Georgia / Health information management programs

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

Georgia has 12 CAHIIM-accredited HIM and health informatics programs. We score every program on our seven-factor methodology. Top: Lanier Technical College's AAS, scoring 78.5/100.

Taylor Rupe, founder of healthinformationmanagementprograms.com

by , founder & editor

updated

Atlanta, Georgia skyline
12

Programs ranked

78.5

Top score

$52K

GA median HIM wage

5,930

HIM jobs in GA

Key Takeaways

  • Lanier Technical College ranks #1 in Georgia (78.5/100). Best Northeast Georgia AAS (Northeast Georgia Health System pipeline).
  • Augusta University is the only Georgia institution offering a CAHIIM-accredited BSHIM. Director Lori Prince holds RHIA + CCS. Continuing CAHIIM since 2019, public university tuition, HOPE / Zell Miller eligible.
  • Georgia has 12 active CAHIIM-accredited programs: 10 AAS at community and technical colleges, 1 bachelor's (Augusta University), 1 graduate certificate (Kennesaw State).
  • Albany State University West Campus is the only HBCU-affiliated CAHIIM program in GA. Director Latoya Davis (MS + RHIA), fully online.
  • Median HIM salary in Georgia is 51,550 per BLS OEWS May 2025. 90th pct 81,580. 5,930 working in this occupation.
  • Atlanta is the dominant HIM employer market: Emory Healthcare, Piedmont Healthcare, Wellstar, Northside Hospital, Grady Health, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Wellstar MCG Health (Augusta), Memorial Health (Savannah), Phoebe Putney (Albany), and Northeast Georgia Health System anchor the regional markets.
  • HOPE Scholarship and Zell Miller Scholarship apply to undergraduate HIM degrees at eligible Georgia public and private institutions, including technical college AAS programs and the Augusta University BSHIM.
  • Georgia medical record retention is 10 years from last patient encounter (O.C.G.A. § 31-33-2).

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 12 CAHIIM-accredited HIM programs in Georgia, ranked.

RankInstitutionDegreeCityScoreCAHIIM
#1 Lanier Technical College AAS Gainesville 78.5/100 Continuing
#2 Athens Technical College AAS Athens 76.5/100 Continuing
#3 Albany State University AAS Albany 75.5/100 Continuing
#4 Atlanta Technical College AAS Atlanta 75/100 Continuing
#5 Wiregrass Georgia Technical College AAS Valdosta 74.5/100 Continuing
#6 Augusta University BS Augusta 74/100 Continuing
#7 Ogeechee Technical College AAS Statesboro 73/100 Continuing
#8 Kennesaw State University Grad Cert Kennesaw 72.5/100 Initial
#9 West Georgia Technical College AAS Waco 71.5/100 Continuing
#10 Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology AAS Atlanta 67/100 Initial
#11 Augusta Technical College AAS Augusta 66.5/100 Initial
#12 Georgia Piedmont Technical College AAS Clarkston 66.5/100 Initial
#1
78.5/100

Overall score

Lanier Technical College

Best Northeast Georgia AAS (Northeast Georgia Health System pipeline)

AAS Gainesville, GA Campus Based, Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2032-2033

Why it ranks #1

Lanier Tech in Gainesville. Director Annette Baker holds MS HIM + RHIA. Continuing CAHIIM, next review 2032-2033 (the longest review cycle of any GA program, the strongest accreditation signal). Hybrid delivery. Feeds Northeast Georgia Health System and the Atlanta-Gainesville-Athens corridor.

Program Director

Annette Baker , MS HIM, RHIA

Address

2535 Lanier Tech Drive, Gainesville, GA, 30507

Contact

(770) 533-6930
abaker@laniertech.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)10/10
Director credentials (15%)7/10
Pathways (15%)4/10
Delivery (15%)8/10
Employer pipeline (15%)8/10
Cost (10%)10/10
Reputation (5%)6/10
Overall78.5/100

Visit program at laniertech.smartcatalogiq.com → · CAHIIM directory listing

#2
76.5/100

Overall score

Athens Technical College

Best Athens / UGA-area AAS (Piedmont Athens Regional pipeline)

AAS Athens, GA Campus Based, Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2030-2031

Why it ranks #2

Athens Tech. Director Andrea Speregen holds MBA + MHA + RHIA, a stronger administrative credential stack than most GA AAS directors. Continuing CAHIIM, next review 2030-2031. Hybrid delivery. Feeds Piedmont Athens Regional and the Athens / UGA medical employer market.

