Iowa / Health information management programs

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

Iowa has 2 CAHIIM-accredited HIM programs, both at the associate level. We score every program on our seven-factor methodology. Top: Scott Community College's AAS, scoring 84.5/100.

Taylor Rupe, founder of healthinformationmanagementprograms.com

by , founder & editor

updated

Iowa
2

Programs ranked

84.5

Top score

$51K

IA median HIM wage

2,250

HIM jobs in IA

Key Takeaways

  • Scott Community College AAS ranks #1 in Iowa (84.5/100). Bettendorf (Quad Cities). Continuing CAHIIM, next review 2029-2030. Fully online. MBA + RHIT director (Rebecca Williamsen).
  • Iowa has 2 active CAHIIM-accredited programs, both at the associate level: Scott CC (Bettendorf) and Northeast Iowa CC (Calmar). No CAHIIM-accredited BS or MS currently in IA.
  • Median HIM salary in Iowa is 50,640 per BLS OEWS May 2025. 90th pct 66,390. 2,250 working in this occupation.
  • UnityPoint Health is Iowa's largest system, HQ in Des Moines, with major regional networks (UnityPoint Health-Des Moines, UnityPoint Health-Cedar Rapids/St. Luke's, UnityPoint Health-Quad Cities/Trinity, UnityPoint Health-Waterloo).
  • University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (Iowa City) is Iowa's academic flagship and the only academic health center in the state.
  • MercyOne is Trinity Health/CommonSpirit's Iowa JV, with major sites in Des Moines (MercyOne Des Moines), Mason City (MercyOne North Iowa), Sioux City (MercyOne Siouxland), and Dubuque (MercyOne Dubuque).
  • IHIN is Iowa's state-designated HIE, run free for participating Iowa providers. Significant Iowa hospital and ambulatory practice connectivity.
  • Iowa medical record retention is 7 years for adult records (Iowa Admin Code 481-51.10(135B)), with minor records held until age 19 plus 7 years.

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 2 CAHIIM-accredited HIM programs in Iowa, ranked.

RankInstitutionDegreeCityScoreCAHIIM
#1 Scott Community College AAS Bettendorf 84.5/100 Continuing
#2 Northeast Iowa Community College AAS Calmar 76/100 Continuing
#1
84.5/100

Overall score

Scott Community College

Best Quad Cities AAS (UnityPoint + Genesis pipeline, MBA + RHIT director)

AAS Bettendorf, IA Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2029-2030

Why it ranks #1

Scott Community College AAS in Bettendorf, Iowa (Quad Cities). Continuing CAHIIM, next review 2029-2030 (the more recent strong reaccreditation in IA). Fully online. Director Rebecca Williamsen holds MBA + RHIT, a useful business-plus-HIM credential blend. Scott CC is part of the Eastern Iowa Community Colleges system. Located in Bettendorf inside the Quad Cities metro, with direct reach into UnityPoint Health-Trinity (Bettendorf, Davenport, Moline IL, Rock Island IL) and the Genesis Health System Quad Cities anchor.

Program Director

Rebecca Williamsen , MBA, RHIT

Address

500 Belmont Road, Bettendorf, IA, 52722

Contact

(563) 441-4264
rwilliamsen@eicc.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)10/10
Director credentials (15%)8/10
Pathways (15%)4/10
Delivery (15%)10/10
Employer pipeline (15%)9/10
Cost (10%)10/10
Reputation (5%)6/10
Overall84.5/100

Visit program at eicc.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#2
76/100

Overall score

Northeast Iowa Community College

Best northeast Iowa AAS (Mayo Clinic Health System + MercyOne corridor)

AAS Calmar, IA Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2026-2027

Why it ranks #2

Northeast Iowa Community College AAS in Calmar, Iowa (Winneshiek County). Continuing CAHIIM, next review 2026-2027 (mature accreditation; review cycle approaching). Fully online. Director Michele Grant holds RHIT + BSH. NICC sits in northeast Iowa, ~30 minutes south of Decorah, with reach into Mayo Clinic Health System (multi-state network, with sites in Decorah, La Crosse WI), MercyOne (Trinity Health/CommonSpirit JV) facilities, and Gundersen Health System (La Crosse WI).

Program Director

Michele Grant , RHIT, BSH

Address

1625 Hwy 150 S, Po Box 400, Calmar, IA, 52132

Contact

(844) 642-2338, Ext. 2246
grantm@nicc.edu

Score breakdown

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

Visit program at nicc.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

Best for…

Best Iowa HIM programs by category.

Best Quad Cities AAS

Scott Community College

Bettendorf. Direct UnityPoint Health-Trinity + Genesis Health System Quad Cities pipeline. MBA + RHIT director.

Best northeast Iowa AAS

Northeast Iowa Community College

Calmar. Reach into Mayo Clinic Health System, Gundersen Health System (La Crosse), and MercyOne facilities in northeast IA.

Best for working adults

Both programs (fully online)

Both Iowa CAHIIM AAS programs are fully online. Either works for working adults; choose based on which regional employer pipeline matches.

Best UnityPoint Health pipeline

Scott CC

UnityPoint Health-Trinity (Bettendorf, Davenport, Moline IL, Rock Island IL) is the dominant Quad Cities employer.

Best Mayo Clinic Health System pipeline

Northeast Iowa CC

NICC sits within commuting distance of multiple Mayo Clinic Health System sites in northeast IA and southeast Minnesota.

Best informatics-flavored credential blend

Scott CC (MBA + RHIT director)

Director Rebecca Williamsen's MBA + RHIT combination signals a business-and-HIM curriculum more than a pure tech track.

Cheapest CAHIIM-accredited HIM program in IA

Tie: Scott CC / Northeast Iowa CC

Both are Iowa community colleges with similar in-state tuition. Pell + Iowa Tuition Grant + Last-Dollar Scholarship eligible.

