose from. Western Governors University is a private institution.
Program Overview
Because of Western Governors University’s expertise in online education, their Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management degree program provides students with a robust curriculum that is delivered in a very flexible and effective manner. Preparing students for the growing field of health information management, this program is designed for students of differing backgrounds to leverage their current career strengths into a new career move into this new job market. Whether a current healthcare professional seeking to develop IT skills, an IT professional hoping to seek related medical or health information skills, or a business professional seeking to learn more about health information management, this program will help students leverage their strengths and bolster their weaknesses to prepare for a fruitful career in health information management. Available entirely online students do not need to apply with prior college credits. Upon completion of this degree program, students can take the exam to become a Registered Health Information Administrator. A minimum of 120 credits are required to complete this program.
Accreditation: Western Governors University’s Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management (CAHIIM).
Tuition: $23,120
#2. Southern New Hampshire University
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Located between the two New Hampshire towns of Hooksett and Manchester, Southern New Hampshire University’s campus is home to over 3,000 students. But even more staggering is Southern New Hampshire University’s online student population. Topping out at over 60,000 students, Southern New Hampshire University is a leader in online education with one of the largest online student bodies. Opened by husband and wife, Harry and Gertrude Shapiro, in 1932 as the New Hampshire School of Accounting and Secretarial Science, the school has grown immensely through the years. The university now offers hundreds of degrees of study. Southern New Hampshire University is a private institution.
Program Overview
As a concentration of their Healthcare Administration degree, Southern New Hampshire University’s Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration with a concentration in Health Information Management degree program gives its students an opportunity to not only learn the latest in health informatics, but also prepare them for administrative and leadership roles within healthcare organizations. Designed to be taken entirely online and not requiring students to have any prior transfer credits, this degree program is a one-stop-shop for students looking to land themselves into supervisory positions in medical information management. A minimum of 120 credits are required to complete this program.
Accreditation: Southern New Hampshire University’s Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration and Health Information Management is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
Tuition: $38,400
#3. Dakota State University
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With the motto “Technically, we’re better”, Dakota State University aims to be at the cutting-edge of technology and education. Requiring all students to start their educational careers at the university with introductory classes in both computers and programming, as well as making sure that the use of tablets and laptops are not only welcomed in all classes but incorporated into the curriculum, Dakota State University is dedicated to technology in the classroom. Opening its doors in 1881 in the small town of Madison as the Madison Normal School, Dakota State University has undergone many changes (even a few name changes) but has never compromised on being ahead of its time and always looking to the future. Home to over 3,000 students, Dakota State University offers over 35 different degrees and programs. Dakota State University is a public institution.
Program Overview
To prepare students with the relevant knowledge and competencies needed to succeed in the field of health informatics, Dakota State University designed their Bachelor of Science in Health Information Administration to encompass all the relevant information technology skills and medical knowledge needed for student success. Available entirely online through Dakota State University’s distance education program students are not required to take any courses on-campus and do not need to transfer in with credits. Students who complete this degree program will be eligible to be RHIT-certified. A minimum of 120 credits are required to complete this program.
Accreditation: Dakota State University’s Bachelor of Science in Health Information Administration is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management (CAHIIM).
Tuition: $40,002
#4. Oregon Institute of Technology
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To re-educate and retrain veterans returning from World War II, the Oregon Institute of Technology was opened in 1947 under the name Oregon Vocational School. Classes were first held in an old Marine Corps hospital northeast of Klamath Falls, where the university was later moved to in 1964 and where it still resides today. Also known as Oregon Tech, the school focuses mainly on the educatin of students in engineering, health technologies, communications, psychology, and management. With a high-focus on teaching students subject areas with great job applicability, Oregon Institute of Technology boasts a very high job placement rate for its students. Oregon Institute of Technology is spread across two main campuses: its original Klamath Falls location, and its newer campus in Wilsonville. The school currently has almost 4,300 students enrolled among its thirty-two different degree programs. Oregon Institute of Technology is a public institution.
