Kansas / Health information management programs

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

Kansas has 7 CAHIIM-accredited HIM and health informatics programs. We score every program on our seven-factor methodology. Top: University of Kansas Medical Center's BSHIM, scoring 87/100.

Taylor Rupe, founder of healthinformationmanagementprograms.com

by , founder & editor

updated

Kansas
7

Programs ranked

87

Top score

$48K

KS median HIM wage

2,030

HIM jobs in KS

Key Takeaways

  • University of Kansas Medical Center BSHIM ranks #1 in Kansas (87/100). Director Dr. Rosann McLean (DHSc + RHIA + CDIP) runs the BS, MS, and Undergraduate Certificate.
  • University of Kansas Medical Center is the only KS institution offering all four credential levels under one roof: BSHIM + MS Health Informatics + Undergraduate Certificate (Digital Health Professional) + Graduate Certificate (Health Informatics).
  • Kansas has 7 active CAHIIM-accredited programs: 3 AAS, 1 bachelor's (KU Med Center), 1 master's (KU Med Center), 1 graduate certificate, 1 undergraduate certificate.
  • Neosho County CC's director JLynn Brown holds 9 credentials (RHIA + CPCO + CDEI + CPB + CMRS + CMCS + AHI + RMA + HITCM-PP), one of the longest credential stacks of any AAS director nationally. The program has the longest CAHIIM review cycle in KS (2032-2033).
  • Median HIM salary in Kansas is 48,160 per BLS OEWS May 2025. 90th pct 77,910. 2,030 working in this occupation.
  • The University of Kansas Health System anchors the KC metro on the KS side. Stormont Vail anchors Topeka. Wichita is split between Ascension Via Christi and Wesley Healthcare (HCA Midwest). Salina Regional and Hutchinson Regional anchor the central KS regional markets.
  • KHIN (Kansas Health Information Network) is Kansas's nonprofit HIE, connecting participating KS providers with clinical messaging, query-based retrieval, and ADT alerting.
  • Kansas medical record retention is 10 years for adult records (KAR 28-34-9a), with extended retention until age 18 + 10 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 7 CAHIIM-accredited HIM programs in Kansas, ranked.

RankInstitutionDegreeCityScoreCAHIIM
#1 University of Kansas Medical Center BS Kansas City 87/100 Continuing
#2 University of Kansas Medical Center MS Informatics Kansas City 85/100 Initial
#3 Neosho County Community College AAS Chanute 83/100 Continuing
#4 University of Kansas Medical Center UG Cert Digital Health Kansas City 79/100 Initial
#5 University of Kansas Medical Center Grad Cert Informatics Kansas City 77.5/100 Initial
#6 Washburn University AAS Topeka 76.5/100 Continuing
#7 Hutchinson Community College AAS Hutchinson 73.5/100 Continuing
#1
87/100

Overall score

University of Kansas Medical Center (BSHIM)

Best in-state BSHIM (academic medical center, four-program full stack)

BSHIM Kansas City, KS Campus Based, Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2029-2030

Why it ranks #1

University of Kansas Medical Center BSHIM in Kansas City, KS. Director Dr. Rosann McLean holds DHSc + MS + RHIA + CDIP. Continuing CAHIIM, next review 2029-2030. Hybrid delivery. KU Med Center is the only KS institution running BSHIM + MS Health Informatics + Undergraduate Certificate + Graduate Certificate at one school: the most complete vertical HIM pathway in the state. Direct pipeline to The University of Kansas Health System and the broader KC metro hospital network.

Program Director

Rosann McLean , DHSc, MS, RHIA, CDIP

Address

3901 Rainbow Blvd., Mail Stop # 2008, Kansas City, KS, 66160

Contact

(913) 588-2423
rblackmore@kumc.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)8/10
Director credentials (15%)10/10
Pathways (15%)9/10
Delivery (15%)8/10
Employer pipeline (15%)10/10
Cost (10%)7/10
Reputation (5%)9/10
Overall87/100

Visit program at kumc.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#2
85/100

Overall score

University of Kansas Medical Center (MS Health Informatics)

Best in-state MS in Health Informatics

MS Health Informatics Kansas City, KS Online CAHIIM Initial Next Review 2029-2030

Why it ranks #2

KU Medical Center MS in Health Informatics. Same director as the BSHIM (Dr. Rosann McLean, DHSc + RHIA + CDIP). Initial CAHIIM, next review 2029-2030. Fully online. Pairs with the KU BSHIM at the same campus for a same-institution BS-to-MS progression.