Program Director

Andrea Speregen , MBA, MHA, RHIA

Address

800 U.S. Highway 29 North, Athens, GA, 30601

Contact

(706) 583-2879
asperegen@athenstech.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)8/10
Director credentials (15%)9/10
Pathways (15%)4/10
Delivery (15%)8/10
Employer pipeline (15%)8/10
Cost (10%)10/10
Reputation (5%)6/10
Overall76.5/100

Visit program at athenstech.smartcatalogiq.com → · CAHIIM directory listing

#3
75.5/100

Overall score

Albany State University - West Campus

Best HBCU AAS (Albany State University, HBCU)

AAS Albany, GA Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2030-2031

Why it ranks #3

Albany State University West Campus is the only HBCU-affiliated CAHIIM-accredited HIM program in Georgia. Director Latoya Davis holds MS + RHIA. Continuing CAHIIM, next review 2030-2031. Fully online. Feeds Phoebe Putney Memorial (Albany) and the Southwest Georgia hospital network. HBCU institutional reputation premium.

Program Director

Latoya Davis , MS, RHIA

Address

2400 Gillionville Road, Albany, GA, 31707

Contact

(229) 500-2237
Latoya.Davis@asurams.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)8/10
Director credentials (15%)7/10
Pathways (15%)4/10
Delivery (15%)10/10
Employer pipeline (15%)7/10
Cost (10%)10/10
Reputation (5%)7/10
Overall75.5/100

Visit program at asurams.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#4
75/100

Overall score

Atlanta Technical College

Best Atlanta employer pipeline AAS (Grady, Emory, Piedmont, Northside)

AAS Atlanta, GA Campus Based CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2030-2031

Why it ranks #4

Atlanta Tech sits in the largest GA HIM employer market. Director Lois Hunter holds MBA + MHA + RHIA. Continuing CAHIIM, next review 2030-2031. Campus-based only (the trade-off for the Atlanta location). Feeds Grady Health (Atlanta public hospital), Emory Healthcare, Piedmont Healthcare, Northside Hospital, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.

Program Director

Lois Hunter , MBA, MHA, RHIA

Address

1560 Metropolitan Parkway SW, Atlanta, GA, 30310

Contact

(404) 225-4558
lhunter@atlantatech.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)8/10
Director credentials (15%)9/10
Pathways (15%)4/10
Delivery (15%)5/10
Employer pipeline (15%)10/10
Cost (10%)10/10
Reputation (5%)6/10
Overall75/100

Visit program at atlantatech.smartcatalogiq.com → · CAHIIM directory listing

#5
74.5/100

Overall score

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College

Best South Georgia AAS (highest-credentialed AAS director in the state)

AAS Valdosta, GA Campus Based, Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2030-2031

Why it ranks #5

Wiregrass GA Tech in Valdosta. Director Kamilah Lawson-Buggs holds DHA (Doctor of Health Administration) + MHA + RHIA, the strongest credential stack of any GA AAS director. Continuing CAHIIM, next review 2030-2031. Hybrid delivery. Feeds South Georgia Medical Center.

Program Director

Kamilah Lawson-Buggs , DHA, MHA, RHIA

Address

4089 Val Tech Road, Valdosta, GA, 31602

Contact

(229) 333-3068
Kamilah.Buggs@wiregrass.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)8/10
Director credentials (15%)10/10
Pathways (15%)4/10
Delivery (15%)8/10
Employer pipeline (15%)6/10
Cost (10%)10/10
Reputation (5%)5/10
Overall74.5/100

Visit program at wiregrass.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#6
74/100

Overall score

Augusta University

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

BSHIM Augusta, GA Campus Based, Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2029-2030

Why it ranks #6

Augusta University is the only Georgia institution offering a CAHIIM-accredited BSHIM. Director Lori Prince holds RHIA + CCS. Continuing CAHIIM, next review 2029-2030. Hybrid delivery. Direct pipeline to Wellstar MCG Health (Augusta academic medical center). Public university tuition, statewide HOPE and Zell Miller eligibility.

