Arizona / Health information management programs

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

Arizona has 6 CAHIIM-accredited HIM and health informatics programs. We score every program on our seven-factor methodology. Top: Central Arizona College's AAS, scoring 86/100.

Taylor Rupe, founder of healthinformationmanagementprograms.com

by , founder & editor

updated

Arizona
6

Programs ranked

86

Top score

$48K

AZ median HIM wage

3,750

HIM jobs in AZ

Key Takeaways

  • Central Arizona College AAS ranks #1 in Arizona (86/100). Director Dr. Sandra Brightwell (EdD + RHIA + FAHIMA), Continuing CAHIIM with one of the longer review cycles in AZ.
  • Grand Canyon University is the only AZ institution running a BSHIM and an MS Health Informatics under one roof, both directed by Dr. Pamela Hess (DBA + RHIA + CCS + CDIP).
  • Arizona has 6 active CAHIIM-accredited programs: 3 AAS, 2 bachelor's (GCU + UA Global Campus), 1 master's (GCU MS Health Informatics).
  • The University of Arizona Global Campus (UAGC) is the online arm of the University of Arizona (acquired Ashford University in 2020). It runs the only public-system online BSHIM in AZ.
  • Median HIM salary in Arizona is 47,630 per BLS OEWS May 2025. 90th pct 75,430. 3,750 working in this occupation.
  • Banner Health is the largest AZ system with HQ in Phoenix. HonorHealth, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Dignity Health St. Joseph's, and Phoenix Children's anchor Phoenix. Banner-University Medical Center anchors both Phoenix and Tucson academic medicine. Tucson Medical Center, Northern Arizona Healthcare (Flagstaff), and Yavapai Regional anchor regional markets.
  • Contexture (formed in 2022 from the Health Current + CORHIO merger) is Arizona's state-designated HIE, also serving Colorado.
  • Arizona medical record retention is 6 years for adult records (A.A.C. R9-10-318), and until age 21 + 6 years for minors.

How we ranked

Our ranking methodology in one paragraph.

Every program is CAHIIM-accredited. We score each one 0-10 on seven factors: CAHIIM accreditation maturity (25%), program director credentials (15%), degree-level pathways (15%), delivery flexibility (15%), employer pipeline (15%), cost-effectiveness (10%), institutional reputation (5%).

Read the full methodology →

The ranked programs

The 6 CAHIIM-accredited HIM programs in Arizona, ranked.

RankInstitutionDegreeCityScoreCAHIIM
#1 Central Arizona College AAS Coolidge 86/100 Continuing
#2 Phoenix College AAS Phoenix 78/100 Continuing
#3 Grand Canyon University MS Informatics Phoenix 78/100 Initial
#4 Bryan University AAS Tempe 76/100 Continuing
#5 Grand Canyon University BS Phoenix 75/100 Initial
#6 The University of Arizona Global Campus BS Chandler 73.5/100 Initial
#1
86/100

Overall score

Central Arizona College

Best fully-online AAS (FAHIMA + EdD director, longest review cycle in AZ AAS)

AAS Coolidge, AZ Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2032-2033

Why it ranks #1

Central Arizona College in Coolidge. Director Dr. Sandra Brightwell holds EdD + RHIA + FAHIMA, the strongest credential stack of any AZ AAS director. Continuing CAHIIM, next review 2032-2033. Fully online with statewide reach into the Phoenix metro and Tucson HIM employer markets.

Program Director

Sandra Brightwell , EdD, RHIA, FAHIMA

Address

8470 North Overfield Road, Coolidge, AZ, 85128

Contact

(480) 677-7798
sandra.brightwell@centralaz.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)10/10
Director credentials (15%)10/10
Pathways (15%)4/10
Delivery (15%)10/10
Employer pipeline (15%)8/10
Cost (10%)10/10
Reputation (5%)6/10
Overall86/100

Visit program at centralaz.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#2
78/100

Overall score

Phoenix College

Best Phoenix metro AAS (Banner / HonorHealth / Mayo Clinic AZ / Dignity pipeline)

AAS Phoenix, AZ Campus Based, Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2028-2029

Why it ranks #2

Phoenix College in downtown Phoenix. Director Caterina Pinzone holds MHA + RHIA. Continuing CAHIIM, next review 2028-2029. Hybrid delivery. Sits inside the largest AZ HIM employer market with direct adjacency to Banner Health (AZ HQ), HonorHealth, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Dignity Health St. Joseph's, and Phoenix Children's Hospital.

Program Director

Caterina Pinzone , MHA, RHIA

Address

1202 West Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ, 85013

Contact

(602) 285-7149
c.pinzone@phoenixcollege.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)8/10
Director credentials (15%)8/10
Pathways (15%)4/10
Delivery (15%)8/10
Employer pipeline (15%)10/10
Cost (10%)10/10
Reputation (5%)6/10
Overall78/100

Visit program at phoenixcollege.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#3
78/100

Overall score

Grand Canyon University (MS Health Informatics)

Best fully-online MS in Health Informatics

MS Health Informatics Phoenix, AZ Online CAHIIM Initial Next Review 2033-2034

Why it ranks #3

Grand Canyon University MS in Health Informatics, Phoenix. Director Dr. Pamela Hess holds DBA + MA + RHIA + CCS + CDIP, the strongest credential stack of any AZ BSHIM-or-MS director. Initial CAHIIM, next review 2033-2034. Fully online. Pairs with the GCU BSHIM under the same director for a same-institution BS-to-MS progression.

