Pennsylvania / Health information management programs

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

Pennsylvania has 6 CAHIIM-accredited HIM and health informatics programs. We score every one on our seven-factor methodology. The top program is Community College of Allegheny County's AAS, scoring 81.5/100. Three new programs received CAHIIM accreditation in 2025 (Pitt BS in July, Pitt MS in September, Temple MS in May), reshaping the PA landscape.

Taylor Rupe, founder of healthinformationmanagementprograms.com

by , founder & editor

updated

Pennsylvania state capitol in Harrisburg
6

Programs ranked

81.5

Top score

$47K

PA median HIM wage

92K+

UPMC employees

Key Takeaways

  • Community College of Allegheny County ranks #1 in Pennsylvania (81.5/100). Best AAS feeder for UPMC (the dominant PA employer).
  • The University of Pittsburgh launched both a CAHIIM-accredited BSHIM and a CAHIIM-accredited MS in 2025. Both housed in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS), led by Dr. Dilhari De Almeida (FAHIMA + PhD + RHIA). The most significant new PA programs in years.
  • Pennsylvania has 6 active CAHIIM-accredited programs: 2 AAS (CCAC Pittsburgh, Peirce College Philadelphia), 1 bachelor's at Pitt (Initial 2025), 3 master's (Pitt, Temple, Scranton). Several PA programs went Inactive in recent cycles (Lehigh Carbon CC, Slippery Rock MS, Peirce College BS, Temple BS).
  • Median HIM salary in Pennsylvania is 46,840 per BLS OEWS May 2025. 90th percentile 77,880.
  • UPMC is the dominant PA HIM employer. 40+ hospitals, 92,000+ employees, the largest non-government employer in Pennsylvania. UPMC operates UPMC Health Plan and runs vertical integration similar to Kaiser in CA.
  • Pennsylvania has no statewide HIE. The PA eHealth Partnership dissolved in 2019. Regional HIEs: KeyHIE (Geisinger), HealthShare Exchange (Philadelphia), ClinicalConnect (Pittsburgh, designated as a QHIN under TEFCA).
  • PHEAA Pennsylvania State Grant provides need-based grants for PA residents.

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 6 CAHIIM-accredited HIM programs in Pennsylvania, ranked.

RankInstitutionDegreeCityScoreCAHIIM
#1 Community College of Allegheny County AAS Pittsburgh 81.5/100 Continuing
#2 University Of Pittsburgh MS Pittsburgh 81/100 Initial
#3 Peirce College AAS Philadelphia 73/100 Continuing
#4 University of Pittsburgh BS Pittsburgh 72/100 Initial
#5 Temple University MS Philadelphia 71.5/100 Initial
#6 The University of Scranton MS Scranton 68.5/100 Initial
#1
81.5/100

Overall score

Community College of Allegheny County

Best AAS feeder for UPMC (the dominant PA employer)

AAS Pittsburgh, PA Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2028-2029

Why it ranks #1

CCAC is the dominant Pittsburgh-area AAS feeder. Director Amanda Coligan holds MS + MBA + RHIA + CPC. Continuing CAHIIM since July 2021. Fully online delivery. Graduates work at UPMC across its 40+ hospitals, Allegheny Health Network (AHN), and the smaller western PA systems. Community-college tuition with PHEAA Grant eligibility for PA residents.

Program Director

Amanda Coligan , MS, MBA, RHIA, CPC

Address

800 Allegheny AVE, Pittsburgh, PA, 15233

Contact

(412) 237-2682
acoligan@ccac.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)8/10
Director credentials (15%)8/10
Pathways (15%)4/10
Delivery (15%)10/10
Employer pipeline (15%)10/10
Cost (10%)10/10
Reputation (5%)7/10
Overall81.5/100

Visit program at ccac.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#2
81/100

Overall score

University Of Pittsburgh (MS)

Best PA MS for UPMC informatics careers

MS Health Informatics Pittsburgh, PA Online CAHIIM Initial Next Review 2032-2033

Why it ranks #2

Pitt's new MS in Health Informatics received Initial CAHIIM accreditation September 5, 2025, paired with the BS that received CAHIIM accreditation in July 2025. Fully online. Director Dr. Dilhari De Almeida is FAHIMA (Fellow of AHIMA) + holds PhD + RHIA. Direct UPMC pipeline through Pitt's School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.

Program Director

Dilhari Dealmeida , PhD, RHIA

Address

6051 Forbes Tower, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260

Contact

(412) 383-6753
drd7@pitt.edu

Score breakdown

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

Visit program at shrs.pitt.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#3
73/100

Overall score

Peirce College

Best Philadelphia online AAS for working adults

AAS Philadelphia, PA Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2031-2032

Why it ranks #3

Private adult-focused college in Philadelphia, fully online. Director Dr. Stephanie Donovan holds EdD + MBA + RHIA. Continuing CAHIIM since November 2023. The Philadelphia-region working-adult option. Caveat: private tuition is higher than CCAC and PA's community colleges.