Program Director

Lori Prince , RHIA CCS

Address

987 St. Sebastian Way, Bldg EC-4308, Augusta, GA, 30912-0400

Contact

(706) 721-4650
lprince@augusta.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)8/10
Director credentials (15%)7/10
Pathways (15%)6/10
Delivery (15%)8/10
Employer pipeline (15%)8/10
Cost (10%)7/10
Reputation (5%)7/10
Overall74/100

Visit program at augusta.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#7
73/100

Overall score

Ogeechee Technical College

Best Southeast Georgia / Savannah-area AAS

AAS Statesboro, GA Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2029-2030

Why it ranks #7

Ogeechee Tech in Statesboro. Director Lisa Kagay holds MBA + RHIA. Continuing CAHIIM, next review 2029-2030. Fully online. Feeds Memorial Health (Savannah, HCA), East Georgia Regional Medical Center, and the SE GA hospital network.

Program Director

Lisa Kagay , MBA, RHIA

Address

One Joseph E. Kennedy Blvd, Statesboro, GA, 30458

Contact

(912) 486-7792
lkagay@ogeecheetech.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)8/10
Director credentials (15%)7/10
Pathways (15%)4/10
Delivery (15%)10/10
Employer pipeline (15%)6/10
Cost (10%)10/10
Reputation (5%)5/10
Overall73/100

Visit program at ogeecheetech.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#8
72.5/100

Overall score

Kennesaw State University (Digital Health Leader)

Best Atlanta-area graduate certificate (Digital Health Leader)

Grad Cert Digital Health Leader Kennesaw, GA Campus Based, Online CAHIIM Initial Next Review 2031-2032

Why it ranks #8

Kennesaw State University Graduate Certificate in Digital Health Leader. Director Dr. Sweta Sneha holds a Ph.D. Initial CAHIIM, next review 2031-2032. Hybrid delivery. This is a graduate-level credential (not a full master's). Best fit if you already hold a clinical or business bachelor's and want HIM/digital-health leadership credentialing in the Atlanta market.

Program Director

Sweta Sneha , Ph.D.

Address

See institution website

Contact

(470) 578-2436
ssneha@kennesaw.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)6/10
Director credentials (15%)8/10
Pathways (15%)7/10
Delivery (15%)8/10
Employer pipeline (15%)9/10
Cost (10%)6/10
Reputation (5%)7/10
Overall72.5/100

Visit program at kennesaw.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#9
71.5/100

Overall score

West Georgia Technical College

Best West Georgia AAS (Wellstar / Tanner pipeline)

AAS Waco, GA Campus Based, Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2031-2032

Why it ranks #9

West GA Tech in Waco. Director Dana Stirman holds MEd + RHIA. Continuing CAHIIM, next review 2031-2032. Hybrid delivery. Feeds Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center and Tanner Health.

Program Director

Dana Stirman , MEd, RHIA

Address

176 Murphy Campus Blvd, Waco, GA, 30182

Contact

(770) 537-5749
Dana.Stirman@westgatech.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%)5/10
Overall71.5/100

Visit program at westgatech.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#10
67/100

Overall score

Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology

Best fully-online Atlanta private AAS

AAS Atlanta, GA Online CAHIIM Initial Next Review 2030-2031

Why it ranks #10

Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology in Atlanta. Director Michael Kevin Harrington holds MATS + MSHA + RHIA + CHP. Initial CAHIIM, next review 2030-2031. Fully online. Private institution, tuition is higher than public technical colleges, but the director credentials are strong and Atlanta employer access is direct.

