Ohio / Health information management programs

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

Ohio has 19 CAHIIM-accredited HIM and health informatics programs. We score every one of them on our seven-factor methodology and rank them head-to-head. The top program is University of Cincinnati - Clermont's AAS, scoring 86.5/100.

Taylor Rupe, founder of healthinformationmanagementprograms.com

by , founder & editor

updated

Ohio statehouse in Columbus
19

Programs ranked

86.5

Top score

$51K

OH median HIM wage

7,440

HIM jobs in OH

Key Takeaways

  • University of Cincinnati - Clermont ranks #1 in Ohio (86.5/100). Best AAS with same-school BS pathway.
  • The Ohio State University BSHIM has the most credentialed program director in the state. Director Laurie Rinehart-Thompson is FAHIMA + holds JD + RHIA + CHP.
  • Ohio has 19 active CAHIIM-accredited programs: 14 AAS, 2 bachelor's (Ohio State University, UC Clermont), 2 master's (Kent State, University of Cincinnati), 1 graduate certificate (University of Findlay).
  • Median HIM salary in Ohio is 50,990 per BLS OEWS May 2025. 90th percentile 79,290. 7,440 working in this occupation.
  • Cleveland Clinic is the largest non-government employer in Ohio. Combined with University Hospitals, MetroHealth, and Summa, the Cleveland metro alone employs 15%+ of Ohio HIM staff.
  • CliniSync, operated by the Ohio Health Information Partnership (OHIP), is Ohio's statewide HIE. 200+ connected hospitals.
  • Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG) provides need-based grants for OH residents at public institutions and some private and proprietary schools. Apply through FAFSA.

How we ranked

Our ranking methodology in one paragraph.

Every program is CAHIIM-accredited, so every program produces graduates eligible for the AHIMA RHIT or RHIA exam. 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 19 CAHIIM-accredited HIM programs in Ohio, ranked.

RankInstitutionDegreeCityScoreCAHIIM
#1 University of Cincinnati - Clermont AAS Batavia 86.5/100 Continuing
#2 Cincinnati State Technical and Community College AAS Cincinnati 81/100 Continuing
#3 University of Cincinnati - Clermont BS Batavia 80.5/100 Initial
#4 Cuyahoga Community College AAS Cleveland 78.5/100 Continuing
#5 Marion Technical College AAS Marion 78/100 Continuing
#6 The Ohio State University BS Columbus 78/100 Continuing
#7 Columbus State Community College AAS Columbus 77/100 Continuing
#8 University of Cincinnati MS Cincinnati 76/100 Initial
#9 Sinclair Community College AAS Dayton 74/100 Continuing
#10 Owens Community College AAS Perrysburg 73.5/100 Continuing
#11 Mercy College of Ohio AAS Toledo 72.5/100 Continuing
#12 Zane State College AAS Zanesville 71.5/100 Continuing
#13 University of Northwestern Ohio AAS Lima 70.5/100 Continuing
#14 Stark State College AAS North Canton 70.5/100 Continuing
#15 Kent State University MS Kent 69.5/100 Initial
#16 Terra State Community College AAS Fremont 68.5/100 Continuing
#17 Lakeland Community College AAS Kirtland 67.5/100 Continuing
#18 Washington State College of Ohio AAS Marietta 66.5/100 Initial
#19 University Of Findlay Cert Findlay 54.5/100 Initial
#1
86.5/100

Overall score

University of Cincinnati - Clermont (AAS)

Best AAS with same-school BS pathway

AAS Batavia, OH Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2032-2033

Why it ranks #1

UC Clermont is University of Cincinnati's regional college, offering both an AAS and a BSHIM under the same director, Karen Lankisch, who holds an unusually deep credential stack: RHIA + CHDA + CPC + MHI + CPPM + CEHRS. Fully online. Clean AAS-to-BS progression at one institution with public-system tuition. Continuing CAHIIM since 2017, next review 2032-2033.

