Let me keep it all the way real with you — Back in 2010, I almost enrolled in the wrong program. A recruiter told me a school was "on the path to becoming accredited." When I did my research? That school was not accredited and was not even in the process of becoming accredited. It would have been one of the biggest mistakes I ever made in my career.
That recruiter was more focused on filling a seat than on where my career was actually going. And I refuse to let that happen to you.
I get DMs constantly: Which HIM program should I enroll in? Which schools do you recommend for the RHIT? So I did the work. I reviewed over 200 CAHIIM-accredited programs and identified 15 that consistently rose to the top — based on the two metrics that matter most: employment rate and RHIT exam pass rate.
This is that breakdown.
One Certification. One Decision. Three Times the Income.
Some of you already know that our Founder, Valerie worked in health information management for seven years before she had a degree — and before she had a certification. She was in the field, gaining experience, building her career. But when she made the decision to add the RHIT credential alongside an associate degree in Health Information Technology, everything changed. That one decision helped her triple her income over the following years.
The reason she personally loves the RHIT is that it functions like a jack of all trades certification. Medical coding, medical billing, revenue cycle, health IT, data analytics, compliance, release of information, patient finance — one credential opens the door to all of it. She never had to go back to school for another degree. She never had to stack multiple certifications just to pivot into a different role. And if you decide to change direction down the road, the RHIT moves with you.
Some of you attended the free two-hour career strategy sessions she used to host — where she would share her own pay stubs in real time on the webinar, walking through every career pivot she made, every salary offer she received, and exactly how her income grew over time. That level of transparency was intentional. She wanted you to see that this is possible — and that it starts with the right credential and the right strategy.
The RHIT is the certification that changed her life, changed her income, and changed her family's situation. Not everyone wants to pursue a certification — and that's okay. But if you're someone who is curious about the RHIT, or if you've been sitting on the fence wondering whether it's worth it, this blog was written for you.
What Is CAHIIM and Why Does Accreditation Matter?
CAHIIM stands for the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education. They are the governing body that ensures HIM and HIT programs have the curriculum required for you to sit for AHIMA certifications — the RHIT and the RHIA.
If you want to take the RHIT exam, your associate degree program must be CAHIIM-accredited. You can verify any school at the CAHIIM program directory by selecting degree level, delivery method, and state. In Arizona alone, there are currently three CAHIIM-accredited online associate programs — so if you are local, start there before looking out of state, because out-of-state programs may cost you significantly more.
The Two Metrics That Matter Most
CAHIIM requires accredited programs to publicly post their graduation rate and employment rate on their website. The certification exam pass rate is technically optional — but for me, it is non-negotiable when evaluating a program.
Here is why. We do not go to school just to get a degree. We go to school to get credentialed and employed. A high exam pass rate tells you the program is actually preparing students, not just collecting tuition. A high employment rate tells you graduates are landing jobs, not sitting on the credential waiting for something to happen.
To make this list, every program had to exceed the 80% national RHIT exam pass rate (as of November 2024) and carry a 100% employment rate. Programs 1 through 12 are not ranked against each other — they all cleared the bar. Programs 13 through 15 are ranked by consistency over time and cohort size.
One more thing before the list: survey response rates affect these numbers. If a program had 100 students but only 40% responded to the outcome survey, the data may not tell the full story. If numbers look off on a school you are considering, call the program director and ask how many students were surveyed and how many responded before writing it off.
The Top 15 CAHIIM-Accredited RHIT Programs (2024)
All data is publicly available on each institution's website as required by CAHIIM. Stats reflect November 2024 and can change annually — always verify before enrolling.
