The Best Medical Billing and Coding Schools of 2024

Davenport University focuses on helping their students develop the skills and knowledge necessary to take the CPC certification exam and earn an entry-level position in the field of medical coding and billing. The course takes 80 credits to complete, the amount required by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). Davenport University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and has a solid curriculum to ensure students are prepared to get a job as a medical coder after they earn their degree. Their course curriculum will help students to understand the importance of coding, explain and determine levels of E/M services, and understand and explain the official ICD-10-CM coding principles.

Davenport students are able to work with the latest technology and software designed for accessing, managing, and storing medical records and healthcare information. This experience helps students acquire much-needed hands-on training in the field of health care and code training. A unique aspect of Davenport is that it allows its students to participate in the Health Information Technology program at any of their campus locations as a complement to their online studies. However, Davenport’s medical billing and coding program can be completed entirely online. If you’re looking for the best online school for medical billing and coding, this one ranks among the top.

One of the best and one of the oldest medical coding and billing programs found online is at Moraine Park. The school has been around for more than 100 years and over 90% of their students find a job in the field within six months of graduation, which is something they take pride in. Many of its students are also active in the military, and the school was an early adopter of distance learning technologies, providing online classes for over two decades. The university allows for students to earn their Medical Coding Specialist Technical Diploma completely online and in less than a year. Upon completion of the program, students will be able to review medical documents and translate them into codes, access, manage, and store medical records, and be prepared to take the Clinical Coding Associate (CCA) and Clinical Coding Specialist (CCS) assessment tests in order to receive national credentials. The curriculum at Moraine Park includes classes on health records, human diseases, human anatomy, and health data management. All of these attributes should make Moraine Park rank high in your search of the best online school for medical coding.

Another incredible college providing a medical coding certification is Labouré College. Labouré is very aware of the impressive growth of the medical billing field and the increased need for capable professionals. In that context, the program from this college allows students to prepare for certification exams within just three semesters with courses in things like coding, healthcare delivery, health information management and technology, and advanced coding. Labouré’s entire focus is on nursing and healthcare career programs. The school caters not only to traditional full-time students but also part-time and remotely-located students who are still seeking a high-quality education.

In just a year, a student can earn a Medical Coding Specialist diploma completely online from MWCTC. The program is 34 credits and broken up into 3 semesters. Students take 12 credits the first semester, 15 credits the second semester, and 7 credits the third semester. MWCTC recommends that students have prior experience or knowledge of the basic elements of word processing, spreadsheets, database and document integration, telecommunications and the internet. Their curriculum includes classes on medical insurance and reimbursement, microcomputers, disease conditions, and coding.

Even though it’s recommended for students to have prior knowledge of spreadsheets, databases, and word processing software, there are options for students that have difficulties in these areas. For example, there are program courses such as “Introduction to Microcomputers” which can help them learn these skills quickly and efficiently. MWCTC also offers a free, non-credit course called “Intro to Online Learning” to help students get acquainted with the online learning system and see if it’s the right fit. The college is also designated as a “military friendly school.”

For anyone looking for a top-level medical billing and coding education, South Hills School of Business and Technology is a perfect option. The accredited two-year associate degree in Health Information Technology provides students with the priceless experience of hands-on training, code training, keeping vital electronic health records, and healthcare quality improvement. This school is a leader in business and technology education for the health care field. South Hills even offers the opportunity for drone-flying instruction and drone-racing. Also, the specific Health Information Technology degree provides students not only with an invaluable education but an increased capacity for being leaders in their workplace and innovators in the industry.

As one of the largest premier universities in the state, attending the University of Alaska Anchorage is a tremendous option for anyone interested in pursuing a career in medical billing and coding. UAA’s Medical Assisting degree provides a well-rounded education in all aspects of medical assisting, which obviously includes top-level courses on medical coding, medical billing, medical transcription, and clinical procedures amongst others. Alaska’s largest university offers a number of attractive online programs created to help students maximize their education en route to fulfilling careers while studying at any location across the country.

Founded in the 1960’s with only a carpentry and automotive mechanics program, Northwest Technical College has grown to offer 32 fields of study in seven different career paths. The college offers three different options for earning an education in medical coding. They offer a medical coding certificate program which can be completed in 26 credits, a medical coding diploma which can be completed in 42 credits, and a medical coding Associates of Applied Science (AAS) degree in 60 credits. Regardless of which track a student completes, all three options are comprehensive programs that cover topics such as diagnosis and procedural coding and patient account management.

The degree program requires students to complete an internship, which gives students hands-on experience before starting their careers. The college is also partnered with Bemidji State University and provides on-campus opportunities with a true college experience such as health services, dining and fitness facilities, and on-campus housing. Before enrollment, students must take an Accuplacer assessment to determine if the student must take additional math or writing courses.

In just 5 semesters, a student can earn their diploma in medical coding at Alexandria Technical and Community College, as well as an internship. As part of the program, they offer classes on human anatomy and medical reimbursement, as well as job seeking/keeping skills. The program is comprised of 45 credits total. The first year, students learn foundational knowledge and skills, including entry-level coursework in pharmacology, medical reception, pathology, and anatomy and physiology. Second-year students learn about CPT code, ICD coding, medical law and ethics, and other specialized areas of the job. At the end of the program, students are required to complete a two-credit internship, which usually happens in the summer semester; this helps students get much-needed hands-on experience. Besides the internship course, every other part of the program is available completely online. They offer a $200 scholarship to students who keep a 3.0 GPA or higher.

As one of the best medical coding and billing schools online, Dakota College at Bottineau gives students the opportunity to finish their medical and coding program in just one year. Each course lasts about 8 weeks and can be completed entirely online. However, students should check the authorization status of the state they live in because the university is unable to offer online courses in 14 states.

The Medical Billing and Coding certificate program at Drexel University is only 6 classes long and can be taken in less than a year completely online. Because of this, the program is only a part-time program. The purpose of the program is to prepare students to take three different credentialing exams, which are the Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist (CMRS), and the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exams.

Weber State University offers a certificate in Healthcare Coding & Classification that can be earned online. The program is completed in 27 credits and students are required to earn a grade of “C” or higher. When the program is completed and the certificate is earned, students will be prepared to take the Certified Coding Association (CCA) credentialing exam.

An associate of applied science degree in medical coding is just one of the many accredited online programs Cowley County Community College offers. As a vocational community college, Cowley prepares its students for entry-level positions in medical facilities, such as in public health departments and outpatient care centers.

The college’s medical coding program provides students with real-world coding experience by using the same electronic mediums used in the field, making it easier for students to transition into their careers once they graduate. Unlike other medical billing and coding programs, CCCC has instructors that, in addition to boasting three decades of work experience, are available for career consultations even after the students graduate.

Students are required to complete 65 credit hours and complete a coding practicum in addition to a coding exam prep course. Full-time students can expect to finish in four semesters.

The Pinnacle Career Institute has offered practical career training since it was founded in 1963. As students are expecting the convenience of a 21st-century education, PCI also offers online training and hands-on training boot camps to prepare students for instant, entry-level positions in their careers. PCI understands the needs of juggling family and career, and they are willing to be flexible with online courses and financial aid to help get students finish training and start their careers.

Northcentral Technical College has prided itself on breaking cycles for over 100 years. With more and more jobs require technical education, NTC strives to prepare students for every opportunity in their careers. Not only does NTC provide online courses, they also offer a “Virtual College” that allows students to learn anywhere they have an internet connection. With classes starting weekly, students can create their own schedule for their utmost convenience.