Program Director

Karen Lankisch , RHIA, CHDA, CPC, MHI, CPPM, CEHRS

Address

4200 College Drive, Batavia, OH, 45103

Contact

(513) 558-6971
karen.lankisch@uc.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)8/10
Director credentials (15%)10/10
Pathways (15%)7/10
Delivery (15%)10/10
Employer pipeline (15%)9/10
Cost (10%)9/10
Reputation (5%)7/10
Overall86.5/100

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

#2
81/100

Overall score

Cincinnati State Technical and Community College

Best Cincinnati area AAS

AAS Cincinnati, OH Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2029-2030

Why it ranks #2

Director Clarice Warner holds MPH + RHIA + CCS-P + CPC + CHC, a deep coding-plus-compliance credential stack. Continuing CAHIIM since 2019. Fully online. Feeds UC Health (the academic medical center), Mercy Health Cincinnati, TriHealth, and Cincinnati Children's.

Program Director

Clarice Warner , MPH, RHIA, CCS-P, CPC, CHC

Address

3520 Central Parkway, Cincinnati, OH, 45223

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)8/10
Director credentials (15%)9/10
Pathways (15%)4/10
Delivery (15%)10/10
Employer pipeline (15%)9/10
Cost (10%)10/10
Reputation (5%)6/10
Overall81/100

Visit program at cincinnatistate.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#3
80.5/100

Overall score

University of Cincinnati - Clermont (BS)

Best BSHIM with AAS feeder at one institution

BSHIM Batavia, OH Online CAHIIM Initial Next Review 2031-2032

Why it ranks #3

UC Clermont's BSHIM completes the pathway started at the AAS. Same director (Karen Lankisch, RHIA + CHDA + CPC + MHI + CPPM + CEHRS). Initial CAHIIM since February 2017, next review 2031-2032. Fully online. UC Health system pipeline.

Program Director

Karen Lankisch , RHIA, CHDA, CPC, MHI, CPPM, CEHRS

Address

4200 College Drive, Batavia, OH, 45103

Contact

(513) 558-6971
karen.lankisch@uc.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)6/10
Director credentials (15%)10/10
Pathways (15%)7/10
Delivery (15%)10/10
Employer pipeline (15%)9/10
Cost (10%)8/10
Reputation (5%)7/10
Overall80.5/100

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

#4
78.5/100

Overall score

Cuyahoga Community College

Best Cleveland-area AAS feeder

AAS Cleveland, OH Campus Based, Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2029-2030

Why it ranks #4

Tri-C is one of the largest community colleges in Ohio. Director Dr. Mary Regis holds PhD + multiple medical-assistant credentials. Continuing CAHIIM since 2019. Hybrid delivery. Direct pipeline to Cleveland Clinic (the largest non-government employer in Ohio), University Hospitals, and MetroHealth.

Program Director

Mary Regis , Ph.D, CMA (AAMA), BCPA, CCMA

Address

2900 Community College Avenue, MHCS -102, Cleveland, OH, 44115

Contact

(216) 987-4439
maryelizabeth.regis@tri-c.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)8/10
Director credentials (15%)8/10
Pathways (15%)4/10
Delivery (15%)8/10
Employer pipeline (15%)10/10
Cost (10%)10/10
Reputation (5%)7/10
Overall78.5/100

Visit program at tri-c.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#5
78/100

Overall score

Marion Technical College

Best fresh-accreditation Marion-area AAS

AAS Marion, OH Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2032-2033

Why it ranks #5

Continuing CAHIIM with next review 2032-2033 (the longest forward horizon of any Ohio AAS). Director Rachel Darby holds RHIT + CCS. Fully online. Feeds OhioHealth Marion General Hospital and the Marion-area network.

Program Director

Rachel Darby , RHIT,CCS, Program Director

Address

1467 Mount Vernon Avenue, Marion, OH, 43302

Contact

(740) 386-4105
darbyr@mtc.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)10/10
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
Overall78/100

Visit program at mtc.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#6
78/100

Overall score

The Ohio State University

Best Tier-1 research university BSHIM in Ohio

BSHIM Columbus, OH Campus Based CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2032-2033

Why it ranks #6

OSU's BSHIM in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences is the only Tier-1 research university CAHIIM-accredited bachelor's in Ohio. Director Laurie Rinehart-Thompson is FAHIMA + holds JD + RHIA + CHP, one of the highest-credentialed program directors in the country. Continuing CAHIIM, next review 2032-2033. Campus-based in Columbus with direct OSU Wexner Medical Center, Nationwide Children's, and OhioHealth pipeline.

