New Jersey / Health information management programs

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

New Jersey has 2 CAHIIM-accredited HIM programs, both at Rutgers University. We score every program on our seven-factor methodology. Top: Rutgers University's BSHIM, scoring 94/100.

Taylor Rupe, founder of healthinformationmanagementprograms.com

by , founder & editor

updated

New Jersey
2

Programs ranked

94

Top score

$50K

NJ median HIM wage

4,450

HIM jobs in NJ

Key Takeaways

  • Rutgers University BSHIM ranks #1 in New Jersey (94/100). The only CAHIIM-accredited BSHIM in NJ, housed in the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Research Tower (Piscataway). Continuing CAHIIM, PhD + MBA + RHIA director.
  • New Jersey has 2 active CAHIIM-accredited programs, both at Rutgers University: 1 bachelor's (BSHIM) and 1 master's (MS in HIM). No CAHIIM-accredited AAS in NJ.
  • NJ is unusual nationally: many states have multiple AAS programs and one BSHIM. NJ has the reverse, with Rutgers covering both the BSHIM and MS but no in-state CAHIIM AAS option. Students who want the RHIT track typically take an online out-of-state AAS.
  • Median HIM salary in New Jersey is 50,240 per BLS OEWS May 2025. 90th pct 83,650 (one of the highest 90th percentiles in the country, reflecting NYC/Philly metro pay).
  • RWJBarnabas Health is NJ's largest system, with Rutgers RWJMS as the academic partner. RWJBarnabas operates 12 acute-care hospitals plus Children's Specialized Hospital and the Rutgers Cancer Institute.
  • Hackensack Meridian Health is NJ's second-largest system, anchored by Hackensack University Medical Center (Hackensack) and Jersey Shore University Medical Center (Neptune). HMH partners with Seton Hall for the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine.
  • NJ HIE landscape is fragmented: Jersey Health Connect (NJII at NJIT), HealthShare Exchange of Southeastern PA (HSX) for Philadelphia/South Jersey, and Camden Coalition for Camden-area population-health work.
  • NJ does not license HIM staff. AHIMA credentials (RHIT, RHIA, CCS) function as the de facto standard. NJHIMA is the New Jersey AHIMA component.

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 New Jersey, ranked.

RankInstitutionDegreeCityScoreCAHIIM
#1 Rutgers University (BSHIM) BS Piscataway 94/100 Continuing
#2 Rutgers University (MS) MS Piscataway 86.5/100 Initial
#1
94/100

Overall score

Rutgers University (BSHIM)

Best (only) in-state BSHIM (R1 flagship, PhD + MBA + RHIA director, RWJBarnabas pipeline)

BSHIM Piscataway, NJ Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2029-2030

Why it ranks #1

Rutgers University BSHIM in Piscataway, housed in the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Research Tower. The only CAHIIM-accredited BSHIM in New Jersey. Continuing CAHIIM, next review 2029-2030. Fully online. Program director Dr. Dasantila Sherifi holds PhD + MBA + RHIA, the strongest BSHIM-director credential blend in the Mid-Atlantic. Rutgers is the New Jersey R1 flagship, and the BSHIM sits inside the Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences division, giving direct reach into RWJBarnabas Health, Hackensack Meridian, and the broader NJ academic-medicine corridor.

Program Director

Dasantila Sherifi , PhD, MBA, RHIA

Address

675 Hoes Lane West, Research Tower Building 8th Floor, Piscataway, NJ, 08854

Contact

(973) 972-4356
dasantila.sherifi@rutgers.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)10/10
Director credentials (15%)10/10
Pathways (15%)8/10
Delivery (15%)10/10
Employer pipeline (15%)10/10
Cost (10%)7/10
Reputation (5%)10/10
Overall94/100

Visit program at shp.rutgers.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#2
86.5/100

Overall score

Rutgers University (MS)

Best (only) in-state MS in HIM (R1 flagship, same RBHS director)

MS Piscataway, NJ Online CAHIIM Initial Next Review 2031-2032

Why it ranks #2

Rutgers University MS in HIM, Piscataway. The only CAHIIM-accredited master's in HIM in New Jersey. Initial CAHIIM, next review 2031-2032 (newest review cycle in the state). Fully online. Same director as the BSHIM (Dr. Dasantila Sherifi, PhD + MBA + RHIA), giving a clean BSHIM-to-MS ladder under one program leader. Rutgers MS HIM sits alongside Rutgers' broader biomedical informatics and health analytics offerings within RBHS.