Program Director

Rosann McLean , DHSc, MS, RHIA, CDIP

Address

3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Mail Stop 2008, Kansas City, KS, 66160

Contact

(913) 588-0231
rmclean@kumc.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)6/10
Director credentials (15%)10/10
Pathways (15%)9/10
Delivery (15%)10/10
Employer pipeline (15%)10/10
Cost (10%)7/10
Reputation (5%)9/10
Overall85/100

Visit program at kumc.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#3
83/100

Overall score

Neosho County Community College

Best fully-online AAS (nine-credential director, longest CAHIIM review cycle in KS)

AAS Chanute, KS Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2032-2033

Why it ranks #3

Neosho County Community College in Chanute, southeast KS. Director JLynn Brown holds RHIA + CPCO + CDEI + CPB + CMRS + CMCS + AHI (AMT) + RMA (AMT) + HITCM-PP: a nine-credential stack, one of the longest credential strings of any AAS director in the country. Continuing CAHIIM with the longest review cycle of any KS program, next review 2032-2033. Fully online. Statewide and out-of-state online reach.

Program Director

JLynn Brown , RHIA, CPCO, CDEI, CPB, CMRS, CMCS, AHI (AMT), RMA (AMT), HITCM-PP

Address

800 West 14th Street, Chanute, KS, 66720

Contact

(620) 431-2820, Ext. 285
jbrown@neosho.edu

Score breakdown

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

Visit program at neosho.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#4
79/100

Overall score

University of Kansas Medical Center (UG Cert Digital Health Professional)

Best academic medical center Digital Health Professional certificate

UG Cert Digital Health Professional Kansas City, KS Campus Based, Online CAHIIM Initial Next Review 2030-2031

Why it ranks #4

KU Medical Center Undergraduate Certificate in Digital Health Professional. Same director as the BSHIM and MS (Dr. Rosann McLean). Initial CAHIIM, next review 2030-2031. Hybrid delivery. Short-form CAHIIM credential designed for working professionals in the KC metro digital-health workforce.

Program Director

Rosann Mclean , DHSc, MS, RHIA, CDIP

Address

3901 Rainbow Blvd., Mail Stop # 2008, Kansas City, KS, 66160

Contact

(913) 588-2423
rblackmore@kumc.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)6/10
Director credentials (15%)10/10
Pathways (15%)8/10
Delivery (15%)8/10
Employer pipeline (15%)9/10
Cost (10%)7/10
Reputation (5%)9/10
Overall79/100

Visit program at kumc.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#5
77.5/100

Overall score

University of Kansas Medical Center (Grad Cert Health Informatics)

Best academic medical center Health Informatics graduate certificate

Grad Cert Health Informatics Kansas City, KS Campus Based, Online CAHIIM Initial Next Review 2030-2031

Why it ranks #5

KU Medical Center Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics. Director Dr. Bobbie Laincz holds EdD + MSHI. Initial CAHIIM, next review 2030-2031. Hybrid delivery. Pairs with the KU MS Health Informatics for a stackable progression into the MS.

Program Director

Bobbie Laincz , EdD, MSHI

Address

3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Mail Stop 2008, Kansas City, KS, 66160

Contact

(913) 588-2426
blaincz@kumc.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)6/10
Director credentials (15%)8/10
Pathways (15%)9/10
Delivery (15%)8/10
Employer pipeline (15%)9/10
Cost (10%)7/10
Reputation (5%)9/10
Overall77.5/100

Visit program at kumc.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#6
76.5/100

Overall score

Washburn University

Best Topeka AAS (Stormont Vail / Topeka VA pipeline)

AAS Topeka, KS Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2028-2029

Why it ranks #6

Washburn University AAS in Topeka. Director Michelle Shipley holds MS + RHIA + CCS. Continuing CAHIIM, next review 2028-2029. Fully online. Washburn is a public university in the state capital. Feeds Stormont Vail Health (Topeka's dominant system) and the Topeka VA Medical Center.

Program Director

Michelle Shipley , MS, RHIA, CCS

Address

1700 SW College Ave, Topeka, KS, 66621

Contact

(785) 670-2114
michelle.shipley@washburn.edu

Score breakdown

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

Visit program at washburn.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#7
73.5/100

Overall score

Hutchinson Community College

Best rural Kansas fully-online AAS

AAS Hutchinson, KS Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2029-2030

Why it ranks #7

Hutchinson Community College. Director Bonnie Folkerts holds MS + RHIT. Continuing CAHIIM, next review 2029-2030. Fully online. Feeds Hutchinson Regional Medical Center and the rural central KS market with statewide online reach.

Program Director

Bonnie Folkerts , MS, RHIT

Address

1300 North Plum, Hutchinson, KS, 67501

Contact

(620) 694-2455
folkertsb@hutchcc.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%)6/10
Overall73.5/100

Visit program at hutchcc.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

Best for…

Best Kansas HIM programs by category.

Best in-state BSHIM (academic medical center)

University of Kansas Medical Center

Only KS school with four CAHIIM credential levels under one roof. Direct KU Health System pipeline.

