West Virginia / Health information management programs

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

West Virginia has 6 CAHIIM-accredited HIM and health informatics programs. We score every program on our seven-factor methodology. Top: Pierpont Community and Technical College's AAS, scoring 76/100.

Taylor Rupe, founder of healthinformationmanagementprograms.com

by , founder & editor

updated

West Virginia
6

Programs ranked

76

Top score

$47K

WV median HIM wage

1,260

HIM jobs in WV

Key Takeaways

  • Pierpont Community and Technical College AAS ranks #1 in West Virginia (76/100). Continuing CAHIIM, fully online with reach into WVU Medicine.
  • West Virginia University runs the only in-state CAHIIM-accredited BSHIM at the WVU Health Sciences Center (Morgantown). R1 land-grant academic medical center.
  • West Virginia has 6 active CAHIIM-accredited programs: 3 AAS, 2 bachelor's (WVU + American Public University System), 1 master's (Marshall University MS Health Informatics).
  • Marshall University's MS Health Informatics director Dr. Alberto Coustasse holds Dr.PH + MD + MBA + MPH, the strongest credential stack of any WV program director. The program has the longest CAHIIM review cycle in WV (2032-2033).
  • Median HIM salary in West Virginia is 47,360 per BLS OEWS May 2025. 90th pct 75,000. 1,260 working in this occupation.
  • WVU Medicine is the dominant WV health system with 22 hospitals statewide. Mountain Health Network anchors Huntington. CAMC anchors Charleston. WVU Medicine also operates Wheeling Hospital and Berkeley Medical Center (Eastern Panhandle).
  • CRISP WV is West Virginia's state-designated HIE, operated by CRISP (the Maryland-based HIE) under contract with the WV state government.
  • West Virginia medical record retention is 10 years for adult records (WV CSR 64-12-7) and 10 years past age of majority for minors.

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 West Virginia now

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

The ranked programs

The 6 CAHIIM-accredited HIM programs in West Virginia, ranked.

RankInstitutionDegreeCityScoreCAHIIM
#1 Pierpont Community and Technical College AAS Fairmont 76/100 Continuing
#2 Mountwest Community and Technical College AAS Huntington 75/100 Continuing
#3 West Virginia University BS Morgantown 73.5/100 Initial
#4 West Virginia Northern Community College AAS Wheeling 72.5/100 Continuing
#5 American Public University System BS Charles Town 70/100 Initial
#6 Marshall University MS Informatics Huntington 69/100 Initial
#1
76/100

Overall score

Pierpont Community and Technical College

Best fully-online AAS (north central WV / WVU Medicine reach)

AAS Fairmont, WV Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2028-2029

Why it ranks #1

Pierpont Community and Technical College in Fairmont. Director Stephanie Flaherty holds RHIA. Continuing CAHIIM, next review 2028-2029. Fully online. Located in north central WV near Morgantown, with direct reach into WVU Medicine (the largest WV system) and Mon Health.

Program Director

Stephanie Flaherty , RHIA

Address

500 Galliher Drive, Fairmont, WV, 26554

Contact

(681) 753-5705
snewbrough@pierpont.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%)10/10
Reputation (5%)5/10
Overall76/100

Visit program at pierpont.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#2
75/100

Overall score

Mountwest Community and Technical College

Best Huntington / Marshall-area AAS (Mountain Health pipeline)

AAS Huntington, WV Campus Based, Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2027-2028

Why it ranks #2

Mountwest Community and Technical College in Huntington. Director Jane Barker holds MS + RHIA + CCS. Continuing CAHIIM, next review 2027-2028. Hybrid delivery. Direct adjacency to Mountain Health Network (Cabell Huntington Hospital + St. Mary's Medical Center) and the Marshall University academic medical ecosystem.

Program Director

Jane Barker , MS, RHIA, CCS

Address

One Mountwest Way, Huntington, WV, 25701

Contact

(304) 710-3481
barker@mctc.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)8/10
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
Overall75/100

Visit program at mctc.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#3
73.5/100

Overall score

West Virginia University

Best in-state BSHIM (R1 land-grant academic medical center)

BSHIM Morgantown, WV Campus Based, Online CAHIIM Initial Next Review 2029-2030

Why it ranks #3

West Virginia University BSHIM in Morgantown at the WVU Health Sciences Center. Director Megan McDougal holds MS + RHIA + CHPS + CHTS-IM (Interim Program Director). Initial CAHIIM, next review 2029-2030. Hybrid delivery. WVU is an R1 land-grant university and operates WVU Medicine, the largest health system in West Virginia (22 hospitals).