Program Director

Stephanie Donovan , Ed.D., MBA, RHIA

Address

1608 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19103

Contact

(215) 670-9327
donovans@lackawanna.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)8/10
Director credentials (15%)8/10
Pathways (15%)4/10
Delivery (15%)10/10
Employer pipeline (15%)9/10
Cost (10%)4/10
Reputation (5%)5/10
Overall73/100

Visit program at peirce.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#4
72/100

Overall score

University of Pittsburgh (BS)

Best new PA BSHIM at a Tier-1 research university

BSHIM Health Informatics Pittsburgh, PA Campus Based CAHIIM Initial Next Review 2032-2033

Why it ranks #4

Pitt's brand-new BSHIM received Initial CAHIIM accreditation July 30, 2025. Campus-based at the Pittsburgh main campus. Same director (Dr. Dilhari De Almeida, FAHIMA + PhD + RHIA) coordinates the BS and the MS. Pitt is one of the top public research universities in the US, with deep UPMC clinical ties.

Program Director

Dilhari DeAlmeida , PhD, RHIA, FAHIMA

Address

6051 Forbes Tower, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260

Contact

(412) 383-6753
drd7@pitt.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)6/10
Director credentials (15%)9/10
Pathways (15%)8/10
Delivery (15%)4/10
Employer pipeline (15%)10/10
Cost (10%)6/10
Reputation (5%)9/10
Overall72/100

Visit program at shrs.pitt.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#5
71.5/100

Overall score

Temple University

Best Philadelphia MS in Health Informatics

MS Health Informatics Philadelphia, PA Online CAHIIM Initial Next Review 2032-2033

Why it ranks #5

Temple's MS in Health Informatics received fresh CAHIIM Initial Accreditation May 22, 2025, replacing the older Temple programs that had gone Inactive. Fully online from Temple's College of Public Health. Director Dr. Bari Dzomba holds a PhD. Pipeline to Temple Health, Penn Medicine, Jefferson, CHOP, Einstein.

Program Director

Bari Dzomba , PhD

Address

1301 Cecil B. Moore Ave, Philadelphia, PA, 19122

Contact

(215) 204-1892
bari.dzomba@temple.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)6/10
Director credentials (15%)7/10
Pathways (15%)5/10
Delivery (15%)10/10
Employer pipeline (15%)9/10
Cost (10%)6/10
Reputation (5%)8/10
Overall71.5/100

No public program URL listed · CAHIIM directory listing

#6
68.5/100

Overall score

The University of Scranton

Best Northeast PA private online MS

MS Health Informatics Scranton, PA Online CAHIIM Initial Next Review 2028-2029

Why it ranks #6

Private Jesuit university in Northeast PA. Fully online MS in Health Informatics. Initial CAHIIM accreditation since December 2021. Director Dr. William Miller holds PhD + MHA. Geisinger Wyoming Valley and Geisinger Community Medical Center are the largest local employers.

Program Director

William Miller , PhD, MHA

Address

800 Linden Street, Scranton, PA, 18510

Contact

(570) 941-4527
william.miller2@scranton.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)7/10
Director credentials (15%)7/10
Pathways (15%)5/10
Delivery (15%)10/10
Employer pipeline (15%)7/10
Cost (10%)4/10
Reputation (5%)7/10
Overall68.5/100

Visit program at scranton.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

Best for…

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

Best AAS feeder for UPMC

Community College of Allegheny County

CCAC is the dominant Pittsburgh-area AAS feeder for UPMC, AHN, and the smaller western PA systems. Director Amanda Coligan holds MS + MBA + RHIA + CPC. Fully online. Community-college tuition with PHEAA Grant eligibility.

Best PA BS+MS at one school

University of Pittsburgh

Pitt's brand-new BSHIM (Initial CAHIIM July 2025) plus MS in Health Informatics (Initial September 2025), both led by Dr. Dilhari De Almeida (FAHIMA + PhD + RHIA). Direct UPMC pipeline.

Best Philadelphia online MS

Temple University

Fresh CAHIIM accreditation May 2025 for Temple's MS in Health Informatics, replacing older Inactive Temple programs. Fully online. Pipeline to Temple Health, Penn Medicine, Jefferson, CHOP.

Best Philadelphia online AAS for working adults

Peirce College

Private adult-focused Philadelphia college. Fully online AAS. Director Dr. Stephanie Donovan holds EdD + MBA + RHIA. Higher tuition than CCAC but designed for working adults completing the degree alongside full-time employment.

Best Northeast PA private online MS

University of Scranton

Private Jesuit university in Northeast PA. Fully online MS. Initial CAHIIM since December 2021 (the most established of PA's three current MS programs after the 2025 additions). Geisinger pipeline.

Cheapest CAHIIM-accredited HIM program in PA

Community College of Allegheny County

CCAC's resident community-college tuition pairs with PHEAA Grant. For Pell-eligible PA residents, out-of-pocket cost can approach zero.

Best Tier-1 research university BSHIM in PA

University of Pittsburgh (BS)

Pitt is one of the top public research universities in the US. The new BSHIM (campus-based) gives PA residents a flagship-quality bachelor's option with the UPMC employer pipeline built in.

