Though perhaps slightly exotic as a term, “health informatics” has gained popularity and developed into a thriving academic and private industry. Thus, “health records sharing” evolves into “data collection and growth.” And now, as the U.S. slowly reaches the necessary public option that most of the world already has, the understandable and urgent need for applicants who can run secure programs as well-trained professionals expands rapidly. Employment growth expectations are looking great for the foreseeable future in this field, as the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that job opportunities are expected to grow 15% through 2024. Applicants with a BA in Health Informatics are desirable throughout the healthcare industry, including health IT consultants, clinical data analysts, nurse informaticists, chief medical information officers, directors of clinical informatics, and medical records and health information technicians.
To help you locate the best possible online health informatics bachelor’s program for your needs, the schools reviewed below have been researched and ranked according to the charts included here. Where a tie occurs, weight is given for lower per credit hour cost. Figures given for hourly tuition are in-state, part-time rates, unless otherwise noted.
Hourly Tuition Rate:
- $300 and under – 5 points
- $400 and under – 4 points
- $500 and under – 3 points
- $600 and under – 2 points
- $900 and under – 1 point
Payscale.com Salary Ranking:
- Top 300 – 5 points
- Top 500 – 4 points
- Top 800 – 3 points
- Top 1,000 – 2 points
- Top 1,200 – 1 point
Student to Faculty Ratio:
- 13 and under – 4 points
- 10 and under – 5 points
- 14 and under – 3 points
- 19 and under – 2 points
- above 19 – 1 point
Regional Accreditation: 5 points
#10 – University of Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
Online BS in Health Information Management and Technology
Regional Accreditation: Yes
Hourly Tuition Rate: $440
Student to Faculty Ratio: Not listed
Payscale Salary Ranking: Not listed
Points: 8
Website
The University of Wisconsin has an online, 61-credit degree completion program for a bachelor of science in health information management and technology with both a health information management track and a health information technology track. The first track emphasizes human and financial resources. The second track focuses on information technology and systems. Because the online BS in health information management and technology is a degree completion program, 60 hours of credit or an associates degree are prerequisites. The University of Wisconsin does not require ACT or SAT test scores for those with an awarded associates degree.
#9 – University of Mississippi Medical Center
Jackson, Mississippi
Online Bachelor of Health Informatics
Regional Accreditation: Yes
Hourly Tuition Rate: $363.67
Student to Faculty Ratio: Not listed
Payscale Salary Ranking: Not listed
Points: 9
Website
The University of Mississippi Medical Center has a 100% online bachelor of health informatics degree. Entering students may choose between the traditional curriculum, which requires 61 course hours, and the progressive path, which is for those with Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) credentials and calls for only 38 credit hours. The coursework for each program requires specific classes, but both programs include English Composition and Social or Behavioral Sciences. Admission to the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s online BA of health informatics asks for a minimum 2.5 GPA and ACT scores (ACT not needed for holders of RHIT credentials).
#8 – Montana Tech University
Butte, Montana
BS in Healthcare Informatics Online
Regional Accreditation: Yes
Hourly Tuition Rate: $539.65
Student to Faculty Ratio: 13:1
Payscale Salary Ranking: Not listed
Points: 11
Website
As a relatively remote school, Montana Tech University has a well-developed distance-learning program that offers a 120 credit hour, online bachelor of science in healthcare informatics with three tracks: Healthcare; Information Technology; and Business. Each track requires three elective courses for a total of nine hours. Sample courses in the program are Healthcare Delivery in the US, Introduction to Biostatistics, Statistical Computing and Exploratory Data Analysis, Systems Design Process, Project and Systems Management, Public Health Informatics, and a capstone project. To apply to Montana Tech University’s BS in health care informatics degree, submit transcripts and a $30 fee.
#7 – University of South Carolina Upstate
Spartanburg, South Carolina
Online BA in Health Informatics
Regional Accreditation: Yes
Hourly Tuition Rate: $869 (part-time)
Student to Faculty Ratio: 13:1
Payscale Salary Ranking: 998th
Points: 12
Website
The University of South Carolina Upstate features an online bachelor of arts health informatics degree consisting of 121-122 credits. This program is exclusively open to students with pre-existing college credit, and there are three potential start dates a year to begin this online bachelor’s degree completion program. Sample coursework includes Organizational Informatics and Information Technology Platforms, Social Informatics, and Fundamentals of Healthcare Administration. The University of South Carolina Upstate online BA in health informatics offers the same curriculum and faculty as the traditional program. To apply, submit transcripts, personal statement, three letters of recommendation, GRE or GMAT scores, and $65 fee.
