North Carolina / Health information management programs

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

North Carolina has 13 CAHIIM-accredited HIM and health informatics programs. We score every program on our seven-factor methodology. Top: Pitt Community College's AAS, scoring 77.5/100.

Taylor Rupe, founder of healthinformationmanagementprograms.com

by , founder & editor

updated

North Carolina state capitol in Raleigh
13

Programs ranked

77.5

Top score

$50K

NC median HIM wage

6,760

HIM jobs in NC

Key Takeaways

  • Pitt Community College ranks #1 in North Carolina (77.5/100). Best ECU Health pipeline AAS.
  • East Carolina University is the only NC institution offering both a CAHIIM-accredited BSHIM and an MS at one school. Director Dr. Susie Harris (BSHIM) is FAHIMA + holds PhD + MBA + RHIA + CCS.
  • North Carolina has 13 active CAHIIM-accredited programs: 11 AAS at community colleges, 1 bachelor's (East Carolina University), 1 master's (East Carolina University).
  • Median HIM salary in North Carolina is 49,620 per BLS OEWS May 2025. 90th pct 79,670. 6,760 working in this occupation.
  • Atrium Health (Advocate Health post-2022 merger with Aurora and Atrium) is Charlotte-based and now part of one of the largest US health systems. Combined with Novant, Duke Health, and UNC Health, the four dominate NC HIM hiring.
  • NC HealthConnex is North Carolina's state-mandated HIE, operated by the NC Health Information Exchange Authority. Most NC providers are required to connect.
  • NC medical record retention is 11 years from last patient discharge (11 NCAC 21.0617), longer than most 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 North Carolina now

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

The ranked programs

The 13 CAHIIM-accredited HIM programs in North Carolina, ranked.

RankInstitutionDegreeCityScoreCAHIIM
#1 Pitt Community College AAS Greenville 77.5/100 Continuing
#2 East Carolina University BS Greenville 74.5/100 Continuing
#3 East Carolina University MS Greenville 73.5/100 Initial
#4 Edgecombe Community College AAS Tarboro 73/100 Continuing
#5 Southwestern Community College AAS Sylva 73/100 Continuing
#6 Craven Community College AAS New Bern 71.5/100 Continuing
#7 Davidson - Davie Community College AAS Lexington 71.5/100 Continuing
#8 Brunswick Community College AAS Supply 71.5/100 Continuing
#9 Catawba Valley Community College AAS Hickory 70/100 Continuing
#10 Guilford Technical Community College AAS Jamestown 70/100 Initial
#11 Forsyth Technical Community College AAS Winston Salem 70/100 Initial
#12 Central Carolina Community College AAS Lillington 69.5/100 Initial
#13 McDowell Technical Community College AAS Marion 68/100 Continuing
#1
77.5/100

Overall score

Pitt Community College

Best ECU Health pipeline AAS

AAS Greenville, NC Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2029-2030

Why it ranks #1

Pitt CC in Greenville sits directly next to ECU Health, the dominant eastern NC system. Director Ashleigh Walker holds MAEd + RHIA + CCS-P. Continuing CAHIIM, next review 2029-2030. Fully online. The cleanest entry into ECU Health HIM employment.

Program Director

Ashleigh Walker , MAEd, RHIA, CCS-P

Address

P.O. Drawer 7007, Greenville, NC, 27835

Contact

(252) 493-7649
abwalker360@my.pittcc.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)8/10
Director credentials (15%)7/10
Pathways (15%)4/10
Delivery (15%)10/10
Employer pipeline (15%)9/10
Cost (10%)10/10
Reputation (5%)5/10
Overall77.5/100

Visit program at pittcc.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#2
74.5/100

Overall score

East Carolina University (BS)

Best in-state BSHIM with MS progression at same school

BSHIM Greenville, NC Campus Based CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2027-2028

Why it ranks #2

ECU's BSHIM, campus-based in Greenville. Director Dr. Susie Harris is FAHIMA + holds PhD + MBA + RHIA + CCS. Continuing CAHIIM since 2017, next review 2027-2028. The only NC institution offering both a CAHIIM-accredited BSHIM and an MS at the same school. Direct ECU Health pipeline.

Program Director

Susie Harris , PhD, MBA, RHIA, CCS, FAHIMA

Address

College of Allied Health Sciences - 4340, 600 Moye Blvd, Greenville, NC, 27834

Contact

(252) 744-6173
harrissus@ecu.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)7/10
Director credentials (15%)10/10
Pathways (15%)8/10
Delivery (15%)4/10
Employer pipeline (15%)9/10
Cost (10%)7/10
Reputation (5%)7/10
Overall74.5/100

Visit program at hsim.ecu.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#3
73.5/100

Overall score

East Carolina University (MS)

Best NC MS in Health Informatics

MS Health Informatics Greenville, NC Campus Based, Online CAHIIM Initial Next Review 2027-2028

Why it ranks #3

ECU's MS in Health Informatics, campus or online. Director Dr. Robert Campbell holds EdD + CPHIMS + FHIR Proficient. Initial CAHIIM since 2017. Pairs cleanly with the ECU BSHIM for a same-institution progression.

