California / Health information management programs

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

California has 13 CAHIIM-accredited programs. We score every one of them on our seven-factor methodology and rank them head-to-head. The top program in California is San Diego Mesa College's AAS, scoring 83/100.

Taylor Rupe, founder of healthinformationmanagementprograms.com

by , founder & editor

updated

California state capitol in Sacramento
13

Programs ranked

83

Top score

$62K

CA median HIM wage

18,700

HIM jobs in CA

Key Takeaways

  • San Diego Mesa College ranks #1 in California (83/100). The only California institution offering both a CAHIIM-accredited BSHIM and a CAHIIM-accredited MS at one school. Faith-based academic medical center in San Bernardino County.
  • San Diego Mesa College ranks #2 (80.5/100). Same institution's master's track, providing the cleanest BS-to-MS pathway in the state.
  • California has 13 active CAHIIM-accredited programs: 7 AAS, 3 bachelor's (Loma Linda, San Diego Mesa, Shasta), 1 master's at Loma Linda, 2 CSU Long Beach Public Health Informatics certificates.
  • Median HIM salary in California is 61,810 per BLS OEWS May 2025, above the national median of 51,140. 90th percentile reaches 102,470. Cost of living absorbs much of the apparent advantage in coastal metros.
  • Kaiser Permanente is the dominant CA employer. 39 California hospitals, 9.5M+ members, the largest integrated payer-provider in the US. Kaiser's KP HealthConnect is the largest civilian Epic deployment in the country.
  • California has the strictest patient privacy regime in the US. CMIA (Cal. Civ. Code § 56), CCPA, and AB 825 (effective January 2025) combine to give California HIM staff broader compliance scope than any other state.
  • The California Data Exchange Framework (DxF) took effect January 2024 under AB 133. Hospitals, physician orgs, health plans, and SNFs must share patient data through a common framework. Manifest MedEx is the largest community HIE in DxF.

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%).

Read the full methodology →

Programs taking applications in California now

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

The ranked programs

The 13 CAHIIM-accredited HIM programs in California, ranked.

RankInstitutionDegreeCityScoreCAHIIM
#1 San Diego Mesa College AAS San Diego 83/100 Continuing
#2 San Diego Mesa College BS San Diego 80.5/100 Initial
#3 East Los Angeles College AAS Monterey Park 79.5/100 Continuing
#4 Loma Linda University BS Loma Linda 79/100 Continuing
#5 City College of San Francisco AAS San Francisco 78.5/100 Continuing
#6 Loma Linda University MS Loma Linda 78/100 Initial
#7 Cosumnes River College AAS Sacramento 76.5/100 Continuing
#8 Shasta College AAS Redding 76.5/100 Initial
#9 Shasta College BS Redding 76.5/100 Initial
#10 Santa Barbara City College AAS Santa Barbara 75/100 Continuing
#11 Bakersfield College AAS Bakersfield 72/100 Initial
#12 California State University - Long Beach Cert Long Beach 69.5/100 Initial
#13 California State University - Long Beach Cert Long Beach 67.5/100 Initial
#1
83/100

Overall score

San Diego Mesa College (AAS)

Best San Diego AAS with clean BS pathway at same school

AAS San Diego, CA Campus Based, Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2027-2028

Why it ranks #1

Continuing CAHIIM accreditation since December 2020. Hybrid delivery. The clean San Diego pathway: AAS at Mesa, then BS at Mesa (same director, Connie Renda), then RHIA. Pipeline to Scripps Health, Sharp HealthCare, UC San Diego Health, Rady Children's, and Kaiser San Diego.

Program Director

Connie Renda , RHIA, CHDA

Address

7250 Mesa College Dr., S-324, San Diego, CA, 92111

Contact

(619) 388-2606
crenda@sdccd.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation maturity (25%)8/10
Director credentials (15%)8/10
Degree pathways (15%)8/10
Delivery flexibility (15%)8/10
Employer pipeline (15%)9/10
Cost-effectiveness (10%)10/10
Institutional reputation (5%)7/10
Overall83/100

Visit program at sdmesa.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#2
80.5/100

Overall score

San Diego Mesa College (BS)

Best public-CC BSHIM in California (CCC Baccalaureate Pilot)

BSHIM San Diego, CA Campus Based, Online CAHIIM Initial Next Review 2028-2029

Why it ranks #2

San Diego Mesa College is one of the only California Community College institutions in the state authorized to offer a CAHIIM-accredited bachelor's degree alongside its associate. Part of the CCC Baccalaureate Degree Pilot Program, with public-CC tuition rates. Director Connie Renda holds MA + RHIA + CHDA, oversees both BS and AAS. Feeds Scripps, Sharp, UC San Diego, Rady Children's.

