Best Online Medical Coding Certificate Programs
Are you ready to discover your college program?
A medical coding certificate program provides a quick, cost-effective option for students looking to enter the healthcare field.
Medical coders help streamline the communication and record-keeping processes in the healthcare system. They translate physicians’ notes, diagnoses, and procedures into medical codes and input them into patient record systems, streamlining the process for medical professionals to access and share information.
The medical coding field offers many different careers, including those that require specialized knowledge and certifications. Coding certifications can lead to additional employment opportunities and higher earnings as well. According to the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), certified coders earn an average of close to $14,000 more per year than those without certifications.
This page outlines educational options and certifications available to coders, along with viable career pathways.
The Best Online Medical Billing and Coding Certificates
Hutchinson Community College
Hutchinson, KS- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$2,730
- Out-of-state$3,660
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate58%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled5,315
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment39%
- AccreditationYes
Barton County Community College
- Great Bend, KS
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$2,368
- Out-of-state$3,008
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate64%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled4,300
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment54%
- AccreditationYes
Dakota State University
- Madison, SD
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,541
- Out-of-state$10,611
- In-State$5,939
- Out-of-state$11,088
- Retention Rate66%
- Acceptance Rate77%
- Students Enrolled3,268
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment68%
- AccreditationYes
Northwest Technical College
- Bemidji, MN
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$5,346
- Out-of-state$5,346
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate64%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled947
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment69%
- AccreditationYes
Minnesota State Community and Technical College
- Fergus Falls, MN
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,965
- Out-of-state$4,965
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate64%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled6,086
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment43%
- AccreditationYes
Glen Oaks Community College
- Centreville, MI
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,488
- Out-of-state$5,328
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate58%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled1,175
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment30%
- AccreditationYes
West Georgia Technical College
- Waco, GA
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$2,400
- Out-of-state$4,800
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate51%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled7,074
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment46%
- AccreditationYes
Eastern Gateway Community College
- Steubenville, OH
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$3,960
- Out-of-state$7,200
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate53%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled25,648
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment97%
- AccreditationYes
Lamar Institute of Technology
- Beaumont, TX
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$2,280
- Out-of-state$12,408
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate59%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled4,015
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment46%
- AccreditationYes
South Arkansas Community College
- El Dorado, AR
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$2,328
- Out-of-state$4,128
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate55%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled1,443
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment45%
- AccreditationYes
Collin College
- McKinney, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$2,940
- Out-of-state$4,950
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled35,132
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment26%
- AccreditationYes
Columbus State Community College
- Columbus, OH
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,588
- Out-of-state$9,540
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate64%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled28,159
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment34%
- AccreditationYes
Mountwest Community and Technical College
- Huntington, WV
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,182
- Out-of-state$10,392
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate44%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled1,768
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment40%
- AccreditationYes
Weber State University
- Ogden, UT
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,990
- Out-of-state$14,973
- In-State$7,476
- Out-of-state$16,656
- Retention Rate66%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled29,644
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment35%
- AccreditationYes
Everett Community College
- Everett, WA
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$3,626
- Out-of-state$9,006
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate64%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled7,977
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment38%
- AccreditationYes
Best Online Certificate
Medical Billing and Coding
2023
Online Medical Billing and Coding Certificate Ranking Guidelines
We ranked these certificate programs based on quality, curricula, school awards, rankings, and reputation.
Rankings MethodologyWhat Is a Medical Coding Certificate?
Students can complete a certificate in medical coding in 1-2 years. Programs include 18-30 credits, and students can often take medical coding classes online or on campus. Whether attending part or full time, students should keep in mind that medical coding coursework may be offered in a sequence, potentially influencing the length of a program. Many medical coding certificates are offered through community and technical colleges, although four-year institutions may have programs as well.
Unlike a degree, a certificate program is designed to train learners for specific careers. Individuals with a medical coding certificate can enter the workforce in less time than learners who earn a degree in the field.
Medical coding certificates are different from certifications. Certificates are earned through educational institutions, while certifications come from professional organizations, like the American Academy of Professional Coders.
The cost for medical coding programs varies by program type and student status. Residence may also factor into the cost of enrollment, though many online coding certificates offer lump-sum tuition rates for students regardless of where they live. Per-credit tuition rates can benefit part-time learners who only take 1-2 classes at a time, while full-time learners can take heavier course loads to accelerate graduation times. Students can also complete medical coding training online.
Featured Medical Billing and Coding Programs
What Can You Do With a Medical Coding Certificate?
Medical coding certificates train students to use standard coding languages — ideal for a job as a medical billing and coding specialist. The curriculum also introduces learners to medical records technologies and practices, medical data collection, and health information processes. This prepares students to work as health information technology associates or medical office administrators. Additional career options include medical records coordinator and claims coding specialist.
Alongside professional opportunities, a medical certificate can be a pathway to continued education. Students can go on to pursue an undergraduate degree in disciplines like nursing or healthcare administration.
While a medical coding certificate opens opportunities for entry-level careers in healthcare, insurance, and information technology, most employers also require a professional certification in medical coding to enter the field.
What Kinds of Medical Coding Certifications Are There?
The AAPC offers many unique certifications for aspiring medical coders. Some recognize coders in specific facilities, with others focusing on specific professions. The following sections explore available options, including information on costs and exam requirements.
Accreditation for Medical Coding Certificate Programs
Prospective medical coders should always keep accreditation in mind when choosing a medical coding program or certification. Accreditation can affect employment, continuing education, and financial aid. For best results, medical coders should ensure that their program received recognition from either the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education or the AAPC.
What Kind of Salary Can I Earn With a Medical Coding Certificate?
The salaries available to medical coding professionals depend on their employer, location, specialty, certification, and experience. While certificates can lead to significant wage ranges across the field, the following table includes Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data on nationwide career outlook, along with median salaries based on experience levels.
| Position | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Average Medical Coder | $42,931 |
| Entry-Level | $37,419 |
| Mid-Career | $44,720 |
| Late-Career | $48,796 |