Program Overview
Preparing students to enter the field of health informatics, Oregon Institute of Technology’s Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics teaches students the principles and skills needed to succeed within this very exciting new field of work. Students will learn how to maintain, design, implement, and secure health information technology systems for healthcare organizations of all sizes. Offered entirely online, this degree program does not require any campus visits or prior college credits. A minimum of 181 credits are required to complete this program.
Accreditation: Oregon Institute of Technology’s Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
Tuition: $41,087
#5. Stephens College
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One of the oldest all female colleges that still remains to serve only women, Stephens College has a rich history in empowering and educating women. Established in 1833 as the Columbia Female Academy, the school was later renamed to Stephens College after receiving a large endowment by James L. Stephens. The school still remains on its initial campus in the midwestern city of Columbia, Missouri. Stephens College was also the first college to be established in the city of Columbia. Now, the student body has grown to just shy of nine-hundred students with over twenty different undergraduate degree programs to choose from. Stephens College is a private institution.
Program Overview
The first to offer a Health Information Administration degree though distance-learning, Stephens College’s Bachelor of Science in Health Administration has been at the forefront of educating students on the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in health informatics. Through this entirely online program, students will learn fundamentals of business administration, healthcare systems, and medical and ethical requirements within the industry of health informatics. Students who take this course will be eligible to take the exam to become a registered health information administrator. A minimum of 120 credits are required to complete this program.
Accreditation: Stephens College’s Bachelor of Science in Health Information Administration is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management (CAHIIM).
Tuition: $42,480
#6. Liberty University
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In 1971, the Senior Pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church, Jerry Falwell, opened Liberty University. Named Lynchburg Baptist College upon it’s opening, it wasn’t until 1976 that the school had undergone its first name change to Liberty Baptist College, and then once more in 1984 to Liberty University. Located in Lynchburg, Virginia, Liberty University has remained a cornerstone of the small southern town. Founded on a tradition of Christian values, the school continues to instill those values in its student population, while still being open and accepting to other religious denominations. Currently the school is home to over 15,000 students on-campus and a massive online student body of over 100,000. Liberty University is a private institution.
Program Overview
Through Liberty University’s Bachelor of Science in Informatics – Healthcare Informatics, students can expect to be prepared for rich careers in positions such as informatics analyst, clinical informatics specialist, or informatics pharmacist. Offered completely online, this program is flexible to the needs of the modern student, one who might currently be working in the field of healthcare and needs to be able to tailor a class schedule around their work schedule. This program is offered as both a full online bachelor’s degree as well as a degree-completion program, if a student so chooses to transfer in credits. A minimum of 120 credits are required to complete this program.
Accreditation: Liberty University’s Bachelor of Science in Informatics – Healthcare Informatics program is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Tuition: $46,800
#7. LeTourneau University
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To help educate veterans returning from World War II, R.G. and Evelyn LeTourneau opened the LeTourneau Technical Institute in 1946. Occupying an old general hospital in the city of Longview, Texas, students at LeTourneau University were trained in manufacturing skills and often placed into jobs at LeTourneau Manufacturing plant. In the early 60s, the school underwent a transformation, allowing co-educational classes and offering bachelor’s degrees. Founded on a rich Christian tradition, LeTourneau University continues to hold it’s Christian ideals closely and integrates Christian teaching. Currently the school is home to over 5,000 students spread across its main campus in Longview. The school offers a variety of bachelor’s and graduate programs. LeTourneau University is a private institution.
Program Overview
LeTourneau University offers its Bachelor of Science in Health Informations Systems degree entirely online for students to complete at their own time, at their own pace. The course is designed to work from multiple angles. Students currently in the health profession will find all the relevant IT skills needed to best understand health informatics, those who are currently in IT will learn the necessary medical and health-related issues unique to health care data systems. This program also allows nurses and health workers to purse jobs within technology firms. A minimum of 126 credits are required to complete this program.