Program Director

Connie Renda , MA, RHIA, CHDA

Address

7250 Mesa College Dr., S-324, San Diego, CA, 92111

Contact

(619) 388-2606
crenda@sdccd.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation maturity (25%)7/10
Director credentials (15%)8/10
Degree pathways (15%)8/10
Delivery flexibility (15%)8/10
Employer pipeline (15%)9/10
Cost-effectiveness (10%)10/10
Institutional reputation (5%)7/10
Overall80.5/100

Visit program at sdmesa.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#3
79.5/100

Overall score

East Los Angeles College

Best LA County AAS feeder

AAS Monterey Park, CA Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2030-2031

Why it ranks #3

The dominant AAS feeder for Greater Los Angeles HIM hiring. ELAC graduates work at LA County USC Medical Center, UCLA Health, Cedars-Sinai, Kaiser SoCal, Providence, and Dignity/CommonSpirit's LA footprint. Director Tracey Griffin-Hood holds RHIT + CCS. Continuing CAHIIM since April 2023. Fully online.

Program Director

Tracey Griffin-Hood , RHIT, CCS

Address

1301 Avenida Cesar Chavez, Monterey Park, CA, 91754

Contact

(323) 265-8613
griffit@elac.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation maturity (25%)8/10
Director credentials (15%)7/10
Degree pathways (15%)4/10
Delivery flexibility (15%)10/10
Employer pipeline (15%)10/10
Cost-effectiveness (10%)10/10
Institutional reputation (5%)6/10
Overall79.5/100

Visit program at elac.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#4
79/100

Overall score

Loma Linda University (BS)

Best private BSHIM with MS progression at same institution

BSHIM Loma Linda, CA Campus Based, Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2029-2030

Why it ranks #4

Loma Linda University is the only California institution offering both a CAHIIM-accredited BSHIM and a CAHIIM-accredited MS at the same school. Faith-based academic medical center in San Bernardino County. LLU Health operates 6 hospitals and one of the largest medical centers in the Inland Empire. BSHIM has Continuing CAHIIM accreditation since April 2022. Director Pauline Calla holds RHIA.

Program Director

Pauline Calla , RHIA

Address

Nichol Hall, 24951 North Circle Drive, Room 1905, Loma Linda, CA, 92350

Contact

(909) 558-4976
pcalla@llu.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation maturity (25%)8/10
Director credentials (15%)7/10
Degree pathways (15%)8/10
Delivery flexibility (15%)9/10
Employer pipeline (15%)9/10
Cost-effectiveness (10%)5/10
Institutional reputation (5%)9/10
Overall79/100

Visit program at alliedhealth.llu.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#5
78.5/100

Overall score

City College of San Francisco

Best Bay Area AAS (only CAHIIM AAS in SF)

AAS San Francisco, CA Campus Based, Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2029-2030

Why it ranks #5

The Bay Area's only CAHIIM-accredited HIM program. CCSF is the largest community college in California by enrollment. Director Wanda Ziemba holds RHIT + CCS + CPC (triple coding credential). Continuing CAHIIM accreditation since August 2019. Hybrid delivery. Feeds UCSF Health, Kaiser SF, Sutter CPMC, Dignity/CommonSpirit's SF hospitals.

