Best Online Health Informatics Programs
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Earning a bachelor's in health informatics helps students prepare for careers in the growing healthcare technology industry. Most programs require 120 credits and take around four years of full-time study to complete, but some online bachelor's in health informatics programs may offer accelerated options.
Graduates with this degree can pursue many different careers, but a popular choice is medical and health services manager. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), medical and health services managers earned a median salary of $104,280 per year as of May 2020, with 32% projected job growth between 2020 and 2030.
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Read on to learn more about this in-demand degree.
What Can I Expect From an Online Bachelor's in Health Informatics Program?
An online bachelor's in health informatics blends healthcare with technology, allowing students to combine a love of data analysis with a passion for helping others. Learners with a strong STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) background generally do well in these programs.
A health informatics bachelor's degree requires approximately 120 credits, divided into general education classwork and major coursework. Although these programs typically do not offer concentrations, many schools allow students to customize their path through elective courses.
Coursework provides foundational knowledge in the healthcare environment, including medical terminology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, technology, and data analysis. Students also learn data management, health insurance and managed care, research, and statistics, as well as relevant legal and compliance considerations.
Many programs require one or more professional practice experiences, along with lab work in some courses. Online programs typically offer all courses and experiences online, with no campus residency requirements.
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Popular Online Bachelor's in Health Informatics Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
What Courses Will I Take in an Online Bachelor's in Health Informatics Program?
Data Analytics
This course gives students an overview of how data is collected and analyzed to boost healthcare quality. Students learn best practices, industry-standard approaches, and relevant regulations and compliance considerations.
Medical Coding
In this course, students learn the process of translating medical terminology into diagnosis and procedure codes, including the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10-CM). Students also explore ethical considerations in medical coding.
Health Law
This course introduces legal guidelines within the health informatics field and how to respond to possible legal issues as they arise. Students work through practice scenarios to develop a foundation grounded in legal and ethical practices.
Healthcare Information Systems Management
In this course, students learn to manage IT as an organizational resource that supports overall healthcare strategy. Learners explore evolving technologies and learn to think strategically about the issues involved at the intersection of healthcare and IT.
Healthcare Reimbursement
This course explores financial practices and reimbursement policies throughout the healthcare industry. Students learn the impact of various reimbursement systems on the overall revenue cycle and what part health informatics can play in improving reimbursements.
What Are the Admission Requirements for an Online Bachelor's in Health Informatics Program?
Although this can vary by college, in most cases online bachelor's program admission requirements mirror those of on-campus programs. In addition to the requirements detailed below, some schools offer or require internal placement exams. A strong score could exempt incoming learners from certain general education classes.
Application
Prospective students must first complete an application. Less competitive colleges typically feature shorter applications, while more competitive schools generally ask for more information. However, all applicants, regardless of school, should prepare to at least list their full legal name and address, date of birth, grade point average and date of high school graduation, and extracurricular activities or volunteer work.
Test Scores
College entrance exams, such as the ACT and SAT, remain standard at many colleges. However, some schools now make testing optional, and some offer a school-based entrance exam as an alternative.
Applicants should note that a strong academic record provides the best shot at admission for those not taking standardized or school-based testing. Prospective students who feel unsure about their competitiveness may wish to submit an exam score to strengthen their overall application.
Letters of Recommendation
At most schools, prospective students must submit at least one letter of recommendation. For recent graduates, these typically come from former professors or guidance counselors. Letters may also come from a volunteer coordinator, work supervisor, or professional mentor. Though letters of recommendation rarely result in admission on their own, they can help admissions departments choose between similar applicants.
Essays
Application essays serve two significant purposes. They show off applicants' writing skills and help admissions departments get to know prospective students on a more personal level. Essay topics depend on the school but often involve pursuing goals, changing beliefs, or coping with challenges.
Official Transcripts
First-time college applicants must submit official high school transcripts. Prospective students who have completed college coursework should also submit college transcripts for transfer credit evaluation. Many schools offer transfer credit for required courses, which may shorten the total length of the program. Some schools offer a two-year degree completion option for students with many previous credits.
What Can I Do With an Online Bachelor's in Health Informatics Degree?
Career Outlook
According to the BLS, medical and health services managers earned a median annual salary of $104,280 as of May 2020. Between 2020 and 2030, the BLS projects 32% job growth for these professionals, which far outpaces most other undergraduate degrees.
