Medical billing and coding is one of the fastest-growing healthcare fields today. Medical billers and coders help review patient information from their medical records and draft their bills so that they pay the proper amount for the care they receive. The best schools for medical billing and coding ensure that you become a professional in this field.
A good career in medical billing and coding requires quality education, which can be obtained by choosing one of the best medical billing and coding schools. Such schools are flexible, affordable, and career-oriented. This article contains relevant information to aid you in your school search in finding the best medical billing coding universities.
Best Medical Billing and Coding College and University Rankings: Top 10 Medical Billing and Coding Schools at a Glance
| School | State | Formats Available | US News Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| DeVry University | CA | Online | 119 to 157 |
| Drexel University | PA | Online | 103 |
| Ferris State University | MI | Hybrid | 299 to 391 |
| Keiser University | FL | Hybrid | 299 to 391 |
| Pierce College | WA | Online | N/A |
| Purdue University Global | IN | Online | 49 |
| University of Cincinnati | OH | Online | 148 |
| University of Phoenix | AZ | Online | 299 to 391 |
| Washburn University | KS | Online | 299 to 391 |
| Weber State University | UT | Online | 77 |
Medical Billing and Coding School Rankings: Best Medical Billing and Coding Colleges and Universities
In terms of cost, reputation and graduate outcomes, Drexel University, Purdue University Global, Keiser University, and DeVry University are among the best schools to study medical billing and coding in the US. They are also some of the best online schools for medical coding certificates. Some of these medical coding programs also prepare students for entry-level positions.
The Best Schools for Medical Billing and Coding: Types of College Degrees and University Programs Offered
The types of college degrees and university programs offered by the best schools for medical billing and coding are community college certificates, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, as well as graduate certificates.
Comparing Popular Degree Options
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Best Medical Billing and Coding Schools: Other Medical Billing and Coding University Rankings
The best medical billing and coding schools are the University of Phoenix, University of Cincinnati, DeVry University, Purdue University, and Kaplan University. Below you’ll find the best schools for each degree level.
Best Online Medical Billing and Coding Schools
- Drexel University: This private research university was established in 1891, is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and has about 24,000 students enrolled in over 70 undergraduate and 100 postgraduate programs. The online medical billing and coding program helps students pursue medical billing and coding careers.
- Keiser University: Keiser University is a private research school founded in 1977 with about 19,510 students. It is a good online university for medical billing and coding because of its flexibility. Its classes are well structured and allow students with other responsibilities, like those who work, to be able to study too.
- University of Cincinnati: This public research university was founded in 1819. Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, it has about 44,000 students and is known as the oldest and among the largest higher institutions in Ohio. Its online medical billing and coding program is fast-paced, taking just over a year to complete.
Best Community Colleges for Medical Billing and Coding
- Central Piedmont Community College: This public community college was created in 1963 and is located in Charlotte, North Carolina. Central Piedmont Community College is the second-largest community college in North Carolina, with over 300 certificates, degrees, and diploma programs. The medical billing and coding program prepares students with the skills needed to gain employment in outpatient healthcare facilities.
- Delaware County Community College: This is a public community college located in Delaware, Pennsylvania. Delaware County Community College was established in 1967 and is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. This is a good institution to study at because it provides students with professional skills that increase their employability.
- Piedmont Community College: This is a public community college in Roxboro, North Carolina, founded in 1970. Piedmont Community College offers diplomas, associate degrees, and college-university transfer programs in a variety of fields. Its medical billing and coding program enhances the development of excellent communication, coordination, and supervisory skills.
Best Undergraduate Schools for Medical Billing and Coding
- DeVry University: This is a private university with its headquarters in Naperville, Illinois. It was created in 1931 and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission with about 18,915 students. Its undergraduate certificate program offers career service support that can be of advantage to students when they engage in a job search.
- Keiser University: This is a private research university located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Created in 1977 with about 19,510 students. It offers an Associate Degree in Medical Administrative Billing and Coding. Keiser University is a good choice for medical billing and coding because it equips students with experience through online resources.
- Northwest Technical College: This is a public technical college located in Bemidji, Minnesota. Founded in 1965, the college has about 825 undergraduate students in different fields. It offers an Associate Degree in Applied Science and Medical Coding. The school is a good place to obtain your undergraduate degree in medical billing and coding because of its reputation for excellent skill-based education for its students.
