Accredited Online Medical Billing and Coding Schools With Financial Aid
Medical billing and coding can be a way to start a healthcare career without spending years in school. Many accredited schools offer online certificates, diplomas, and associate degrees in this field. Financial aid may also be available through federal aid, grants, scholarships, military benefits, and other programs.
This guide covers accredited schools that offer online medical billing, medical coding, or related programs. This is not a ranking. You can compare the programs based on the credential offered, online format, certification preparation, and financial aid options.
Table of contents
- What Do Medical Billing and Coding Professionals Do?
- How Much Do Medical Coders Make?
- What Education Do You Need for Medical Billing and Coding?
- Online Medical Billing and Coding Schools With Financial Aid
- Online Career Training Option
- How to Compare Online Medical Billing and Coding Programs
- Sources
What Do Medical Billing and Coding Professionals Do?
Medical coding turns information about diagnoses, procedures, and medical services into standard codes. These codes become part of a patient's medical record and are used for billing, insurance reimbursement, data tracking, and other healthcare needs.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics includes medical coders within the broader occupation of medical records specialists. These workers review health records, assign codes for diagnoses and procedures, maintain patient information, and prepare records used for insurance reimbursement. Most do not provide direct hands-on patient care.
How Much Do Medical Coders Make?
Medical records specialists earned a median salary of $50,250 in May 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That equals about $24.16 per hour. The lowest 10% earned less than $35,780, while the highest 10% earned more than $80,950.
BLS expects jobs for medical records specialists to grow 7% from 2024 to 2034. That is faster than the 3% average for all occupations. About 14,200 openings are expected each year over the decade.
Medical Records Specialists: Quick Facts
| Career Data | BLS Figures |
|---|---|
| Median annual pay | $50,250 |
| Median hourly pay | $24.16 |
| Typical entry-level education | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Related work experience typically required | None |
| On-the-job training typically required | None |
| Jobs in 2024 | 194,800 |
| Projected job growth, 2024–2034 | 7% |
| Projected employment increase, 2024–2034 | 13,800 jobs |
| Average projected openings per year | About 14,200 |
The 13,800 projected employment increase and the 14,200 yearly openings are different measures. BLS expects the occupation to add about 13,800 jobs between 2024 and 2034. The yearly openings figure also includes jobs that become available when workers retire, change careers, or leave the workforce.
BLS says demand may grow as the population gets older and more people need care for chronic health conditions. At the same time, BLS notes that AI-powered tools may make some medical coding work more efficient, which could affect future demand.
What Education Do You Need for Medical Billing and Coding?
You do not always need an associate degree to enter medical coding. BLS lists a postsecondary nondegree award, such as a certificate, as the typical entry-level education for medical records specialists. Some jobs may accept a high school diploma, while others may ask for an associate or bachelor's degree.
Employers may also prefer or require professional certification. Depending on your goals, you may want a program that prepares you for credentials such as the Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Coding Associate (CCA), Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), Certified Professional Biller (CPB), or Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS).
Featured Medical Billing and Coding Programs
Online Medical Billing and Coding Schools With Financial Aid
The schools below are institutionally accredited and offer online medical billing, medical coding, or closely related programs. They are listed as options, not ranked from best to worst. Financial aid depends on the school, the program, and the student.
About accreditation: Institutional accreditation applies to the school as a whole. Programmatic accreditation applies to a specific program. A medical billing or coding program does not automatically have separate programmatic accreditation just because the school is institutionally accredited.
If a certification, employer, or state requires a certain type of approval or accreditation, check that before you enroll. You should also confirm that your specific program qualifies for the financial aid you plan to use. Attending an accredited school does not mean every program or every student automatically qualifies for federal financial aid.
Berkeley College
Berkeley College offers an Associate in Applied Science in Health Services Administration – Medical Insurance, Billing, and Coding through Berkeley College Online. Students study medical coding, billing and reimbursement, electronic health records, medical terminology, and healthcare administration. Berkeley says graduates are eligible to take field-specific certification exams. Check with Berkeley for current tuition and financial aid details for the online program.
Bryant & Stratton College
Bryant & Stratton College offers a 100% online associate degree in Medical Reimbursement & Coding. Students learn medical coding, billing, record keeping, and how to assign ICD-10, CPT, and HCPCS Level II codes.
The degree can be completed in as little as 20 months. Bryant & Stratton says the program prepares students for certification exams offered by AHIMA or AAPC. Financial assistance and scholarships are available to students who qualify.
Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology
Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology offers a Medical Billing and Coding Certificate through 100% distance education. Its current catalog lists the program at 920 clock hours and about 37.5 weeks.
Students take courses in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, computer applications, medical coding, practice management, CPT, HCPCS, and electronic health records. Cambridge says the program prepares students to apply for the Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) and Certified Professional Coder (CPC) certifications. Check with Cambridge for current tuition and financial aid details.
Central Maine Community College
Central Maine Community College offers Medical Coding & Electronic Health Records programs online. Students learn medical coding, electronic health records, healthcare statistics, privacy rules, and other health information skills. Check with CMCC for current certificate and degree options, tuition, and financial aid.
