10 Affordable Online Master's in Health Information Management Degrees 2025

The healthcare industry depends on its information technology infrastructure for daily operations and to serve a large volume of patients with diverse medical needs. The complexity of today's information systems requires considerable expertise and active management to be maintained properly.

With this in mind, we invite you to learn how to enter this field by obtaining a master's in health information management (HIM) through an online or hybrid degree program.

What Is an Online Master's Degree in Health Information Management?

A master's degree in health information management trains future hospital and medical center administrators on how to manage health informatics in various healthcare environments. Students in these online programs take courses in subjects like health information technology, data analytics, project management, financial management, information governance, and strategic planning.

Some degree programs include a capstone project where students apply the practical skills from their coursework to understand how to solve particular problems related to healthcare information.

How Much Does an Online Master's Degree in Health Information Management Cost?

The total cost of an online master's in health information management may vary depending on whether you enroll in a public or private college and what type of college financial aid you receive. Some programs have tuition rates higher than $2,000 per credit hour, whereas others are much more affordable.

This article identifies several Master of Science (MS) programs with total tuition costs below $25,000 altogether (or $1,000 per credit hour).

Cheapest Online Master's in Health Information Management Programs

Here are some options for earning an affordable master's degree online. Each program undergoes extensive academic review by external accreditors and has affordable tuition rates.

1. East Carolina University

East Carolina University (ECU) offers a Master of Science in health information management, designed to prepare graduates for leadership roles in managing healthcare technology. This low-cost option (especially for in-state students) is 100% online, does not require the GRE/GMAT for graduate admissions, and features small classes of about 20 students per instructor.

• Estimated tuition cost: $289.55 per credit hour
• Financial aid: ECU is an accredited online college that accepts FAFSA and encourages students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to become eligible for federal and institutional funding.
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)

2. American Public University

American Public University has terrific discounts for military students interested in becoming health information management professionals. The program can help you develop a better understanding of governmental regulations for handling patient data and data-driven strategies for decision support in healthcare organizations.

• Estimated tuition cost: $455 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Qualified students can apply for tuition reimbursement and other forms of financial assistance.
• Accreditation: CAHIIM

3. Texas State University

Texas State University has a 16-month MS in health information management with 100% online coursework. In it, students learn advanced strategies for records management, revenue cycle management, and how to police compliance programs. This training has useful applications in hospitals, providers' offices, clinics, and other healthcare delivery facilities.

• Estimated tuition cost: $499 per credit hour
• Financial aid: The university's financial aid website features information on scholarships, parent loans, tuition waivers, and tuition exemptions.
• Accreditation: CAHIIM

4. University of Maryland Global Campus

The University of Maryland Global Campus has a 36-credit program for HIM, which you can complete in less than two years by enrolling in its accelerated pathway. Its admission requirements include taking four prerequisite courses, and students must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA throughout the program.

• Estimated tuition cost: $544 per credit hour
• Financial aid: This institution offers monthly payment plans, military benefits, scholarships, and employer tuition assistance.
• Accreditation: CAHIIM

5. Liberty University

Liberty University is an accredited institution with online degrees in almost every major field, including HIM. Admissions eligibility requirements include having a 3.0 GPA and at least some experience with information systems, human anatomy, algebra, and statistics. Liberty University also waives its application fees during certain periods of the academic year.

• Estimated tuition cost: $580 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Military members receive special discounts, and there are also grants and scholarship opportunities for many other students.
• Accreditation: CAHIIM

6. University of Arizona Global Campus

The University of Arizona Global Campus offers a master's in HIM with online courses you would take one at a time in shorter six-week sessions. This may be an ideal arrangement for part-time working professionals to complete the degree within two years.

• Estimated tuition cost: $600 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Students receive funding through grants, scholarships, corporate partnerships, and academic partnerships.
• Accreditation: CAHIIM

7. UMass Lowell

UMass Lowell's MS in HIM makes it easier to train for several rewarding careers with online courses at affordable tuition rates. You can prepare for important administrative roles that help physicians and nurses with clinical decision-making and patient care.

Graduates also find employment in long-term-care facilities, healthcare software companies, and public health organizations.

• Estimated tuition cost: $610 per credit hour
• Financial aid: UMass Lowell offers scholarships, grants, and loans to graduate and undergraduate students.
• Accreditation: CAHIIM

8. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) has an online master's degree program for HIM. It includes a larger course catalog covering subjects like HIM applications, health information governance, data management, research methods, and a capstone project.

• Estimated tuition cost: $659 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Students must complete the FAFSA to qualify for various financial packages like loans, grants, and scholarships.
• Accreditation: CAHIIM

9. Rutgers University

Rutgers University's online master's program prepares students for at least three certification options and several rewarding career pathways. Program applicants must possess a GPA of 3.0 or higher, submit a personal statement and two recommendation letters, and have completed a college-level statistics course.

• Estimated tuition cost: $681 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Rutgers participates in FAFSA financial aid programs and permits students to pursue part-time work-study positions.
• Accreditation: CAHIIM

10. University of Wisconsin

The University of Wisconsin's hybrid MS degree in HIM takes only 18 months to complete. The program boasts a 100% graduation and employment rate and specializes in real-world training in the technical components of healthcare record keeping.

• Estimated tuition cost: $965 per credit hour
• Financial aid: This degree program features two scholarship opportunities, including one worth $5,000.
• Accreditation: CAHIIM

How We Rank Schools

This explains our ranking methodology for the schools on our list. All master's degree programs must have academic accreditation, affordable tuition rates, and good program reputations.

• Accreditation: These schools are CAHIIM accredited, which means they offer authentic training in health information systems management.
• Affordability: Each college has a cost-per-credit tuition rate less than $1,000.
• Program reputation: These master's programs enjoy a solid reputation among healthcare professionals, other academic institutions, and employers throughout the healthcare system.

What To Expect From an Online Master's in Health Information Management Degree

These online graduate programs provide extensive training in managing electronic health records, safeguarding healthcare data, data analysis, sensitive data management, revenue cycle management, and other core courses related to healthcare management. A master's program normally requires 30 to 48 credit hours and about one to two years to finish.

FAQs About Low-Cost Online Health Information Master's Degrees

Check out a few frequently asked questions (FAQs) for health information master's degrees. This section addresses cost concerns, program duration, and future salary expectations.

Is an Online Master's in Health Information Management Worth It?

Yes, this degree can be worth it because it can lead to full-time employment in an array of healthcare settings all over the country. If you can obtain your credentials without accruing several thousand dollars in student loans, then any master's degree related to healthcare management systems offers a positive outlook.

What Can You Do With a Master's in Health Information Management Degree?

HIM professionals can apply their knowledge and skills in almost any healthcare organization since all of them require management of important electronic medical records. This includes high-paying positions, such as clinical documentation improvement specialist, privacy officer, registered health information administrator (RHIA), medical office manager, and health data analyst.

How Long Does It Take To Complete an Online Health Information Management Master's Degree?

Unless you enroll in an accelerated program or possess credits from other relevant degrees, an MHIM degree should take about two years to finish. That's the typical time required to fulfill concentration courses, electives, and a capstone project.

What Is the Highest Paying Job in Health Information Management?

The highest-paying roles in HIM are executive or director positions, such as Chief Clinical Informatics Officer, which often includes a salary over $200,000 annually. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), medical and health service managers earn a median annual salary of over $117,000.

Discover Online Health Information Management Degrees

Learn.org wants to help you find the best online HIM degree at the lowest cost. We have hundreds of articles showcasing online master's degrees, bachelor's degrees, and professional certifications in several lucrative career fields.