Alabama / Health information management programs

Best CAHIIM-accredited health information management programs in Alabama, ranked (2026)

Alabama has 5 CAHIIM-accredited HIM programs. We score every one of them on a seven-factor methodology (accreditation maturity, program director credentials, degree pathways, delivery flexibility, employer pipeline, cost, institutional reputation) and rank them head-to-head. The top program in Alabama is the University of Alabama at Birmingham's MS in Health Informatics, scoring 80/100.

Taylor Rupe, founder of healthinformationmanagementprograms.com

by , founder & editor

updated

Alabama state capitol in Montgomery at golden hour
5

Programs ranked

80

Top score (out of 100)

$44K

AL median HIM wage

2,330

HIM jobs in AL

Key Takeaways

  • UAB ranks #1 in Alabama with a score of 80/100. UAB's fully online MS in Health Informatics is tied to the 1,207-bed UAB Hospital (the third-largest public hospital in the US) and run by Dr. Sue Feldman, a Fellow of the American College of Medical Informatics.
  • Alabama State University ranks #2 (71/100). The only CAHIIM-accredited BSHIM in Alabama, located at an HBCU in Montgomery. Re-accredited February 2026 with next review 2033-2034 (the longest accreditation horizon in the state).
  • Wallace State Community College ranks #3 (70.5/100). The highest-scoring AAS in Alabama. Located in Hanceville halfway between Birmingham and Huntsville, with the best dual-direction employer reach to UAB Medicine and Huntsville Hospital.
  • Median HIM salary in Alabama is 43,810 per BLS OEWS May 2025, below the national median of 51,140. The 90th percentile reaches 64,730, held mostly by HIM directors at UAB Medicine and Huntsville Hospital.
  • Alabama does not license HIM staff. AHIMA credentials are the workforce standard: RHIT after the AAS, RHIA after the BSHIM, CCS for coding.
  • One Health Record is Alabama's state HIE, covering 323 locations, 14 hospitals, and 3M lives. Interstate connection with Georgia (GaHIN) and moving toward QHIN designation through eHealth Exchange.
  • Alabama Student Assistance Program (ASAP) grants up to $5,000 per year (need-based, Pell-eligible) at roughly 80 AL institutions, including all three CAHIIM-accredited community colleges.

How we ranked

Our ranking methodology in one paragraph.

Every program on this page is CAHIIM-accredited, which means every program produces graduates eligible for the AHIMA RHIT or RHIA exam. To help readers compare programs that are all technically eligible, we score each one 0 to 10 on seven factors: CAHIIM accreditation maturity (25%), program director credentials (15%), degree-level pathways offered (15%), delivery flexibility (15%), employer pipeline strength (15%), cost-effectiveness (10%), and institutional reputation (5%). Scores are published per program with rationale, so you can adjust the weights for your own priorities.

Read the full methodology →

Programs taking applications in Alabama now

HIM, health informatics, and medical coding programs currently accepting students.

The ranked programs

The 5 CAHIIM-accredited HIM programs in Alabama, ranked.

Rank Institution Degree City Score CAHIIM
#1 University of Alabama at Birmingham MS (HI) Birmingham 80/100 Initial
#2 Alabama State University BS Montgomery 71/100 Continuing
#3 Wallace State Community College AAS Hanceville 70.5/100 Continuing
#4 Bishop State Community College AAS Mobile 65.5/100 Continuing
#5 Shelton State Community College AAS Tuscaloosa 64.5/100 Initial
#1
80/100

Overall score

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Best for academic-medical-center informatics careers

MS Health Informatics Birmingham, AL Online CAHIIM Initial Next Review 2028-2029

Why it ranks #1

Fully online MS in Health Informatics tied to UAB Hospital (1,207 beds, third-largest public hospital in the US). Program Director Sue Feldman is a Fellow of the American College of Medical Informatics (FACMI), one of the highest distinctions in the field. The 23,000-employee UAB Health System anchors the strongest in-state employer pipeline.

Program Director

Sue Feldman , RN, MEd, PhD, FACMI

Address

School Of Health Professions, 1705 2nd Avenue South #590a, Birmingham, AL, 35294

Contact

(205) 975-0809
sfeldman@uab.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation maturity (25%)7/10
Director credentials (15%)10/10
Degree pathways (15%)5/10
Delivery flexibility (15%)10/10
Employer pipeline (15%)10/10
Cost-effectiveness (10%)5/10
Institutional reputation (5%)10/10
Overall80/100

Visit program at uab.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#2
71/100

Overall score

Alabama State University

Best in-state BSHIM and best HBCU bachelor's pathway

BSHIM Montgomery, AL Campus Based CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2033-2034

Why it ranks #2

The only CAHIIM-accredited BSHIM in Alabama, located at an HBCU in Montgomery. Re-accredited February 2026 with next review not due until 2033-2034 (the longest accreditation horizon of any AL program). Director Dr. Bridgette Stasher-Booker holds PhD + RHIA + CHTS-IM.