Program Director

Robert Campbell , Ed.D., ,CPHIMS, FHIR Proficient

Address

Department of Health Services and Information Management, College Of Allied Health Sciences, Greenville, NC, 27834

Contact

(252) 744-6183
campbellr@ecu.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)6/10
Director credentials (15%)7/10
Pathways (15%)8/10
Delivery (15%)8/10
Employer pipeline (15%)9/10
Cost (10%)7/10
Reputation (5%)7/10
Overall73.5/100

Visit program at hsim.ecu.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#4
73/100

Overall score

Edgecombe Community College

Best rural eastern NC online AAS

AAS Tarboro, NC Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2028-2029

Why it ranks #4

Edgecombe CC in Tarboro. Director Nacole Everette holds MS + RHIA. Continuing CAHIIM, next review 2028-2029. Fully online. Feeds rural eastern NC hospitals and ECU Health's regional facilities.

Program Director

Nacole Everette , MS, RHIA

Address

2009 West Wilson Street, Tarboro, NC, 27886

Contact

(252) 618-6624
everetten@edgecombe.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%)5/10
Overall73/100

Visit program at edgecombe.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#5
73/100

Overall score

Southwestern Community College

Best Western NC mountains online AAS

AAS Sylva, NC Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2027-2028

Why it ranks #5

Southwestern CC in Sylva. Director Penny Wells holds MA Ed + RHIA. Continuing CAHIIM, next review 2027-2028. Fully online. Feeds Mission Health (Asheville) and the WNC mountain hospital network.

Program Director

Penny Wells , MA Ed, RHIA

Address

447 College Drive, Sylva, NC, 28779

Contact

(828) 339-4362
pwells@southwesterncc.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%)5/10
Overall73/100

Visit program at southwesterncc.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

More HIM programs accepting students

#6
71.5/100

Overall score

Craven Community College

Best Eastern NC coast AAS

AAS New Bern, NC Campus Based, Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2031-2032

Why it ranks #6

Craven CC in New Bern. Director Crystal Smith holds MHS + RHIT. Continuing CAHIIM, next review 2031-2032. Hybrid delivery. Feeds CarolinaEast Health System.

Program Director

Crystal Smith , MHS, RHIT

Address

800 College Ct, New Bern, NC, 28562

Contact

(252) 638-7316
smithcr@cravencc.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)8/10
Director credentials (15%)7/10
Pathways (15%)4/10
Delivery (15%)8/10
Employer pipeline (15%)7/10
Cost (10%)10/10
Reputation (5%)5/10
Overall71.5/100

Visit program at cravencc.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#7
71.5/100

Overall score

Davidson - Davie Community College

Best Triad / west NC AAS

AAS Lexington, NC Campus Based, Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2028-2029

Why it ranks #7

Davidson-Davie CC in Lexington (between Winston-Salem and Charlotte). Director Heather Kyles-Watson holds RHIA. Continuing CAHIIM, next review 2028-2029. Hybrid delivery.

Program Director

Heather Kyles-Watson , RHIA

Address

PO BOX 1287, Lexington, NC, 27293

Contact

(336) 249-8186, Ext. 6310
heather_watson@davidsondavie.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)8/10
Director credentials (15%)7/10
Pathways (15%)4/10
Delivery (15%)8/10
Employer pipeline (15%)7/10
Cost (10%)10/10
Reputation (5%)5/10
Overall71.5/100

Visit program at online.davidsondavie.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#8
71.5/100

Overall score

Brunswick Community College

Best Wilmington-area AAS

AAS Supply, NC Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2028-2029

Why it ranks #8

Brunswick CC in Supply (SE NC, near Wilmington). Director Dawn McClendon holds BS + RHIT. Continuing CAHIIM, next review 2028-2029. Fully online. Feeds Novant Health New Hanover and Brunswick Novant.

