Dakota State University
Students who want the strongest overall online health informatics program.
- 100% online
- CAHIIM-accredited
Dakota State University is the strongest overall program for students who want a well-regarded online health informatics degree, Ferris State University is the best public option, and Texas State University suits students who want a top-ranked program at a mid-range cost. Decide whether accreditation, price or program depth matters most, then verify tuition and transfer credit with each school.
Independent picks from our 2026 ranking. No paid placements.
Students who want the strongest overall online health informatics program.
Students who prefer a public university for an online health informatics degree.
Students who want a top five program.
We collect published rankings in this category, normalize each placement to a 0–100 scale, weight the sources by category fit and recency, and average only the lists where a provider appears. The result is divided by 10 and rounded to one decimal.
Last reviewed 2026-11-02. 3 sources contributed to this ranking.
How the top 10 scores fall from first to tenth.
The first five, scored out of 10.
Compare online health informatics programs by CAHIIM accreditation, total tuition and how much clinical or analytics coursework they require. Confirm that the credential qualifies you for the roles and certifications you want.
Look for CAHIIM program accreditation if you plan to sit for the RHIA or RHIT exams, and confirm that the program meets your state's requirements. Ask how much of the coursework covers data analytics, EHR systems and healthcare privacy rules. Compare total tuition rather than per-credit price, since credit loads and fees vary widely.
This shortlist is built from published rankings, not a single editor's opinion. Here is the evidence behind the score.
Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.
Compared on value, features, ease, support and reputation.
The same published model across every category.
Compensation never changes a score or a rank.
17 options, scored on value, features, ease of use, support and reputation.
Dakota State University holds CAHIIM program accreditation and offers the strongest overall online health informatics program here.
The details that matter most, in one view.
| Offer | Dakota State University | Ferris State University | Texas State University | Coppin State University | The College of St. Scholastica | Eastern Kentucky University | Mercer University | CUNY School of Professional Studies | University of Central Florida | Grand Canyon University | Louisiana Tech University | University of South Carolina Upstate | Liberty University | University of Illinois at Chicago | Western Governors University | Oregon Institute of Technology | University of Wisconsin-Green Bay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RaveReviews Algorithm | 10.0 | 10.0 | 9.8 | 9.6 | 9.2 | 9.0 | 8.9 | 8.8 | 8.6 | 8.6 | 8.2 | 5.7 | 5.6 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.1 | 2.6 |
| Best for | Students who want the strongest overall online health informatics program. | Students who prefer a public university for an online health informatics degree. | Students who want a top five program. | Students who want a top five program. | Students who want a top five program. | Students who want a top-ten strong program. | Students who want a top-ten strong program. | Students who want a top-ten strong program. | Budget-conscious students who want a lower-cost online health informatics degree. | Students who want a top-ten strong program. | Students who want a program ranked by at least two publishers. | Students who want a program multiple publishers agree on. | Students who want a program ranked by at least two publishers. | Students who want a program ranked by at least two publishers. | Students who want a program ranked by at least two publishers. | Students who want a program ranked by at least two publishers. | Students who want a program ranked by at least two publishers. |
| Price | $12,606 | Varies | Varies | Varies | $21,587 | Varies | $37,808 | Varies | $212 | Varies | $1,015 | $467 | $390 | $500 | $4,085 | $233 | $460 |
| Highlight | 100% online | 100% online | 100% online | 100% online | 100% online | 100% online | 100% online | 100% online | 100% online | 100% online | 100% online | 100% online | 100% online | 100% online | 100% online | 100% online | 100% online |
Clear answers to the decisions that come after the shortlist.
If you want the short answer, start with Dakota State University. It earned a 10.0 out of 10 in our 2026 ranking, and it is the option we would shortlist first for students who want the strongest overall online health informatics program.. That does not mean it is the right choice for every reader. It means it is the most defensible place to begin.
The ranking is a shortlist, not a finish line. The right option depends on the job you need done, the total cost after fees and the support you will actually use. Ferris State University is the stronger fit for students who prefer a public university for an online health informatics degree.. Texas State University is worth a close look for students who want a top five program.. Start with the top pick, then compare the runner-up on the details that change your decision.
Most buyers do not need the longest feature list. They need a clear answer to a smaller question. What will this cost over a year? What happens when something goes wrong? Can I leave without a penalty? Those questions separate a good shortlist from a good decision.