Best in-state MS in Health Informatics

University of Kansas Medical Center

Fully online. Pairs with the KU BSHIM for a same-institution BS-to-MS.

Best nine-credential director AAS

Neosho County Community College

JLynn Brown holds 9 credentials. Longest CAHIIM review cycle in KS (2032-2033).

Best Topeka AAS (Stormont Vail / VA pipeline)

Washburn University

Public university in the state capital. Fully online. Director Michelle Shipley (MS + RHIA + CCS).

Best Digital Health Professional certificate

University of Kansas Medical Center

Undergraduate Certificate from an academic medical center, hybrid delivery.

Best Health Informatics graduate certificate

University of Kansas Medical Center

Graduate Certificate that stacks into the KU MS Health Informatics.

Best rural KS fully-online AAS

Hutchinson Community College

Fully online. Feeds Hutchinson Regional and rural central KS.

Cheapest CAHIIM-accredited HIM programs in KS

Kansas community colleges

Neosho County and Hutchinson are eligible for the Kansas Promise Scholarship (free tuition for high-demand fields, including HIM) and Pell.

Credentials

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

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

CredentialFull NameEducation RequiredTypical KS Role
RHITRegistered Health Information TechnicianCAHIIM AASRecords, ROI, coder at KU Health / Stormont Vail / Ascension Via Christi / Wesley Healthcare
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 Kansas.

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

  • Median: $48,160 (national: $51,140)
  • Mean: $52,860
  • 10th pct: $36,680 · 90th pct: $77,910
  • Statewide employment: 2,030

Kansas City metro (KU Health on the KS side, plus access to Saint Luke's, University Health, and Children's Mercy on the MO side) and Wichita (Ascension Via Christi, Wesley Healthcare) anchor the upper end. Topeka (Stormont Vail, Topeka VA) sits near the KS median. Rural KS pays below the median with corresponding COL.

Salary distribution

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

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

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.

Workforce

Kansas health information management job market and top hospital employers.

The University of Kansas Health System. Kansas City, KS. Academic medical center for KU School of Medicine.

Stormont Vail Health. Topeka. Dominant northeast Kansas system.

Ascension Via Christi. Wichita. Largest hospital system in south central KS.

Wesley Healthcare. Wichita. HCA Midwest-owned, the second major Wichita system.

Salina Regional Health Center. Salina. Central KS regional anchor.

Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. Hutchinson.

Topeka VA Medical Center. Topeka. Major federal HIM employer.

KC metro cross-border. KU Health on the KS side; Saint Luke's Health System, University Health, and Children's Mercy across the river on the MO side.

Health information exchange

KHIN (Kansas Health Information Network).

KHIN (Kansas Health Information Network) is Kansas's nonprofit HIE. KHIN connects most major KS hospitals and provides clinical messaging, query-based retrieval, and ADT alerting. KHIN participation is voluntary, not state-mandated.

State regulation

Kansas state laws affecting health information management.

  • Medical record retention (KAR 28-34-9a). Kansas hospitals must retain adult medical records for at least 10 years, and minors' records for 10 years past the age of majority.
  • Patient access (Kansas Statutes Annotated § 65-4970 et seq.). KS law grants patients access to their medical records.
  • Wunsch Act (Kansas Statutes Annotated § 50-7a01 et seq.). Kansas data breach notification law.

Sources

Sources and references.

  1. healthinformationmanagementprograms.com Methodology.
  2. CAHIIM Program Directory.
  3. BLS OEWS: May 2025 KS estimates.
  4. AHIMA Certification Exams.
  5. KHIN (Kansas Health Information Network).
  6. Kansas Board of Regents: Kansas Promise Scholarship.
  7. Kansas Legislature: KAR 28-34-9a, KSA 65-4970, 50-7a01.
  8. KHIMA.

FAQ

HIM programs in Kansas: frequently asked questions.

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

On our methodology, University of Kansas Medical Center ranks #1 (87/100). University of Kansas Medical Center #2. Neosho County Community College #3.

How many CAHIIM-accredited HIM programs are in KS?

7 active. 3 associate, 1 bachelor's, 1 master's, 1 graduate certificate, 1 undergraduate certificate.

What is the average HIM salary in KS?

Median $48,160 per BLS OEWS May 2025. 90th pct $77,910.

Does KS require a license to work in HIM?

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

Which Kansas hospitals hire the most HIM staff?

KU Health System, Stormont Vail Health, Ascension Via Christi, Wesley Healthcare, Salina Regional, Hutchinson Regional, Topeka VA Medical Center. Plus KC metro cross-border employers on the MO side.

What is KHIN?

Kansas Health Information Network, the state's nonprofit HIE.

Can I get a HIM degree fully online in KS?

Yes. Neosho County CC, Hutchinson CC, and Washburn University all run fully online AAS. KU Med Center MS Health Informatics runs fully online. KU BSHIM and certificates run hybrid.