Michigan / Health information management programs

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

Michigan has 9 CAHIIM-accredited HIM and health informatics programs. We score every program on our seven-factor methodology. Top: Davenport University's MS, scoring 89.5/100.

Taylor Rupe, founder of healthinformationmanagementprograms.com

by , founder & editor

updated

Detroit, Michigan skyline
9

Programs ranked

89.5

Top score

$48K

MI median HIM wage

4,890

HIM jobs in MI

Key Takeaways

  • Davenport University MS ranks #1 in Michigan (89.5/100). Director Dr. Joseph Brown (DHA + MS + CHDA). Continuing CAHIIM with the longest review cycle in MI (2032-2033).
  • Davenport University is the only MI institution offering all three degree levels in HIM (AAS + BSHIM + MS) under one roof at one school: the most complete vertical pathway in Michigan.
  • Michigan has 9 active CAHIIM-accredited programs: 5 AAS, 3 bachelor's, 1 master's.
  • Ferris State University runs both its AAS and BSHIM under FAHIMA-credentialed director Dr. Julie Alles (DHA + RHIA + FAHIMA): a same-FAHIMA-director AAS-to-BS stack at a public university (Big Rapids).
  • Median HIM salary in Michigan is 48,120 per BLS OEWS May 2025. 90th pct 77,080. 4,890 working in this occupation.
  • Corewell Health (post-2022 Beaumont + Spectrum merger) is now the largest MI health system, anchoring both Detroit (Corewell East) and Grand Rapids (Corewell West). Henry Ford Health, Trinity Health Michigan, DMC, Michigan Medicine, and McLaren round out the top tier.
  • MiHIN (Michigan Health Information Network) is Michigan's state-designated nonprofit HIE, providing statewide clinical messaging, query-based retrieval, and Active Care Relationship services.
  • Michigan medical record retention is 7 years from the last patient encounter (MCL 333.20175).

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 9 CAHIIM-accredited HIM programs in Michigan, ranked.

RankInstitutionDegreeCityScoreCAHIIM
#1 Davenport University MS Grand Rapids 89.5/100 Continuing
#2 Ferris State University AAS Big Rapids 87.5/100 Continuing
#3 Davenport University BS Grand Rapids 87/100 Continuing
#4 Davenport University AAS Grand Rapids 84.5/100 Continuing
#5 Ferris State University BS Big Rapids 84.5/100 Continuing
#6 Grand Valley State University BS Grand Rapids 79/100 Continuing
#7 Macomb Community College - Center Campus AAS Warren 76.5/100 Continuing
#8 Schoolcraft College AAS Livonia 73.5/100 Continuing
#9 Baker College Online AAS Owosso 66/100 Initial
#1
89.5/100

Overall score

Davenport University (MS)

Best in-state MS in HIM (longest CAHIIM review cycle of any MI program)

MS Grand Rapids, MI Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2032-2033

Why it ranks #1

Davenport University MS in HIM. Director Dr. Joseph Brown holds DHA + MS + CHDA. Continuing CAHIIM with the longest review cycle of any MI program, next review 2032-2033. Fully online. Davenport is the only MI institution offering all three degree levels in HIM (AAS + BS + MS) under one roof at one school: the most complete vertical pathway in Michigan.

Program Director

Joseph Brown , DHA, MS, CHDA

Address

6191 Kraft Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49512

Contact

(586) 620-4088
joseph.brown@davenport.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)10/10
Director credentials (15%)10/10
Pathways (15%)9/10
Delivery (15%)10/10
Employer pipeline (15%)8/10
Cost (10%)6/10
Reputation (5%)6/10
Overall89.5/100

Visit program at davenport.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#2
87.5/100

Overall score

Ferris State University (AAS)

Best public university AAS with same-school FAHIMA-led BS

AAS Big Rapids, MI Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2030-2031

Why it ranks #2

Ferris State University AAS. Director Dr. Julie Alles holds DHA + RHIA + FAHIMA. Continuing CAHIIM, next review 2030-2031. Fully online. Ferris State runs both the AAS and the BSHIM under the same FAHIMA-credentialed director, so the AAS-to-BS stack stays under one program leader at a public university (Big Rapids).

