Why This Matters

  • STATES WITH HIGHEST EMPLOYMENT RATES INCLUDE CA, TX, FL

    The states that hire the most medical records specialists are California, Texas, and Florida — followed closely by Ohio and New York.

  • 8% EXPECTED JOB GROWTH FOR MEDICAL RECORDS SPECIALISTS

    The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects jobs for medical records specialists to increase at around double the average rate for other careers through 2029.

  • EARN MORE THAN $44,000 PER YEAR

    The average medical records specialist makes $44,090 per year, according to the BLS. Those in the top 10% earn more than $73,000.

Our Research

Most of the programs on our list award a Certificate in Medical Billing and Coding or a Certificate in Medical Coding. There are also programs that award a Certificate in Medical Coding and Insurance. All our options can be completed entirely online, but a few have hybrid delivery formats as well.

To ensure the quality and rigor of the certificate programs on our list, we only considered schools that were accredited at the national or regional level. Common accreditations include those by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

  • 64 hours to write this article
  • 78 universities and colleges we assessed
  • 139 education programs we compared

The Top 50 Online Certificate in Medical Billing and Coding Programs

Best Online Certificate in Medical Billing and Coding Programs Badge
01
Intelligent Pick
Northwest Technical College
01
Best Exam Prep
Northwest Iowa Community College
01
Best in the West
San Joaquin Valley College
01
Best for Insurance
Minnesota State Community and Technical College
01
Best Competency-Based Option
Cowley College
01
Best Specialist Diploma Option
Alexandria Technical & Community College
01
Best for Articulation
Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
01
Best Part-Time Option
Hutchinson Community College
01
Best in the Northwest
University of Alaska Fairbanks
01
Best Self-Paced Option
Weber State University
01
Best in the Mid Atlantic
Drexel University
01
Best Small Public University, Midwest
Dakota State University
01
Best for Adult Learners
Albany State University
01
Best Stackable Option
Davenport University
01
Best Large Public University, Midwest
University of Cincinnati
01
Fastest to Completion
Great Basin College
01
Best Career Oriented Program
Gogebic Community College
01
Best Experiential Option
Herzing University
01
Most Flexible
Barton Community College
01
Most Affordable
Central Texas College
01
Best Small College, Northwest
Shoreline Community College
01
Best in the Northeast
Charter Oak State College
01
Best For-Profit Option, Southwest
Penn Foster College
01
Best Pathway Options
Laramie County Community College
01
Best in the Mountain West
Montana State University Billings
01
Best Externship Option
Miller-Motte College
01
Best for Transfer Students
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College
01
Best Hybrid Option
Madison Area Technical College
01
Best Large Public University, West
Continuing Education - The University of Utah
01
Best Credit for Prior Learning
Lakeshore Technical College
01
Best for Vets
Indiana University Bloomington
01
Best Small Public Tech School, Midwest
Marion Technical College
01
Best Mid-Size Community College, West
Santa Barbara City College
01
Best Small Community College, Southwest
San Juan College
01
Best Accelerated Option
Sullivan University
01
Best for Working Professionals
UC San Diego Extension
01
Most Innovative
DeVry University
01
Best Small Community College, South
Vance-Granville Community College
01
Best Small Healthcare College
Mercy College of Ohio

Discover More Options

What You Should Know About This Degree

If you’re considering an online certificate in medical billing and coding, you may also be interested in similar options such as a certificate in medical assisting. The main difference between these two is that medical billing and coding involves dealing mostly with insurance companies and providers, while medical assisting involves direct patient care.

Programs that are accredited at the regional level are usually considered the most competitive and the highest quality. However, programs that have national accreditation are also good and will be accepted by employers. If you will eventually want to pursue an associate or bachelor’s degree, it’s best to look for a regionally accredited program to increase the odds of credits transferring.

Job growth in this field is expected to be above-average due to the increased demand in the healthcare industry.

There are no specific licenses required for this degree, but you will want to pass the test to be a Certified Professional Coder (CPC).

What’s Next?

Here are some questions to consider when researching online certificate in medical billing and coding programs:

  • How long does it take to complete this online program? The programs on our list range from 18 to 72 credits, with the average being closer to the 30 to 35 range. This means you can complete this certification in around one year if you’re attending full-time.
  • Are courses offered synchronously or asynchronously? Courses for medical billing and coding are usually offered asynchronously, so you can complete coursework as your schedule allows. You’ll still need to be mindful of deadlines and due dates, but this is an attractive option for those who have work or family responsibilities.

While many online certificate in medical billing and coding programs have rolling admissions, others have specific deadlines for application materials that you’ll need to keep track of. It’s also a good idea to check with the financial aid office on when your FAFSA is due and any other dates to keep in mind for scholarships, grants, and loans.