Arkansas / Health information management programs

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

Arkansas has 5 CAHIIM-accredited HIM programs. We score every program on our seven-factor methodology. Top: Northwest Arkansas Community College's AAS, scoring 83/100.

Taylor Rupe, founder of healthinformationmanagementprograms.com

by , founder & editor

updated

Arkansas
5

Programs ranked

83

Top score

$42K

AR median HIM wage

1,920

HIM jobs in AR

Key Takeaways

  • Northwest Arkansas Community College AAS ranks #1 in Arkansas (83/100). Continuing CAHIIM with the longest review cycle in AR (2033-2034), and direct adjacency to the Walmart HQ / NW Arkansas employer cluster.
  • Arkansas Tech University runs the only CAHIIM-accredited BSHIM in Arkansas (Russellville, hybrid).
  • Arkansas has 5 active CAHIIM-accredited programs: 4 AAS and 1 bachelor's. Arkansas does not currently have a CAHIIM-accredited MS in HIM or Health Informatics.
  • Arkansas Tech University Ozark's director Dr. Lisa Snow holds a DHA + RHIT + CRCR, the only doctorate-level + revenue-cycle credential combination of any AR AAS director.
  • Median HIM salary in Arkansas is 41,740 per BLS OEWS May 2025. 90th pct 65,090. 1,920 working in this occupation.
  • UAMS is the only academic medical center in Arkansas, in Little Rock. Baptist Health is the largest AR system. CHI St. Vincent, Arkansas Children's, and the NW Arkansas trio (Mercy NWA, Washington Regional, Northwest Health) round out the major employer cluster.
  • SHARE (State Health Alliance for Records Exchange) is Arkansas's state-designated HIE, operated by ARSHIE.
  • Arkansas medical record retention is 10 years for adult records (Arkansas Code § 20-9-302), with extended retention 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 5 CAHIIM-accredited HIM programs in Arkansas, ranked.

RankInstitutionDegreeCityScoreCAHIIM
#1 Northwest Arkansas Community College AAS Bentonville 83/100 Continuing
#2 Arkansas Tech University BS Russellville 80/100 Continuing
#3 University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College AAS North Little Rock 76/100 Initial
#4 Arkansas Tech University Ozark AAS Ozark 75.5/100 Continuing
#5 National Park College AAS Hot Springs 72/100 Continuing
#1
83/100

Overall score

Northwest Arkansas Community College

Best Northwest Arkansas AAS (longest CAHIIM review cycle in AR)

AAS Bentonville, AR Campus Based, Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2033-2034

Why it ranks #1

Northwest Arkansas Community College in Bentonville. Director Tina-marie Cikanek holds MBA + RHIA + CHPS + CCS. Continuing CAHIIM with the longest review cycle of any AR program, next review 2033-2034. Hybrid delivery. Sits inside the NW Arkansas employer cluster with direct adjacency to Mercy NWA (Rogers), Washington Regional (Fayetteville), and Northwest Health (Springdale). Walmart HQ + JB Hunt + Tyson make NW AR one of the strongest white-collar employer markets in the South.

Program Director

Tina-marie Cikanek , MBA, RHIA, CHPS, CCS

Address

One College Drive, Bentonville, AR, 72712

Contact

(479) 936-5118
tcikanek@nwacc.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)10/10
Director credentials (15%)9/10
Pathways (15%)4/10
Delivery (15%)8/10
Employer pipeline (15%)9/10
Cost (10%)10/10
Reputation (5%)6/10
Overall83/100

Visit program at nwacc.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#2
80/100

Overall score

Arkansas Tech University

Best in-state BSHIM (only CAHIIM bachelor's in Arkansas)

BSHIM Russellville, AR Campus Based, Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2032-2033

Why it ranks #2

Arkansas Tech University BSHIM in Russellville. The only CAHIIM-accredited BSHIM in Arkansas. Director Sara Daniel holds MS + CHES + RHIA. Continuing CAHIIM, next review 2032-2033. Hybrid delivery. Public university with statewide reach into Little Rock and NW Arkansas employer markets.