Most established PA MS (pre-2025)

University of Scranton (since 2021)

Of PA's three current master's programs, Scranton's has the longest active accreditation continuity (December 2021), since Pitt and Temple are 2025 additions.

Credentials

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

Pennsylvania does not license HIM staff. The Pennsylvania Health Information Management Association (PHIMA) is the state AHIMA component with regional chapters in Western PA (Pittsburgh), Central PA (Harrisburg), Northeast PA (Scranton), and Greater Philadelphia.

CredentialFull NameEducation RequiredTypical PA Role
RHITRegistered Health Information TechnicianCAHIIM AASRecords, ROI, coder at UPMC/AHN/Penn/Jefferson
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 Pennsylvania.

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

  • Median: $46,840 (national: $51,140)
  • Mean: $53,050
  • 10th pct: $37,490 · 90th pct: $77,880
  • Statewide employment: 6,970

Pittsburgh metro (UPMC, AHN) and Philadelphia metro (Penn Medicine, Jefferson, Temple, CHOP) anchor the upper end of the wage curve.

Salary distribution

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

$30K$40K$50K$60K$70K$80K$90K Pennsylvania MED $47K National MED $51K

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.

Workforce

Pennsylvania health information management job market and top hospital employers.

UPMC. Pittsburgh HQ. 40+ hospitals, 92,000+ employees, the largest non-government employer in PA.

Penn Medicine. 8 hospitals, 50,000+ employees. University of Pennsylvania Health System.

Jefferson Health. 17 hospitals, 65,000+ employees. Largest non-UPMC system in eastern PA.

Geisinger. 12+ hospitals across central PA. Famous for early HIE and clinical informatics adoption.

Allegheny Health Network (AHN). 13 hospitals, part of Highmark Health.

Eastern PA. Tower Health, Lehigh Valley Health Network, St. Luke's University Health Network, WellSpan Health, CHOP.

Health information exchange

Pennsylvania HIE landscape (KeyHIE, HSX, ClinicalConnect).

Pennsylvania does not have a statewide HIE. The PA eHealth Partnership dissolved in 2019. Three major regional HIEs:

KeyHIE. Operated by Geisinger. Central PA and parts of NE PA.

HealthShare Exchange (HSX). Greater Philadelphia. Connects Penn Medicine, Jefferson, Temple Health, CHOP, Einstein.

ClinicalConnect HIE. Pittsburgh region, sponsored by UPMC. Designated as a Qualified Health Information Network (QHIN) under TEFCA, making it a national interconnection hub.

State regulation

Pennsylvania state laws affecting health information management.

  • Pennsylvania Breach of Personal Information Notification Act (BPINA, 73 P.S. §§ 2301-2329). Enacted 2006, amended 2022. Notification "without unreasonable delay" following breach discovery.
  • Hospital medical record retention (28 Pa. Code § 115.23). 7 years from date of discharge. 7 years past age 21 for minors.
  • Patient access and copy fees (42 Pa. C.S. § 6152). PA Department of Health publishes annual maximum fees.

Sources

Sources and references.

  1. healthinformationmanagementprograms.com Methodology.
  2. CAHIIM Program Directory.
  3. BLS OEWS: May 2025 PA estimates.
  4. AHIMA Certification Exams.
  5. Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA).
  6. Pennsylvania Department of Health: record retention requirements.
  7. KeyHIE, HSX, ClinicalConnect HIE.
  8. Pennsylvania Health Information Management Association (PHIMA).

FAQ

HIM programs in Pennsylvania: frequently asked questions.

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

On our methodology, Community College of Allegheny County ranks #1 (81.5/100). University Of Pittsburgh #2 (81/100). Peirce College #3 (73/100).

How many CAHIIM-accredited HIM programs are in Pennsylvania?

6 active. 2 AAS (CCAC Pittsburgh, Peirce College Philadelphia), 1 bachelor's at Pitt (Initial 2025), 3 master's (Pitt, Temple, Scranton). Lehigh Carbon CC, Slippery Rock MS, Peirce College BS, and Temple BS/older MS are currently Inactive.

What is the average HIM salary in Pennsylvania?

Median $46,840 per BLS OEWS May 2025. 90th pct $77,880.

Does PA require a license to work in HIM?

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

Which PA hospitals hire the most HIM staff?

UPMC (40+ hospitals, 92,000+ employees, the largest non-government employer in PA), Penn Medicine, Jefferson Health, Geisinger, AHN, Tower Health, Lehigh Valley, St. Luke's, WellSpan, CHOP.

Does Pennsylvania have a statewide HIE?

No. PA eHealth Partnership dissolved in 2019. Regional HIEs: KeyHIE (Geisinger), HSX (Philadelphia), ClinicalConnect HIE (Pittsburgh, TEFCA QHIN).

Can I get a HIM degree online in PA?

Yes. CCAC AAS, Peirce AAS, Pitt MS, Temple MS, and Scranton MS are all fully online. Pitt's BSHIM is campus-based in Pittsburgh.