Other common career options for degree-holders include health informatics specialist, clinical data analyst, or electronic health record (EHR) implementation manager.
See where a bachelor's in health informatics can take you. Learn more about health informatics careers.
Career Paths
Medical and Health Services Manager
A medical and health services manager takes primary responsibility for managing a department, such as health information, within a healthcare facility or practice. Depending on the specific title and department, duties may include assessing and implementing new technologies, handling large budgets, and managing personnel.
Median Annual Salary: $104,280 (as of May 2020, BLS)
Health Informatics Specialist
Health informatics specialists focus on IT within a healthcare facility or organization. Their responsibilities include developing best practices and policies to meet all compliance regulations, researching and implementing new technologies, providing administrative support for end users, and creating training programs to help employees learn new systems and protocols.
Average Annual Salary: $64,730 (as of December 2021, Payscale)
Clinical Data Analyst
A clinical data analyst specializes in digging deep into the numbers to find evidence-based solutions for healthcare problems. These professionals plan and implement data-related projects, including setting goals, milestones, and timelines. They perform data collection, mining, and analysis and write up their results. They also address potential problems with data, including missing or unverified data and data reconciliation.
Average Annual Salary: $69,200 (as of December 2021, Payscale)
Electronic Health Record Implementation Manager
EHR implementation managers guide organizations through the process of digitizing their records. They assess the facility's unique needs and challenges, make software recommendations, and assist with implementation and optimization. They may also provide custom templates and end user training. Many EHR implementation managers offer ongoing technical support.
Average Annual Salary: $75,230 (as of December 2021, Payscale)
Health Information Technology Project Manager
A health information technology project manager takes responsibility for the full life cycle of projects in the health informatics space. These projects vary widely and may involve implementing new technologies or optimizing workflows. Duties include all aspects of planning, executing, and monitoring projects, as well as quality control.
Average Annual Salary: $88,730 (as of December 2021, Payscale)
Health Informatics Not For You? Check Out These Related Careers.
Continuing Education
Many bachelor's degree-holders in health informatics go on to earn a master's degree in the field. Although many jobs in the field remain open to those with a bachelor's degree, a master's gives applicants a competitive edge.
In addition, many supervisory and executive roles in the field now require a master's degree. An advanced degree also allows students to select a concentration, such as public health informatics or health data analytics, which can be especially useful for those wanting to change positions within the field.
How Do I Choose an Online Bachelor's in Health Informatics Program?
Cost
Costs for a bachelor's in health informatics vary significantly among schools. In-state students generally pay less than their out-of-state counterparts. Online programs often cost less than campus-based programs, but not always. Online students may face both out-of-state tuition and extra technology fees at some schools.
Prospective students should add up the total costs of both online and campus-based programs before making a decision.
Program Format
In a synchronous program, all distance learners in a particular class log in together to participate in live lectures and discussion groups. Asynchronous programs set deadlines for each course module and allow students to log in and complete the work at any time before the deadline. Students may want to investigate what format courses use in their prospective program.
Additionally, some programs require full-time enrollment, while others allow both full-time and part-time attendance. Some online programs offer an accelerated format that allows eligible students to earn their degree in less than four years.
Location
Most online bachelor's in health informatics programs allow students to complete all program offerings online without visiting campus. Students in these programs may live wherever they like, but some still prefer to live nearby. They may choose to take both on-campus and online courses for a more typical college experience, or they might simply enjoy using campus facilities like the library and the cafeteria.
Accreditation
Accreditation creates a set of standards for all higher learning institutions to follow. Unaccredited schools may provide a spotty or low-quality education and credits from an unaccredited institution typically cannot transfer to an accredited school. In addition, students must attend an accredited school to receive federal financial aid.
Student Support
College-based student support helps many students achieve success. Student services may vary according to school, but most institutions offer academic advising, alumni networking, and mentorship programs. Additional services may include tutoring, internship opportunities, and career services.
Online students may want to look into which student services they can access. Some schools allow online students to access their traditional support services, while others offer extra support for distance learners.
Best Accredited Online Bachelor's in Health Informatics Programs
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Best Online Bachelor's in Health Informatics Programs
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University of Central FloridaLocation
Orlando, FL
Tuition$13016
Graduation Rate73%
Based in Orlando, UCF offers an online health informatics and information management bachelor of science. The program teaches management, revenue cycles, health compliance, data analysis, and health records and technology.