Program Director

Pamela Hess , DBA, MA, RHIA, CDIP, CCS

Address

3300 West Camelback Road, Conhcp, Phoenix, AZ, 85017

Contact

(602) 639-6521
Pamela.Hess@gcu.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)6/10
Director credentials (15%)10/10
Pathways (15%)7/10
Delivery (15%)10/10
Employer pipeline (15%)9/10
Cost (10%)6/10
Reputation (5%)6/10
Overall78/100

Visit program at gcu.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#4
76/100

Overall score

Bryan University

Best private fully-online AAS (tied longest review cycle in AZ)

AAS Tempe, AZ Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2033-2034

Why it ranks #4

Bryan University in Tempe (Phoenix metro). Director Mechel McKinney holds MBA + RHIA. Continuing CAHIIM with a tied-longest review cycle in AZ, next review 2033-2034. Fully online. Private institution: tuition is the trade-off compared with the AZ community college options.

Program Director

Mechel McKinney , MBA, RHIA, Program Director

Address

350 West Washington Street, Tempe, AZ, 85281

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)10/10
Director credentials (15%)7/10
Pathways (15%)4/10
Delivery (15%)10/10
Employer pipeline (15%)8/10
Cost (10%)5/10
Reputation (5%)5/10
Overall76/100

Visit program at bryanuniversity.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#5
75/100

Overall score

Grand Canyon University (BSHIM)

Best in-state private BSHIM (full BS-to-MS at one school)

BSHIM Phoenix, AZ Campus Based, Online CAHIIM Initial Next Review 2030-2031

Why it ranks #5

Grand Canyon University BSHIM in Phoenix, College of Nursing and Healthcare Professions. Same director as the GCU MS HI (Dr. Pamela Hess, DBA + RHIA + CCS + CDIP). Initial CAHIIM, next review 2030-2031. Hybrid delivery. Pairs with the GCU MS Health Informatics for a same-school BS-to-MS pathway.

Program Director

Pamela Hess , DBA, MA, RHIA, CCS, CDIP

Address

College of Nursing & Healthcare Professions, Office: Building #33-225, 3300 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ, 85017

Contact

(260) 437-3375
pamela.hess@gcu.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)6/10
Director credentials (15%)10/10
Pathways (15%)7/10
Delivery (15%)8/10
Employer pipeline (15%)9/10
Cost (10%)6/10
Reputation (5%)6/10
Overall75/100

Visit program at gcu.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#6
73.5/100

Overall score

The University of Arizona Global Campus

Best public-system fully-online BSHIM

BSHIM Chandler, AZ Online CAHIIM Initial Next Review 2027-2028

Why it ranks #6

The University of Arizona Global Campus BSHIM. Director Dr. Darla Branda holds EdD + RHIA. Initial CAHIIM, next review 2027-2028. Fully online. UA Global Campus (formerly Ashford University, acquired by the University of Arizona system in 2020) is the online arm of the University of Arizona.

Program Director

Darla Branda , EdD, RHIA

Address

180 South Arizona Avenue, Suite #301, Chandler, AZ, 85225

Contact

(480) 916-0241, Ext. 20155
Darla.Branda@uagc.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)6/10
Director credentials (15%)8/10
Pathways (15%)6/10
Delivery (15%)10/10
Employer pipeline (15%)8/10
Cost (10%)7/10
Reputation (5%)7/10
Overall73.5/100

Visit program at uagc.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

Best for…

Best Arizona HIM programs by category.

Best FAHIMA-led AAS

Central Arizona College

Director Dr. Sandra Brightwell (EdD + RHIA + FAHIMA). Fully online statewide.

Best Phoenix metro AAS

Phoenix College

Inside Phoenix. Direct Banner / HonorHealth / Mayo Clinic AZ / Dignity adjacency.

Best fully-online MS in Health Informatics

Grand Canyon University

DBA + RHIA + CCS + CDIP director. Fully online. Pairs with the GCU BSHIM at one school.

Best in-state private BSHIM with same-school MS

Grand Canyon University

Only BSHIM + MS HI under one roof in AZ. Same Dr. Pamela Hess director.

Best public-system fully-online BSHIM

The University of Arizona Global Campus

UA system online arm. Fully online BSHIM with EdD director.

Best private fully-online AAS (Phoenix metro)

Bryan University

Tempe. Continuing CAHIIM with a tied-longest AZ review cycle (2033-2034).

Cheapest CAHIIM-accredited HIM programs in AZ

Maricopa Community Colleges + Central Arizona College

Phoenix College (Maricopa CCs) and Central Arizona College qualify for the Arizona College Scholarship and the AZ Earned Admission and Pell.

