Mississippi / Health information management programs

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

Mississippi has 6 CAHIIM-accredited HIM and health informatics programs. We score every program on our seven-factor methodology. Top: Hinds Community College's AAS, scoring 79.5/100.

Taylor Rupe, founder of healthinformationmanagementprograms.com

by , founder & editor

updated

Mississippi
6

Programs ranked

79.5

Top score

$42K

MS median HIM wage

2,310

HIM jobs in MS

Key Takeaways

  • Hinds Community College AAS ranks #1 in Mississippi (79.5/100). Continuing CAHIIM, fully online, direct pipeline into UMMC and Baptist Memorial.
  • William Carey University runs the only CAHIIM-accredited BSHIM in Mississippi, plus a CAHIIM MS HIM at the same school: the only same-institution BS-to-MS HIM stack in the state, both under director Dr. Alicia Watts (PhD + MBA + RHIA + CPHIMS).
  • Mississippi has 6 active CAHIIM-accredited programs: 3 AAS, 1 bachelor's (WCU), 2 master's (WCU + UMMC).
  • UMMC runs the only academic medical center MS in Health Informatics in Mississippi, housed in the School of Health Related Professions in Jackson.
  • Median HIM salary in Mississippi is 41,500 per BLS OEWS May 2025. 90th pct 61,580. 2,310 working in this occupation.
  • UMMC is the only academic medical center in Mississippi and the single largest MS HIM employer. North Mississippi Medical Center (Tupelo) is one of the largest non-metro hospitals in the country. Baptist Memorial, Forrest Health, Singing River, and Memorial Gulfport anchor regional MS markets.
  • MS-HIN (Mississippi Health Information Network) is Mississippi's statewide HIE, operated under the MS Department of Information Technology Services.
  • Mississippi medical record retention is 10 years for adult records (Mississippi Code § 41-9-69), longer than many southern states.

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 →

Programs taking applications in Mississippi now

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

The ranked programs

The 6 CAHIIM-accredited HIM programs in Mississippi, ranked.

RankInstitutionDegreeCityScoreCAHIIM
#1 Hinds Community College AAS Raymond 79.5/100 Continuing
#2 William Carey University MS Hattiesburg 79.5/100 Initial
#3 University of Mississippi Medical Center MS Informatics Jackson 78.5/100 Initial
#4 Meridian Community College AAS Meridian 76.5/100 Continuing
#5 Itawamba Community College AAS Tupelo 76.5/100 Continuing
#6 William Carey University BS Hattiesburg 76.5/100 Initial
#1
79.5/100

Overall score

Hinds Community College

Best Jackson AAS (UMMC / Baptist Memorial pipeline)

AAS Raymond, MS Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2027-2028

Why it ranks #1

Hinds Community College in Raymond (Jackson metro). Director Michelle Mcguffee holds RHIA. Continuing CAHIIM, next review 2027-2028. Fully online. Direct pipeline to University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC, the only academic medical center in MS) and Baptist Memorial Health Care, the two largest Jackson employers.

Program Director

Michelle Mcguffee , RHIA

Address

P. O. Box 1100, Raymond, MS, 39154

Contact

(601) 376-4823
mlmcguffee@hindscc.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)8/10
Director credentials (15%)7/10
Pathways (15%)4/10
Delivery (15%)10/10
Employer pipeline (15%)10/10
Cost (10%)10/10
Reputation (5%)6/10
Overall79.5/100

Visit program at hindscc.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#2
79.5/100

Overall score

William Carey University (MS)

Best in-state MS in HIM (longest CAHIIM review cycle in MS)

MS Hattiesburg, MS Online CAHIIM Initial Next Review 2033-2034

Why it ranks #2

William Carey University MS in HIM, fully online. Director Dr. Alicia Watts holds PhD + MBA + RHIA + CPHIMS. Initial CAHIIM with the longest review cycle of any MS program, next review 2033-2034. WCU runs both a CAHIIM BSHIM and this MS HIM under the same director, the only same-school BS-to-MS HIM stack in Mississippi.

