South Dakota / Health information management programs

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

South Dakota has 1 CAHIIM-accredited HIM program, at the master's level. We score every program on our seven-factor methodology. The single DSU MS scores 86.5/100.

Taylor Rupe, founder of healthinformationmanagementprograms.com

by , founder & editor

updated

South Dakota
1

Programs ranked

86.5

Top score

$52K

SD median HIM wage

900

HIM jobs in SD

Key Takeaways

  • Dakota State University MS in HIM is the only CAHIIM-accredited HIM program in South Dakota. Madison. Initial CAHIIM, next review 2027-2028. Fully online. Scores 86.5/100 on our seven-factor methodology.
  • Program director Dr. Renae Spohn holds 7 credentials: PhD + MBA + RHIA + CPHQ + CPHI + FAHIMA + FNAHQ. The FAHIMA Fellow designation is one of AHIMA's highest honors, signaling sustained national contributions to the HIM profession.
  • Dakota State University is South Dakota's tech-focused public university, known for cybersecurity and analytics. The MS in HIM sits inside that tech-forward institutional context, which is unusual for an HIM master's program.
  • No CAHIIM AAS or BSHIM in SD. SD students who want the RHIT or RHIA credential ladder via online out-of-state programs (Northeast Iowa CC, Beal University AAS, then Weber State or WGU for the BSHIM).
  • Median HIM salary in South Dakota is 51,610 per BLS OEWS May 2025, very close to the national median. 90th pct 76,950.
  • Sanford Health is SD's largest system, headquartered in Sioux Falls. One of the largest rural health systems in the United States, with ~50,000 employees and facilities across South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa.
  • Avera Health is SD's second-largest system, Catholic, headquartered in Sioux Falls. Avera McKennan (Sioux Falls) is the flagship hospital.
  • Monument Health is western SD's dominant system, headquartered in Rapid City (formerly Regional Health, rebranded). The largest healthcare employer in the Black Hills region.

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 South Dakota now

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

The CAHIIM program in South Dakota

The single CAHIIM-accredited HIM program in South Dakota.

RankInstitutionDegreeCityScoreCAHIIM
#1 Dakota State University MS Madison 86.5/100 Initial
#1
86.5/100

Overall score

Dakota State University

Best (only) in-state MS in HIM (7-credential FAHIMA director, Sanford + Avera + Monument pipeline)

MS Madison, SD Online CAHIIM Initial Next Review 2027-2028

Why it ranks #1

Dakota State University MS in HIM in Madison, South Dakota. The only CAHIIM-accredited HIM program in South Dakota at any level. Initial CAHIIM, next review 2027-2028. Fully online. Program director Dr. Renae Spohn holds PhD + MBA + RHIA + CPHQ + CPHI + FAHIMA + FNAHQ, a 7-credential combination including both AHIMA Fellow (FAHIMA) and National Association for Healthcare Quality Fellow (FNAHQ) designations. Dakota State is the South Dakota Board of Regents' tech-focused public university, known for its cybersecurity and analytics programs. DSU's MS HIM sits inside that tech-forward ecosystem. Strong reach into Sanford Health (Sioux Falls HQ, one of the largest rural systems in the country), Avera Health, and Monument Health.

Program Director

Renae Spohn , PhD, MBA, RHIA, CPHQ, CPHI, FAHIMA, FNAHQ

Address

820 N. Washington Ave., Madison, SD, 57042

Contact

(605) 215-5777
renae.spohn@dsu.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%)8/10
Reputation (5%)8/10
Overall86.5/100

Visit program at dsu.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

Best for…

Best South Dakota HIM pathways by category.

Best (only) in-state MS in HIM

Dakota State University

Madison. Fully online. PhD + MBA + RHIA + CPHQ + CPHI + FAHIMA + FNAHQ director. Tech-forward institutional context.

Best informatics-flavored MS

Dakota State University

DSU is South Dakota's official tech university, with leading cybersecurity and data analytics programs. The MS in HIM benefits from that broader institutional ecosystem.

Best quality-focused MS

DSU (CPHQ + FNAHQ director)

Director Dr. Spohn's CPHQ (Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality) and FNAHQ Fellow credentials signal a curriculum with strong patient-safety and quality-management framing.

Best Sanford Health pipeline

DSU MS

Sanford Health (~50,000 employees) is one of the largest rural systems in the US, HQ in Sioux Falls. DSU graduates are well-positioned for Sanford HIM leadership and informatics roles.

Best Avera Health pipeline

DSU MS

Avera (Catholic) is SD's second-largest system, HQ in Sioux Falls. DSU's MS feeds into Avera's HIM and quality teams.

Best Monument Health pipeline

DSU MS

Monument Health (Rapid City) dominates western South Dakota. DSU's online MS reaches western SD without needing a Black Hills branch campus.

If you want an AAS or BSHIM in SD

Go online out-of-state

No CAHIIM AAS or BSHIM in SD. Common online ladder: Northeast Iowa CC AAS or Beal University AAS, then Weber State / WGU / Davenport BSHIM.

