Oklahoma / Health information management programs

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

Oklahoma has 3 CAHIIM-accredited HIM programs. We score every program on our seven-factor methodology. Top: Southwestern Oklahoma State University's BSHIM, scoring 85.5/100.

Taylor Rupe, founder of healthinformationmanagementprograms.com

by , founder & editor

updated

Oklahoma
3

Programs ranked

85.5

Top score

$53K

OK median HIM wage

2,480

HIM jobs in OK

Key Takeaways

  • Southwestern Oklahoma State University BSHIM ranks #1 in Oklahoma (85.5/100). The only CAHIIM-accredited BSHIM in OK, Continuing accreditation with next review 2029-2030. Fully online. Director Amy Maynard (MS + RHIA).
  • Oklahoma has 3 active CAHIIM-accredited programs: 1 associate (Rose State), 1 bachelor's (SWOSU), 1 master's (SWOSU). SWOSU is the only Oklahoma institution offering both an in-state CAHIIM BSHIM and a CAHIIM MS.
  • SWOSU's MS director Dr. Dana Lloyd holds DHA + RHIA + ODS + CHDA, a rare credential blend covering health administration, HIM, oncology data, and healthcare analytics.
  • Median HIM salary in Oklahoma is 53,460 per BLS OEWS May 2025, above the national median of 51,140. 90th pct 74,710. 2,480 working in this occupation.
  • INTEGRIS Health is the largest Oklahoma system, headquartered in OKC, with major facilities including INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center and INTEGRIS Southwest Medical Center.
  • OU Health is Oklahoma's academic flagship (merger of OU Medicine, OU Physicians, OU College of Medicine), anchored by OU Medical Center and the OU Health Sciences Center.
  • Saint Francis Health System is the largest Tulsa system, with Saint Francis Hospital (Tulsa) as the regional anchor.
  • Oklahoma HB 3414 (2021) requires all OK healthcare providers to participate in a state-certified HIE. MyHealth Access Network (Tulsa-based) is the dominant state-certified HIE.

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 3 CAHIIM-accredited HIM programs in Oklahoma, ranked.

RankInstitutionDegreeCityScoreCAHIIM
#1 Southwestern Oklahoma State University (BSHIM) BS Weatherford 85.5/100 Continuing
#2 Southwestern Oklahoma State University (MS) MS Weatherford 81/100 Initial
#3 Rose State College AAS Midwest City 79/100 Continuing
#1
85.5/100

Overall score

Southwestern Oklahoma State University (BSHIM)

Best (only) in-state BSHIM in Oklahoma (mature continuing accreditation)

BSHIM Weatherford, OK Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2029-2030

Why it ranks #1

Southwestern Oklahoma State University BSHIM in Weatherford. The only CAHIIM-accredited BSHIM in Oklahoma. Continuing CAHIIM, next review 2029-2030. Fully online. Director Amy Maynard holds MS + RHIA. SWOSU is a public regional university in the Department of Allied Health, with strong reach into INTEGRIS Health (the largest OK system) and the OKC-Norman corridor through online delivery. SWOSU also operates the only CAHIIM MS in Oklahoma at the same institution.

Program Director

Amy Maynard , MS, RHIA

Address

Department Of Allied Health, 100 Campus Dr, Weatherford, OK, 73096

Contact

(580) 774-6006
amy.maynard@swosu.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)10/10
Director credentials (15%)8/10
Pathways (15%)8/10
Delivery (15%)10/10
Employer pipeline (15%)7/10
Cost (10%)8/10
Reputation (5%)6/10
Overall85.5/100

Visit program at swosu.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#2
81/100

Overall score

Southwestern Oklahoma State University (MS)

Best (only) in-state MS in HIM in Oklahoma (4-credential director)

MS Weatherford, OK Online CAHIIM Initial Next Review 2027-2028

Why it ranks #2

Southwestern Oklahoma State University MS in HIM, Weatherford. The only CAHIIM-accredited master's degree in Oklahoma. Initial CAHIIM, next review 2027-2028. Fully online. Director Dr. Dana Lloyd holds DHA + RHIA + ODS + CHDA, a 4-credential combination spanning health administration, HIM, oncology data, and healthcare analytics. SWOSU's MS sits alongside its BSHIM under the Department of Allied Health, giving a clean BSHIM-to-MS ladder.