Program Director

Megan McDougal , MS, RHIA, CHPS, CHTS-IM, Interim Program Director

Address

Health Sciences Center, 1 Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, WV, 26506-9225

Contact

(304) 293-3914
megan.mcdougal@hsc.wvu.edu

Score breakdown

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

Visit program at medicine.wvu.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#4
72.5/100

Overall score

West Virginia Northern Community College

Best Northern Panhandle / Ohio Valley AAS

AAS Wheeling, WV Campus Based, Online CAHIIM Continuing Next Review 2030-2031

Why it ranks #4

West Virginia Northern Community College in Wheeling. Director Deborah Kleeh holds RHIT. Continuing CAHIIM, next review 2030-2031. Hybrid delivery. Serves the Northern Panhandle and Ohio Valley market with cross-border access into eastern Ohio.

Program Director

Deborah Kleeh , RHIT

Address

1704 Market Street, Wheeling, WV, 26003

Contact

(304) 214-8833
dkleeh@wvncc.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)9/10
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
Overall72.5/100

Visit program at wvncc.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

#5
70/100

Overall score

American Public University System

Best fully-online BSHIM with national reach

BSHIM Charles Town, WV Online CAHIIM Initial Next Review 2027-2028

Why it ranks #5

American Public University System BSHIM, HQ in Charles Town, WV. APUS is the parent of American Military University (AMU), a national online university with deep military and federal workforce reach. Director Dr. Keechia Ross holds MBA + RHIA + EdD. Initial CAHIIM, next review 2027-2028. Fully online. Not a WV-specific employer pipeline (the program serves a national online audience).

Program Director

Keechia Ross , MBA, RHIA, Ed.D

Address

303 W. 3rd Ave,, Charles Town, WV, 25414

Contact

(678) 558-8547
kross@apus.edu

Score breakdown

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

Visit program at apu.apus.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

More HIM programs accepting students

#6
69/100

Overall score

Marshall University

Best in-state MS in Health Informatics (longest CAHIIM review cycle in WV)

MS Health Informatics Huntington, WV Campus Based CAHIIM Initial Next Review 2032-2033

Why it ranks #6

Marshall University MS in Health Informatics in Huntington, housed in the Lewis College of Business (Corbly Hall). Director Dr. Alberto Coustasse holds Dr.PH + MD + MBA + MPH, the strongest credential stack of any WV program director. Initial CAHIIM with the longest review cycle of any WV program, next review 2032-2033. Campus-based only (the trade-off for the credential signal). Direct pipeline to Mountain Health Network and the Marshall School of Medicine ecosystem.

Program Director

Alberto Coustasse , Dr.PH, MD, MBA, MPH

Address

One John Marshall Drive, Lewis College of Business Corbly Hall 107, Huntington, WV, 25755

Contact

(304) 746-1968
coustassehen@marshall.edu

Score breakdown

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

Visit program at marshall.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

Best for…

Best West Virginia HIM programs by category.

Best fully-online AAS (north central WV)

Pierpont Community and Technical College

Fairmont. Direct reach into WVU Medicine and Mon Health.

Best Huntington / Marshall-area AAS

Mountwest Community and Technical College

Director Jane Barker (MS + RHIA + CCS). Mountain Health pipeline.

Best in-state BSHIM

West Virginia University

Morgantown. R1 land-grant. Direct WVU Medicine pipeline.

Best in-state MS in Health Informatics

Marshall University

Dr.PH + MD + MBA + MPH director. Longest CAHIIM review cycle in WV (2032-2033). Campus-based only.

Best Northern Panhandle / Ohio Valley AAS

West Virginia Northern Community College

Wheeling. Cross-border into eastern Ohio.

Best fully-online national BSHIM

American Public University System

Charles Town, WV HQ but a national online university. AMU parent. EdD director.

Cheapest CAHIIM-accredited HIM programs in WV

WV community and technical colleges

Pierpont CTC, Mountwest CTC, and WV Northern CC qualify for the WV Invests Grant (free tuition for high-demand fields) and the WV Higher Education Grant.