Program Director

Wanda Ziemba , RHIT, CCS, CPC

Address

1860 Hayes Street, San Francisco, CA, 94117

Contact

(415) 516-1818
wziemba@ccsf.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation maturity (25%)8/10
Director credentials (15%)8/10
Degree pathways (15%)4/10
Delivery flexibility (15%)8/10
Employer pipeline (15%)10/10
Cost-effectiveness (10%)10/10
Institutional reputation (5%)7/10
Overall78.5/100

Visit program at ccsf.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

More HIM programs accepting students

#6
78/100

Overall score

Loma Linda University (MS)

Best private MS in Health Informatics in California

MS Health Informatics Loma Linda, CA Campus Based, Online CAHIIM Initial Next Review 2030-2031

Why it ranks #6

Loma Linda's MS in Health Informatics, campus or online. The only CAHIIM-accredited graduate program in CA outside of Loma Linda's own BSHIM pathway. Director Dr. Debra Hamada holds EdD + MA + RHIA. Initial CAHIIM accreditation since August 2023.

Program Director

Debra Hamada , EdD, MA, RHIA

Address

24951 North Circle Drive, Room 1905, Loma Linda, CA, 92350

Contact

(909) 558-0404
dhamada@llu.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation maturity (25%)7/10
Director credentials (15%)8/10
Degree pathways (15%)8/10
Delivery flexibility (15%)9/10
Employer pipeline (15%)9/10
Cost-effectiveness (10%)5/10
Institutional reputation (5%)9/10
Overall78/100

Visit program at alliedhealth.llu.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#7
76.5/100

Overall score

Cosumnes River College

Best Sacramento / NorCal capital region AAS

AAS Sacramento, CA Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2029-2030

Why it ranks #7

Sacramento-area AAS feeding Sutter Health Sacramento, Dignity Health Mercy, UC Davis Health, and Kaiser Permanente Sacramento. Director Kristen Borth holds MS + RHIA. Continuing CAHIIM accreditation since July 2022. Fully online.

Program Director

Kristen Borth , MS, RHIA

Address

8401 Center Parkway, Sacramento, CA, 95823

Contact

(916) 691-7452
borthk@crc.losrios.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation maturity (25%)8/10
Director credentials (15%)7/10
Degree pathways (15%)4/10
Delivery flexibility (15%)10/10
Employer pipeline (15%)8/10
Cost-effectiveness (10%)10/10
Institutional reputation (5%)6/10
Overall76.5/100

Visit program at crc.losrios.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#8
76.5/100

Overall score

Shasta College (AAS)

Best fully online rural-NorCal AAS

AAS Redding, CA Online CAHIIM Initial Next Review 2029-2030

Why it ranks #8

Same director, same institution as the Shasta BS, providing a clean fully-online AAS-to-BS pathway. Initial CAHIIM accreditation since June 2019. Feeds Mercy Medical Center Redding, Dignity Health's NorCal footprint, Sutter Pacific.

Program Director

Andrew Dowgiert , MSHIM, RHIA

Address

Health Sciences Division, Suite 8204, 1400 Market Street, Redding, CA, 96001

Contact

(360) 888-4511
adowgiert@shastacollege.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation maturity (25%)7/10
Director credentials (15%)7/10
Degree pathways (15%)8/10
Delivery flexibility (15%)10/10
Employer pipeline (15%)6/10
Cost-effectiveness (10%)10/10
Institutional reputation (5%)5/10
Overall76.5/100

Visit program at shastacollege.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#9
76.5/100

Overall score

Shasta College (BS)

Best fully online public-CC BSHIM in California

BSHIM Redding, CA Online CAHIIM Initial Next Review 2029-2030

Why it ranks #9

Shasta College in Redding (rural NorCal) is the other CA Community College with both AAS and BSHIM tracks under the CCC Baccalaureate Pilot. Fully online. Director Andrew Dowgiert holds MSHIM + RHIA, oversees both programs. Initial CAHIIM accreditation since May 2019.

Program Director

Andrew Dowgiert , MSHIM, RHIA

Address

Health Sciences Division, Suite 8204, 1400 Market Street, Redding, CA, 96001

Contact

(360) 888-4511
adowgiert@shastacollege.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation maturity (25%)7/10
Director credentials (15%)7/10
Degree pathways (15%)8/10
Delivery flexibility (15%)10/10
Employer pipeline (15%)6/10
Cost-effectiveness (10%)10/10
Institutional reputation (5%)5/10
Overall76.5/100

Visit program at shastacollege.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#10
75/100

Overall score

Santa Barbara City College

Best Central Coast AAS

AAS Santa Barbara, CA Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2027-2028

Why it ranks #10

Santa Barbara City College is a recognized California community college. Director Shawna Sweeney holds RHIA + CCS. Continuing CAHIIM accreditation since December 2020. Fully online. Feeds Cottage Health, Marian Regional Medical Center, and Dignity Health Central Coast.