Program Director

Laurie Rinehart-Thompson , JD, RHIA, CHP, FAHIMA

Address

543 Atwell Hall, 453 W. Tenth Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43210-1234

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)9/10
Director credentials (15%)10/10
Pathways (15%)5/10
Delivery (15%)4/10
Employer pipeline (15%)10/10
Cost (10%)7/10
Reputation (5%)10/10
Overall78/100

Visit program at hrs.osu.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#7
77/100

Overall score

Columbus State Community College

Best Columbus-metro AAS

AAS Columbus, OH Campus Based, Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2029-2030

Why it ranks #7

Columbus State is one of Ohio's largest community colleges. Director Jane Roberts holds MS + RHIA. Continuing CAHIIM since 2019. Hybrid delivery. Direct pipeline to OSU Wexner Medical Center, Nationwide Children's Hospital, OhioHealth, and Mount Carmel Health.

Program Director

Jane Roberts , MS, RHIA

Address

550 East Spring Street, Columbus, OH, 43215

Contact

(614) 287-5459
jroberts@cscc.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%)7/10
Overall77/100

Visit program at cscc.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#8
76/100

Overall score

University of Cincinnati

Best Cincinnati MS in Health Informatics

MS Health Informatics Cincinnati, OH Online CAHIIM Initial Next Review 2029-2030

Why it ranks #8

UC's main MS in Health Informatics, fully online. Director Dr. Victoria Wangia-Anderson is FHIMSS + holds PhD + CHDA. Initial CAHIIM since June 2022. R1 research university; pipeline to UC Health, Mercy Health, TriHealth, Cincinnati Children's.

Program Director

Victoria Wangia-Anderson , PhD, FHIMSS, CHDA

Address

3225 Eden Avenue HSB 143, College of Allied Health Sciences, Cincinnati, OH, 45267

Contact

(913) 787-3148
wangiava@uc.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)6/10
Director credentials (15%)9/10
Pathways (15%)5/10
Delivery (15%)10/10
Employer pipeline (15%)9/10
Cost (10%)7/10
Reputation (5%)9/10
Overall76/100

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

#9
74/100

Overall score

Sinclair Community College

Best Dayton-area AAS

AAS Dayton, OH Campus Based, Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2027-2028

Why it ranks #9

Sinclair CC in Dayton is one of Ohio's largest community colleges. Director Karen Motley holds MBA + RHIA. Continuing CAHIIM. Hybrid delivery. Feeds Premier Health, Kettering Health Network, and Dayton VA Medical Center.

Program Director

Karen Motley , MBA, RHIA

Address

444 West Third Street, Dayton, OH, 45402

Contact

(937) 512-4036
karen.motley@sinclair.edu

Score breakdown

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

Visit program at sinclair.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#10
73.5/100

Overall score

Owens Community College

Best Toledo-area AAS

AAS Perrysburg, OH Campus Based, Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2027-2028

Why it ranks #10

Owens CC in Perrysburg. Director Skytha Fleming holds MEd + RHIA. Continuing CAHIIM since 2017. Hybrid delivery. Feeds ProMedica, Mercy Health Toledo, and the Bon Secours Mercy Health network.

Program Director

Skytha Fleming , MEd, RHIA

Address

30335, Oregon Road, Perrysburg, OH, 43551

Contact

(561) 661-7453
skytha_fleming@owens.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)8/10
Director credentials (15%)7/10
Pathways (15%)4/10
Delivery (15%)8/10
Employer pipeline (15%)8/10
Cost (10%)10/10
Reputation (5%)6/10
Overall73.5/100

Visit program at owens.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#11
72.5/100

Overall score

Mercy College of Ohio

Best private Catholic AAS in Toledo

AAS Toledo, OH Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2029-2030

Why it ranks #11

Private Catholic college in Toledo. Director Jennifer Jones holds MS + RHIA. Continuing CAHIIM. Fully online. Direct employer pipeline to Mercy Health Toledo and Bon Secours Mercy Health (Mercy College is part of the Mercy Health system).

Program Director

Jennifer Jones , MS, RHIA

Address

2221 Madison Avenue, Toledo, OH, 43604

Contact

(419) 251-1634
jennifer.jones@mercycollege.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%)6/10
Reputation (5%)6/10
Overall72.5/100

Visit program at mercycollege.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#12
71.5/100

Overall score

Zane State College

Best Southeast Ohio AAS

AAS Zanesville, OH Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2030-2031

Why it ranks #12

Zane State College in Zanesville. Director Misty Hamilton holds MBA + RHIT. Continuing CAHIIM, next review 2030-2031. Fully online. Feeds Genesis HealthCare System and the Southeast Ohio rural hospital network.

