Why This Matters

  • INCREASE YOUR INCOME 15% WITH AN ASSOCIATE DEGREE

    When looking at workers across all occupations, those with an associate degree earn about 15% more per week than those with a high school diploma, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

  • EARN MORE THAN $73,370 PER YEAR

    The median annual wage for medical records and health information technicians is $44,090, but the highest 10% earn more than $73,370 annually. Top paying states include the District of Columbia, Alaska, and Washington.

  • JOBS IN HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ARE PROJECTED TO GROW 8%

    The widespread use of electronic health records will continue to create demand for health information technology professionals. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects there to be 29,000 new jobs for medical records and health information technicians created over the next 10 years.

Our Research

We focused our research on undergraduate programs related to health information technology that award an associate degree. The most common type of degree granted in this field is an Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology. We reviewed programs that are offered online and in blended formats.

To ensure the quality of the programs, our list includes schools with regional and national accreditation. Most programs are accredited through the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management (CAHIIM), which establishes standards for educational programs that prepare students for careers in health information professions. Students who complete a CAHIIM-accredited program are eligible to take the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) exam through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

  • 80 hours to write this article
  • 200 universities and colleges we assessed
  • 390 education programs we compared

The Top 50 Online Associate in Health Information Technology Programs

Best Online Associate in Health Information Technology Programs Badge
01
Intelligent Pick
Dakota State University
01
Best in the Great Lakes Region
Davenport University
01
Best Public Institution
Minnesota State Community and Technical College
01
Best AAS Program
Alfred State
01
Best Regional Institution
Northwest Iowa Community College
01
Best for Part-Time Students
Ozarks Technical Community College
01
Best for AHIMA Certification
Rowan College at Burlington County
01
Best in the Rocky Mountain Region
Weber State University
01
Best Health Care Business Focus
Peirce College
01
Best Job Placement Rate
North Dakota State College of Science
01
Best in the South
St. Petersburg College
01
Best for Students with Disabilities
Hutchinson Community College
01
Best Internships
Shoreline Community College
01
Best Preparation for RHIT Exam
Idaho State University
01
Best for International Students
University of Northwestern Ohio
01
Best Technology Use
Wallace State Community College
01
Best Student Experience
Washburn University
01
Best In-State Tuition Rate
Collin College
01
Best for Full-Time Students
Moraine Park Technical College
01
Best PPE Classes
Central Piedmont Community College
01
Best in the South-Central Region
Hazard Community and Technical College
01
Best Alumni Experience
Tyler Junior College
01
Best for Transfers
Fox Valley Technical College
01
Best for Adult Learners
University of Alaska Southeast
01
Best Focus on Ethics
Columbia Southern University
01
Most Recognized Faculty
Harper College
01
Best Leadership Focus
Ogeechee Technical College
01
Best Scholarships
Gateway Community and Technical College
01
Best for Veterans
Lamar Institute of Technology
01
Best for Working Professionals
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
01
Best Biller/Coder Certificate
University of Cincinnati
01
Best Hands-On Experience
DeVry University
01
Best Focus on Communication Skills
Fisher College
01
Best Asynchronous Program
Southwest Mississippi Community College
01
Best for Military Students
Central Community College
01
Best Preparation for Bachelor's Degree
Herzing University
01
Best HBCU
Albany State University
01
Most Affordable
Neosho County Community College
01
Best in the Upper Midwest
Ridgewater College
01
Most Career-Focused Program
U.S.Career Institute
01
Most Data-Driven Program
Pitt Community College
01
Best in the Great Plains Region
National American University
01
Best Synchronous Program
Dyersburg State Community College
01
Best Medical Coding Certificate
State Fair Community College
01
Best Management Focus
Miami Dade College
01
Best Career Services
Macomb Community College
01
Most Flexible Admissions
Rasmussen University
01
Best Critical Thinking Focus
Sinclair Community College
01
Best Faculty Mentors
Arapahoe Community College
01
Best Externships
Ultimate Medical Academy

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What You Should Know About This Degree

A degree in health information technology provides the foundation to enter various roles in the evolving health information industry. The most common careers for those who earn this degree include RHIT or medical biller and coder.

Although health information professionals are not directly involved in patient care, they are a critical part of the healthcare system. If you’re interested in working more directly with patients, you may want to consider related career paths, such as clinical laboratory technologists and technicians, which typically require a bachelor’s degree in medical technology or life sciences.

The job outlook for those who earn a degree in health information technology is favorable. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for medical records and health information technicians are projected to grow 8% over the next decade, which is twice the average rate for all occupations.

What’s Next?

Here are some questions to ask when researching online associate in health information technology programs:

  • Am I eligible for this program? A high school diploma or equivalency is typically enough to qualify a student for an associate program in health information technology. Some colleges and universities may also require prospective students to demonstrate college-level placement in reading, writing, and math.
  • How long does it take to complete this degree? For full-time students, it typically takes two years to earn an associate degree in health information technology. Some programs can be completed in as few as 18 months.

As you research programs, keep track of application deadlines and materials you must submit for each program. You can usually find information about the application process by reviewing the school’s website or contacting the admissions department.

Financing your education is another important consideration. Be sure to submit financial aid applications in a timely manner and explore other types of potential funding, such as grants, scholarships, and tuition reimbursement from your employer.


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