Program Director

Michael Kevin Harrington , MATS, MSHA, RHIA, CHP

Address

5669 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA, 30342

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)6/10
Director credentials (15%)8/10
Pathways (15%)4/10
Delivery (15%)10/10
Employer pipeline (15%)8/10
Cost (10%)5/10
Reputation (5%)4/10
Overall67/100

Visit program at cambridgehealth.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#11
66.5/100

Overall score

Augusta Technical College

Best Augusta-area initial-accreditation AAS

AAS Augusta, GA Campus Based, Online CAHIIM Initial Next Review 2027-2028

Why it ranks #11

Augusta Tech. Director Sonya Burns holds BBA + RHIA + CMA. Initial CAHIIM, next review 2027-2028. Hybrid delivery. Wellstar MCG Health, AU Medical Center, and Doctors Hospital all employer-adjacent. Newer accreditation means a lower accred score, but it's a public technical college at HOPE-eligible tuition.

Program Director

Sonya Burns , BBA, RHIA, CMA (AAMA)

Address

3200 Augusta Tech Drive, Augusta, GA, 30906

Contact

(706) 771-4826
sburns@augustatech.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)6/10
Director credentials (15%)6/10
Pathways (15%)4/10
Delivery (15%)8/10
Employer pipeline (15%)8/10
Cost (10%)10/10
Reputation (5%)5/10
Overall66.5/100

Visit program at augustatech.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#12
66.5/100

Overall score

Georgia Piedmont Technical College

Best east Atlanta metro initial-accreditation AAS

AAS Clarkston, GA Campus Based, Online CAHIIM Initial Next Review 2028-2029

Why it ranks #12

Georgia Piedmont Tech in Clarkston (DeKalb County, east Atlanta metro). Director Quinesha Thomas-Rice holds RHIT. Initial CAHIIM, next review 2028-2029. Hybrid delivery. Strong employer adjacency to the Atlanta network even with newer accreditation.

Program Director

Quinesha Thomas-Rice , RHIT

Address

495 North Indian Creek Drive, Clarkston, GA, 30021

Contact

(404) 297-9522, Ext. 1114
thomasq@gptc.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)6/10
Director credentials (15%)5/10
Pathways (15%)4/10
Delivery (15%)8/10
Employer pipeline (15%)9/10
Cost (10%)10/10
Reputation (5%)5/10
Overall66.5/100

Visit program at gptc.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

Best for…

Best Georgia HIM programs by category.

Best NE GA / Northeast Georgia Health System AAS

Lanier Technical College

Gainesville. Continuing CAHIIM with the longest review cycle in GA (2032-2033). Director Annette Baker (MS HIM + RHIA). Hybrid.

Best Athens / UGA-area AAS

Athens Technical College

Director Andrea Speregen (MBA + MHA + RHIA). Feeds Piedmont Athens Regional and the UGA market.

Best HBCU AAS in Georgia

Albany State University

Only HBCU-affiliated CAHIIM program in GA. Fully online. Director Latoya Davis (MS + RHIA). Feeds Phoebe Putney and SW GA.

Best Atlanta employer-pipeline AAS

Atlanta Technical College

Direct adjacency to Grady, Emory, Piedmont, Northside, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Director Lois Hunter (MBA + MHA + RHIA).

Best in-state BSHIM

Augusta University

Only CAHIIM-accredited bachelor's in GA. Public university tuition, HOPE / Zell Miller eligible. Direct Wellstar MCG Health pipeline.

Best South GA AAS (strongest AAS director credentials)

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College

Valdosta. Director Kamilah Lawson-Buggs holds DHA + MHA + RHIA, the highest credential stack of any GA AAS director.

Best graduate certificate in Atlanta

Kennesaw State University

Graduate Certificate in Digital Health Leader. Hybrid. Best fit if you already hold a clinical or business bachelor's.

Cheapest CAHIIM-accredited HIM programs in GA

Georgia Technical College System AAS programs

All GA technical college AAS programs qualify for HOPE Career Grant (free tuition for high-demand careers including HIM), HOPE Scholarship, and Pell.

Credentials

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

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

CredentialFull NameEducation RequiredTypical GA Role
RHITRegistered Health Information TechnicianCAHIIM AASRecords, ROI, coder at Emory/Piedmont/Wellstar/Northside
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 Georgia.