#15 — Southwestern Community College (North Carolina)
- 100% RHIT exam pass rate
- 100% employment rate within months of graduation
#14 — Lane Community College (Oregon)
- 100% RHIT exam pass rate
- 100% employment rate
- 100% graduation rate
#13 — Community College of Allegheny County (Pennsylvania)
- 100% RHIT exam pass rate
- 100% employment rate
- 100% graduation rate
#12 — Walters State Community College (Tennessee)
- 100% RHIT exam pass rate — with the national average shown so you can see how far they exceeded it
- 100% employment rate (2023)
#11 — Tyler Junior College (Texas)
- 100% RHIT exam pass rate
- 100% employment rate
- 100% graduation rate
#10 — Panola College (Texas)
- 100% RHIT exam pass rate
- 70% employment rate / 71% graduation rate
#9 — Blinn College District (Texas)
- 100% RHIT exam pass rate for first-time test takers — always a good sign
- 100% employment rate (2023)
- 89% graduation rate
#8 — Central Oregon Community College (Oregon)
- 100% RHIT national exam pass rate
- 100% employment rate
- 83% graduation rate
#7 — Central Carolina Community College (North Carolina)
- 100% RHIT exam pass rate
- 100% employment rate
#6 — Hagerstown Community College (Maryland)
- 100% RHIT certification exam pass rate
- 100% employment rate
- 100% completion rate
#5 — Meridian Community College (Mississippi)
- 100% RHIT exam pass rate
- 100% employment rate
#4 — Clarkson College (Nebraska)
- 100% RHIT exam pass rate — 2 students sat, 2 passed, 2 found employment
- 100% employment rate
#3 — St. John's River State College (Florida)
- 100% RHIT exam pass rate
- 100% employment rate
- 18 students enrolled — a meaningful cohort size at 100%
#2 — Midland College (Texas)
- 100% RHIT exam pass rate
- 100% of graduates employed within one year
- 38 students enrolled — one of the larger cohorts on this list maintaining 100%
#1 — Palm Beach State College (Florida)
Palm Beach State takes the top spot for one reason that stood out across all 200+ programs I reviewed: they are the only institution that explicitly documented a 100% RHIT exam pass rate for four consecutive years. That kind of year-over-year consistency is not an accident — it tells you there is a system behind those results. Combined with a 100% employment rate, no other program came close to matching that combination of performance and consistency.
Sponsored · The Qualified - Exam Prep Services
Picking the right program is step one. But here is something a lot of people do not think about until it is too late — what happens after you graduate?
Whether you are just starting your study journey, you sat for the exam and did not pass the first time, or you are somewhere in the middle wondering if the certification is even worth the effort — let us be clear: yes, it is. The AHIMA credentials adds real, measurable value to your market. It signals to employers that you have met a national standard, it can open doors to roles and salary ranges that are harder to access without it, and it strengthens your resume in a field where credentialing matters. The investment you make in passing that exam pays back over the course of your entire career.
But knowing the credential is worth it and actually passing the exam are two different things. The test environment alone can catch people off guard — the pacing, the format, the pressure. That is why having the right exam prep support matters just as much as choosing the right program.
That is why we recommend The Qualified. They specialize in bridging the gap between studying and actually credentialing — with an RHIT and RHIA exam simulator that lets you master the test environment before the big day so nothing catches you off guard. They do not just hand you a study guide and wish you luck. They walk with you through the process. And once you are certified, they stay with you through CEUs to keep your credential current and your knowledge sharp.
You Do Not Always Have to Be Certified Before You Get Hired
Here is something people swear does not exist — it absolutely does. There are employers actively hiring for HIM and coding roles right now who will give you a window of time to obtain your RHIT, RHIA, or other credential after you start. They are not going to wait for you to be fully credentialed before they bring you on.
Let me be clear about what this means and what it does not mean. Time to obtain does not mean the employer is paying for your exam prep or covering your certification fees. That is a separate conversation and it varies by employer. What it means is they are giving you a defined runway — typically 6 to 18 months — to make it happen on your own while you are already employed in the role.
Here are real examples pulled directly from active job postings on the Blossom job board:
- Coder Abstractor — Cardiology (Remote): Must obtain CPC, RHIT, or RHIA credentials within 18 months of employment. Candidates with 2 years of coding experience and an associate's degree in Health Record Technology or a related field may qualify without the credential already in hand.
- Coder Abstractor — General Surgery (Remote, Michigan): Same 18-month window to obtain CPC, RHIT, or RHIA. Multiple qualification pathways depending on years of experience.
- Coder Abstractor — Neurosurgery (Remote, Michigan): Must hold or obtain a CPC, RHIT, or RHIA within 18 months of employment. 2 to 5 years of coding experience required depending on education level.
- HIM Coding Specialist (Remote): RHIT, RHIA, CCS, or CCA through AHIMA required — but recent HIM or HIT graduates may qualify if accreditation is completed within 6 months of employment.
- Facility Outpatient Coder (Remote): Coding certification from a recognized professional organization must be obtained within 18 months of hire. Associate's or bachelor's degree in Health Information Technology or Coding required.