Best Graduate Schools for Medical Billing and Coding
- Ferris State University: This is a public state university founded in 1884 with 14,707 students. Its Master’s Degree in Health Information Technology covers medical billing and coding and has a hybrid learning system. The school has some great graduate programs, and the tutors are well-skilled in the field.
- Purdue University Global: This public online university was created in 1937 and is a Higher Learning Commission accredited university. It has a fast-paced master’s degree program in medical billing and coding as a result of its online format, thereby making it a good graduate school for the specific program.
- University of Tennessee: The University of Tennessee is a public research university, which was established in 1794, and is located in Knoxville, Tennessee. The Master’s in Health Informatics and Information Management covers some aspects of medical billing and coding. This online program is convenient and easily accessible as it requires no software purchases for students to access its online materials.
Best Medical Billing and Coding Schools With Dual Degree Programs
- Saint Joseph University | Master of Health Administration Degree and Master of Science in Health Informatics: This dual degree program is designed flexibly and is conducted online or in person. It lasts 24 months and offers 45 credits. There are small evening classes that connect students to their professors.
- Temple University College of Public Health | Master of Science in Health Informatics Degree and Master of Public Health in Health Policy and Management: This dual degree program is offered online, in person, and in a hybrid format. It can be completed in three years on a full-time basis and four years on a part-time basis. This program teaches students how to design and implement information technology related to the healthcare field.
- The University of Texas | Master of Science in Biomedical Informatics and a Master of Public Health (MS/MPH): This dual degree program requires 39 credit hours and prepares students to incorporate their knowledge of public health into biomedical informatics. To apply for this dual degree program, you must submit official transcripts, send your application, and pay the application fee.
Best Schools With Accelerated Medical Billing and Coding Programs
- Central Texas College | Associate of Applied Science in Medical Coding and Billing: Central Texas College offers a 60-credit-hour Associate of Applied Science degree program in medical billing and coding. This program can be completed online and takes just two years to complete.
- Northwest Technical College | Associate of Applied Science in Medical Coding: This technical college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The associate degree program at Northwest Technical College requires about 60 hours of credits and takes just 24 months to complete, thereby making it one of the best schools with accelerated medical billing and coding programs.
- Purdue University Global | Medical Billing and Coding Certificate Program: This is a public online university located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It was established in 2018 and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The university’s medical coding and billing certificate program can be completed in just 11 months.
Easy Colleges to Get Into
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Is Graduate School for Medical Billing and Coding Worth It?
Yes, graduate school for medical billing and coding is worth it. Graduate schools for medical billing and coding provide students with research experience in the field, which opens the door to several job opportunities with higher pay.
What Jobs Can You Do With a Medical Billing and Coding Degree?
The jobs you can do with a medical billing and coding degree include coding director, director of revenue cycle manager, revenue cycle manager, medical billing supervisor, medical coding auditor, as well as coding supervisor.
Medical billing and coding programs held at Keiser University, Northwest Technical College, and Drexel University train students in this field and further prepare them to successfuly apply their skills in medical settings.
How Much Can I Earn With a Degree in Medical Billing and Coding?
According to PayScale, the average annual median salary for a certified medical billing and coding degree holder is $43,637. Depending on your educational qualifications, experience, and other important factors, you can earn a maximum amount of $107,388 per year and a minimum amount of $41,045 annually with a degree in this field.
Highest-Paying Medical Billing and Coding Careers
| Profession | Minimum Education | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Coding Director | Associate degree | $94,462 |
| Health Information Management Director | Bachelor’s degree | $71,514 |
| Coding Manager | Bachelor’s degree | $67,855 |
| Revenue Cycle Manager | Bachelor’s degree | $67,828 |
| Coding Supervisor | Associate degree | $64,480 |
| Medical Coding Auditor | Medical coding certificate | $61,914 |
| Health Information Manager | Bachelor’s degree | $57,514 |
| Medical Billing Manager | Bachelor’s degree | $55,807 |
| Certified Medical Coder | Associate degree | $48,363 |
| Certified Medical Billing/Coding Specialist | Certified Professional Coder (CPC) certificate | $46,705 |
Best Jobs With a Medical Billing and Coding Degree
The best jobs with a medical billing and coding degree are a coding director, revenue cycle manager, medical billing manager, and medical coding auditor. Medical coding courses prepare medical coding students for entry-level careers available in the healthcare industry.
