College of Technology • Pocatello, ID • Online • $4,669.50/Semester (in-state, full-time)
Idaho State University offers 2 Health Informatics programs:
- AAS in Health Information Technology
- Medical Coding Intermediate Technical Certificate
Program Overview
| Program | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAS in Health Information Technology | $18.7K / $57.5K | 2 years (4 semesters) | 66–70 |
| Medical Coding Certificate | $14.0K / $43.2K | 1.5 years (3 semesters) | 37–41 |
Idaho State’s online HIT associate degree is the only CAHIIM-accredited health information program in Idaho and the state’s route to the RHIT. It admits one cohort of 20 a year and reports a 96% five-year average certification pass rate.
Quick Facts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Program Types | Associate degree; coding certificate |
| Format | Online |
| Practicum Hours | AAS: 3-credit final-semester placement; coding: 4-credit practicum; hours not stated |
| RN License Required | No |
| Who It’s For | Students seeking the RHIT or a coding credential online |
| Distinctive Coursework | ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, and CPT coding; two informatics technology courses; revenue cycle |
| Certification Pathway | AAS: RHIT eligible; certificate: CCS eligible |
| Tuition | $4,669.50 per full-time semester in-state; $6,299.06 WUE (2026-27) |
| Accreditation | CAHIIM (AAS, next review 2029-2030); NWCCU institutional |
| Cohort Size | 20 students a year; background check required |
AAS in Health Information Technology
The estimated tuition for the AAS in Health Information Technology at Idaho State University is approximately $18,678 for Idaho residents (four full-time semesters at $4,669.50; ISU’s own estimate) or $57,548 for nonresidents.
The program can generally be completed in two years.
AAS Curriculum
The major covers three coding systems, revenue cycle, quality, and two informatics technology courses.
- HIT 2102 Applications of Health Information (3)
- HIT 2104 Informatics Technology I (3)
- HIT 2115 Introduction to Reimbursement and Revenue Cycle (3)
- HIT 2205 ICD-10-CM Coding (3)
- HIT 2206 ICD-10-PCS Coding (3)
- HIT 2209 CPT Coding (3)
- HIT 2221 Quality Improvement (3)
- HIT 2223 Healthcare Statistics and Data Management Analytics (3)
- HIT 2230 Informatics Technology II (3)
- HIT 2250 Management for Health Information Professionals (3)
More curriculum details are available here.
You Should Know
- The 66 to 70 credit range depends on which anatomy and physiology option a student takes.
- Up to 50 lower-division credits can transfer into ISU’s BS in Health Science.
AAS Practicum and Capstone
- HIT 2252 Experiential Learning (3 credits), with required hours in the final semester.
- Hours and who arranges the placement are Not clearly stated.
AAS Admissions
Seats are limited to a 20-student cohort, so apply early.
- Math placement: rSAT Math 360, ACT Math 16, or ALEKS 14.
- Background check required.
- The program page lists August and January starts; the catalog says the cohort starts in August, with January only by exception.
Medical Coding Intermediate Technical Certificate
The estimated tuition for the Medical Coding Certificate at Idaho State University is approximately $14,009 for Idaho residents (three full-time semesters at $4,669.50; ISU’s own estimate) or $43,161 for nonresidents.
The program can generally be completed in about 1.5 years.
Coding Curriculum
- HIT 2102, 2115, 2205, 2206, 2209, and 2225 (3 credits each)
- HIT 2240 Medical Coding Practicum (4)
- Medical terminology (2), pathology (3), and pharmacology (3)
You Should Know
- The program page lists 38 credits; the 2026-27 degree map shows 37 to 41.
- Pages also differ on math placement (rSAT 430 vs 360) and start term (fall or spring vs January cohort).
- Completers are eligible for AHIMA’s Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) exam.
Tuition
ISU’s 2026-27 undergraduate tuition is $4,669.50 per full-time semester for Idaho residents, $14,387 for nonresidents, and $6,299.06 under the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE). Part-time students pay $475 or $1,432 per credit.
| Program | Semesters | Resident | WUE | Nonresident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AAS | 4 | $18,678 | $25,196 | $57,548 |
| Coding Certificate | 3 | $14,009 | $18,897 | $43,161 |
- Mandatory fees are $1,410.38 per full-time semester.
- ISU’s program cost estimate for residents is $21,026 for the AAS, including books and the $230 AHIMA exam fee.
- Rates come from ISU’s FY2027 tuition and fees schedule.
Be aware that:
- Mandatory fees are listed separately from tuition and add about $5,600 over four semesters; ISU’s own estimate shows only $338 in program fees, so confirm whether online students pay the full amount.
For an Idaho resident, the AAS runs about $21,000 to $26,000 depending on fees, a modest price for an RHIT-eligible degree.
Why Choose This Health Informatics Program?
Best for Idaho and western students who want an accredited RHIT credential without leaving home.
Career-entry fit. Graduates report 95% average employment and a 96% average certification pass rate over five years, and the coding certificate offers a shorter route to coding jobs.
The trade-offs. One small cohort a year, practicum hours are unpublished, and nonresidents outside WUE pay about three times the in-state rate.
Accreditation
CAHIIM accredits ISU’s AAS in Health Information Technology, with its next review in 2029-2030; ISU says accreditation is reaffirmed through 2029. The coding certificate is not separately accredited.
Idaho State University is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
AAS graduates are eligible for AHIMA’s Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) exam. ISU’s former MS in Health Informatics no longer appears in its catalog.
More Health Informatics Options
See all Idaho health informatics programs, browse the health informatics school directory, or read the health informatics degree guide.