#6 – King University
Bristol, Tennessee
BS in Health Informatics Online
Regional Accreditation: Yes
Hourly Tuition Rate: $305
Student to Faculty Ratio: 13
Payscale Salary Ranking: Not listed
Points: 13
Website
King University, a private, Presbyterian-affiliated university, offers a 48 hour online bachelor of science in health informatics degree completion program. Students must be prepared to take the typical core courses and also a religion course in foundations of Christian thought and practice. The program will likely take 16 months to complete. Coursework includes Project Management, Introduction to Healthcare Organization and Policy, Decision Makers, Networking and Health Information Exchange, and Current Topics in Health Informatics. King University allows up to 76 transfer credits and asks for a 2.2 minimum GPA when applying to their BS in health informatics online degree.
#5 – University of Illinois Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
Online BS in Health Information Management
Regional Accreditation: Yes
Hourly Tuition Rate: $500
Student to Faculty Ratio: 19:1
Payscale Salary Ranking: 223rd
Points: 14
Website
The University of Illinois Chicago offers a fully online, 123 credit hour BS in health information management that invites students to come in with demanding schedules around which the program will gladly work. Graduates will be eligible to take the Registered Health Information Administrator exam. The curriculum for the University of Illinois Chicago’s online BS in health information management includes these courses: Health Information Research; Current Issues in Health Information Management; Health Data Structure and Management; Legal Aspects of Health Information Management; and Clinical Practicum. To apply, submit transcripts, letters of recommendation, resume, and a $60 fee (for non-UIC transfer applicants).
#4 – Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, Utah
BS in Health Information Technology Online
Regional Accreditation: Yes
Hourly Tuition Rate: $215 (with an average course-load)
Student to Faculty Ratio: 41:1
Payscale Salary Ranking: 595th
Points: 14
Website
Western Governors University admits students to their online bachelor of science in health information technology program with evidence of experience in healthcare, business, or the IT field. The school advises incoming first-year students to expect the 100% online degree to take 39 months to complete. Completing your program in Western Governors University’s BS in health information technology online will qualify you to sit for the Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) exam that credentials students as experts in managing patient health and medical records. The key curriculum includes the following courses: Healthcare Ecosystems; Pathophysiology; Healthcare Compliance; and Professional Leadership and Communication for Healthcare.
#3 – Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, New Hampshire
BS in Health Information Management Online
Regional Accreditation: Yes
Hourly Tuition Rate: $320
Student to Faculty Ratio: 14:1
Payscale Salary Ranking: 421st
Points: 16
Website
Among the most well-established of today’s distance education resources, Southern New Hampshire University includes an online bachelor of science in health information management. The program promotes the school’s friendliness to transfer students, who can apply up to 90 credits from qualified institutions. The curriculum includes Medical Technology, Coding and Classifying Systems I & II, Ethical and Legal Considerations in Healthcare Information Management, Computer Platform Technologies, and Professional Practical Experience. Southern New Hampshire University’s online BS in health information management asks for transcripts showing a minimum 2.0 GPA and no application fee.
#2 – Removed by Editor
#1 – Franklin University
Columbus, Ohio
Online BS in Health Information Management
Regional Accreditation: Yes
Hourly Tuition Rate: $398
Student to Faculty Ratio: 9:1
Payscale Salary Ranking: 281st
Points: 19
Website
Franklin University has a 120 credit hour, online bachelor of science in health information management degree. Before enrolling, you must complete and return the Acknowledgement Receipt of the Professional Practice Experience Handbook. Courses from the 35 required hours in the major area include the following: Healthcare Financial Management; Medical Reimbursement; Health Information Systems; Introduction to Public Health; Health Information Management Practice; and a one hour class to prepare you for the RHIA exam. The administration is flexible enough in Franklin University’s online BS in Health Information Management that it accepts up to 94 transfer credits.
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