Depending on the organization, a coding position may require an associate degree, while others require higher degrees like bachelor’s and master’s degrees. The field of medical billing and coding works as a bridge between patients and payment services such as insurance companies.
How Can I Pay for Medical Billing and Coding School?
You can pay for a medical billing and coding school through some national private scholarships, regional private scholarships, health professional scholarships, federal loans and grants, employer tuition reimbursements, and the school’s financial aid services. There are several ways to pay for college tuition costs, and these funding opportunities make it easier for students to pay for any program fees required.
- Regional and national private scholarships. Private philanthropist organizations and health professional bodies offer scholarship opportunities to students in the medical billing and coding field.
- Federal loans and grants. The government offers loans and grants to financially struggling students. Some students without financial issues can also be eligible for these grants. Everyone must apply to be considered.
- Employer tuition reimbursement. As an employee benefit, some employers offer tuition reimbursement to students working for them on a contractual basis.
- School-granted financial aid. Some universities offer financial aid to their students in the form of grants. Some factors like students’ financial status, the type of degree program, and student academic performance are considered before these grants are awarded.
How to Pay for Your Chosen School Education Path
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Choosing the Best Medical Billing and Coding School for You
To choose the best medical billing and coding school for you, you need to consider key factors like accreditation, graduation rate, and employment outcomes. Other factors may include cost, career goals, accelerated options, curriculum content, flexibility, and student services.
Graduation Rate
The graduation rate is measured by the percentage of students that complete a four-year program within a certain period. When the graduation rate is low, the number of students who complete a program within four years is also low.
This is an important factor to consider while choosing a school for medical billing and coding. The factors that contribute to the low graduation rate may include poor student support and the difficulty of the program.
Accreditation
Accreditation is the process of officially recognizing a school as being eligible to offer a particular program. Going to a non-accredited school is a waste of time, money, and resources and prohibits you from furthering your education. Accreditation is important for online universities too.
Employment Outcomes
When choosing a medical billing and coding school, it’s essential to consider the employment opportunities of the school. This indicates what percentage of students get hired within a certain amount of time after graduation.
How to Get Into the Right School for Your Profession
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Does It Matter What College I Go to for Medical Billing and Coding?
Yes, it does matter what college you go to for medical billing and coding because, in most cases, the school you attend determines the quality of your education. Also, the flexibility and employment rate are key in choosing colleges for medical billing and coding, as some schools offer flexible schedules.
You should also consider the enrollment rate of graduates from an institution. For example, the University of Cincinnati records that 62 percent of graduates are employed within a year of graduation, indicating that its programs provide students with proper education for building careers.
Medical Billing and Coding University Ranking Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Schools for Medical Billing and Coding
We ranked the best medical billing and coding schools by consulting the university rankings conducted by US News & World Report and Times Higher Education. To further refine our medical billing and coding university ranking methodology, we gave special consideration to things like reputation, graduation rate, student-to-faculty ratio, and breadth and depth of medical billing and coding degree program offerings.
Additional Reading About Medical Billing and Coding
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Best Medical Billing and Coding Schools FAQ
The core courses you will take in a medical billing program are programming and healthcare courses. However, you will find many general education courses as well. Most programs offer general education classes and require a student to complete a minimum number of general education credits to graduate and be adequately prepared for their future career.
Students should choose a school based on their further education and career goals and current needs. A private institution can provide some excellent programs but can also have higher tuition rates. You should also choose an accredited institution that provides an appropriate approach to education. In the medical field of study, coders are usually bachelor’s and master’s degree holders, so you should aspire to get a similar degree as it can later provide you with several career options.
Yes, online medical billing and coding programs are legitimate when they are offered by reputable universities like the University of Cincinnati and the University of Phoenix. It should be noted that these schools and others that offer programs such as online medical billing and coding bachelor’s degrees are accredited by the National Commission for Health Certifying Agencies and are fully approved by the American Health Information Management Association.
Yes, medical billing and coding is in demand. The job outlook for medical billing and coding is nine percent, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. A career path in medical coding will not become obsolete as long as students keep upskilling and stay up to date with industry standards and education requirements.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