Program Director

Julie Alles , DHA, RHIA, FAHIMA

Address

1201 S. State St., Big Rapids, MI, 49307

Contact

(231) 591-2395
juliealles@ferris.edu

Score breakdown

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

Visit program at ferris.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#3
87/100

Overall score

Davenport University (BSHIM)

Best private fully-online BSHIM

BSHIM Grand Rapids, MI Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2030-2031

Why it ranks #3

Davenport University BSHIM. Director Dr. LaShunda Smith holds PhD + RHIA + CHC + CHDA + CPC, the strongest credential stack of any MI BSHIM director. Continuing CAHIIM, next review 2030-2031. Fully online. Pairs with the Davenport AAS feeder and the Davenport MS HIM bridge for the only AAS-BS-MS HIM stack at one MI school.

Program Director

LaShunda Smith , PhD, RHIA, CHC, CHDA, CPC

Address

6191 Kraft Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49512

Contact

(334) 549-7514
lsmith291@davenport.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)9/10
Director credentials (15%)10/10
Pathways (15%)9/10
Delivery (15%)10/10
Employer pipeline (15%)8/10
Cost (10%)6/10
Reputation (5%)6/10
Overall87/100

Visit program at davenport.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#4
84.5/100

Overall score

Davenport University (AAS)

Best private fully-online AAS with same-school BS and MS bridges

AAS Grand Rapids, MI Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2029-2030

Why it ranks #4

Davenport University AAS. Same director as the Davenport BSHIM (Dr. LaShunda Smith, PhD + RHIA + CHC + CHDA + CPC). Continuing CAHIIM, next review 2029-2030. Fully online. Stackable with the Davenport BSHIM and MS HIM for the only AAS-BS-MS HIM stack at one MI school.

Program Director

LaShunda Smith , PhD, RHIA, CHC, CHDA, CPC

Address

6191 Kraft Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49512

Contact

(334) 549-7514
lsmith291@davenport.edu

Score breakdown

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

Visit program at davenport.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#5
84.5/100

Overall score

Ferris State University (BSHIM)

Best public university BSHIM (FAHIMA + DHA director)

BSHIM Big Rapids, MI Campus Based, Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2029-2030

Why it ranks #5

Ferris State BSHIM. Director Dr. Julie Alles holds DHA + RHIA + FAHIMA. Continuing CAHIIM, next review 2029-2030. Hybrid delivery. Ferris State is a public university (Big Rapids) with statewide HIM employer connections.

Program Director

Julie Alles , DHA, RHIA, FAHIMA

Address

1201 S. State St., Big Rapids, MI, 49307

Contact

(231) 591-2395
juliealles@ferris.edu

Score breakdown

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

Visit program at ferris.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#6
79/100

Overall score

Grand Valley State University

Best Grand Rapids public university BSHIM

BSHIM Grand Rapids, MI Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2027-2028

Why it ranks #6

Grand Valley State University BSHIM in Grand Rapids. Director Dr. Janna Pacey holds DHA + RHIA. Continuing CAHIIM, next review 2027-2028. Fully online. Direct adjacency to Corewell Health (post-2022 Beaumont + Spectrum merger), the largest MI health system, headquartered in Grand Rapids.

Program Director

Janna Pacey , DHA, RHIA

Address

500 Lafayette, Suite 420, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

Contact

(616) 331-5574
paceyj@gvsu.edu

Score breakdown

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

Visit program at gvsu.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#7
76.5/100

Overall score

Macomb Community College - Center Campus

Best Detroit metro AAS (Henry Ford, DMC, Corewell East, Trinity Health)

AAS Warren, MI Campus Based, Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2030-2031

Why it ranks #7

Macomb Community College in Warren (Detroit metro). Director Kristin Dunsmore holds RHIA + CCS. Continuing CAHIIM, next review 2030-2031. Hybrid delivery. Direct pipeline to Henry Ford Health, Detroit Medical Center (DMC), Corewell Health East (former Beaumont), and Trinity Health Michigan.