- Facility Inpatient Coder (Remote, Wisconsin): Zero years of experience required. Coding certification required within 18 months of hire. Prior experience preferred but not mandatory.
- Revenue Cycle Specialist (Remote, Tennessee): Coding certification — CPC, COC, CCS, CCA, CPB, or CBCS — required or obtained within 6 months of hire.
These are not unicorn postings. This is a real hiring pattern in HIM, coding, and revenue cycle — and it matters because it changes the math on when you can start earning while you are still working toward your credential.
The lesson here is this: do not disqualify yourself from a role just because you have not passed the exam yet. Read the full job description. Look for language like "must obtain within," "required within X months of hire," or "certification expected within." Those phrases are your green light to apply.
And when you do apply — make sure your exam prep is already in motion. Employers giving you a credentialing window still expect you to take it seriously and hit the deadline. That is exactly why having structured exam prep support matters from day one, not the day before your deadline.
What to Ask Before You Enroll
These numbers are a starting point, not a finish line. Once you identify programs you are interested in, here are the questions to bring to the program director:
- Is there a built-in RHIT exam prep course inside the program?
- What career resources do you offer students during and after graduation?
- How long do graduates have access to career support after they finish?
- How many students were enrolled and how many responded to your outcome survey?
That last question matters more than most people realize. A small response rate can make numbers look better or worse than reality. Ask before you decide.
Cost Is a Factor Too
Every program on this list has an online option — but if you are out of state, your tuition may be significantly higher than attending a comparable program in your home state. Check the CAHIIM directory for your state first, compare outcomes, then weigh cost. A 100% exam pass rate is impressive. It is less impressive if it comes attached to a debt load that takes years to recover from.
Frequently Asked Questions About the RHIT
Is RHIT a lifetime certification?
No — and this is important to know before you pursue it. The RHIT requires ongoing continuing education units (CEUs) to maintain your credential. AHIMA sets the recertification cycle and CEU requirements, so once you earn it, you are responsible for keeping it active. The good news is that CEUs are widely available through AHIMA and employer-sponsored training. Think of recertification as part of the investment — not a burden, but a built-in reason to stay sharp in a field that evolves constantly. You can review the full recertification requirements at ahima.org.
Which is better, RHIT or CCS?
This is not a question with a universal answer — it depends entirely on what you want your career to look like. If medical coding is your lane and you want to go deep in that specialty, the CCS is a strong, focused credential. But if you want flexibility — the ability to move between coding, revenue cycle, health IT, compliance, data analytics, release of information, and more — the RHIT gives you that range. One credential, multiple career directions. That is exactly why it changed Valerie's trajectory. You are not choosing between a good credential and a bad one. You are choosing between a specialty credential and a versatile one. Know your goal first, then choose accordingly. Learn more about both at ahima.org.
How long does it take to become RHIT certified?
There are two parts to this answer. First, you need to complete a CAHIIM-accredited associate degree program — most of which run 18 to 24 months, depending on the school and whether you are enrolled full-time or part-time. Some accelerated programs may move faster. Once you graduate, you are eligible to sit for the RHIT exam through AHIMA. The exam itself is scheduled on your timeline after eligibility is confirmed. So realistically, you are looking at roughly two years from enrollment to credential — though your path may be shorter or longer depending on your pace and program structure.
Can you take the RHIT exam without a degree?
No. To sit for the RHIT exam, you must have completed a CAHIIM-accredited associate degree program in Health Information Technology or a related field. There is no workaround, no experience substitution, and no grandfathering. The degree is the requirement — which is exactly why choosing the right accredited program matters so much. If a school is not listed in the CAHIIM program directory, graduating from it will not make you eligible to sit for the exam. Verify accreditation before you enroll — not after.
My Bottom Line
I built Blossom Careers because too many professionals came to me after finishing programs that did not prepare them — no career resources, no exam prep pathway, no clear connection between school and employment. Picking the right program from the start is one of the most important decisions you will make in this field.
I do not recommend specific schools — that is not my role. What I do is give you the tools and the framework to evaluate them yourself. Now you have them. Do your research, call the program director, check the outcomes, and make the decision that fits your finances and your goals.
And when you are ready to build your healthcare resume and start your job search, Blossom is here for that part too.
One last thing — this data reflects November 2024. Programs change year to year. Go to my most recent social media post and drop a comment letting me know if you want me to do a Top RHIT Programs update for 2025. If the demand is there, I will make it happen.