We used the same five-factor model across this category. Student outcomes at 30%, affordability at 25%, flexibility at 20%, student support at 15%, reputation and accreditation at 10%. The weights are published because a score without a method is just a vibe with a decimal point.
The process starts with the evidence a buyer can actually check. We review provider materials, published pricing, contract terms and the support model. Then we compare the details that tend to cause regret later. A low headline price does not count for much if the service fee, cancellation term or coverage limit undoes it.
We also separate popularity from quality. A brand can be everywhere and still be a poor fit for your situation. The ranking rewards fit, not advertising spend. That is why the top pick may not be the most famous name on the page.
Start with the features that affect your actual use case. For Dakota State University, the relevant details include 100% online, cahiim-accredited, public university. Those are not decoration. They are the parts of the product that determine whether it works on a normal Tuesday, not just on the day you sign up.
Then look at the terms. Price is easy to compare. Contract length, service fees, cancellation rules, support hours and eligibility are harder. They are also where most of the real cost hides. Ask for the total annual cost, not the monthly teaser. Ask what happens if you need to cancel, move or change the plan.
Finally, check the track record. A provider that answers a sales call quickly may be slow when you need help. Read recent reviews, look for patterns and ask how disputes are handled. The best time to learn how a company behaves is before you depend on it.
Dakota State University starts at $12,606 /year (avg.). Ferris State University starts at Varies Check current tuition. Texas State University starts at Varies Check current tuition. Those prices are a starting point, not a full budget. The final number depends on the plan, the contract, the add-ons and where you live.
Here is the part most shoppers miss. The cheapest monthly price is often the most expensive decision. A low rate with a long contract, a large service fee or a narrow coverage set can cost more than a higher headline price with clean terms. Compare the total cost over the period you expect to use the product.
Set a budget before you compare. Then decide which features are worth paying for. If you cannot explain why an upgrade matters to your actual use, it is probably not an upgrade. It is a sales feature.
Dakota State University is the pick here because dakota state university holds cahiim program accreditation and offers the strongest overall online health informatics program here.. It is not the cheapest option in the category, and it is not trying to be. It is the option that makes the fewest compromises where the decision matters most.
That recommendation comes with a condition. If your priority is different, the ranking should change. A reader who needs the lowest possible upfront cost should look at the value pick. A reader who needs hands-on support should pay attention to service quality. The best answer is always relative to the job.
Use the top pick as a benchmark. Compare every other option against it on price, terms and the one feature you cannot do without. If another option wins on those three points, it deserves a closer look.
Verify the total cost, not the promotional price. Ask for the monthly cost after any introductory period ends. Ask about setup fees, service fees, cancellation fees and anything that changes when you add a user, a location or a feature. The number you see in an ad is rarely the number you will pay in month twelve.
Verify the terms that are easy to miss. Contract length, renewal rules, data practices and support hours matter more than most buyers expect. If the provider cannot explain them clearly before the sale, assume the answer will be harder to get afterward.
Verify the fit with your actual workflow. A demo can make any product look simple. A free trial or a short pilot can show you what the product feels like on a normal day. Use the trial to test the one feature you need most. That is a better use of time than touring every menu.
Start with the top pick and read the full review. Then compare the runner-up on the three details that matter most to you. If you are still unsure, use the comparison table and the methodology on this page. The goal is not to keep researching forever. The goal is to make a decision you can explain.
Before you sign up, confirm the current price, the contract term and the cancellation policy directly with the provider. Prices change. Terms change. A ranking can point you in the right direction, but the final check has to happen at the source.
If this ranking helped you narrow the list, stop there. A shortlist of two or three good options is enough. The best decision is the one you can act on with confidence, not the one that keeps you in the research phase for another month.
Every ranking has a named editor and a separate quality review before publication.

Head of Content
David leads the RaveReviews editorial team, turning research into clear comparisons and useful guides. He oversees content strategy, testing standards and the final read on every ranking.
LinkedIn
Head of Quality Control
Annie runs quality control at RaveReviews, checking sourcing, scoring and the details readers rely on. She reviews every ranking before publication and manages corrections.
TikTokRegionally accredited online degrees are generally treated the same as campus degrees. Recognition depends on the institution, program accreditation and your field.
Compare total program cost, fees, transfer credit and any residency requirements. The published tuition figure is only one part of the budget.
Often, yes, but the amount varies. Ask for a transfer evaluation in writing before you enroll.
More rankings and guides for the decision in front of you.