Program Director

Sara Daniel , MS, CHES, RHIA

Address

Rothwell 453, 106 West O Street, Russellville, AR, 72801

Contact

(479) 498-6073
sdaniel8@atu.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)10/10
Director credentials (15%)8/10
Pathways (15%)6/10
Delivery (15%)8/10
Employer pipeline (15%)7/10
Cost (10%)8/10
Reputation (5%)7/10
Overall80/100

Visit program at atu.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#3
76/100

Overall score

University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College

Best Little Rock metro AAS (UAMS / Baptist Health / CHI St. Vincent pipeline)

AAS North Little Rock, AR Online CAHIIM Initial Next Review 2029-2030

Why it ranks #3

University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College in North Little Rock. Director Bryce Miller holds MSHI + RHIA. Initial CAHIIM, next review 2029-2030. Fully online. Sits in the Little Rock metro with direct pipeline to UAMS (the only academic medical center in Arkansas), Baptist Health (largest AR system), CHI St. Vincent, and Arkansas Children's.

Program Director

Bryce Miller , MSHI, RHIA

Address

3000 West Scenic Drive, North Little Rock, AR, 72118

Contact

(501) 812-2349
bdmiller@uaptc.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)6/10
Director credentials (15%)8/10
Pathways (15%)4/10
Delivery (15%)10/10
Employer pipeline (15%)10/10
Cost (10%)10/10
Reputation (5%)6/10
Overall76/100

Visit program at uaptc.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#4
75.5/100

Overall score

Arkansas Tech University Ozark

Best DHA-director AAS (Arkansas Tech Ozark campus)

AAS Ozark, AR Campus Based CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2032-2033

Why it ranks #4

Arkansas Tech University Ozark campus AAS. Director Dr. Lisa Snow holds DHA + RHIT + CRCR. CRCR (Certified Revenue Cycle Representative) plus DHA is a rare credential signal at the AAS level. Continuing CAHIIM, next review 2032-2033. Campus-based only. Located in rural Ozark, AR, with direct ties to the Arkansas Tech system.

Program Director

Lisa Snow , DHA, RHIT, CRCR

Address

1700 Helberg Lane, Ozark, AR, 72949

Contact

(479) 667-2117
lsnow@atu.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)10/10
Director credentials (15%)10/10
Pathways (15%)4/10
Delivery (15%)5/10
Employer pipeline (15%)6/10
Cost (10%)10/10
Reputation (5%)6/10
Overall75.5/100

Visit program at catalog.atu.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#5
72/100

Overall score

National Park College

Best Hot Springs / Central Arkansas AAS

AAS Hot Springs, AR Campus Based, Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2029-2030

Why it ranks #5

National Park College in Hot Springs. Director Leigh Turner holds MA + RHIT. Continuing CAHIIM, next review 2029-2030. Hybrid delivery. Feeds CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs, National Park Medical Center, and the central AR hospital network.

Program Director

Leigh Turner , MA, RHIT

Address

101 College Drive, Hot Springs, AR, 71913

Contact

(501) 760-4342
leigh.turner@np.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)8/10
Director credentials (15%)7/10
Pathways (15%)4/10
Delivery (15%)8/10
Employer pipeline (15%)7/10
Cost (10%)10/10
Reputation (5%)6/10
Overall72/100

Visit program at np.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

Best for…

Best Arkansas HIM programs by category.

Best Northwest Arkansas AAS

Northwest Arkansas Community College

Bentonville. Longest CAHIIM review cycle in AR (2033-2034). Strong four-credential director.

Best in-state BSHIM

Arkansas Tech University

Only CAHIIM-accredited BSHIM in Arkansas. Public university tuition.

Best Little Rock metro AAS

University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College

North Little Rock. Direct UAMS + Baptist Health + CHI St. Vincent pipeline. Fully online.

Best DHA-director AAS

Arkansas Tech University Ozark

Dr. Lisa Snow (DHA + RHIT + CRCR), only doctorate + revenue-cycle director combo in AR.

Best Hot Springs / Central AR AAS

National Park College

Director Leigh Turner (MA + RHIT). Hot Springs market.

Cheapest CAHIIM-accredited HIM programs in AR

Arkansas public community colleges

NWACC, UA-Pulaski Tech, Arkansas Tech Ozark, and National Park College all qualify for the AR Future Grant (free tuition for high-demand fields like HIM), Arkansas Challenge Scholarship (lottery-funded), and Pell.

Where's the MS?

Out-of-state online MS

AR does not currently have a CAHIIM-accredited MS in HIM or Health Informatics. The Arkansas Tech BSHIM ladders cleanly into out-of-state online CAHIIM MS programs (UTHSC TN, UMMC MS, Davenport MI, etc.).