Program Director

Shawna Sweeney , RHIA, CCS

Address

721 Cliff Drive, Santa Barbara, CA, 93109

Contact

(805) 965-0581
sssweeney@pipeline.sbcc.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation maturity (25%)8/10
Director credentials (15%)7/10
Degree pathways (15%)4/10
Delivery flexibility (15%)10/10
Employer pipeline (15%)7/10
Cost-effectiveness (10%)10/10
Institutional reputation (5%)6/10
Overall75/100

Visit program at sbcc.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

More HIM programs accepting students

#11
72/100

Overall score

Bakersfield College

Best Central Valley / Kern County AAS

AAS Bakersfield, CA Online CAHIIM Initial Next Review 2028-2029

Why it ranks #11

Central Valley AAS in Bakersfield. Director Bridget Nixon-Calderon holds MSHIM + RHIA + CHDA. Initial CAHIIM since February 2021. Fully online. Feeds Adventist Health Bakersfield, Kern Medical, Mercy Hospitals of Bakersfield.

Program Director

Bridget Nixon-Calderon , MSHIM, RHIA, CHDA

Address

1801 Panorama Dr, Bakersfield, CA, 93305

Score breakdown

Accreditation maturity (25%)7/10
Director credentials (15%)8/10
Degree pathways (15%)4/10
Delivery flexibility (15%)10/10
Employer pipeline (15%)6/10
Cost-effectiveness (10%)10/10
Institutional reputation (5%)5/10
Overall72/100

Visit program at bakersfieldcollege.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#12
69.5/100

Overall score

California State University - Long Beach (Non-Credit Cert)

Best Public Health Informatics non-credit certificate

Cert Long Beach, CA Online CAHIIM Initial Next Review 2031-2032

Why it ranks #12

CSU Long Beach's Public Health Informatics & Technology certificate (not-for-credit version). Same director (Dr. Kamiar Alaei, MD/MPH/MS/DrPH) and program structure as the for-credit version, but designed for non-degree-seeking learners and offered at lower cost. Initial CAHIIM since August 2025.

Program Director

Kamiar Alaei , MD, MPH, MS, DrPH, MSt

Address

1250 Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach, CA, 90840-4602

Contact

(562) 985-8036
Kamiar.Alaei@csulb.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation maturity (25%)6/10
Director credentials (15%)7/10
Degree pathways (15%)3/10
Delivery flexibility (15%)10/10
Employer pipeline (15%)8/10
Cost-effectiveness (10%)9/10
Institutional reputation (5%)7/10
Overall69.5/100

Visit program at csulb.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#13
67.5/100

Overall score

California State University - Long Beach (For-Credit Cert)

Best Public Health Informatics certificate (for-credit)

Cert Long Beach, CA Online CAHIIM Initial Next Review 2031-2032

Why it ranks #13

CSU Long Beach's Public Health Informatics & Technology undergraduate certificate (for-credit version). Director Dr. Kamiar Alaei holds MD + MPH + MS + DrPH. Initial CAHIIM since August 2025. Designed for public health workers adding informatics skills, not a full degree.

Program Director

Kamiar Alaei , MD, MPH, MS, DrPH, MSt

Address

1250 Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach, CA, 90840-4602

Contact

(562) 985-8036
Kamiar.Alaei@csulb.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation maturity (25%)6/10
Director credentials (15%)7/10
Degree pathways (15%)3/10
Delivery flexibility (15%)10/10
Employer pipeline (15%)8/10
Cost-effectiveness (10%)7/10
Institutional reputation (5%)7/10
Overall67.5/100

Visit program at csulb.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

Best for…

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

Best BS-to-MS pathway at one school

Loma Linda University

The only California institution offering both a CAHIIM-accredited BSHIM and a CAHIIM-accredited MS at one school. Campus or fully online. Faith-based academic medical center in the Inland Empire. Pipeline to Loma Linda University Health's 6-hospital system.