For mid-career clinicians moving into HIM leadership

DSU MS

DSU's MS is well-suited to working clinicians (nurses, allied health) moving into HIM director, informatics, or quality roles, particularly inside Sanford or Avera.

Credentials

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

South Dakota does not license HIM staff. The South Dakota Health Information Management Association (SDHIMA) is the state AHIMA component.

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

Salary data

Medical records specialist salary in South Dakota.

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

  • Median: $51,610 (national: $51,140)
  • Mean: $54,380
  • 10th pct: $36,920 · 90th pct: $76,950
  • Statewide employment: 900

Sioux Falls anchors the upper end (Sanford, Avera headquarters), with Rapid City (Monument Health) as the western SD anchor. Aberdeen, Pierre, and rural SD generally pay near or below the SD median. Sanford's enterprise scale (multi-state operations) pulls the senior end of the SD HIM market upward despite the small state employment base.

Salary distribution

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

$30K$40K$50K$60K$70K$80K$90K South Dakota MED $52K National MED $51K

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.

Workforce

South Dakota health information management job market and top hospital employers.

Sanford Health. Sioux Falls HQ. One of the largest rural health systems in the United States, with ~50,000 employees across South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa. Sanford USD Medical Center (Sioux Falls) is the academic flagship, partnered with the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine.

Avera Health. Sioux Falls HQ. Catholic system. Avera McKennan Hospital and University Health Center (Sioux Falls) is the flagship. Avera serves SD, MN, IA, ND, NE.

Monument Health. Rapid City HQ. Formerly Regional Health, rebranded as Monument Health in 2020. The dominant healthcare system in western South Dakota (the Black Hills region). Monument Health Rapid City Hospital is the flagship.

Mid-Dakota Rural Health Network and rural critical access hospitals. Independent critical access hospitals in smaller SD towns provide additional HIM employment.

Indian Health Service (IHS) facilities. Several IHS hospitals serve tribal communities in South Dakota (Rosebud, Pine Ridge, Eagle Butte). IHS HIM roles are federal positions with distinct hiring pipelines.

Health information exchange

SDHLN (South Dakota's state-designated HIE).

SDHLN (South Dakota Health Link) is South Dakota's state-designated health information exchange, providing clinical data exchange among participating SD providers. The Dakota Regional Health Information Network (DRHIN) also serves portions of SD and ND. SD's HIE coverage is partial; many providers also rely on Sanford and Avera's enterprise-Epic record-sharing infrastructure.

State regulation

South Dakota state laws affecting health information management.

  • Patient access (SDCL 44-5-7 and SD ARSD 44:75:08). SD hospital licensing rules grant patients access to medical records with statutory copying-fee caps.
  • Medical record retention (SD ARSD 44:04:09:08). SD hospitals must retain adult medical records for at least 10 years; minor records: until age 18 plus 10 years.
  • Breach notification (SDCL 22-40-19 to 22-40-26). Notice to affected SD residents within 60 days; AG notification for breaches affecting 250+ SD residents.
  • No state HIM licensure. SD'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 SD estimates.
  4. AHIMA Certification Exams.
  5. SDHLN (South Dakota Health Link).
  6. Dakota Regional Health Information Network.
  7. South Dakota Legislature: SDCL 44-5-7, SDCL 22-40-19, SD ARSD 44:04:09:08.
  8. South Dakota Board of Regents: DSU institutional context.

FAQ

HIM programs in South Dakota: frequently asked questions.

What is the best CAHIIM-accredited HIM program in South Dakota?

Dakota State University MS in HIM is the only CAHIIM-accredited HIM program in South Dakota, scoring 86.5/100 on our methodology.

How many CAHIIM-accredited HIM programs are in SD?

1 active, at the master's level. No CAHIIM AAS or BSHIM in SD.

What is the average HIM salary in SD?

Median $51,610 per BLS OEWS May 2025 (close to the national median of 51,140). 90th pct $76,950.

Does SD require a license to work in HIM?

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

Which South Dakota hospitals hire the most HIM staff?

Sanford Health (Sioux Falls, ~50,000 employees multi-state), Avera Health (Sioux Falls, Catholic), Monument Health (Rapid City, dominant western SD), rural critical access hospitals, IHS facilities.

What is SDHLN?

South Dakota's state-designated HIE. Alongside DRHIN, the two regional HIEs serving SD providers.

Can I get a HIM degree fully online in SD?

Yes for the DSU MS in HIM (fully online). For AAS or BSHIM, SD students must take a CAHIIM program from out of state.

If I want to be an RHIT or RHIA in SD, what should I do?

No in-state CAHIIM AAS or BSHIM. Common path: Northeast Iowa CC AAS or Beal University AAS for RHIT, then Weber State / WGU / Davenport BSHIM for RHIA. After the RHIA, the DSU MS becomes a natural next step.