Best WVU Medicine pipeline

WVU BSHIM + Pierpont AAS

WVU runs the academic medical center BSHIM in Morgantown; Pierpont AAS in nearby Fairmont feeds the same WVU Medicine network.

Credentials

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

West Virginia does not license HIM staff. The West Virginia Health Information Management Association (WVHIMA) is the state AHIMA component.

CredentialFull NameEducation RequiredTypical WV Role
RHITRegistered Health Information TechnicianCAHIIM AASRecords, ROI, coder at WVU Medicine / Mountain Health / CAMC
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 West Virginia.

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

  • Median: $47,360 (national: $51,140)
  • Mean: $50,900
  • 10th pct: $31,610 · 90th pct: $75,000
  • Statewide employment: 1,260

Morgantown (WVU Medicine), Huntington (Mountain Health Network + Marshall), and Charleston (CAMC) anchor the WV HIM market. Wheeling and the Eastern Panhandle (WVU Medicine Berkeley Medical Center) sit near the WV median. Rural and Appalachian WV pay below the median but with correspondingly low cost of living.

Salary distribution

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

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

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.

Workforce

West Virginia health information management job market and top hospital employers.

WVU Medicine. Morgantown HQ. The dominant WV health system, 22 hospitals statewide. Operates J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital (academic medical center), Wheeling Hospital, Berkeley Medical Center, and many others.

Mountain Health Network. Huntington. Cabell Huntington Hospital + St. Mary's Medical Center. Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine affiliate.

Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC). Charleston. The largest hospital system in southern WV.

Wheeling Hospital. Northern Panhandle. Now part of WVU Medicine.

WVU Medicine Berkeley Medical Center. Martinsburg, Eastern Panhandle. The dominant Eastern Panhandle hospital.

Mon Health. Morgantown. WVU Medicine partner.

Health information exchange

CRISP WV.

CRISP WV is West Virginia's state-designated HIE, operated by CRISP (the Maryland-based HIE) under contract with the WV state government. CRISP WV connects participating WV providers with clinical messaging, query-based retrieval, ENS encounter notification, and prescription drug monitoring. The shared CRISP infrastructure across MD, DC, and WV makes interstate exchange particularly mature in the WV / MD / DC corridor.

State regulation

West Virginia state laws affecting health information management.

  • Medical record retention (West Virginia CSR 64-12-7). WV hospitals must retain adult medical records for at least 10 years, and minors' records for 10 years past the age of majority.
  • Patient access (West Virginia Code § 16-29-1 et seq.). WV statute grants patients access to medical records with statutory caps on copy fees.
  • Breach notification (West Virginia Code § 46A-2A-101 et seq.). Breach notification without unreasonable delay after discovery.

Sources

Sources and references.

  1. healthinformationmanagementprograms.com Methodology.
  2. CAHIIM Program Directory.
  3. BLS OEWS: May 2025 WV estimates.
  4. AHIMA Certification Exams.
  5. CRISP WV.
  6. West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission: WV Invests Grant and WV Higher Education Grant.
  7. West Virginia Legislature: WV CSR 64-12-7, WV Code § 16-29.
  8. WVHIMA.

FAQ

HIM programs in West Virginia: frequently asked questions.

What is the best CAHIIM-accredited HIM program in West Virginia?

On our methodology, Pierpont Community and Technical College ranks #1 (76/100). Mountwest Community and Technical College #2. West Virginia University #3.

How many CAHIIM-accredited HIM programs are in WV?

6 active. 3 associate, 2 bachelor's (WVU + APUS), 1 master's (Marshall University).

What is the average HIM salary in WV?

Median $47,360 per BLS OEWS May 2025. 90th pct $75,000.

Does WV require a license to work in HIM?

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

Which West Virginia hospitals hire the most HIM staff?

WVU Medicine, Mountain Health Network, CAMC, Wheeling Hospital, WVU Medicine Berkeley Medical Center, Mon Health.

What is CRISP WV?

West Virginia's state-designated HIE, operated by CRISP (the Maryland-based HIE) under contract with the WV state government.

Can I get a HIM degree fully online in WV?

Yes. Pierpont CTC and American Public University System run fully online. Mountwest CTC, WV Northern, and WVU BSHIM are hybrid. Marshall MS is campus-based only.