Program Director

Dana Lloyd , DHA, RHIA, ODS, CHDA

Address

Department Of Allied Health, 100 Campus Dr, Weatherford, OK, 73096

Contact

(580) 774-7149
dana.lloyd@swosu.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)7/10
Director credentials (15%)10/10
Pathways (15%)8/10
Delivery (15%)10/10
Employer pipeline (15%)7/10
Cost (10%)8/10
Reputation (5%)6/10
Overall81/100

Visit program at swosu.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#3
79/100

Overall score

Rose State College

Best Oklahoma City metro AAS (INTEGRIS + OU Health + SSM Health corridor)

AAS Midwest City, OK Campus Based, Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2027-2028

Why it ranks #3

Rose State College AAS in Midwest City, Oklahoma (eastern OKC metro). Director Hope Hill holds RHIA. Continuing CAHIIM, next review 2027-2028. Both campus-based and online delivery. Rose State sits in the densest Oklahoma HIM employer corridor: INTEGRIS Health (the largest OK system, HQ in OKC), OU Health (academic flagship), SSM Health Oklahoma, Mercy OKC, and Norman Regional Health System. Rose State is the most affordable HIM option in metro OKC.

Program Director

Hope Hill , RHIA

Address

6420 SE 15th Street, Midwest City, OK, 73110

Contact

(405) 733-7578
hhill@rose.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)9/10
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
Overall79/100

Visit program at rose.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

Best for…

Best Oklahoma HIM programs by category.

Best (only) in-state BSHIM

SWOSU BSHIM

Weatherford. Continuing CAHIIM. Fully online. The only CAHIIM-accredited BSHIM in Oklahoma. MS + RHIA director.

Best (only) in-state MS in HIM

SWOSU MS in HIM

Weatherford. The only CAHIIM-accredited master's degree in Oklahoma. Fully online. 4-credential director (DHA + RHIA + ODS + CHDA).

Best OKC metro AAS

Rose State College

Midwest City (east OKC metro). Continuing CAHIIM. Direct INTEGRIS + OU Health + SSM Health + Mercy + Norman Regional pipeline.

Best BSHIM-to-MS ladder

SWOSU (BSHIM + MS, same department)

SWOSU's BSHIM and MS in HIM are both housed in the Department of Allied Health, giving a clean in-state BSHIM-to-MS ladder.

Best campus + online option

Rose State College

The only Oklahoma CAHIIM program with both campus-based and online delivery. SWOSU's BSHIM and MS are fully online.

Best Tulsa pipeline

SWOSU online (any level)

Tulsa lacks a CAHIIM HIM program (Saint Francis Health System, Hillcrest, Ascension St. John). SWOSU's fully-online BSHIM and MS are the closest in-state online options.

Cheapest CAHIIM-accredited HIM program in OK

Rose State College

Oklahoma community college tuition. Oklahoma's Promise (free in-state tuition for qualifying students) applies. Pell-eligible.

Best analytics-focused MS

SWOSU MS in HIM

Director Dr. Dana Lloyd's CHDA (Certified Health Data Analyst) credential signals an analytics-forward curriculum.

Credentials

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

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

CredentialFull NameEducation RequiredTypical OK Role
RHITRegistered Health Information TechnicianCAHIIM AASRecords, ROI, coder at INTEGRIS / OU Health / Saint Francis / SSM Health
RHIARegistered Health Information AdministratorCAHIIM BSHIM (SWOSU in-state)HIM supervisor, privacy officer, compliance
CCSCertified Coding SpecialistRHIT/RHIA + coding experienceInpatient/outpatient coder, coding auditor

Salary data

Medical records specialist salary in Oklahoma.

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

  • Median: $53,460 (national: $51,140, +$2,320)
  • Mean: $54,240
  • 10th pct: $36,610 · 90th pct: $74,710
  • Statewide employment: 2,480

The Oklahoma City and Tulsa metros anchor the upper end. INTEGRIS Health, OU Health, SSM Health, Mercy OKC (in OKC), and Saint Francis Health System, Hillcrest HealthCare System, and Ascension St. John (in Tulsa) are the largest single employers. Norman, Stillwater, Lawton, and Enid pay near the OK median. Rural OK pays below.

Salary distribution

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

$30K$40K$50K$60K$70K$80K$90K Oklahoma MED $53K National MED $51K

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.