Graduates find career opportunities as data analysts, IT coordinators, medical records techs, information management coordinators, and database administrators. Applicants must complete an additional application for the program outside of the UCF application for acceptance.
Program Snapshot
- Program URL: Visit Program
- Cost per Credit: $179 per credit (in state), $716 (out of state)
- Program Length: 4 years
- Total Credits Required to Graduate: 120 credits
- Degree Completion Program: No
- Format: Online
- School Status: Public
- Program Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education
- School Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
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Louisiana Tech UniversityLocation
Ruston, LA
Tuition$9795
Graduation Rate54%
Louisiana Tech offers health informatics programs with online course offerings including a bachelor of science and a master of health informatics. Graduates learn to improve healthcare delivery with technology. The program brings together an array of fields including technology, management, finance, law, medicine, and management.
To apply, students must first be accepted into the university and submit an undergraduate application.
Program Snapshot
- Program URL: Visit Program
- Cost per Credit: $662 per credit
- Program Length: 4 years
- Total Credits Required to Graduate: 120 credits
- Degree Completion Program: No
- Format: Online, Hybrid
- School Status: Public
- Program Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management Education
- School Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
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University of Wisconsin-Green BayLocation
Green Bay, WI
Tuition$12323
Graduation Rate52%
UW-Green Bay offers a bachelor of science in health information management and technology. The online degree completion program targets adults who have some college coursework completed or an associate degree.
Applicants must hold a minimum 2.0 GPA as well as 60 general education semester credits. Students explore technology, billing, and coding and can choose from either healthcare management or a healthcare technology emphasis.
Program Snapshot
- Program URL: Visit Program
- Cost per Credit: $440 per credit
- Program Length: 2 years
- Total Credits Required to Graduate: 48 Credits
- Degree Completion Program: Yes
- Format: Online
- School Status: Public
- School Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
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University of Illinois at ChicagoLocation
Chicago, IL
Tuition$12248
Graduation Rate59%
UIC offers an online bachelor of science in health information management with an additional in-person option. Students take classes in health information research, analysis of healthcare data, human anatomy and physiology, and medical terminology for health information management.
Applicants must meet the requirements for UIC, the College of Applied Sciences, and the Department of Biomedical and Health Information Sciences. Upon graduation, students are eligible to take the Registered Health Information Administrator exam.
Program Snapshot
- Program URL: Visit Program
- Cost per Credit: $8,944 per semester (in state); $16,119 per semester (out of state)
- Program Length: 4 years
- Total Credits Required to Graduate: 123 credits
- Degree Completion Program: No
- Format: Online, Hybrid
- School Status: Public
- Program Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management Education
- School Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
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University of CincinnatiLocation
Cincinnati, OH
Tuition$20085
Graduation Rate68%
UC offers a bachelor of science in health information management. The 100% online degree features patient information management, data integrity, management and leadership skills, and project management tools.
Applicants must hold a minimum of a 2.6 GPA and an associate-level degree in a related field as well as a registered health information technician credential. Graduates may qualify for roles such as health information management clerks, health information managers, and application systems analysts.
Program Snapshot
- Program URL: Visit Program
- Cost per Credit: $547 per credit
- Program Length: 4 semesters
- Total Credits Required to Graduate: 52 credits
- Degree Completion Program: Yes
- Instruction Style: Asynchronous
- Format: Online
- School Status: Public
- Program Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management Education
- School Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
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The College of Saint ScholasticaLocation
Duluth, MN
Graduation Rate69%
Based in Duluth, Minnesota, St. Scholastica offers a bachelor of science in health informatics and information management that can be taken in either face-to-face or 100% online formats. The curriculum includes classes in anatomy and physiology, systems analysis and design, and concepts and principles of health information management.
Students also take a professional practice experience course, going into the healthcare workforce for two weeks in hospitals across the country. Applicants must hold a diploma or GED to be accepted into the college with a 2.0 GPA and a 2.7 GPA for entrance into the program.
