Medical billing and coding is one of the fastest-growing fields in the healthcare system 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 | U.S. News Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| DeVry University | CA | Hybrid | 264-350 (Best Online Bachelor’s Programs) |
| Drexel University | PA | Online | 80 (National Universities) |
| Ferris State University | MI | Hybrid | 329 (National Universities) |
| Keiser University | FL | Hybrid | 363 (National Universities) |
| Pierce College | WA | Online | N/A |
| Purdue University Global | IN | Online | 173 (Best Global Universities) |
| University of Cincinnati | OH | Online | 158 (National Universities) |
| University of Phoenix | AZ | Online | N/A |
| Washburn University | KS | Hybrid | 74 (Regional Universities Midwest) |
| Weber State University | UT | Online | 50 (Regional Universities West) |
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 U.S. 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.
Medical Billing and Coding Community College Certificate
A medical billing and coding community college certificate is a one-year program that prepares students to carry out the basic, foundational functions of a medical biller and coder. Those looking for an entry-level position in this field will find this program useful.
Medical Billing and Coding Associate Degree
The medical billing and coding associate degree program teaches students administrative functions, insurance, and reimbursement. It takes about two years to complete.
Students enrolled in the program learn the basic skills needed to help them in their coding careers. The degree awarded after the completion of this program is an Associate of Science in Medical Administrative Billing and Coding.
Medical Billing and Coding Bachelor’s Degree
The medical billing and coding bachelor’s degree program is designed to teach enrollees the fundamentals of medical billing and coding. It’s a four-year course for full-time students, and it takes about six to eight years for part-time students. The degree awarded to graduates is a Bachelor of Science in Health Information.
Medical Billing and Coding Master’s Degree
A Master’s Degree in Medical Billing and Coding provides students with the expert skills needed to be actively involved in executive and health care administration. It takes two years to complete.
Graduates of this program may be awarded a Master of Science in Healthcare Management, Master of Health Administration Degree, and Master of Science in Health Informatics. They can then move on to pursue careers for various healthcare providers.
Medical Billing and Coding Graduate Certificate
A medical billing and coding graduate certificate is a program that equips the students with the necessary skills to solve insurance billing problems, among others. It is a year-long program that teaches students how to solve real-life medical billing issues.
Medical Billing and Coding Doctorate
The doctorate in medical billing and coding is intended to teach students advanced concepts and practices of medical billing and coding. It takes one to three years to get a doctorate in medical billing and coding. In this degree program, students do extensive research on key areas to find solutions to emerging problems in the field.
Other Medical Billing and Coding University Rankings
Medical Billing and Coding Schools With Dual Degree Programs
- Saint Joseph University | Master of Health Administration 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 and Master of Public Health in Health Policy and Management: This dual degree program is offered online and in-person, and 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 Master of Public Health: This dual degree program requires 45 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.
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 one year.
Is Graduate School for Medical Billing and Coding Worth It?
For many people, graduate school for medical billing and coding can be worth it. Graduate schools for medical billing and coding provide students with research experience in the field, which typically 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.
Highest-Paying Medical Billing and Coding Careers
| Profession | Minimum Education | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Coding Director | Associate degree | $91,9902 |
| Health Information Management Director | Bachelor’s degree | $75,9153 |
| Coding Manager | Bachelor’s degree | $78,9834 |
| Revenue Cycle Manager | Bachelor’s degree | $75,8565 |
| Coding Supervisor | Associate degree | $69,9516 |
| Medical Coding Auditor | Medical coding certificate | $65,2847 |
| Health Information Manager | Bachelor’s degree | $56,5668 |
| Medical Billing Manager | Bachelor’s degree | $63,7509 |
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.
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. While not being accredited isn’t necessarily a guarantee that the program will be of low quality, accreditation is a sign that the school’s curriculum has been vetted based on a set of standardized metrics. 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.
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. Some may also offer more flexible scheduling, lower tuition costs or a wider range of financial aid options, and higher enrollment rates. Additionally employment rates are key in choosing colleges for medical billing and coding, as some may have industry connections, robust career services, or a strong reputation among prospective employers.
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 U.S. News & World Report and the Department of Education’s College Scorecard. 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
https://careerkarma.com/blog/medical-billing-and-coding-online-degree/ https://careerkarma.com/blog/medical-coding-certificate-online/ https://careerkarma.com/blog/medical-school-interview-questions/
Best Medical Billing and Coding Schools FAQ
What core courses will I take in a medical coding program?
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.
How do I choose the best school for medical billing?
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.
Are online medical billing and coding schools legitimate?
Yes, online medical billing and coding programs are legitimate when they are offered by reputable universities. It should be noted that schools 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.
Is medical billing and coding in demand?
Medical billing and coding remains in steady demand. The job outlook for medical records specialists is 7%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook.16 A career path in medical coding is not likely to become obsolete, as long as students keep upskilling and stay up to date with industry standards and education requirements.
Sources
1https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Certified_Medical_Billing%2FCoding_Specialist/Hourly_Rate
2https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Coding_Director/Salary/8797f8c8/Medical-Coding
4https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Coding_Manager/Salary/986d242e/Medical-Coding
5https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Revenue_Cycle_Manager/Salary
6https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Coding_Supervisor/Salary/dbd14ea1/Medical-Coding
7https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Medical_Coding_Auditor/Hourly_Rate/4702bec0/Medical-Coding
8https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Health_Information_Manager/Salary/fd94dbf2/Medical-Coding
9https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Medical_Billing_Manager/Salary/8b9886f6/Medical-Coding
13https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Senior_Practice_Manager/Salary
15https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Director_of_Revenue_Management/Salary
16https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm#tab-6
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.