Program Director

Dasantila Sherifi , PhD, MBA, RHIA

Address

RWJMS Research Tower, 8th Floor, 675 Hoes Ln. W, Piscataway, NJ, 08854

Contact

(267) 342-2690
dasantila.sherifi@rutgers.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)7/10
Director credentials (15%)10/10
Pathways (15%)8/10
Delivery (15%)10/10
Employer pipeline (15%)10/10
Cost (10%)7/10
Reputation (5%)10/10
Overall86.5/100

Visit program at shp.rutgers.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

Best for…

Best New Jersey HIM programs by category.

Best (only) in-state BSHIM

Rutgers University BSHIM

Piscataway. R1 flagship. Continuing CAHIIM. PhD + MBA + RHIA director. RWJBarnabas pipeline.

Best (only) in-state MS in HIM

Rutgers University MS in HIM

Piscataway. Initial CAHIIM, next review 2031-2032. Same RBHS director as the BSHIM. Direct BSHIM-to-MS ladder.

Best BSHIM-to-MS ladder

Rutgers (BSHIM + MS, same director)

Both programs are at Rutgers under Dr. Dasantila Sherifi in the Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences division.

Best RWJBarnabas Health pipeline

Rutgers BSHIM or MS

RWJBarnabas Health is the academic partner of Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Both Rutgers HIM programs sit inside the same Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences umbrella that anchors the RWJBarnabas relationship.

Best Hackensack Meridian Health pipeline

Rutgers BSHIM or MS

Hackensack Meridian (the NJ second-largest system) hires across NJ; Rutgers' brand recognition is the strongest in-state HIM credential to bring to HMH HIM leadership roles.

Best fully online option

Both Rutgers programs (fully online)

Both the BSHIM and MS run fully online out of the Piscataway campus, making them accessible across NJ and the broader NY-NJ-PA tri-state region.

If you want an AAS in NJ

No CAHIIM AAS in NJ

There is no CAHIIM-accredited AAS in New Jersey. NJ students who want the RHIT credential typically take an online out-of-state AAS. Common choices: Hudson Valley CC (NY, online), Northeast Iowa CC (online), or any fully-online CAHIIM AAS that accepts NJ students.

Best for working professionals already in NJ healthcare

Rutgers MS in HIM

RHIA or non-HIM healthcare professionals (clinicians, IT staff) seeking the AHIMA-aligned MS credential will find Rutgers' MS the most direct in-state option.

Credentials

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

New Jersey does not license HIM staff. The New Jersey Health Information Management Association (NJHIMA) is the state AHIMA component.

CredentialFull NameEducation RequiredTypical NJ Role
RHITRegistered Health Information TechnicianCAHIIM AAS (no in-state, online out-of-state needed)Records, ROI, coder at RWJBarnabas / Hackensack Meridian / Atlantic Health
RHIARegistered Health Information AdministratorCAHIIM BSHIM (Rutgers in-state)HIM supervisor, privacy officer, compliance
CCSCertified Coding SpecialistRHIT/RHIA + coding experienceInpatient/outpatient coder, coding auditor

Salary data

Medical records specialist salary in New Jersey.

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

  • Median: $50,240 (national: $51,140)
  • Mean: $54,490
  • 10th pct: $33,280 · 90th pct: $83,650
  • Statewide employment: 4,450

NJ's distribution is wide. The median sits near the national median, but the 90th pct ($83,650) is among the highest in the country, reflecting the NYC and Philadelphia metro pay structures. Senior HIM roles (RHIA managers, compliance directors, privacy officers, clinical documentation improvement leadership) at RWJBarnabas, Hackensack Meridian, Cooper, and Atlantic Health pull the upper end well above national norms.

Salary distribution

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

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

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.

Workforce

New Jersey health information management job market and top hospital employers.

RWJBarnabas Health. The largest NJ system. 12 acute-care hospitals across NJ including Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (New Brunswick), Newark Beth Israel, Cooperman Barnabas (Livingston), and Monmouth Medical Center. Academic partner of Rutgers RWJMS.

Hackensack Meridian Health. NJ's second-largest system. Anchored by Hackensack University Medical Center (Bergen County) and Jersey Shore University Medical Center (Neptune). Partners with Seton Hall on the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine.

Atlantic Health System. Morristown HQ. Major hospitals: Morristown Medical Center, Overlook (Summit), Newton, Chilton (Pompton Plains), Hackettstown, Goryeb Children's. Dominant north Jersey system.