Program Director

Misty Hamilton , MBA, RHIT

Address

1555 Newark Rd, Zanesville, OH, 43701

Contact

(740) 454-1244
mhamilton@zanestate.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 zanestate.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#13
70.5/100

Overall score

University of Northwestern Ohio

Best private Northwest Ohio AAS

AAS Lima, OH Campus Based, Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2033-2034

Why it ranks #13

Private institution in Lima. Director Dr. Jennifer Evans holds EdD + RHIA + CCS. Continuing CAHIIM with next review 2033-2034 (one of the longest forward horizons in Ohio). Hybrid delivery. Caveat: private tuition is higher than Ohio's public community colleges.

Program Director

Jennifer Evans , EdD, RHIA, CCS

Address

1441 North Cable Road, Lima, OH, 45805

Contact

(419) 998-8416
jevans2@unoh.edu

Score breakdown

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

Visit program at unoh.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#14
70.5/100

Overall score

Stark State College

Best Akron-Canton AAS

AAS North Canton, OH Campus Based, Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2028-2029

Why it ranks #14

Stark State in North Canton. Director Gina Schoolcraft holds RHIA. Continuing CAHIIM, next review 2028-2029. Hybrid delivery. Feeds Mercy Medical Center Canton, Aultman Hospital, and the Stark County hospital network.

Program Director

Gina Schoolcraft , RHIA

Address

6200 Frank Ave NW, North Canton, OH, 44720

Contact

(330) 966-5458, Ext. 4963
gschoolcraft@starkstate.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%)6/10
Overall70.5/100

Visit program at starkstate.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#15
69.5/100

Overall score

Kent State University

Best Northeast Ohio MS in Health Informatics

MS Health Informatics Kent, OH Online CAHIIM Initial Next Review 2030-2031

Why it ranks #15

Kent State's MS in Health Informatics, fully online from the School of Information. Director Dr. Meghan Harper holds PhD. Initial CAHIIM since 2024 (next review 2030-2031). Public-university tuition; pipeline to NE Ohio employers (Cleveland Clinic, UH, Summa Health).

Program Director

Meghan Harper , PhD

Address

PO Box 5190, Rm. 314 Library, Kent, OH, 44242

Contact

(330) 672-2782
sharper1@kent.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)6/10
Director credentials (15%)7/10
Pathways (15%)5/10
Delivery (15%)10/10
Employer pipeline (15%)7/10
Cost (10%)7/10
Reputation (5%)8/10
Overall69.5/100

Visit program at kent.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#16
68.5/100

Overall score

Terra State Community College

Best North Central Ohio AAS

AAS Fremont, OH Campus Based, Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2029-2030

Why it ranks #16

Terra State Community College in Fremont. Director Jill Caton holds RHIA. Continuing CAHIIM since 2017. Hybrid delivery. Feeds ProMedica Memorial Hospital and the Fremont-Sandusky area network.

Program Director

Jill Caton , RHIA

Address

2830 Napoleon Rd, Fremont, OH, 43420

Contact

(419) 559-2268
jcaton01@terra.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%)5/10
Overall68.5/100

Visit program at terra.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#17
67.5/100

Overall score

Lakeland Community College

Best East Cleveland suburbs AAS (campus-based)

AAS Kirtland, OH Campus Based CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2030-2031

Why it ranks #17

Lakeland CC in Kirtland (Lake County, east of Cleveland). Director Christine Jerson holds RHIA. Continuing CAHIIM, next review 2030-2031. Campus-only delivery (the only Ohio AAS without an online option). Feeds Lake Health, University Hospitals Geauga, and Cleveland Clinic's east-side facilities.