Program Director

Alicia Watts , PhD, MBA, CPHIMS,RHIA

Address

710 William Carey Parkway, Wcu Box 8, Hattiesburg, MS, 39401

Contact

(601) 318-6714
awatts@wmcarey.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)6/10
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
Overall79.5/100

Visit program at wmcarey.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#3
78.5/100

Overall score

University of Mississippi Medical Center

Best academic medical center MS in Health Informatics

MS Health Informatics Jackson, MS Online CAHIIM Initial Next Review 2026-2027

Why it ranks #3

University of Mississippi Medical Center MS in Health Informatics, in the School of Health Related Professions in Jackson. Director Dr. Lisa Morton holds PhD + MLIS + RHIA. Initial CAHIIM, next review 2026-2027 (review cycle is imminent). Fully online. UMMC is the only academic medical center in Mississippi, the major teaching hospital, and the single largest MS HIM employer.

Program Director

Lisa Morton , PhD, MLIS, RHIA

Address

2500 N. State Street, School Of Health Related Professions, Jackson, MS, 39216

Contact

(601) 984-6371
memorton@umc.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)6/10
Director credentials (15%)9/10
Pathways (15%)6/10
Delivery (15%)10/10
Employer pipeline (15%)10/10
Cost (10%)7/10
Reputation (5%)8/10
Overall78.5/100

Visit program at umc.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#4
76.5/100

Overall score

Meridian Community College

Best East Mississippi AAS (Anderson Regional / Rush Health pipeline)

AAS Meridian, MS Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2027-2028

Why it ranks #4

Meridian Community College. Director Rebecca Higginbotham holds MA + RHIA + CCS. Continuing CAHIIM, next review 2027-2028. Fully online. Feeds Anderson Regional Health System and Rush Health Systems in East MS.

Program Director

Rebecca Higginbotham , RHIA, CCS, MA (Masters of Art) Liberal Studies

Address

910 Hwy 19 North, Meridian, MS, 39307

Contact

(601) 484-8758, Ext. 758
becky.higginbotham@meridiancc.edu

Score breakdown

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

Visit program at meridiancc.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#5
76.5/100

Overall score

Itawamba Community College

Best North Mississippi AAS (North Mississippi Medical Center pipeline)

AAS Tupelo, MS Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2028-2029

Why it ranks #5

Itawamba Community College in Tupelo. Director Donna H. Vaughn holds RHIA. Continuing CAHIIM, next review 2028-2029. Fully online. Direct pipeline to North Mississippi Medical Center (NMMC), one of the largest non-metro hospitals in the United States.

Program Director

Donna H. Vaughn , RHIA

Address

2176 South Eason Blvd., Tupelo, MS, 38804

Contact

(662) 620-5123
dhvaughn@iccms.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%)6/10
Overall76.5/100

Visit program at iccms.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

More HIM programs accepting students

#6
76.5/100

Overall score

William Carey University (BSHIM)

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

BSHIM Hattiesburg, MS Campus Based, Online CAHIIM Initial Next Review 2028-2029

Why it ranks #6

William Carey University BSHIM in Hattiesburg. Same director as the WCU MS (Dr. Alicia Watts, PhD + MBA + RHIA + CPHIMS). Initial CAHIIM, next review 2028-2029. Hybrid delivery. Direct pipeline to Forrest Health and the Hattiesburg market, plus statewide reach. WCU is the only CAHIIM-accredited BSHIM in MS.

Program Director

Alicia Watts , PhD, MBA, BS-HIM, CPHIMS, RHIA

Address

WCU Box 8, 710 William Carey Parkway, Hattiesburg, MS, 39401

Contact

(601) 318-6714
awatts@wmcarey.edu

Score breakdown

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

Visit program at wmcarey.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

Best for…

Best Mississippi HIM programs by category.

Best Jackson AAS (UMMC pipeline)

Hinds Community College

Fully online, direct adjacency to UMMC and Baptist Memorial in Jackson.

Best in-state MS in HIM

William Carey University

Longest CAHIIM review cycle in MS (2033-2034). PhD + RHIA + CPHIMS director. Pairs with WCU BSHIM.

Best academic medical center MS in Health Informatics

University of Mississippi Medical Center

UMMC School of Health Related Professions. Direct UMMC pipeline.

Best East MS AAS

Meridian Community College

Director Rebecca Higginbotham (MA + RHIA + CCS). Anderson Regional + Rush Health pipeline.

Best North MS AAS (NMMC pipeline)

Itawamba Community College

Tupelo. Direct pipeline to North Mississippi Medical Center, one of the largest non-metro hospitals in the US.

Best in-state BSHIM

William Carey University

Only CAHIIM bachelor's in MS. Pairs with WCU MS for a same-school BS-to-MS.