Best public-CC BSHIM (CCC Baccalaureate Pilot)

San Diego Mesa College + Shasta College

The two California Community College institutions in the CCC Baccalaureate Degree Pilot Program with CAHIIM-accredited BSHIM. San Diego Mesa serves SoCal (Scripps, Sharp, UC San Diego); Shasta is fully online from rural NorCal. Both at public-CC tuition with Cal Grant C eligibility.

Best Bay Area AAS

City College of San Francisco

The only CAHIIM-accredited HIM program in the Bay Area. Director Wanda Ziemba holds RHIT + CCS + CPC (triple coding credential). The cheapest entry into UCSF Health, Kaiser SF, Sutter CPMC, and Dignity SF.

Best LA County AAS

East Los Angeles College

The dominant AAS feeder for Greater LA HIM hiring. Fully online. Feeds LA County USC, UCLA, Cedars-Sinai, Kaiser SoCal, Providence, and Dignity's LA footprint.

Best Sacramento / NorCal capital region AAS

Cosumnes River College

Sacramento-area AAS feeding Sutter Sacramento, Dignity Mercy, UC Davis Health, and Kaiser Sacramento. Fully online, public-CC tuition. Director Kristen Borth holds MS + RHIA.

Best San Diego pathway (AAS to BS at one school)

San Diego Mesa College

Same director (Connie Renda, MA + RHIA + CHDA) runs both the AAS and the BS. Clean San Diego pathway from RHIT to RHIA at public-CC tuition.

Best fully online BSHIM in California

Shasta College

Fully online BSHIM from rural NorCal at California Community College tuition. The cheapest path to RHIA in the state. Same director also runs the AAS, enabling clean progression.

Cheapest CAHIIM-accredited HIM programs

All CA community colleges (Cal Grant C eligible)

All California Community College AAS programs (Bakersfield, CCSF, Cosumnes River, East LA, San Diego Mesa, Santa Barbara, Shasta) qualify for Cal Grant C support. For Pell-eligible CA residents, out-of-pocket cost can approach zero.

Best Central Valley / Kern County AAS

Bakersfield College

The Central Valley AAS. Director Bridget Nixon-Calderon holds MSHIM + RHIA + CHDA. Feeds Adventist Health Bakersfield, Kern Medical, and Mercy Bakersfield.

Best Public Health Informatics certificate (CSU Long Beach)

CSU Long Beach PHIT Certificate

CSU Long Beach offers both for-credit and non-credit versions of its Public Health Informatics & Technology certificate. Initial CAHIIM since August 2025. Director Dr. Kamiar Alaei holds MD + MPH + MS + DrPH. Designed for public health workers adding informatics skills, not as a degree.

Credentials

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

California does not license HIM staff. The California Health Information Association (CHIA) is the state AHIMA component with regional chapters in the Bay Area, Greater LA, San Diego, Inland Empire, and Sacramento.

CredentialFull NameEducation RequiredTypical CA Role
RHITRegistered Health Information TechnicianCAHIIM AASRecords, ROI, coder at Kaiser/Sutter/Dignity
RHIARegistered Health Information AdministratorCAHIIM BSHIMHIM supervisor, privacy officer (CMIA compliance)
CCSCertified Coding SpecialistRHIT/RHIA + coding experienceCoder, coding auditor, CDI specialist

Salary data

Medical records specialist salary in California.

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

  • Median annual wage: $61,810 (national: $51,140)
  • Mean annual wage: $68,230
  • 10th pct: $43,800 · 90th pct: $102,470
  • Statewide employment: 18,700 (2nd largest in US after Texas)

California wages sit above the national figure, but Bay Area, LA, and San Diego cost of living absorbs most of the advantage. The 90th percentile is concentrated at Kaiser Permanente, the UC system, Stanford, Cedars-Sinai, and Scripps. Central Valley and rural NorCal pay less but with much lower COL.

Salary distribution

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

$30K$40K$50K$60K$70K$80K$90K$100K California MED $62K National MED $51K

Bars show 10th-to-90th percentile range. Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.