Program Director

Christine Jerson , RHIA

Address

7700 Clocktower Dr, Kirtland, OH, 44094

Contact

(440) 525-7490
cjerson@lakelandcc.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)8/10
Director credentials (15%)6/10
Pathways (15%)4/10
Delivery (15%)4/10
Employer pipeline (15%)9/10
Cost (10%)10/10
Reputation (5%)6/10
Overall67.5/100

Visit program at lakelandcc.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#18
66.5/100

Overall score

Washington State College of Ohio

Best Mid-Ohio Valley / SE Ohio AAS (newest accreditation)

AAS Marietta, OH Online CAHIIM Initial Next Review 2031-2032

Why it ranks #18

WSCO in Marietta. Director Christina Manley holds MAEd + RHIT. Initial CAHIIM accreditation. Fully online. Feeds Memorial Health System and the Mid-Ohio Valley network.

Program Director

Christina Manley , MAEd, RHIT

Address

710 Colegate Drive, Marietta, OH, 45750

Contact

(740) 568-1910
cmanley1@wscc.edu

Score breakdown

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

Visit program at wsco.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#19
54.5/100

Overall score

University Of Findlay

Best Digital Health Leader graduate certificate in Ohio

Grad Cert Findlay, OH Online CAHIIM Initial Next Review 2030-2031

Why it ranks #19

University of Findlay's Digital Health Leader graduate certificate. Director Dr. Nicolle Wheeler holds EdD + MSHI + RT(R)(ARRT). Initial CAHIIM since 2025. Designed for healthcare leaders adding a credential, not a full degree.

Program Director

Nicolle Wheeler , Ed.D., MSHI, R.T. (R)(ARRT)

Address

1000 N Main Ave, Findlay, OH, 45840

Contact

(419) 434-4448
wheelern1@findlay.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)6/10
Director credentials (15%)7/10
Pathways (15%)3/10
Delivery (15%)5/10
Employer pipeline (15%)6/10
Cost (10%)5/10
Reputation (5%)6/10
Overall54.5/100

Visit program at findlay.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

Best for…

Best Ohio HIM programs by category (long-tail rankings).

Best Tier-1 research university BSHIM

The Ohio State University

OSU's BSHIM in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. Director Laurie Rinehart-Thompson is FAHIMA with JD + RHIA + CHP credentials. Direct OSU Wexner Medical Center pipeline.

Best AAS-to-BS pathway at one school

University of Cincinnati - Clermont

UC Clermont runs both a CAHIIM-accredited AAS and a CAHIIM-accredited BSHIM under the same director (Karen Lankisch, RHIA + CHDA + CPC + MHI + CPPM + CEHRS). Both fully online.

Best Cleveland-area AAS

Cuyahoga Community College

Tri-C is one of the largest CCs in Ohio. Direct pipeline to Cleveland Clinic (the largest non-government employer in Ohio), University Hospitals, and MetroHealth.

Best Columbus-metro AAS

Columbus State Community College

Direct pipeline to OSU Wexner Medical Center, Nationwide Children's Hospital, OhioHealth, and Mount Carmel Health. Hybrid delivery.

Best Cincinnati-area AAS

Cincinnati State Technical and Community College

Director Clarice Warner holds MPH + RHIA + CCS-P + CPC + CHC. Fully online. Feeds UC Health, Mercy Health, TriHealth, and Cincinnati Children's.

Best Cincinnati MS in Health Informatics

University of Cincinnati

UC's MS Health Informatics, fully online. Director Dr. Victoria Wangia-Anderson is FHIMSS. UC Health pipeline.

Best Northeast Ohio MS in Health Informatics

Kent State University

Fully online MS in Health Informatics from Kent State's School of Information. Initial CAHIIM since 2024. Pipeline to Cleveland Clinic, UH, and Summa.

Best Dayton-area AAS

Sinclair Community College

One of Ohio's largest community colleges. Feeds Premier Health and Kettering Health Network.

Best Toledo-area AAS

Owens Community College + Mercy College of Ohio

Owens CC for public-CC tuition (Perrysburg, hybrid). Mercy College of Ohio for direct Mercy Health employment pipeline (Toledo, online private Catholic).

Cheapest CAHIIM-accredited HIM programs in Ohio

All public community colleges (OCOG eligible)

All public OH community college AAS programs (Cincinnati State, Columbus State, Cuyahoga, Lakeland, Marion Tech, Owens, Sinclair, Stark State, Terra State, Washington State, Zane State) qualify for Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG) for Pell-eligible OH residents.