Program Director

Bridgette Stasher-Booker , PhD, RHIA, CHTS-IM

Address

915 South Jackson Street, P.o. Box 271, Montgomery, AL, 36101

Contact

(334) 229-8402
bbooker@alasu.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation maturity (25%)10/10
Director credentials (15%)9/10
Degree pathways (15%)5/10
Delivery flexibility (15%)4/10
Employer pipeline (15%)6/10
Cost-effectiveness (10%)6/10
Institutional reputation (5%)8/10
Overall71/100

Visit program at alasu.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#3
70.5/100

Overall score

Wallace State Community College

Best AAS for two-direction employer reach

AAS Hanceville, AL Campus Based, Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2029-2030

Why it ranks #3

Located in Hanceville, roughly halfway between Birmingham and Huntsville on I-65. The only AL AAS that realistically feeds both UAB Medicine south and Huntsville Hospital Health System north. Director Lori Blubaugh holds RHIA + CCS, with coding emphasis.

Program Director

Lori Blubaugh , RHIA, CCS

Address

801 Main Street NW, PO Box 2000, Hanceville, AL, 35077

Contact

(256) 352-8337
lori.blubaugh@wallacestate.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation maturity (25%)8/10
Director credentials (15%)6/10
Degree pathways (15%)4/10
Delivery flexibility (15%)8/10
Employer pipeline (15%)8/10
Cost-effectiveness (10%)9/10
Institutional reputation (5%)5/10
Overall70.5/100

Visit program at wallacestate.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#4
65.5/100

Overall score

Bishop State Community College

Best AAS for the Gulf Coast and HBCU community college experience

AAS Mobile, AL Campus Based, Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2028-2029

Why it ranks #4

HBCU community college on North Broad Street in Mobile. The primary AAS feeder for USA Health (academic, 3,800 employees) and Infirmary Health (6,700+ team members, Gulf Coast's largest private employer). Continuing CAHIIM accreditation since 2021.

Program Director

Annalesia Sharp , RHIA

Address

351 North Broad Street, Mobile, AL, 36603

Contact

(251) 405-4453
asharp@bishop.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation maturity (25%)7/10
Director credentials (15%)5/10
Degree pathways (15%)4/10
Delivery flexibility (15%)8/10
Employer pipeline (15%)7/10
Cost-effectiveness (10%)9/10
Institutional reputation (5%)6/10
Overall65.5/100

Visit program at bishop.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#5
64.5/100

Overall score

Shelton State Community College

Best fully online AAS in Alabama

AAS Tuscaloosa, AL Online CAHIIM Initial Next Review 2027-2028

Why it ranks #5

The only Alabama AAS with fully online delivery. Initial CAHIIM accreditation since December 2020 (next review 2027-2028). Director Joan Wilder holds MSHI + RHIA + CPC. Natural feeder for DCH Health System in Tuscaloosa.

Program Director

Joan Wilder , MSHI, RHIA, CPC

Address

Fredd Campus, 3401 Martin Luther King Blvd, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35401

Contact

(205) 391-5852
jwilder@sheltonstate.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation maturity (25%)5/10
Director credentials (15%)7/10
Degree pathways (15%)4/10
Delivery flexibility (15%)10/10
Employer pipeline (15%)6/10
Cost-effectiveness (10%)9/10
Institutional reputation (5%)5/10
Overall64.5/100

Visit program at sheltonstate.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

Best for…

Best Alabama HIM programs by category (long-tail rankings).

Not every reader is looking for the overall #1. These category rankings answer the more specific questions prospective AL students actually search for.

Best for academic-medical-center informatics

University of Alabama at Birmingham

UAB's MS in Health Informatics, fully online, tied to the 1,207-bed UAB Hospital. Program Director Sue Feldman holds a PhD and is a Fellow of the American College of Medical Informatics. The clear choice if your target career is informatics analyst, director, or CMIO-track at an academic medical center.

Best in-state bachelor's (and best HBCU)

Alabama State University

The only CAHIIM-accredited BSHIM in Alabama, located at an HBCU in Montgomery. Re-accredited February 2026 with the longest CAHIIM horizon of any AL program (next review 2033-2034). Direct line to Baptist Medical Center Montgomery (now Orlando Health Baptist) and Jackson Hospital.