Workforce

California health information management job market and top hospital employers.

Kaiser Permanente. The defining CA HIM employer. 39 California hospitals, 9.5M+ members, 250,000+ employees. Kaiser runs KP HealthConnect (the largest civilian Epic deployment in the US).

Sutter Health. Northern California's largest non-Kaiser system. 24 hospitals, 60,000+ employees.

CommonSpirit / Dignity Health. 31 California hospitals as part of a 130+ hospital national footprint.

UC Health (academic medicine). UCLA, UCSF, UC Davis, UC San Diego, UC Irvine.

Independent elite systems. Cedars-Sinai, Stanford Health Care, Scripps Health, Sharp HealthCare, Hoag, Loma Linda University Health. Adventist Health covers the Central Valley.

Health information exchange

California Data Exchange Framework (DxF) and regional HIEs.

The California Data Exchange Framework (DxF) took effect January 2024 under AB 133. Hospitals, physician organizations, health plans, and skilled nursing facilities are now mandated to share specified data with each other and with patients on request.

Operational exchange runs through regional HIEs. Manifest MedEx is the largest community HIE in California, formed by the 2017 merger of California Integrated Data Exchange (Cal INDEX) and the Inland Empire HIE. Other participants: SacValley MedShare and the Orange County Partnership Regional Health Information Organization.

State regulation

California state laws affecting health information management (CMIA, CCPA, AB 825).

California has the strictest patient privacy regulatory environment in the United States.

  • Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (CMIA) (Cal. Civ. Code § 56 et seq.). California's pre-HIPAA medical privacy law. Civil penalties up to $25,000 per violation; criminal penalties for knowing disclosure.
  • California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) / CPRA. Provides Californians with rights to know, delete, correct, and opt out of sale of personal information.
  • AB 825 (effective January 1, 2025). Expanded CCPA-style rights to medical information not already covered by CMIA or HIPAA, including wearable and consumer-health data.
  • Medical record retention (Cal. Code Regs. tit. 22 § 70751). CA hospital records must be retained for at least 7 years.
  • Patient access and copy fees (Cal. H&S Code § 123110). $0.25 per page (the lowest in any US state).

Sources

Sources and references.

  1. healthinformationmanagementprograms.com Methodology: the seven-factor ranking methodology applied to every state guide.
  2. CAHIIM Program Directory.
  3. BLS OEWS: May 2025 California estimates, SOC 29-2072.
  4. AHIMA Certification Exams.
  5. California Center for Data Insights and Innovation (CDII).
  6. California Student Aid Commission: Cal Grant.
  7. California Legislative Information: CMIA and CCPA.
  8. California Health Information Association (CHIA).

FAQ

HIM programs in California: frequently asked questions.

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

On our methodology, San Diego Mesa College ranks #1 (83/100). San Diego Mesa College ranks #2 (80.5/100). East Los Angeles College ranks #3 (79.5/100).

How many CAHIIM-accredited HIM programs are in California?

13 active. 7 AAS, 3 bachelor's, 1 master's at Loma Linda, 2 CSU Long Beach undergraduate certificates.

What is the average HIM salary in California?

Median $61,810 per BLS OEWS May 2025. 90th pct $102,470. Concentrated at Kaiser, UC, Stanford, Cedars-Sinai, Scripps.

Does California require a license to work in HIM?

No, but CA has unusually strict privacy regulations (CMIA, CCPA, AB 825). AHIMA credentials (RHIT, RHIA, CCS) are the standard.

Which CA hospitals hire the most HIM staff?

Kaiser (39 CA hospitals), Sutter, CommonSpirit/Dignity, Providence, UCLA, UCSF, UC Davis, UCSD, UC Irvine, Cedars-Sinai, Stanford, Scripps, Sharp, Hoag, Loma Linda Health, Adventist Health.

What is the California Data Exchange Framework (DxF)?

A state-mandated HIE structure effective January 2024 under AB 133. Manifest MedEx is the largest CA HIE participating in DxF.

Can I get a HIM degree online in California?

Yes. Most CA AAS programs are fully online. Shasta College's BSHIM is fully online. Loma Linda's BS and MS are campus or online.