Program Director

Kristin Dunsmore , RHIA, CCS

Address

14500 E. 12 Mile Road, Warren, MI, 48088

Contact

(586) 226-4809
dunsmorek@macomb.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)8/10
Director credentials (15%)7/10
Pathways (15%)4/10
Delivery (15%)8/10
Employer pipeline (15%)10/10
Cost (10%)10/10
Reputation (5%)6/10
Overall76.5/100

Visit program at macomb.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#8
73.5/100

Overall score

Schoolcraft College

Best western Detroit metro campus-based AAS

AAS Livonia, MI Campus Based CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2028-2029

Why it ranks #8

Schoolcraft College in Livonia (Detroit suburb). Director Peggy Chapo holds MS + RHIA. Continuing CAHIIM, next review 2028-2029. Campus-based only (the trade-off for the Detroit-metro location). Direct pipeline to the Detroit-metro hospital network.

Program Director

Peggy Chapo , MS, RHIA

Address

18600 Haggerty Road, Livonia, MI, 48152

Contact

(734) 462-4773
pchapo@schoolcraft.edu

Score breakdown

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

Visit program at schoolcraft.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#9
66/100

Overall score

Baker College Online

Best Michigan private fully-online AAS

AAS Owosso, MI Online CAHIIM Initial Next Review 2029-2030

Why it ranks #9

Baker College Online (HQ Owosso). Director Melinda McGuire holds MS HIM + RHIA + Master of American Studies. Initial CAHIIM, next review 2029-2030. Fully online. Baker is a Michigan-based private nonprofit university.

Program Director

Melinda McGuire , MS HIM, RHIA, Master of Am. Studies

Address

1020 S. Washington St., Owosso, MI, 48867

Contact

(800) 469-4062
mmcgui07@baker.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)6/10
Director credentials (15%)8/10
Pathways (15%)4/10
Delivery (15%)10/10
Employer pipeline (15%)7/10
Cost (10%)5/10
Reputation (5%)5/10
Overall66/100

Visit program at baker.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

Best for…

Best Michigan HIM programs by category.

Best in-state MS in HIM

Davenport University

Continuing CAHIIM with the longest review cycle in MI (2032-2033). Online. Director Dr. Joseph Brown (DHA + MS + CHDA).

Best full AAS-BS-MS pathway at one school

Davenport University

Only MI institution running all three degree levels in HIM (AAS + BS + MS) under one roof.

Best public university BSHIM (FAHIMA)

Ferris State University

FAHIMA + DHA director. Same director runs the Ferris State AAS, so the AAS-to-BS stack stays under one program leader.

Best Grand Rapids public BSHIM (Corewell pipeline)

Grand Valley State University

Direct adjacency to Corewell Health West, the dominant west MI employer.

Best Detroit metro AAS

Macomb Community College

Warren. Direct pipeline to Henry Ford, DMC, Corewell East, Trinity Health Michigan.

Best private fully-online BSHIM

Davenport University

Director Dr. LaShunda Smith has the strongest BSHIM credential stack in MI (PhD + RHIA + CHC + CHDA + CPC).

Best Michigan private fully-online AAS

Baker College Online

MI-based private nonprofit. Initial CAHIIM, fully online.

Cheapest CAHIIM-accredited HIM programs in MI

Michigan community colleges

Macomb and Schoolcraft are eligible for the Michigan Reconnect program (free community-college tuition for adults 25+), the MI Tuition Incentive Program, and Pell.