Credentials

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

Ohio does not license HIM staff. The Ohio Health Information Management Association (OHIMA) is the state AHIMA component with regional chapters across Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton, Toledo, Akron-Canton, and rural Ohio.

CredentialFull NameEducation RequiredTypical OH Role
RHITRegistered Health Information TechnicianCAHIIM AASRecords, ROI, coder at Cleveland Clinic/UH/OhioHealth/OSU Wexner
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 Ohio.

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

  • Median: $50,990 (national: $51,140)
  • Mean: $56,620
  • 10th pct: $38,060 · 90th pct: $79,290
  • Statewide employment: 7,440

Cleveland metro (Cleveland Clinic, UH, MetroHealth) and Columbus metro (OSU Wexner, Nationwide Children's, OhioHealth) anchor the upper end. Cincinnati, Dayton, and Toledo metros follow.

Salary distribution

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

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

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.

Workforce

Ohio health information management job market and top hospital employers.

Cleveland Clinic. The largest non-government employer in Ohio. Globally ranked academic medical center. Anchors NE Ohio HIM hiring.

University Hospitals. Cleveland-based academic system. Second-largest NE Ohio system.

OhioHealth. Columbus HQ, 14 hospitals across central Ohio.

OSU Wexner Medical Center. The Ohio State University academic medical center in Columbus.

Nationwide Children's Hospital. Columbus pediatric system, one of the largest in the US.

Cincinnati metro. UC Health, Mercy Health (Bon Secours Mercy Health), TriHealth, Cincinnati Children's.

Dayton, Toledo, and Akron-Canton. Premier Health, Kettering Health, ProMedica, Summa Health, Aultman Health Foundation.

Health information exchange

CliniSync: Ohio's statewide HIE.

CliniSync, operated by the Ohio Health Information Partnership (OHIP), is Ohio's statewide HIE. Connects 200+ hospitals and the majority of Ohio's healthcare facilities. Provides query-based record retrieval, secure messaging, and admit/discharge/transfer (ADT) notifications.

For HIM staff, CliniSync workflows are routine: cross-organization record requests, consent management, and care coordination tasks all touch the HIE infrastructure.

State regulation

Ohio state laws affecting health information management.

  • Medical record retention (Ohio Admin. Code 3701-83-30). Hospitals must retain medical records for 7 years (10 years for minors past age of majority).
  • Patient access and copy fees (Ohio Rev. Code § 3701.741). Patients are entitled to copies at reasonable rates set annually by the Ohio Department of Health.
  • Ohio Data Protection Act / Personal Information Privacy Law. Notification of affected residents in case of breach. Penalties up to $7,500 per violation.

Sources

Sources and references.

  1. healthinformationmanagementprograms.com Methodology.
  2. CAHIIM Program Directory.
  3. BLS OEWS: May 2025 Ohio estimates.
  4. AHIMA Certification Exams.
  5. Ohio Health Information Partnership (OHIP) / CliniSync.
  6. Ohio Department of Higher Education: OCOG and Ohio College Opportunity Grant.
  7. Ohio Revised Code § 3701.741: medical records.
  8. Ohio Health Information Management Association (OHIMA).

FAQ

HIM programs in Ohio: frequently asked questions.

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

On our methodology, University of Cincinnati - Clermont ranks #1 (86.5/100). Cincinnati State Technical and Community College #2 (81/100). University of Cincinnati - Clermont #3 (80.5/100).

How many CAHIIM-accredited HIM programs are in Ohio?

19 active. 14 AAS, 2 bachelor's (OSU, UC Clermont), 2 master's (Kent State, UC), 1 graduate certificate (Findlay).

What is the average HIM salary in Ohio?

Median $50,990 per BLS OEWS May 2025. 90th pct $79,290.

Does Ohio require a license to work in HIM?

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

Which Ohio hospitals hire the most HIM staff?

Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, OhioHealth, OSU Wexner, Nationwide Children's, Mercy Health, UC Health, TriHealth, Premier Health, Kettering, ProMedica, Summa Health, Aultman.

What is CliniSync?

Ohio's statewide HIE, operated by the Ohio Health Information Partnership (OHIP). 200+ connected hospitals.

Can I get a HIM degree online in Ohio?

Yes. Most OH AAS programs are fully online or hybrid. UC Clermont BSHIM is online. Kent State MS and UC MS are online. OSU BSHIM is campus-based.