Cooper University Health Care. Camden. South Jersey academic medical center, with the Cooper Medical School at Rowan University.

Inspira Health. South Jersey. Vineland, Mullica Hill, Elmer, Woodbury hospitals.

Virtua Health. Camden / Burlington County. South Jersey anchor with the Virtua Memorial, Voorhees, Marlton, and Mount Holly hospitals.

Englewood Health. Bergen County. Independent system anchored by Englewood Hospital.

Holy Name Medical Center. Teaneck. Independent Catholic-tradition hospital.

Saint Peter's University Hospital. New Brunswick. Catholic teaching hospital. Adjacent to Rutgers / RWJUH.

Health information exchange

Jersey Health Connect, HSX, and Camden Coalition.

New Jersey's HIE landscape is fragmented across three major participants:

  • Jersey Health Connect. Operated by NJII (the New Jersey Innovation Institute, an NJIT corporation). Major HIE participant for north and central Jersey hospitals.
  • HealthShare Exchange of Southeastern PA (HSX). Operates the regional HIE for the Philadelphia / South Jersey market. Many South Jersey hospitals (Virtua, Inspira, Cooper) participate.
  • Camden Coalition. Camden-area HIE and population-health collaborative. Focused on care coordination and the social determinants for high-utilizer Medicaid populations.

This three-HIE structure is a function of NJ's regional pull toward both the NYC metro (north Jersey) and the Philadelphia metro (south Jersey). HIM staff in NJ frequently work with at least two of the three.

State regulation

New Jersey state laws affecting health information management.

  • Medical record retention (N.J.A.C. 8:43G-15). NJ hospitals must retain adult medical records for at least 10 years from the date of discharge. Minor records: until the age of majority plus 10 years.
  • Patient access (N.J.A.C. 8:43G-15.3 and N.J.S.A. 26:8-5). Patient right of access to medical records with statutory copying-fee caps. The NJ AG has issued opinions clarifying timeframes for response.
  • Breach notification (N.J.S.A. 56:8-161 to 56:8-166). Notification to affected NJ residents as soon as practicable; State Police notification required.
  • New Jersey Data Privacy Act (effective January 2025). Adds non-HIPAA consumer health data protections, relevant for HIM staff in non-covered analytics and digital-health roles.
  • No state HIM licensure. NJ Division of Consumer Affairs regulates clinical professions; HIM credentials are AHIMA-issued (RHIT, RHIA, CCS).

Sources

Sources and references.

  1. healthinformationmanagementprograms.com Methodology.
  2. CAHIIM Program Directory.
  3. BLS OEWS: May 2025 NJ estimates.
  4. AHIMA Certification Exams.
  5. Jersey Health Connect (NJII).
  6. HealthShare Exchange of Southeastern PA.
  7. Camden Coalition.
  8. NJ Legislature: N.J.A.C. 8:43G-15, N.J.S.A. 26:8-5, N.J.S.A. 56:8-161, NJ Data Privacy Act.

FAQ

HIM programs in New Jersey: frequently asked questions.

What is the best CAHIIM-accredited HIM program in New Jersey?

On our methodology, Rutgers University BSHIM ranks #1 (94/100). Rutgers University MS #2 (86.5/100).

How many CAHIIM-accredited HIM programs are in NJ?

2 active, both at Rutgers University: 1 BSHIM and 1 MS. No CAHIIM AAS in NJ.

What is the average HIM salary in NJ?

Median $50,240 per BLS OEWS May 2025. 90th pct $83,650 (one of the highest in the country).

Does NJ require a license to work in HIM?

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

Which NJ hospitals hire the most HIM staff?

RWJBarnabas Health, Hackensack Meridian Health, Atlantic Health System, Cooper University Health Care, Inspira Health, Virtua Health, Englewood Health, Holy Name, Saint Peter's.

What is Jersey Health Connect?

An NJII-operated HIE serving much of north and central Jersey. Alongside HSX (Philadelphia/South Jersey) and Camden Coalition, it is one of three major NJ HIE participants.

Can I get a HIM degree fully online in NJ?

Yes. Both Rutgers programs (BSHIM and MS) are fully online.

If I want an AAS / RHIT in NJ, what should I do?

There is no CAHIIM-accredited AAS in NJ. Common path: take a fully-online CAHIIM AAS from out of state (e.g., Hudson Valley CC in NY, Northeast Iowa CC), sit the RHIT, then ladder into Rutgers BSHIM for the RHIA.