Credentials

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

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

CredentialFull NameEducation RequiredTypical MI Role
RHITRegistered Health Information TechnicianCAHIIM AASRecords, ROI, coder at Corewell / Henry Ford / Trinity Health Michigan / DMC
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 Michigan.

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

  • Median: $48,120 (national: $51,140)
  • Mean: $52,650
  • 10th pct: $37,180 · 90th pct: $77,080
  • Statewide employment: 4,890

Detroit metro (Corewell East / Henry Ford / DMC / Trinity Health Michigan), Ann Arbor (Michigan Medicine), and Grand Rapids (Corewell West) anchor the upper end. Lansing (Sparrow / McLaren), Flint (Hurley / McLaren), and Kalamazoo (Bronson) sit near the MI median. Upper Peninsula pay is lower with corresponding COL.

Salary distribution

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

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

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.

Workforce

Michigan health information management job market and top hospital employers.

Corewell Health. Largest MI system, post-2022 merger of Beaumont (Detroit metro) and Spectrum Health (Grand Rapids). 21 hospitals.

Henry Ford Health. Detroit HQ. 13 hospitals across MI.

Trinity Health Michigan. Statewide. Mercy Health (west MI) + Saint Joseph Mercy (east MI), part of Trinity Health.

Detroit Medical Center (DMC). Detroit. Operated by Tenet Healthcare.

Michigan Medicine. Ann Arbor. The academic health system of the University of Michigan.

McLaren Health Care. Grand Blanc HQ. 14 hospitals across MI.

Bronson Healthcare. Kalamazoo. Dominant SW MI system.

MidMichigan Health. Midland. Part of Michigan Medicine.

Health information exchange

MiHIN (Michigan Health Information Network Shared Services).

MiHIN (Michigan Health Information Network Shared Services) is Michigan's state-designated nonprofit HIE. MiHIN connects most MI health systems and provides clinical messaging (ADT, ORU, CCD), query-based retrieval, and Active Care Relationship services that designate primary providers across the network. MiHIN is one of the more mature HIEs nationally and is a frequent reference point in MI HIM compliance work.

State regulation

Michigan state laws affecting health information management.

  • Medical record retention (MCL 333.20175). Michigan hospitals must retain medical records for at least 7 years after the date of last patient encounter.
  • Patient access to records (MCL 333.26261 et seq., the Medical Records Access Act). MI law grants patients access to medical records, with statutory caps on copy fees adjusted annually.
  • Michigan Mental Health Code (MCL 330.1748). Extra protections for mental-health and substance-use records (more restrictive than general HIPAA).

Sources

Sources and references.

  1. healthinformationmanagementprograms.com Methodology.
  2. CAHIIM Program Directory.
  3. BLS OEWS: May 2025 MI estimates.
  4. AHIMA Certification Exams.
  5. MiHIN.
  6. MI Student Aid: Michigan Reconnect and state aid programs.
  7. Michigan Legislature: MCL 333.20175 and Medical Records Access Act.
  8. MHIMA.

FAQ

HIM programs in Michigan: frequently asked questions.

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

On our methodology, Davenport University ranks #1 (89.5/100). Ferris State University #2. Davenport University #3.

How many CAHIIM-accredited HIM programs are in MI?

9 active. 5 associate, 3 bachelor's, 1 master's.

What is the average HIM salary in MI?

Median $48,120 per BLS OEWS May 2025. 90th pct $77,080.

Does MI require a license to work in HIM?

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

Which Michigan hospitals hire the most HIM staff?

Corewell Health, Henry Ford Health, Trinity Health Michigan, DMC, Michigan Medicine, McLaren Health Care, Bronson Healthcare, MidMichigan Health.

What is MiHIN?

Michigan's state-designated HIE (Michigan Health Information Network Shared Services).

Can I get a HIM degree fully online in MI?

Yes. Davenport AAS, BS, and MS, Ferris State AAS, GVSU BSHIM, and Baker College Online AAS all run fully online. Others run hybrid or campus-based.