Accreditation: LeTourneau University’s Bachelor of Science in Health Information Systems program is accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Tuition: $47,250
#8. Saint Joseph’s College of Maine
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Just a few miles away from Portland, Maine, the state’s largest city, Saint Joseph’s College of Maine sits along the shore of the Sebago Lake in the town of Standish. Established as an institution for women by the Portland Regional Community of the Sisters of Mercy in 1912, the school was founded on a rich Catholic tradition. For several decades the school remained as a women-only institution until 1970 when it went co-educaitonal. Now, the school is the only Catholic college in the state of Maine. While proud of its catholic heritage, St. Joseph’s College of Maine is welcoming of students of all background and faiths. Enrolling approximately 1,000 students currently, St. Joseph’s College of Maine offers over forty different degrees, certificates, and programs. St. Joseph’s College of Maine is a private institution.
Program Overview
An entirely comprehensive online degree program, Saint Joseph’s College’s Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management affords students the ability to pursue a bachelor’s degree in health information management without ever having to step foot on a campus. This course also allows students to integrate current work experience directly into the curriculum of the course under certain circumstances. Whether you are are new to this field of study entirely, or have some prior experience with this topic, this course is designed for all levels of familiarity. Students who complete this course will learn the necessary competencies needed for a long, fruitful career within health information administration and management. A minimum of 124 credits are required to complete this program.
Accreditation: Saint Joseph’s College of Maine’s Bachelor of Science in Health Information is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management (CAHIIM).
Tuition: $47,360
#9. Missouri Western State University
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“Everything is possible” as its motto and the griffon, a mythical creature known for guarding great riches, as their mascot, Missouri Western State University understands the value of the whimsical. Initially a two-year institution named St. Joseph Junior College operating out of a local high school, Missouri Western State University became a four-year college in 1969. It was later added to the State of Missouri higher education system in 1977 and given full university status and a name change in the year 2005 to Missouri Western State University. Located in St. Joseph, Missouri, the school is now home to almost 6,000 students offering a vast array of undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs to choose from. Missouri Western State University is a public institution.
Program Overview
Available entirely online, Western Missouri State University’s Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics degree allows students to gain the training and knowledge needed to pursue a career in health informatics. The degree program does not require students to have any prior transfer credits from another college, students can jump right into this program never having to had taken any prior college courses. Through the completion of this degree program students will be ready to design, understand, and implement health information systems for organizations both small and large within the healthcare field. A minimum of 124 credits are required to complete this program.
Accreditation: Missouri Western State University’s Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management (CAHIIM).
Tuition: $51,094
#10. Stevens-Henager College
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Initially named Intermountain Business College, Stevens-Henager College, opened its doors on September, 1891 to its first group of students. Its goal was to educate and prepare students for commercial subjects with the goal to place them directly into careers. After undergoing several name changes: West Haven Business College, Moench University of business, and Smithsonian Business College, it wasn’t until the year 1959 that the school settled on its current name of Stevens-Henager College. With seven different campuses, Stevens-Henager College has grown immensely but still maintains it’s main campus back in Ogden, Utah where the school originated from. Focusing heavily on the delivery of degrees quickly and efficiently, Stevens-Henager College provides its students with fast on-campus and online learning experiences with the goal of getting students into the workforce in a fast and affordable manner. Stevens-Henager College is a private institution.
Program Overview
Available entirely online and designed to be completed in just 36 months, the Bachelor of Science Health Information Management degree is a great choice for current working professionals hoping to expand their knowledge and create new work opportunities. This degree program will teach students accounting, medical, human resources, and business skills needed to work within the healthcare field. By taking this class students will be prepared to jump into many potential careers in healthcare such as a health information technologist, or a healthcare administrator. A minimum of 180 credits are required to complete this program.
Accreditation: Stevens-Henager College is is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges(ACCSC).
Tuition: $74,790
#11. Pennsylvania College of Technology
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Part of The Pennsylvania State University, Pennsylvania College of Technology operates as an applied technology college specializing workforce development. With its roots dating back to 1914 as an adult education facility operated out of the Williamsport High School, the program eventually grew into the Williamsport Technical Institute in 1941. Playing an integral role in war production training during World War II, Williamsport Technical Institute continued its mission of providing real-life work skills to its students. It wasn’t until 1989 that the school’s name was changed to Pennsylvania College of Technology when it became affiliated with The Pennsylvania State University. Now the schools is home to over 5,500 students and offers over 100 fields off study. Pennsylvania College of Technology is public institution.