Best UAMS pipeline

UA-Pulaski Tech + Arkansas Tech BSHIM

UA-Pulaski Tech AAS feeds UAMS entry roles, then the Arkansas Tech BSHIM provides the RHIA ladder.

Credentials

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

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

CredentialFull NameEducation RequiredTypical AR Role
RHITRegistered Health Information TechnicianCAHIIM AASRecords, ROI, coder at UAMS / Baptist Health / CHI St. Vincent / Mercy NWA
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 Arkansas.

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

  • Median: $41,740 (national: $51,140)
  • Mean: $45,880
  • 10th pct: $33,920 · 90th pct: $65,090
  • Statewide employment: 1,920

Little Rock metro (UAMS, Baptist Health, CHI St. Vincent, Arkansas Children's) anchors the AR upper end. NW Arkansas (Mercy NWA, Washington Regional, Northwest Health) pays close to or above the Little Rock range because the Walmart HQ + JB Hunt + Tyson white-collar cluster pulls wages up. Central, Hot Springs, and southern AR pay near the median or below.

Salary distribution

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

$30K$40K$50K$60K$70K$80K$90K Arkansas MED $42K National MED $51K

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.

Workforce

Arkansas health information management job market and top hospital employers.

UAMS. Little Rock. The only academic medical center in Arkansas (UAMS Medical Center).

Baptist Health. Little Rock-based. Largest AR system, 12 hospitals statewide.

CHI St. Vincent. Little Rock + Hot Springs. Part of CommonSpirit Health.

Arkansas Children's. Little Rock + Springdale. Major pediatric academic medical system.

Mercy NWA. Rogers. Part of Mercy (Missouri-based national system).

Washington Regional Medical Center. Fayetteville. Independent community medical center anchoring NW Arkansas.

Northwest Health. Springdale + Bentonville. Community Health Systems (CHS)-owned.

Conway Regional. Conway. North central AR anchor.

Health information exchange

SHARE (State Health Alliance for Records Exchange).

SHARE (State Health Alliance for Records Exchange) is Arkansas's state-designated HIE, operated by the Arkansas State Health Information Exchange (ARSHIE). SHARE connects participating AR providers with clinical messaging, query-based retrieval, and ADT alerting. Participation is voluntary but widely adopted across major AR systems.

State regulation

Arkansas state laws affecting health information management.

  • Medical record retention (Arkansas Code § 20-9-302). Arkansas hospitals must retain adult medical records for at least 10 years, and minors' records for 10 years past age of majority.
  • Patient access (Arkansas Code § 16-46-106). AR statute grants patients access to medical records with statutory copy-fee caps.
  • Arkansas Personal Information Protection Act (Arkansas Code § 4-110-101 et seq.). Breach notification without unreasonable delay after discovery.

Sources

Sources and references.

  1. healthinformationmanagementprograms.com Methodology.
  2. CAHIIM Program Directory.
  3. BLS OEWS: May 2025 AR estimates.
  4. AHIMA Certification Exams.
  5. SHARE / ARSHIE.
  6. Arkansas Division of Higher Education: AR Future Grant, AR Challenge Scholarship.
  7. Arkansas Legislature: Arkansas Code § 20-9-302, § 16-46-106, § 4-110-101.
  8. ArHIMA.

FAQ

HIM programs in Arkansas: frequently asked questions.

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

On our methodology, Northwest Arkansas Community College ranks #1 (83/100). Arkansas Tech University #2. University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College #3.

How many CAHIIM-accredited HIM programs are in AR?

5 active. 4 associate and 1 bachelor's (Arkansas Tech). No CAHIIM-accredited master's currently in AR.

What is the average HIM salary in AR?

Median $41,740 per BLS OEWS May 2025. 90th pct $65,090.

Does AR require a license to work in HIM?

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

Which Arkansas hospitals hire the most HIM staff?

UAMS, Baptist Health, CHI St. Vincent, Arkansas Children's, Mercy NWA, Washington Regional, Northwest Health, Conway Regional.

What is SHARE?

Arkansas's state-designated HIE (State Health Alliance for Records Exchange), operated by ARSHIE.

Can I get a HIM degree fully online in AR?

UA-Pulaski Tech AAS runs fully online. NWACC, National Park College, and Arkansas Tech BSHIM are hybrid. Arkansas Tech Ozark is campus-based only.