Cowley College
Cowley College offers medical coding certificate and associate degree options that can be completed online. Students study CPT, HCPCS, and ICD coding along with medical terminology and other healthcare topics. Eligible Kansas residents may also qualify for tuition help through the Kansas Promise Scholarship. Check current requirements with Cowley.
DeVry University
DeVry University offers an online Undergraduate Certificate in Medical Billing and Coding. Students study ICD-10-CM, CPT, electronic health records, insurance billing, reimbursement, and coding practice. The program also includes preparation for the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam. DeVry offers several forms of financial assistance, but eligibility depends on the student and program.
Herzing University
Herzing University offers online medical coding and insurance billing and coding programs, including diploma and associate degree options. Students study coding, billing, reimbursement, medical terminology, and health information. Herzing offers grants, scholarships, loans, and other financial aid options to students who qualify.
Keiser University
Keiser University offers an Associate of Science in Medical Administrative Billing and Coding with an online option. Students study medical terminology, insurance and reimbursement, ICD-10 and CPT/HCPCS coding, anatomy and physiology, and medical office procedures. Keiser says financial aid is available to students who qualify.
Featured Medical Billing and Coding Programs
Northwest Technical College
Northwest Technical College offers a fully online medical coding pathway with certificate, diploma, and Associate of Applied Science options. The 29-credit Medical Coding Certificate can lead into the 40-credit diploma or 60-credit AAS.
Students study medical billing and insurance, medical coding, inpatient billing, anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, pathophysiology, and related topics. Northwest Technical College says all programs in its Health Care Administrative Support area are offered completely online. Check current tuition and financial aid for the credential you plan to pursue.
Purdue University Global
Purdue Global offers an online Medical Billing/Coding Certificate for students interested in entry-level work in billing, coding, insurance, and related healthcare roles. The 44-quarter-credit program covers medical coding, insurance procedures, medical terminology, computerized billing, and claims reimbursement.
The program has approval from the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) Professional Certificate Approval Program. Students also take the Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) exam during the program. Check the requirements for any certification you plan to pursue, because eligibility can vary.
Southern Careers Institute
Southern Careers Institute offers Medical Billing and Coding Specialist training online. Students study medical insurance, billing, electronic health records, ICD-10, CPT, HCPCS coding, and other healthcare office skills. Check with SCI for current tuition, financial aid, program availability, and certification details.
Sullivan University
Sullivan University offers an online Medical Coding Certificate. Students study ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, CPT, healthcare reimbursement, anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, and advanced coding. Check with Sullivan for current program length, tuition, certification preparation, and financial aid.
Ultimate Medical Academy
Ultimate Medical Academy offers online medical billing and coding education. Students study medical terminology, insurance claims, billing, ICD-10, CPT, HCPCS, electronic health records, and healthcare privacy. UMA offers more than one education pathway, so check the current program page and catalog for credential, length, cost, certification preparation, and financial aid details.
University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati offers a 100% online Medical Coder Certificate with no campus visits required. Students study medical terminology, health information systems, reimbursement, and medical coding. UC says the program prepares students for the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) and Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exams.
UC says grants and scholarships are available to students who qualify. Certificate graduates can also apply their credits toward UC's online Associate in Health Information Systems program. See the Medical Coder Certificate curriculum for course details.
Online Career Training Option
The following option is career training rather than a college degree program. Its funding options may be different from federal financial aid offered through eligible college programs.
CareerStep
CareerStep offers a self-paced online Medical Coding and Billing Professional training program. As of August 2026, CareerStep lists the price at $3,699 and includes 12 months of full access.
The training prepares students for the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam and also covers material for the Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) exam. CareerStep says the program includes a CPC exam voucher, AAPC Practicode, and AAPC membership. Because CareerStep is a non-degree career-training provider, check with the company about payment plans, military benefits, workforce funding, or other assistance.
How to Compare Online Medical Billing and Coding Programs
- Accreditation: Make sure the school is institutionally accredited. If a certification or employer requires special program approval, check that separately.
- Credential: Decide whether you want a certificate, diploma, associate degree, or career-training program.
- Financial aid: Check whether your specific program qualifies for the grants, loans, scholarships, military benefits, or other aid you plan to use.
- Certification preparation: See which certification exams the program prepares you for, such as CPC, CCA, CCS, CPB, or CBCS.
- Online requirements: Find out whether the program is fully online or includes an internship, externship, lab, or other in-person requirement.
- Total cost: Look beyond tuition. Books, coding manuals, technology fees, certification exams, and other materials can increase the total price.
- Transfer options: If you may continue your education later, ask whether your credits can count toward an associate or bachelor's degree.
Sources
Career, wage, education, and employment data come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook profile for Medical Records Specialists. Program information comes from the official school and program pages linked throughout this guide. CareerStep information comes from CareerStep's current Medical Coding and Billing Professional program page. Program availability, tuition, financial aid, accreditation, certification requirements, and prices can change, so verify current information before enrolling.
Further Reading: Cheapest Accredited Online Colleges