Program Overview
Another completely online program, the Bachelor of Science Health Information Management degree program offered at Pennsylvania College of Technology offers students the chance to gain their entire degree through distance education, never requiring students to step foot on campus. However, if a student wishes to take classes on a campus, this program is apart of The Pennsylvania State University’s “two-plus-two” degree program that allows students to take two-years of their education at any of the Pennsylvania State University’s campuses. This degree will prepare students for the day-to-day activities of a health information specialist. Once completed this program students will know how to aggregate, interpret, and manipulate health information data and how to maintain systems of this data. A minimum of 132 credits are required to complete this program.
Accreditation: Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).
Tuition: $100,716
#12. Louisiana Tech University
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Maintaining level R3 research activity as rated by Carnegie Institute, Louisiana Tech University is highly regarded as one of Louisiana’s most prominent research universities. With currently funded research projects by the National Science Foundation, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Department of Defense, Federal Aviation Administration, and the National Institutes of Health, Louisiana Tech University engages in research with some of the United States most important government organizations. Opened as the Industrial Institute and College of Louisiana during the Second Industrial Revolution, Louisiana Tech University has been serving students since 1894. Still located in its hometown of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is home to over 12,000 students. Louisiana Tech University is a public institution.
Program Overview
Made available through Louisiana Tech University’s Global_Campus program, the Bachelor Health Informatics & Management program prepares students with the skills needed to understand the complex field of health information technology. Unlike some of the other degrees on this list, Louisiana Tech University offers all the classes needed to complete this degree entirely online. Students are not required to have any prior credits needed to transfer over in order to take this program of study. Once completed students will have an understanding of health-related information systems. A minimum of 120 credits are required to complete this program.
Accreditation: Louisiana Tech University’s Bachelor of Health Informatics & Management program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).
Tuition: $125,280
#13. Weber State University
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Founded in 1889 as Weber Stake Academy by the Church of Latter-day Saints, Weber State University has remained in its hometown of Ogden, Utah. Four name changes later, in 1991, the school was named Weber State University. This was also the year that Weber State University attained university status. Located in the scenic Wasatch Mountains of Ogden, Utah students are afforded 500 acres of beautiful scenery. The school recently opened WSU Downtown in 2013 as a co-working space for students, as well as cafe, and Wildcat Store. Home to over 27,000 students, Weber State University offers its students over 225 degree programs. Weber State University is a public institution.
Program Overview
At Weber State University, the Bachelor of Science – Health Information Management degree can be taken entirely online and does not require students to transfer any prior credits from another school. Students must complete the Health Information Technology Associate program offered through the school, but that degree is made available entirely online. This makes this program one of the few programs on the list that is an entirely online four-year bachelor’s degree. With this degree program students will learn about the implementation, operation, and maintenance of various information systems employed by health care and medical organizations. Students who complete this program will also be qualified to take the Registered Health Information Administrator exam.
Accreditation: Weber State University’s Bachelor of Science – Health Information Management program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management (CAHIIM).
Tuition: $149,457
#14. University of Cincinnati
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The University of Cincinnati opened its doors in 1819. Named the Cincinnati College, the school was later renamed to its current name, University of Cincinnati, in the year in 1870. Initially situated on Clifton Avenue, the school later expanded to its current location in the Heights neighborhood. Later on, in the year 1977, the school was made a state institution. Now, the University of Cincinnati is home to 45,000 students making it one of the fifty largest schools in the United States, and the second largest in the state of Ohio. As a space-grant receiving school, as well as a Tier One research university, the University of Cincinnati was also designated as a NSA Cyber Operations Center of Academic Excellence. The school offers over 350 programs of study. University of Cincinnati is a public insitutition.
Program Overview
The University of Cincinnati’s’s Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management was created with working professionals in mind. Understanding the rigorous demands of most college programs and the effects that can have on a current working professional, especially those currently in the Health Information Technology field, this program was designed to provide its students with the necessary flexibility needed to work around busy work schedules. Implemented using a cohort system, students will move through the course with other students, creating a unique support system within each class. This program is a degree-completion program, and requires students to enter the program with previous college credits. A minimum of 120 credits are required to complete this program.