Best AAS overall

Wallace State Community College

Located in Hanceville on I-65, roughly halfway between Birmingham and Huntsville. The only AL AAS that realistically feeds both UAB Medicine south and Huntsville Hospital Health System north. Director Lori Blubaugh holds RHIA + CCS. Campus + online delivery.

Best fully online AAS in Alabama

Shelton State Community College

The only Alabama AAS with fully online delivery (Bishop State and Wallace State are hybrid). Director Joan Wilder holds MSHI, RHIA, and CPC credentials. Natural feeder for DCH Health System in Tuscaloosa, but the online format reaches anywhere in the state.

Best AAS for the Mobile / Gulf Coast region

Bishop State Community College

HBCU community college on North Broad Street in Mobile. The primary AAS feeder for USA Health (academic, 3,800 employees) and Infirmary Health (the Gulf Coast's largest private employer, 6,700+ team members). Continuing CAHIIM accreditation, hybrid delivery.

Best for working professionals (online + flexible)

UAB (MS) and Shelton State (AAS)

For working adults adding an MS, UAB's fully online MS in Health Informatics is the strongest credential. For working adults at the AAS level, Shelton State's fully online program is the most flexible. Both pair with employer tuition reimbursement programs at UAB Medicine, Huntsville Hospital, and the larger AL hospital networks.

Cheapest CAHIIM-accredited HIM program

All three AAS programs (CC tuition + ASAP)

Bishop State, Shelton State, and Wallace State all charge Alabama Community College System resident tuition rates. With Alabama Student Assistance Program (ASAP) grants for Pell-eligible students ($300 to $5,000 per year), out-of-pocket cost can be near zero. Wallace State edges the others on overall score, but all three are functionally equivalent on cost.

Most established CAHIIM accreditation

Alabama State University

Re-accredited February 2026 with next review not due until academic year 2033-2034. The longest accreditation horizon of any current Alabama HIM program, and a strong stability signal for prospective students.

Credentials

HIM credentials and certifications in Alabama (RHIA, RHIT, CCS).

Alabama does not require a state-issued license to work in HIM. AL hospital employers hire based on AHIMA-issued credentials. The path most Alabama HIM professionals take is RHIT after the AAS, RHIA after the BSHIM, with CCS added for coding specialization.

Credential Full Name Education Required Typical AL Role
RHIT Registered Health Information Technician CAHIIM-accredited Associate Degree (AAS) Medical records specialist, abstractor, ROI
RHIA Registered Health Information Administrator CAHIIM-accredited Bachelor's (BSHIM) HIM supervisor, privacy officer, compliance, coding manager
CCS Certified Coding Specialist RHIT or RHIA plus coding experience Inpatient or outpatient coder, coding auditor

Salary data

Medical records specialist salary in Alabama.

BLS tracks Medical Records Specialists in Alabama under SOC code 29-2072. May 2025 OEWS estimates:

  • Median annual wage: $43,810 (national median: $51,140)
  • Mean annual wage: $45,710
  • 10th percentile: $30,250 · 90th percentile: $64,730
  • Statewide employment: 2,330

Alabama sits below the national HIM median, but cost of living offsets a sizable portion of the gap. AAS-credentialed coders at smaller AL hospitals tend to sit in the lower half. RHIAs at UAB or Huntsville Hospital sit at or above the state median. The 90th percentile is mostly HIM directors at the large systems and informatics analysts at UAB.

Salary distribution

Medical records specialist salary in Alabama vs. national median (BLS OEWS May 2025).

$30K$40K$50K$60K$70K$80K$90K Alabama MED $44K National MED $51K

Bars show 10th-to-90th percentile range. Vertical line marks the median. Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.

Workforce

Alabama health information management job market and top hospital employers.

UAB Medicine (Birmingham). The largest in-state employer of HIM staff. UAB Hospital alone holds 1,207 beds, making it the third-largest public hospital in the US. The broader UAB Health System exceeds 23,000 employees and treats more than 1.6 million patients per year. UAB hires AAS-level coders, RHIAs into supervisory roles, and MS holders into informatics and analytics positions.

Huntsville Hospital Health System (Huntsville). A public not-for-profit running 14 hospitals across north Alabama plus one in Tennessee. Roughly 19,500 to 20,000 employees. A 2024 agreement brings DeKalb Regional Medical Center in Fort Payne into the system.

Orlando Health Baptist (Birmingham metro). Formerly Brookwood Baptist Health, acquired by Orlando Health from Tenet for $963 million on October 1, 2024. Five hospitals, 58 clinics, over 6,100 team members. Active HIM hiring during integration.