Workforce

Oklahoma health information management job market and top hospital employers.

INTEGRIS Health. The largest Oklahoma system, HQ in Oklahoma City. INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center (OKC), INTEGRIS Southwest Medical Center, INTEGRIS Health Edmond, INTEGRIS Bass Baptist Health Center (Enid).

OU Health. Oklahoma's academic flagship (merger of OU Medicine, OU Physicians, OU College of Medicine). OU Medical Center, Children's Hospital at OU Health, and the OU Health Sciences Center.

SSM Health Oklahoma. St. Anthony Hospital (Oklahoma City) and other facilities. Catholic system from St. Louis.

Mercy Oklahoma. Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City and outlying facilities. Part of the St. Louis-based Mercy system.

Norman Regional Health System. Norman. Public trust system serving south OKC metro.

Saint Francis Health System. Tulsa. The largest Tulsa-area system, anchored by Saint Francis Hospital (Tulsa).

Hillcrest HealthCare System. Tulsa. Ardent Health Services subsidiary. Hillcrest Medical Center (Tulsa).

Ascension St. John. Tulsa. Ascension St. John Medical Center (Tulsa) and outlying facilities.

Stillwater Medical. Stillwater. Regional acute-care anchor for north central Oklahoma.

Health information exchange

MyHealth Access Network and Oklahoma's mandatory HIE law.

Oklahoma is one of the few states with a statutory HIE mandate. HB 3414 (2021), codified in 63 O.S. § 1-127, requires all Oklahoma healthcare providers to participate in a state-certified Health Information Exchange. The Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) administers the rules and approves state-certified HIEs.

MyHealth Access Network (Tulsa-based, nonprofit) is the dominant state-certified HIE in Oklahoma, with statewide coverage spanning major systems (Saint Francis, Hillcrest, Ascension St. John, OU Health, INTEGRIS, and most independent hospitals). MyHealth provides clinical messaging, longitudinal patient records, ADT notifications, and analytics services.

State regulation

Oklahoma state laws affecting health information management.

  • Mandatory HIE participation (63 O.S. § 1-127; HB 3414, 2021). All Oklahoma healthcare providers must participate in a state-certified HIE. Administered by the Oklahoma Health Care Authority.
  • Patient access (76 O.S. § 19). Patient right of access to medical records and copying-fee provisions.
  • Breach notification (24 O.S. §§ 161-166). Notice without unreasonable delay; AG notification for breaches affecting 500+ Oklahoma residents.
  • Medical record retention (OAC 310:667, OK State Department of Health hospital rules). Hospital records retained for at least 10 years for adults; longer for minors.
  • No state HIM licensure. Oklahoma's licensing boards regulate 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 OK estimates.
  4. AHIMA Certification Exams.
  5. MyHealth Access Network.
  6. Oklahoma Health Care Authority (state-certified HIE administration).
  7. Oklahoma Statutes: 63 O.S. § 1-127, 76 O.S. § 19, 24 O.S. §§ 161-166.
  8. Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education: Oklahoma's Promise.

FAQ

HIM programs in Oklahoma: frequently asked questions.

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

On our methodology, Southwestern Oklahoma State University BSHIM ranks #1 (85.5/100). Southwestern Oklahoma State University MS #2. Rose State College #3.

How many CAHIIM-accredited HIM programs are in OK?

3 active. 1 associate (Rose State), 1 bachelor's (SWOSU), 1 master's (SWOSU).

What is the average HIM salary in OK?

Median $53,460 per BLS OEWS May 2025 (national: $51,140). 90th pct $74,710.

Does OK require a license to work in HIM?

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

Which Oklahoma hospitals hire the most HIM staff?

INTEGRIS Health, OU Health, SSM Health Oklahoma (St. Anthony), Mercy OKC, Saint Francis Health System (Tulsa), Hillcrest HealthCare System (Tulsa), Ascension St. John (Tulsa), Norman Regional, Stillwater Medical.

Is HIE participation mandatory in Oklahoma?

Yes. HB 3414 (2021) requires all OK healthcare providers to participate in a state-certified HIE. MyHealth Access Network is the dominant state-certified HIE.

Can I get a HIM degree fully online in OK?

Yes for SWOSU BSHIM and SWOSU MS. Rose State AAS offers both campus and online delivery.