Accreditation: University of Cincinnati’s Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management (CAHIIM).
Tuition: $28,860*
*This is a degree-completion program. Transfer credits are required to complete this program. This program is 60 credit hours and requires an additional 60 credit hours of transfer credits.
#15. Rutgers University
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Chartered as the Queen’s College in 1766, Rutgers University predates the United States. It wasn’t until the year 1825 that the school was renamed to honor Henry Rutgers, a philanthropist who had donated $5000 to the university, saving it from financial ruin. In 1945, the state legislature of New Jersey designated Rutgers University as “The State University of New Jersey”. Now, the school is home to over 67,000 students making it the largest institution of higher learning in the state of New Jersey. Opened in New Brunswick, the school has two other campuses spread across New Jersey, one in Newark and one in Camden. With over 100 different undergraduate programs and numerous graduate and certificate programs, there is certainly something for everyone. Rutgers University is a public institution.
Program Overview
A two-stage program, one part taking place at a different university of the students choosing and the rest taking place at Rutgers, Rutgers University’s Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management program is a degree-completion program that allows students to pursue a career in the fast-growing field of health information management. Available completely online, students are not required to visit campus for any part of the degree program. Once this program is completed, students can begin a career as a Health Information professional, helping health care organizations maintain and operate electronic health information systems. Students that complete this program will be eligible to become a Registered Health Information Administrator. A minimum of 120 credits are required to complete this program.
Accreditation: Rutgers University’s Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management (CAHIIM).
Tuition: $28,860*
*This is a degree-completion program. Transfer credits are required to complete this program. This program is 61 credit hours and requires an additional 59 credit hours of transfer credits.
#16. Champlain College
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Opened in 1878 as the Burlington Business School with the mission statement to get you men ready “for the business cares and responsibilities of life”, Champlain College continues to educate students and prepare them to enter the workforce. In 1884, the school went coeducation, and then later in 1958 the school was renamed to Champlain College and moved to the Hill Section of Burlington, Vermont. Now the school is home to over 2,000 full-time students studying over 80 different subjects. The school has also become well-known for its rather robust selection and quality of online degree programs offered to students internationally in more than 22 different countries. Champlain College is a private institution.
Program Overview
To bring health care practitioners to the next level, Champlain College has created their Online Bachelor of Science in Health Information Technology degree program to help current practitioners learn the necessary information technology skills required to succeed in the field of health information management. Through this degree program, Champlain College will prepare its graduates with the knowledge needed to manage health data systems, system design, as well as the necessary principles needed to secure Protected Health Information. As a degree-completion program, students are expected to enter the program with a prior 60 credits of general education credits. A minimum of 120 credits are required to complete this program.
Accreditation: Champlain College’s Bachelor of Science in Health Information Technology program is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
Tuition: $38,460*
*This is a degree-completion program. Transfer credits are required to complete this program. This program is 60 credit hours and requires an additional 60 credit hours of transfer credits.
#17. University of New England
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One of the largest educators of healthcare professionals in the state, the University of New England is also the largest private university in Maine. Now known as the UNE Biddeford Campus, University of New England’s origins date back to 1831 when classes were first held at Westbrook Seminary. An all-boys school then, the school eventually made its way to opening its doors to both sexes in 1967. Having outgrown its initial campus in Biddeford, University of New England has grown to two other campuses. There is the initial coastal campus at Biddeford, an additional campus in Portland, and finally an international campus located in Tangier, Morocco. Offering seventy degree programs, University of New England is focused primarily on health sciences with the mission of educating future health professionals. University of New England is a private institution.
Program Overview
Offered as a degree-completion program, University of New England’s Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics is designed for students who have already accumulated some credits from another university or are hoping to change their course of study towards health information management or health informatics. In this program, students will learn how to understand, implement, design, and maintain health information systems as well as necessary leadership skills in order to assume leadership roles within the health information management field. A minimum of 120 credits are required to complete this program.
Accreditation: University of New England’s Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics program is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
Tuition: $40,200*
*This is a degree-completion program. Transfer credits are required to complete this program. This program is 60 credit hours and requires an additional 60 credit hours of transfer credits.