Cheapest CAHIIM-accredited HIM programs in MS

Mississippi community colleges

Hinds, Itawamba, and Meridian community colleges qualify for the Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant (MTAG), Mississippi Resident Tuition Assistance Grant (MRTAG), HELP Scholarship, and Pell.

Best UMMC pipeline (academic medicine)

UMMC MS + Hinds CC AAS

Hinds AAS into UMMC entry-level HIM roles, then UMMC MS Health Informatics for the informatics step.

Credentials

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

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

CredentialFull NameEducation RequiredTypical MS Role
RHITRegistered Health Information TechnicianCAHIIM AASRecords, ROI, coder at UMMC / NMMC / Baptist Memorial / Forrest Health
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 Mississippi.

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

  • Median: $41,500 (national: $51,140)
  • Mean: $44,380
  • 10th pct: $31,010 · 90th pct: $61,580
  • Statewide employment: 2,310

Jackson (UMMC, Baptist Memorial), Tupelo (NMMC), and the Mississippi Gulf Coast (Singing River, Memorial Hospital at Gulfport) anchor the upper end of the MS market. Hattiesburg (Forrest Health) and Meridian (Anderson Regional) sit near the MS median. Rural MS pays below the median with corresponding COL.

Salary distribution

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

$30K$40K$50K$60K$70K$80K$90K Mississippi MED $42K National MED $51K

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.

Workforce

Mississippi health information management job market and top hospital employers.

University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC). Jackson. The only academic medical center in Mississippi and the single largest MS health system. Major teaching hospital for the UMMC School of Medicine.

North Mississippi Medical Center (NMMC). Tupelo. One of the largest non-metro hospitals in the United States; flagship of the North Mississippi Health Services.

Baptist Memorial Health Care. Multi-state Memphis-based system with significant MS footprint (Baptist Memorial DeSoto, Baptist North Mississippi, Baptist Golden Triangle, and others).

Forrest Health. Hattiesburg. Dominant Pine Belt / South Central MS system.

Singing River Health System. Mississippi Gulf Coast (Pascagoula, Ocean Springs).

Memorial Hospital at Gulfport. Gulfport. Major Mississippi Gulf Coast academic-affiliated system.

Anderson Regional Health System. Meridian. East-MS regional anchor.

Health information exchange

MS-HIN (Mississippi Health Information Network).

MS-HIN (Mississippi Health Information Network) is Mississippi's statewide HIE, operated under the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services. MS-HIN connects participating MS providers with clinical messaging and query-based retrieval. Participation is voluntary, not state-mandated.

State regulation

Mississippi state laws affecting health information management.

  • Medical record retention (Mississippi Code § 41-9-69). Mississippi hospitals must retain medical records for at least 10 years.
  • Patient access (Mississippi Code § 11-1-52 et seq.). MS law grants patients access to medical records with statutory caps on copy fees.
  • Mississippi Data Breach Notification Law (Mississippi Code § 75-24-29). Breach notification without unreasonable delay after discovery.

Sources

Sources and references.

  1. healthinformationmanagementprograms.com Methodology.
  2. CAHIIM Program Directory.
  3. BLS OEWS: May 2025 MS estimates.
  4. AHIMA Certification Exams.
  5. MS-HIN (Mississippi Health Information Network).
  6. Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid: MTAG, MRTAG, HELP.
  7. Mississippi Legislature: Mississippi Code §§ 41-9-69, 11-1-52, 75-24-29.
  8. MsHIMA.

FAQ

HIM programs in Mississippi: frequently asked questions.

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

On our methodology, Hinds Community College ranks #1 (79.5/100). William Carey University #2. University of Mississippi Medical Center #3.

How many CAHIIM-accredited HIM programs are in MS?

6 active. 3 associate, 1 bachelor's (WCU), 2 master's.

What is the average HIM salary in MS?

Median $41,500 per BLS OEWS May 2025. 90th pct $61,580.

Does MS require a license to work in HIM?

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

Which Mississippi hospitals hire the most HIM staff?

UMMC, North Mississippi Medical Center (Tupelo), Baptist Memorial Health Care, Forrest Health, Singing River, Memorial Gulfport, Anderson Regional.

What is MS-HIN?

Mississippi Health Information Network, the state's statewide HIE operated under the MS Department of Information Technology Services.

Can I get a HIM degree fully online in MS?

Yes. All three AAS programs run fully online (Hinds, Itawamba, Meridian). UMMC MS Health Informatics and William Carey MS HIM run online. WCU BSHIM is hybrid.