It wasn't too long ago that doctors kept their records on paper and stored them in a back room of their office. The problem with this was pretty obvious.
If you switched doctors, moved to another town, or ended up in the emergency room, your medical records might very well have been inaccessible. What's more, insurance claims could take weeks or even months to mail and process, leaving the patient stuck with the bill in the meantime.
Of course, the staggering pace of development in computing technology and information networking has changed what's possible for keeping - and synchronizing - health records. And now, the Affordable Care Act has mandated that Electronic Health Records (EHR) become the American standard for health care providers large and small.
These changes have not only affected how patients' information is kept, and shared, among providers and insurers. They have also created a fast-growing and high-paying career field in health informatics. As Charles Friedman, director of the health informatics program at the University of Michigan, told U.S. News and World Report, "This field is exploding. Access to health information on the Web is taking off at a meteoric pace. It's creating enormous employment opportunities."
If you're interested in a career that combines technology and IT skills, medical knowledge, and policy fields such as patient privacy law and insurance regulations, medical informatics may be right for you. Plus, jobs in health informatics are both in demand and highly paid.
According to the job-search site Simply Hired, average salaries for the field are around $64,000 a year. For more information on the career field or for networking opportunities, check out organizations like the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society and the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
While a number of universities have begun offering health informatics, you may not be willing or able to uproot your life (or your family's) to attend school full-time on campus. And you may be wondering if you can afford to make the investment in education that would open the door to this field. Thankfully, there are many affordable online options.
That's why we've ranked the 10 most affordable online bachelor's degrees in health informatics. Some of these programs do have an on-the-job training component that can be filled through a local internship. However, their course content is delivered online, making it ideal for working adults.
What are the most affordable bachelor's in health informatics?
All of our ranked programs are regionally accredited, but not all are geared towards the highest level of professional accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). If you're looking for a degree that leads directly to professional licensure through AHIMA without additional work requirements, check for that second accreditation before committing to a school.
Most Affordable Bachelor's in Health Informatics Degrees
See our rankings methodology page.
#1 What Can You Do With a Career in Health Informatics?
Western Governors University
- Salt Lake City, UT
- 4 years
- Online
A private college, Western Governors University offers a top-rated bachelor of science in health information management. Degree-seekers take classes in person on the Salt Lake City, Utah, campus and online. Undergraduates benefit form flexible course options and rigorous academic standards.
The program includes general education and major courses that emphasize key skills and knowledge. Degree candidates take humanities, math, and communication classes as part of the general education curriculum. Upper-division health informatics classes explore theoretical and practical issues in the field, preparing graduates for entry-level roles or further education.
Western Governors University at a Glance:
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 42-to-1
Total Bachelor's Programs: 30
Total Online Bachelor's Programs: 30
Undergrad Tuition In State: $6,380
Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $6,380
Graduation Rate: 21%
Average Graduate Earnings After Six Years: $48,100
Admission Rate
Not provided
Students Enrolled
136,139
Percent Online Enrollment
Not provided
Accreditation
Yes
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
#2 What Can You Do With a Career in Health Informatics?
Rasmussen College-Florida
- Ocala, FL
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Rasmussen College-Florida offers 22 bachelor's degrees, including the top-ranked bachelor's in health information management. This degree builds broad knowledge and skills that prepare students for entry- and mid-level careers. Bachelor's graduates can also apply to master's programs to continue their education.
The curriculum trains learners in foundational knowledge and practices. In addition to major coursework, undergraduates build communication and critical thinking skills in general education courses. Declaring a minor or double majoring helps students stand out on the job market.
Incoming degree candidates benefit from the school's strong student services support. For example, career counselors review job opportunities and connect enrollees with employment opportunities.
Rasmussen College-Florida at a Glance:
Location: Ocala, Florida
Type of School: Private
Total Online Bachelor's Programs: 22
Undergrad Tuition In State: $9,360
Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $9,360
Admission Rate
Not provided
Percent Online Enrollment
92%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#3 What Can You Do With a Career in Health Informatics?
Augusta University
- Augusta, GA
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
The bachelor's in health information administration at Augusta University, a public institution, prioritizes flexibility. From its campus in Augusta, Georgia, the school offers both in-person and online enrollment options. The institution sets high academic standards while offering flexible course options.
The curriculum includes and general education courses. The general education curriculum strengthens communication and critical thinking skills through coursework in diverse academic fields. Graduates train for entry-level careers or further education by taking upper-division classes.
Augusta University at a Glance:
Admissions Rate: 76%
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 16-to-1
Total Bachelor's Programs: 42
Total Online Bachelor's Programs: 6
Undergrad Tuition In State: $6,892
Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $22,270
Average Amount Aid Awarded: $7,690
Graduation Rate: 40%
Average Graduate Earnings After Six Years: $52,300
Percent Online Enrollment
38%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#4 What Can You Do With a Career in Health Informatics?
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
- Cincinnati, OH
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
The bachelor of science in health information management at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus, a public institution, ranks among the best programs of its kind. From its campus in Cincinnati, Ohio, the school offers flexible enrollment options, including online classes. Learners benefit from flexible program options, rigorous academics, and the school's support services.
The curriculum incorporates major-specific and general education courses. Students take humanities, math, and communication classes as part of the general education curriculum. Advanced courses cover theoretical and practical subjects, training graduates for entry-level careers or further education.
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus at a Glance:
Admissions Rate: 77%
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 17-to-1
Total Bachelor's Programs: 113
Total Online Bachelor's Programs: 11
Undergrad Tuition In State: $9,476
Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $24,810
Average Amount Aid Awarded: $6,981
Graduation Rate: 71%
Average Graduate Earnings After Six Years: $39,600
Percent Online Enrollment
49%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#5 What Can You Do With a Career in Health Informatics?
Southern New Hampshire University
- Manchester, NH
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Southern New Hampshire University offers 62 bachelor's degrees, including a bachelor's in health information management that prioritizes flexibility. Graduates can pursue many careers after earning this degree. A bachelor's degree also prepares graduates for additional degrees, such as a master's or doctorate.
The curriculum covers foundational concepts and methods in health information management. Undergraduates also complete general education requirements, which strengthen analytical and critical thinking skills. Enrollees can explore other academic and professional interests by declaring a minor or a second major.
The school's student services help incoming degree candidates thrive in their bachelor's program. For example, financial aid counselors work closely with learners to identify scholarship and grant opportunities.
Southern New Hampshire University at a Glance:
Location: Manchester, New Hampshire
Type of School: Private
Admissions Rate: 88%
Total Online Bachelor's Programs: 35
Undergrad Tuition In State: $30,756
Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $30,756
Students Enrolled
113,514
Percent Online Enrollment
94%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
New England Commission on Higher Education
#6 What Can You Do With a Career in Health Informatics?
University of Mississippi Medical Center
- Jackson, MS
- 4 years
- Campus
The bachelor of health informatics and information management at University of Mississippi Medical Center, a public institution, stands out for its academic quality. The Jackson-based school offers on-campus and online courses. Undergraduates benefit from flexible enrollment options, rigorous academics, and comprehensive college support services.
Learners earn a bachelor's degree from the program by taking general education and major-specific courses. Students complete general education requirements by taking classes in the social sciences, STEM, and humanities. Major courses introduce major theoretical and practical approaches to the field, preparing program graduates to enter the workforce or pursue further education.
Out-of-state
Not provided
Retention Rate
Not provided
Admission Rate
Not provided
Students Enrolled
Not provided
Percent Online Enrollment
Not provided
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