Best Banner / Mayo Clinic AZ employer pipeline

Phoenix College + GCU

Phoenix College sits inside the Banner / Mayo / Honor employer cluster; GCU's BSHIM and MS Health Informatics ladder cleanly into supervisor and informatics roles at those same systems.

Credentials

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

Arizona does not license HIM staff. The Arizona Health Information Management Association (AzHIMA) is the state AHIMA component.

CredentialFull NameEducation RequiredTypical AZ Role
RHITRegistered Health Information TechnicianCAHIIM AASRecords, ROI, coder at Banner / HonorHealth / Mayo Clinic AZ / Dignity
RHIARegistered Health Information AdministratorCAHIIM BSHIMHIM supervisor, privacy officer, compliance
CCSCertified Coding SpecialistRHIT/RHIA + coding experienceInpatient/outpatient coder, coding auditor

Salary data

Medical records specialist salary in Arizona.

BLS OEWS May 2025 AZ estimates for SOC 29-2072:

  • Median: $47,630 (national: $51,140)
  • Mean: $52,670
  • 10th pct: $36,530 · 90th pct: $75,430
  • Statewide employment: 3,750

Phoenix metro (Banner, HonorHealth, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Dignity, Phoenix Children's) anchors the upper end. Scottsdale (Mayo Clinic Arizona) is a salary outlier on the high side for credentialed HIM roles. Tucson (Banner-University Medical Center Tucson, Tucson Medical Center) sits near the AZ median. Flagstaff (Northern Arizona Healthcare) and Prescott (Yavapai Regional) pay near the median with northern-AZ COL.

Salary distribution

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

$30K$40K$50K$60K$70K$80K$90K Arizona MED $48K National MED $51K

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.

Workforce

Arizona health information management job market and top hospital employers.

Banner Health. Phoenix HQ. Largest AZ system, 30 hospitals across AZ, CO, NE, NV, WY. Operates Banner-University Medical Center Phoenix and Tucson (academic affiliates with the UArizona College of Medicine).

HonorHealth. Scottsdale-based. 6 hospitals across the Phoenix metro.

Mayo Clinic Arizona. Scottsdale + Phoenix. Mayo Clinic's Arizona campus, including Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix.

Dignity Health Arizona. St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Chandler Regional, and others. Part of CommonSpirit Health.

Phoenix Children's Hospital. One of the largest pediatric systems in the country.

Tucson Medical Center. Tucson. Independent community medical center.

Northern Arizona Healthcare. Flagstaff. Dominant northern AZ system, includes Flagstaff Medical Center and Verde Valley Medical Center.

Yavapai Regional Medical Center. Prescott. Post-2024 merger of YRMC and Dignity Health Arizona pieces.

Health information exchange

Contexture (formerly Health Current).

Contexture is Arizona's state-designated HIE, formed in 2022 from the merger of Health Current (AZ) and CORHIO (CO). It is now one of the largest regional HIEs in the country, covering AZ and CO. Services include clinical messaging, query-based retrieval, ADT alerting, and population-health analytics. Contexture experience is a strong signal on AZ HIM resumes.

State regulation

Arizona state laws affecting health information management.

  • Medical record retention (A.A.C. R9-10-318). Arizona hospitals must retain adult medical records for at least 6 years from the date of last patient encounter, and minors' records until age 21 + 6 years.
  • Patient access (A.R.S. § 12-2293). AZ law grants patients access to medical records with statutory caps on copy fees.
  • Arizona Data Breach Notification Law (A.R.S. § 18-552). Breach notification within 45 days of discovery.

Sources

Sources and references.

  1. healthinformationmanagementprograms.com Methodology.
  2. CAHIIM Program Directory.
  3. BLS OEWS: May 2025 AZ estimates.
  4. AHIMA Certification Exams.
  5. Contexture (AZ + CO HIE).
  6. Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education: state aid programs.
  7. Arizona State Legislature: A.A.C. R9-10-318, A.R.S. § 12-2293, A.R.S. § 18-552.
  8. AzHIMA.

FAQ

HIM programs in Arizona: frequently asked questions.

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

On our methodology, Central Arizona College ranks #1 (86/100). Phoenix College #2. Grand Canyon University #3.

How many CAHIIM-accredited HIM programs are in AZ?

6 active. 3 associate, 2 bachelor's (GCU + UA Global Campus), 1 master's (GCU MS Health Informatics).

What is the average HIM salary in AZ?

Median $47,630 per BLS OEWS May 2025. 90th pct $75,430.

Does AZ require a license to work in HIM?

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

Which Arizona hospitals hire the most HIM staff?

Banner Health, HonorHealth, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Dignity Health AZ, Phoenix Children's, Banner-University Medical Centers, Tucson Medical Center, Northern Arizona Healthcare, Yavapai Regional.

What is Contexture?

Arizona's state-designated HIE, formed in 2022 from the merger of Health Current (AZ) and CORHIO (CO).

Can I get a HIM degree fully online in AZ?

Yes. Bryan University AAS, Central Arizona College AAS, UA Global Campus BSHIM, and GCU MS HI all run fully online. Phoenix College AAS and GCU BSHIM are hybrid.