Program Snapshot
- Program URL: Visit Program
- Cost per Credit: $435 per credit
- Program Length: 4 years
- Total Credits Required to Graduate: 128 credits
- Degree Completion Program: No
- Format: Online or hybrid
- School Status: Private
- Program Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management Education
- School Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
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King UniversityLocation
Bristol, TN
Graduation Rate52%
Based in Briston, Tennessee, King University offers a bachelor of science in healthcare administration. The online program prepares students to help improve patient outcomes and overall organizational effectiveness. Courses include informatics, ethics, marketing and sustainability, financial management, and human resources management.
The 16-month program features five-week-long courses to increase flexibility for working professionals. Applicants must hold a minimum 2.2 GPA and meet certain prerequisites. Graduates pursue careers as clinical managers, practice managers, health information managers, and community health managers.
Program Snapshot
- Program URL: Visit Program
- Cost per Credit: $305 per credit
- Program Length: 16 months
- Total Credits Required to Graduate: 124 credits
- Degree Completion Program: No
- Format: Online
- School Status: Private
- School Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
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University of KansasLocation
Lawrence, KS
Tuition$18415
Graduation Rate65%
KU, based in Lawrence, offers an online bachelor's completion program in health information management. The program, built for those who hold the registered health information technician credential, prepares students for the registered health information administrator credential.
Applicants must also pass a background check and maintain a 3.0 GPA or above. The curriculum covers strategic leadership and management, and analyzing, protecting, and managing patient data and information.
Program Snapshot
- Program URL: Visit Program
- Cost per Credit: $342 per credit (in state), $891 per credit (out of state)
- Program Length: 2 years
- Total Credits Required to Graduate: 28 credits
- Degree Completion Program: Yes
- Format: Online
- School Status: Public
- School Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
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Indiana University-Purdue University-IndianapolisLocation
Indianapolis, IN
Tuition$9371
Graduation Rate47%
The IU 100% online bachelor of science in health information management prepares students with classes that combine medicine, management, finance, information technology, and law. The curriculum requires a project-based practicum in a real-world setting.
Applicants must complete an admissions application, essay, and submit official high school or undergraduate transcripts. Graduates pursue careers as patient advocates, private consultants, physician practice managers, patient privacy experts, and health data analysts.
Program Snapshot
- Program URL: Visit Program
- Cost per Credit: $296 per credit (in state); $1,031 per credit (out of state)
- Program Length: 4 years
- Total Credits Required to Graduate: 120 credits
- Degree Completion Program: No
- Format: Online
- School Status: Public
- School Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
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University of Wisconsin-ParksideLocation
Kenosha, WI
Tuition$10409
Graduation Rate38%
UW-Parkside offers an online degree completion program in health information management and technology. The program prepares students to take the American Health Information Management Association credentialing exam to further their healthcare careers.
Students choose between two concentrations: health information management and health information technology. Applicants must have completed 60 college credits. The flexible program involves an individualized capstone experience and 17 core courses.
Program Snapshot
- Program URL: Visit Program
- Cost per Credit: $440 per credit
- Program Length: 2 years
- Total Credits Required to Graduate: 61 credits
- Degree Completion Program: Yes
- Format: Online
- Instruction Style: Asynchronous
- School Status: Public
- Program Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management Education
- School Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Frequently Asked Questions About Bachelor's in Health Informatics Programs
Is a bachelor's in health informatics worth it?
It depends on the student, but in most cases, a bachelor's in health informatics is worth it. The field boasts strong projected job growth, high starting salaries, and advancement potential within the field. Students with a passion for technology and helping others often find these programs rewarding.
What can I do with a bachelor's in health informatics?
Many career opportunities are available for bachelor's degree-holders in health informatics. Medical and health services managers take charge of a department within a healthcare facility. EHR implementation managers help healthcare organizations switch to electronic records. Clinical data analysts focus on data mining, verification, and analysis.
Given the high demand in the field, graduates can often find employment in their particular area of interest.
Are health informatics majors in high demand?
Yes. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 32% job growth for medical and health services managers between 2020 and 2030. That rate quadruples the average projected growth rate for all occupations during that period.
How much money can I make with a bachelor's in health informatics?
Salary potential varies based on job title, company, location, and experience. In general, though, graduates with this degree can expect to make between $65,000-$100,000 per year.
What are the highest-paying jobs with a bachelor's in health informatics?
Medical and health services manager is likely the highest-paying job for graduates with a bachelor's in health informatics. According to the BLS, these professionals made a median annual salary of $104,280 as of May 2020. Keep in mind that you need experience in the field to advance to these positions.
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