USA Health (Mobile). The academic system tied to USA's Whiddon College of Medicine. Around 3,800 employees. Gulf Coast's only Level I trauma and burn center. The Bishop State AAS feeds it directly.

Infirmary Health (Mobile). 6,700+ team members across three acute-care hospitals plus LTACH and post-acute facilities. The Gulf Coast's largest private employer.

DCH Health System (Tuscaloosa). 848 acute-care beds across DCH Regional (583), Northport Medical Center (204), and Fayette Medical Center. Level III trauma. The Shelton State AAS is the natural feeder.

Health information exchange

One Health Record, the state HIE.

One Health Record is Alabama's state-run HIE. Funded by a federal HITECH grant in 2009 and launched in 2012, it now covers 323 locations, 14 hospitals, and roughly 3 million patient lives. Governance runs through the State Health Information Exchange Commission.

For HIM staff, the day-to-day relevance is that One Health Record is how a UAB patient's records reach a Huntsville Hospital clinician (or vice versa) without the old fax-and-signed-release loop. Alabama also has an interstate connection with the Georgia Health Information Network (GaHIN) and is moving toward QHIN designation through eHealth Exchange.

State regulation

Alabama state laws affecting health information management.

Alabama doesn't license HIM professionals at the state level. The rules that touch HIM operations day-to-day:

  • Copy fees (Ala. Code § 12-21-6.1). $1 per page for the first 25 pages, $0.50 per page after that.
  • Patient access and retention (Ala. Admin. Code r. 420-5-7-.13 and r. 420-5-7-.05). Hospitals must retain records for 7 years from last patient contact.
  • Alabama Data Breach Notification Act of 2018 (Ala. Code Title 8, Chapter 38). Alabama was the last US state to pass a breach notification law. Notice "without unreasonable delay"; breaches affecting 1,000+ residents trigger AG and consumer reporting agency notice. Penalties up to $5,000 per day, capped at $500,000.

Sources

Sources and references.

  1. healthinformationmanagementprograms.com Methodology: the seven-factor ranking methodology and "Best for X" categories applied to every state guide.
  2. CAHIIM Program Directory: accreditation status, program directors, and review cycles current as of 2026.
  3. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS: May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for SOC 29-2072 (Medical Records Specialists), Alabama state estimates.
  4. AHIMA Certification Exams: RHIT, RHIA, and CCS eligibility, exam content, and fees.
  5. One Health Record: Alabama state health information exchange.
  6. Alabama Commission on Higher Education: Alabama Student Assistance Program (ASAP).
  7. Alabama Department of Public Health: Ala. Admin. Code r. 420-5-7-.13 retention requirements.
  8. Office of the Alabama Attorney General: Alabama Data Breach Notification Act of 2018.

FAQ

HIM programs in Alabama: frequently asked questions.

What is the best CAHIIM-accredited HIM program in Alabama?

On our seven-factor methodology, the University of Alabama at Birmingham's MS in Health Informatics ranks #1 (score 80/100). Alabama State University's BSHIM ranks #2 (71/100) and is the best in-state bachelor's option. Wallace State Community College ranks #3 (70.5/100) and is the highest-scoring AAS pipeline.

How many CAHIIM-accredited HIM programs are in Alabama?

Five. Three AAS programs at Bishop State (Mobile), Shelton State (Tuscaloosa), and Wallace State (Hanceville); one bachelor's (BSHIM) at Alabama State University in Montgomery; and one master's (MS in Health Informatics) at UAB.

What is the average HIM salary in Alabama?

Median $43,810 per BLS OEWS May 2025, below the national median of $51,140. 90th percentile reaches $64,730.

Which AL HIM program is fully online?

Shelton State Community College is the only fully online AAS in Alabama. UAB's MS in Health Informatics is fully online. Bishop State and Wallace State are hybrid (campus + online). Alabama State University's BSHIM is campus-based in Montgomery.

Does Alabama require a license to work in HIM?

No. AHIMA credentials (RHIT, RHIA, CCS) are the de facto industry standard.

Which AL HIM program has the longest CAHIIM accreditation horizon?

Alabama State University re-accredited in February 2026 with next review not due until academic year 2033-2034, the longest horizon of any current AL program.

Which AL HIM program is best for UAB Medicine employment?

For the inside track at UAB Medicine, UAB's own MS in Health Informatics is the strongest credential. Among AAS options, Wallace State Community College in Hanceville has the best geographic reach to Birmingham UAB facilities and is the highest-ranked AL AAS overall.