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

  • Median: $51,550 (national: $51,140)
  • Mean: $56,830
  • 10th pct: $36,260 · 90th pct: $81,580
  • Statewide employment: 5,930

Atlanta metro (Emory, Piedmont, Wellstar, Northside, Grady, CHOA) anchors the upper end. Augusta (Wellstar MCG), Savannah (Memorial Health), and Athens (Piedmont Athens Regional) pay close to the GA median. South and rural Georgia pay below the median but with lower COL.

Salary distribution

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

$30K$40K$50K$60K$70K$80K$90K Georgia MED $52K National MED $51K

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.

Workforce

Georgia health information management job market and top hospital employers.

Emory Healthcare. Atlanta. The largest GA health system, academic medical center, 11 hospitals across the metro and beyond.

Piedmont Healthcare. Atlanta-based. 22 hospitals across GA. Aggressive expansion over the last 10 years.

Wellstar Health System. Marietta HQ. Operates 11 hospitals plus Wellstar MCG Health in Augusta (post-2024 partnership with Augusta University).

Northside Hospital. Atlanta. One of the top women's-health and oncology systems in the Southeast.

Grady Health System. Atlanta's public safety-net hospital. Major teaching hospital for Emory and Morehouse School of Medicine.

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. One of the largest pediatric systems in the country.

Regional anchors. Memorial Health (Savannah, HCA), Phoebe Putney (Albany), Northeast Georgia Health System (Gainesville).

Health information exchange

Georgia Health Information Network (GaHIN).

GaHIN (Georgia Health Information Network) is Georgia's statewide health information exchange, operated under the Georgia Department of Community Health. GaHIN connects participating hospitals, providers, and HIEs across the state and bridges to interstate networks (eHealth Exchange, Carequality). Unlike NC's HealthConnex, GaHIN connection is voluntary, not state-mandated.

State regulation

Georgia state laws affecting health information management.

  • Medical record retention (O.C.G.A. § 31-33-2). Georgia hospitals must retain adult medical records for 10 years from the date of last patient encounter. For minors, records must be kept until the patient reaches age 28.
  • Patient access and copy fees (O.C.G.A. § 31-33-3). Georgia allows a search/retrieval fee plus per-page copy charges, with statutory caps.
  • Georgia Personal Identity Protection Act (O.C.G.A. § 10-1-911 et seq.). Breach notification within a reasonable time after discovery.

Sources

Sources and references.

  1. healthinformationmanagementprograms.com Methodology.
  2. CAHIIM Program Directory.
  3. BLS OEWS: May 2025 GA estimates.
  4. AHIMA Certification Exams.
  5. GaHIN.
  6. Georgia Student Finance Commission: HOPE and Zell Miller scholarships, HOPE Career Grant.
  7. Georgia General Assembly: O.C.G.A. § 31-33-2 and related health records statutes.
  8. GHIMA.

FAQ

HIM programs in Georgia: frequently asked questions.

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

On our methodology, Lanier Technical College ranks #1 (78.5/100). Athens Technical College #2. Albany State University - West Campus #3.

How many CAHIIM-accredited HIM programs are in GA?

12 active. 10 AAS at community and technical colleges, 1 bachelor's at Augusta University, 1 graduate certificate at Kennesaw State University.

What is the average HIM salary in GA?

Median $51,550 per BLS OEWS May 2025. 90th pct $81,580.

Does GA require a license to work in HIM?

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

Which Georgia hospitals hire the most HIM staff?

Emory Healthcare, Piedmont Healthcare, Wellstar Health System, Northside Hospital, Grady Health, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Regional: Memorial Health (Savannah), Wellstar MCG Health (Augusta), Phoebe Putney (Albany), Northeast Georgia Health System (Gainesville).

What is GaHIN?

Georgia Health Information Network, the state's voluntary HIE under the GA Department of Community Health.

Are HOPE and Zell Miller scholarships available for HIM programs?

Yes. HOPE and Zell Miller apply to eligible undergraduate HIM programs at GA public and private institutions, including technical college AAS programs and the Augusta University BSHIM. Technical college AAS programs may also qualify for the HOPE Career Grant (free tuition for high-demand fields).