Program Director

Dawn McClendon , BS, RHIT

Address

P.O. Box 30, Supply, NC, 28462

Contact

(910) 755-7442
mcclendond@brunswickcc.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)8/10
Director credentials (15%)6/10
Pathways (15%)4/10
Delivery (15%)10/10
Employer pipeline (15%)6/10
Cost (10%)10/10
Reputation (5%)5/10
Overall71.5/100

Visit program at brunswickcc.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#9
70/100

Overall score

Catawba Valley Community College

Best Hickory / west NC piedmont AAS

AAS Hickory, NC Campus Based, Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2027-2028

Why it ranks #9

Catawba Valley CC in Hickory. Director Barbara Beatty holds RHIT. Continuing CAHIIM, next review 2027-2028. Hybrid delivery. Feeds Atrium Health and Catawba Valley Medical Center.

Program Director

Barbara Beatty , RHIT

Address

2550 US Highway 70 SE, Hickory, NC, 28602

Contact

(828) 327-7000, Ext. 4104
bbeatty@cvcc.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)8/10
Director credentials (15%)6/10
Pathways (15%)4/10
Delivery (15%)8/10
Employer pipeline (15%)7/10
Cost (10%)10/10
Reputation (5%)5/10
Overall70/100

Visit program at cvcc.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#10
70/100

Overall score

Guilford Technical Community College

Best Greensboro / Triad AAS

AAS Jamestown, NC Campus Based, Online CAHIIM Initial Next Review 2028-2029

Why it ranks #10

Guilford Tech in Jamestown (Greensboro area). Director Tarsha Rivers holds BSHIM + MSHIA + RHIA + CCS. Initial CAHIIM, next review 2028-2029. Hybrid delivery. Feeds Cone Health and the Triad networks.

Program Director

Tarsha Rivers , BSHIM, MSHIA, RHIA, CCS

Address

601 E. Main Street, P.O. Box 309, Jamestown, NC, 27282

Contact

(336) 334-4822, Ext. 50075
TMRivers1@gtcc.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)6/10
Director credentials (15%)8/10
Pathways (15%)4/10
Delivery (15%)8/10
Employer pipeline (15%)8/10
Cost (10%)10/10
Reputation (5%)6/10
Overall70/100

Visit program at gtcc.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

More HIM programs accepting students

#11
70/100

Overall score

Forsyth Technical Community College

Best Winston-Salem AAS (Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist pipeline)

AAS Winston Salem, NC Campus Based, Online CAHIIM Initial Next Review 2028-2029

Why it ranks #11

Forsyth Tech in Winston-Salem. Director Daveta Strayhorn holds MEd + RHIA. Initial CAHIIM since 2022, next review 2028-2029. Hybrid delivery. Direct pipeline to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist.

Program Director

Daveta Strayhorn , M.Ed., RHIA

Address

2100 Silas Creek Parkway, Winston Salem, NC, 27103

Contact

(336) 734-7644
dstrayhorn@forsythtech.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)6/10
Director credentials (15%)7/10
Pathways (15%)4/10
Delivery (15%)8/10
Employer pipeline (15%)9/10
Cost (10%)10/10
Reputation (5%)6/10
Overall70/100

Visit program at forsythtech.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#12
69.5/100

Overall score

Central Carolina Community College

Best Central NC online AAS

AAS Lillington, NC Online CAHIIM Initial Next Review 2029-2030

Why it ranks #12

Central Carolina CC in Lillington. Director Erika Parker holds MHA + RHIA. Initial CAHIIM, next review 2029-2030. Fully online. Serves the Sanford/Lillington area in central NC.

Program Director

Erika Parker , MHA, RHIA

Address

Harnett Health Sciences Center, 51 Red Mulberry Way, Lillington, NC, 27546

Contact

(910) 814-8820
epark388@cccc.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)6/10
Director credentials (15%)7/10
Pathways (15%)4/10
Delivery (15%)10/10
Employer pipeline (15%)7/10
Cost (10%)10/10
Reputation (5%)5/10
Overall69.5/100

Visit program at cccc.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#13
68/100

Overall score

McDowell Technical Community College

Best Western NC piedmont AAS

AAS Marion, NC Campus Based, Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2028-2029

Why it ranks #13

McDowell Tech in Marion. Director Judy Butner holds RHIT + CHPS. Continuing CAHIIM, next review 2028-2029. Hybrid delivery.

Program Director

Judy Butner , RHIT, CHPS, Director

Address

54 College Drive, Marion, NC, 28752

Contact

(828) 652-0620, Ext. 620
jhbutner91@go.mcdowelltech.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)8/10
Director credentials (15%)6/10
Pathways (15%)4/10
Delivery (15%)8/10
Employer pipeline (15%)6/10
Cost (10%)10/10
Reputation (5%)4/10
Overall68/100

Visit program at mcdowelltech.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

Best for…

Best North Carolina HIM programs by category.

Best ECU Health pipeline AAS

Pitt Community College

Pitt CC in Greenville sits next to ECU Health. Fully online, public-CC tuition.