If you want a BSHIM or MS in IA

No in-state CAHIIM BS or MS

There is no CAHIIM-accredited BSHIM or MS in Iowa. Online out-of-state CAHIIM BSHIM (Weber State, WGU, Davenport, USC Upstate) and MS programs accept IA students.

Credentials

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

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

CredentialFull NameEducation RequiredTypical IA Role
RHITRegistered Health Information TechnicianCAHIIM AASRecords, ROI, coder at UnityPoint Health / University of Iowa Hospitals / MercyOne / Genesis
RHIARegistered Health Information AdministratorCAHIIM BSHIM (no in-state, online ladder needed)HIM supervisor, privacy officer, compliance
CCSCertified Coding SpecialistRHIT/RHIA + coding experienceInpatient/outpatient coder, coding auditor

Salary data

Medical records specialist salary in Iowa.

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

  • Median: $50,640 (national: $51,140)
  • Mean: $53,470
  • 10th pct: $38,910 · 90th pct: $66,390
  • Statewide employment: 2,250

Des Moines, Iowa City (University of Iowa Hospitals), the Quad Cities, and Cedar Rapids anchor the upper end. UnityPoint Health and University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics are the largest single employers. Waterloo, Dubuque, Sioux City, and Council Bluffs pay near the IA median. Rural Iowa pays below; note that Iowa's 90th pct is meaningfully below the national 90th pct, indicating wage compression at the senior end of the IA HIM market.

Salary distribution

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

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

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.

Workforce

Iowa health information management job market and top hospital employers.

UnityPoint Health. The largest Iowa system, HQ in Des Moines. Major regional networks: UnityPoint Health-Des Moines, UnityPoint Health-Cedar Rapids/St. Luke's, UnityPoint Health-Quad Cities/Trinity (Bettendorf, Davenport, Moline IL, Rock Island IL), and UnityPoint Health-Waterloo (Allen).

University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Iowa City. Iowa's academic flagship and the only academic health center in the state, with major specialty programs (transplant, oncology, pediatrics at the Stead Family Children's Hospital).

MercyOne. A Trinity Health and CommonSpirit Health joint venture serving Iowa. Major sites: MercyOne Des Moines, MercyOne North Iowa (Mason City), MercyOne Siouxland (Sioux City), MercyOne Dubuque, MercyOne Cedar Rapids.

Genesis Health System. Quad Cities. Major Iowa-Illinois bi-state system, anchored by Genesis Medical Center (Davenport) and Genesis Medical Center, Silvis IL.

Mercy Iowa City. Iowa City. Independent Catholic system (recently sold to UI Health Care in 2024 bankruptcy, transitioning to UIHC operations).

Broadlawns Medical Center. Des Moines. Polk County's public hospital.

Health information exchange

Iowa Health Information Network (IHIN).

IHIN (Iowa Health Information Network) is Iowa's state-designated HIE, administered through the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. IHIN provides clinical messaging and longitudinal patient record retrieval. IHIN is operated as a no-cost service to participating Iowa healthcare providers, which makes it structurally different from fee-based HIEs in many other states. Participation is voluntary, though many of Iowa's large systems (UnityPoint Health, MercyOne, UI Health Care, Genesis) participate.

State regulation

Iowa state laws affecting health information management.

  • Medical record retention (Iowa Admin Code 481-51.10(135B)). Adult hospital records: retain at least 7 years from the last date of patient discharge. Minor records: retain until age 19 plus 7 years.
  • Patient access (Iowa Code § 622.10 and 622.10A). Patient right of access and physician-patient privilege rules.
  • Breach notification (Iowa Code Chapter 715C). Notice to affected residents within a reasonable time; AG notification for breaches affecting 500+ Iowa residents.
  • Iowa Consumer Data Protection Act (effective January 2025). Adds non-HIPAA consumer data protections. Relevant for non-HIPAA-covered HIM staff in analytics, digital health, wellness apps.
  • No state HIM licensure. Iowa's Board of Medicine and other clinical boards regulate clinical professions; HIM credentials are AHIMA-issued.

Sources

Sources and references.

  1. healthinformationmanagementprograms.com Methodology.
  2. CAHIIM Program Directory.
  3. BLS OEWS: May 2025 IA estimates.
  4. AHIMA Certification Exams.
  5. IHIN (Iowa Health Information Network).
  6. Iowa Legislature: Iowa Code § 622.10, Chapter 715C, Iowa Admin Code 481-51.10(135B).
  7. Iowa Department of Education: Iowa Tuition Grant, Last-Dollar Scholarship.

FAQ

HIM programs in Iowa: frequently asked questions.

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

On our methodology, Scott Community College ranks #1 (84.5/100). Northeast Iowa Community College #2 (76/100).

How many CAHIIM-accredited HIM programs are in IA?

2 active associate-level programs. No CAHIIM BS or MS in IA.

What is the average HIM salary in IA?

Median $50,640 per BLS OEWS May 2025. 90th pct $66,390.

Does IA require a license to work in HIM?

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

Which Iowa hospitals hire the most HIM staff?

UnityPoint Health, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, MercyOne, Genesis Health System, Mercy Iowa City, Broadlawns.

What is IHIN?

Iowa's state-designated HIE. No-cost participation for Iowa providers.

Can I get a HIM degree fully online in IA?

Yes. Both Iowa CAHIIM programs are fully online.

If I want a BSHIM, what should I do?

There's no in-state CAHIIM BSHIM. Online options accepting IA students include Weber State (Ogden, UT), WGU (Salt Lake), Davenport University (Grand Rapids, MI), and USC Upstate (Spartanburg, SC). An IA AAS + online BSHIM ladder is the standard path.