Best BS+MS at one school (FAHIMA director)

East Carolina University

ECU is the only NC institution with both a CAHIIM BSHIM and MS at one school. Director Dr. Susie Harris is FAHIMA.

Best Winston-Salem AAS (Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist)

Forsyth Technical Community College

Direct pipeline to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist.

Best Greensboro / Triad AAS

Guilford Technical Community College

Director Tarsha Rivers (BSHIM + MSHIA + RHIA + CCS). Feeds Cone Health.

Best Western NC mountains AAS

Southwestern Community College

Sylva-based. Fully online. Feeds Mission Health Asheville.

Best rural Eastern NC AAS

Edgecombe Community College

Fully online. Feeds rural Eastern NC and ECU Health regional facilities.

Best Eastern NC coast AAS

Craven Community College

New Bern. Feeds CarolinaEast Health System.

Cheapest CAHIIM-accredited HIM programs in NC

All NC community colleges

All NC community college AAS programs qualify for state aid programs including the NC Need-Based Scholarship and the Forgivable Education Loans for Service (FELS) for healthcare careers.

Credentials

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

North Carolina does not license HIM staff. The North Carolina Health Information Management Association (NCHIMA) is the state AHIMA component.

CredentialFull NameEducation RequiredTypical NC Role
RHITRegistered Health Information TechnicianCAHIIM AASRecords, ROI, coder at Atrium/Novant/Duke/UNC/ECU
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 North Carolina.

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

  • Median: $49,620 (national: $51,140)
  • Mean: $55,510
  • 10th pct: $36,840 · 90th pct: $79,670
  • Statewide employment: 6,760

Charlotte (Atrium Health), the Triangle (Duke, UNC, WakeMed), Winston-Salem (Atrium Wake Forest Baptist), and Greensboro (Cone Health) anchor the upper end. Eastern and Western NC pay less but with lower COL.

Salary distribution

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

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

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.

Workforce

North Carolina health information management job market and top hospital employers.

Atrium Health. Charlotte HQ. Post-2022 merger with Advocate Aurora, now part of Advocate Health (one of the largest US systems).

Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist. Winston-Salem academic medical center, part of the Atrium network.

Novant Health. Charlotte HQ. 15+ hospitals across NC, SC, and VA.

Duke Health. Durham. Top-ranked academic medical center.

UNC Health. Chapel Hill HQ. 16 hospitals, the academic system of UNC.

ECU Health. Greenville. The dominant eastern NC system, 9 hospitals.

Triad and Triangle. Cone Health (Greensboro), WakeMed (Raleigh), Mission Health (Asheville).

Health information exchange

NC HealthConnex.

NC HealthConnex is North Carolina's state-mandated HIE, operated by the NC Health Information Exchange Authority. Most NC providers are required to connect under state law. The HIE supports query-based record retrieval and care coordination across NC hospital systems.

State regulation

North Carolina state laws affecting health information management.

  • Medical record retention (11 NCAC 21.0617). NC hospitals must retain medical records for 11 years from last patient discharge, longer than most states.
  • Patient access and copy fees (NCGS 90-411). $0.75 per page for the first 25 pages, $0.50 per page after.
  • NC Identity Theft Protection Act (NCGS 75-65). Breach notification within "the most expedient time possible and without unreasonable delay."

Sources

Sources and references.

  1. healthinformationmanagementprograms.com Methodology.
  2. CAHIIM Program Directory.
  3. BLS OEWS: May 2025 NC estimates.
  4. AHIMA Certification Exams.
  5. NC HealthConnex / NC HIE Authority.
  6. College Foundation of North Carolina: NC scholarships and grants.
  7. North Carolina General Assembly: NCGS 90-411 and 11 NCAC 21.0617.
  8. NCHIMA.

FAQ

HIM programs in North Carolina: frequently asked questions.

What is the best CAHIIM-accredited HIM program in North Carolina?

On our methodology, Pitt Community College ranks #1 (77.5/100). East Carolina University #2. East Carolina University #3.

How many CAHIIM-accredited HIM programs are in NC?

13 active. 11 AAS at community colleges, 1 bachelor's at East Carolina University, 1 master's at East Carolina University.

What is the average HIM salary in NC?

Median $49,620 per BLS OEWS May 2025. 90th pct $79,670.

Does NC require a license to work in HIM?

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

Which NC hospitals hire the most HIM staff?

Atrium Health, Atrium Wake Forest Baptist, Novant Health, Duke Health, UNC Health, ECU Health, Cone Health, WakeMed.

What is NC HealthConnex?

North Carolina's state-mandated HIE, operated by the NC Health Information Exchange Authority.