Best Online Medical Coding Certificate Programs 2025
By completing an online medical coding certificate program, you can gain the knowledge and skills necessary to enter the medical coding field. Most medical coding certificates prepare you for a professional exam and certifications.
If you want to enter the healthcare field quickly and affordably, an online medical coding certificate program may be the right fit for you.
Program at a Glance
- Typical Program Length: 1-2 years
- Typical Admission Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Top Skills Gained: Expertise in medical terminology, reimbursement methodology, and preparation for professional certification.
- Popular Concentrations: Clinical coding, claims analysis
Best Online Medical Coding Certificate Programs 2025
West Georgia Technical College
- Waco, GA
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
What Sets It Apart:Â
WGTC's medical coding certificate program prepares you to take the certified professional coder (CPC) exam from the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) after graduation. The program runs entirely online with no campus requirements. WGTC offers tuition waivers for students from foster care, tuition assistance for the five military branches, and access to scholarships and grants for many others.
Total Program Cost: $4,610 (includes books, supplies, and program fee)
Why Students Choose WGTC:
- Academic Support: You have access to tutoring as an online student.
- Professional Development: You enjoy career support, including a career assessment, resume preparation, and job search assistance.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Synchronous Sessions: Some classes may run at scheduled times.Â
- Prerequisites: You need a prerequisite course in keyboarding or demonstrate your ability to type 30 words per minute.
- Higher Out-of-State Rates: You pay twice the tuition rate of in-state students if you live out-of-state.
60%
$2,400
50%
$4,800
- Acceptance Rate
- N/A
- Students Enrolled
- 6,140
- Institution Type
- Public
Charter Oak State College
- New Britain, CT
- 4 year
- Online
- Accredited
What Sets It Apart:Â
With Charter Oak's medical coding certificate, you can pursue certifications from the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and AAPC. The flexible program blends online coursework with a hands-on practicum. Along with in-state rates for all online students, Charter Oak offers tuition discounts to military personnel, state veterans, school alums, and in-state community college graduates.
Total Program Cost: $11,043 (includes fees and materials)
Why Students Choose Charter Oak:
- Flexible Starts: You can choose from six annual start dates.Â
- Transfer Credits: Only 12 of your medical coding certificate credits must come from Charter Oak.
- Alternative Credit Options: You can earn credit for prior learning and experience, testing, and training.Â
Know Before You Enroll:
- In-Person Requirements: The practicum and clinical components of the program require in-person attendance.Â
- Payment Plans: Charter Oak offers flexible payment plans for students. Â
N/A
$ 7,656
100%
$10,056
- Acceptance Rate
- N/A
- Students Enrolled
- 1,602
- Institution Type
- Public
Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College
- Bowling Green, KY
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
What Sets It Apart:Â
SKYCTC's medical coding certificate, intended for students pursuing medical billing careers, features 22 credits of online courses and CPC exam prep. To make the program more accessible for out-of-state learners, SKYCTC offers the same tuition rate to all online students, regardless of where they live.
Total Program Cost: $4,774 (does not include books or materials)
Why Students Choose SKYCTC:
- Graduate Quickly: You can complete the certificate program in less than one year.Â
- Learn On Your Time: You can study during the hours that suit you best with asynchronous classes.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Online Availability: You need to check with an advisor to learn if all courses are available online.
- Testing Requirements: You must complete a placement test or submit SAT or ACT scores for admission.
- Payment Plans: SKYCTC provides several payment plans to help you manage program costs.
55%
$ 4,368
66%
$15,288
- Acceptance Rate
- N/A
- Students Enrolled
- 4,732
- Institution Type
- Public
Northwood Technical College
- Shell Lake, WI
- 2 year
- Online
- Accredited
What Sets It Apart:Â
Ideal for aspiring medical office professionals, Northwood Tech's medical coding specialist technical diploma program features fully online courses and no campus requirements. While you will pay higher tuition as a non-resident, Northwood Tech offers tuition discounts if you live in a neighboring state.Â
Total Program Cost: $4,696 (does not include books or materials)
Why Students Choose Northwood Tech:
- Fast Completion Time: You can finish the program in less than one year.
- Seamless Transitions to Advanced Programs: The credits you earn in this program can transfer into the health information technology associate program.Â
- Study Schedule Choices: Northwood Tech offers full-time and part-time schedules.Â
Know Before You Enroll:
- Higher Out-of-State Tuition: Northwood Tech charges out-of-state students higher tuition rates.
- Payment Plans Available: The school allows students to manage their costs with flexible payment plans.Â
- Strong Financial Aid: More than 70% of Northwood Tech students receive financial aid in some form.
71%
$4,303
77%
$6,881
- Acceptance Rate
- N/A
- Students Enrolled
- 2,677
- Institution Type
- Public
Pima Community College
- Tucson, AZ
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
What Sets It Apart:Â
In PCC's medical billing and coding certificate program, you can complete your studies entirely online or add in-person components like an internship or a professional health IT experience. PCC caps tuition charges at 15 credits per semester, allowing you to take additional courses free of charge.
Total Program Cost: $2,814+ (does not include fees, books, materials, etc.)
Why Students Choose PCC:
- Enter the Workforce Quickly: You can complete this program in just 42 weeks.
- Academic Support: All PCC students have access to free online tutoring. Â
- Transfer Opportunities: The credits you earn in the certificate program can count toward a health information technology associate degree.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Payment Options: PCC allows you to pay your tuition in monthly installments.
- Uncapped Fees: The school does not include fees in its capped tuition limit.
- Higher Out-of-State Fees: You pay a higher tuition rate if you live out of state.Â
51%
$2,136
68%
$7,452
- Acceptance Rate
- N/A
- Students Enrolled
- 15,293
- Institution Type
- Public
Sinclair Community College
- Dayton, OH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
What Sets It Apart:Â
Sinclair's medical coding and billing specialist certificate program features an entirely online curriculum. Your courses may run asynchronously or synchronously, but you won't need to visit campus. While Sinclair reserves the lowest tuition rates for Montgomery County residents, Ohioans and military personnel also pay decreased tuition rates.Â
Total Program Cost: $5,037 (includes some fees but not books or materials)
Why Students Choose Sinclair:
- Finish Fast: You can complete the program in 3-4 semesters.Â
- Transferable Credits: You can transfer certificate credits into one of the school's related associate degree programs.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Placement Test: You need to complete a placement test before starting the program.
- Online Course Fees: You pay $7.50 per credit as an online student.
- Higher Out-of-State Tuition: If you live out of state, you will pay nearly double the in-state rate.Â
57%
$3,889
73%
$7,636
- Acceptance Rate
- N/A
- Students Enrolled
- 17,591
- Institution Type
- Public
Northcentral Technical College
- Wausau, WI
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
What Sets It Apart:Â
NTC's medical coding specialist technical diploma program prepares you for professional coding certification with AHIMA and AAPC. Along with the hundreds of scholarships provided by the NTC foundation, the school offers free tuition to eligible students in NTC's district.Â
Total Program Cost: $5,177 (includes some fees and books and materials costs)
Why Students Choose NTC:
- Strong Starting Salaries: Program graduates report starting salaries between $33,280-$49,920.
- Credit for Prior Learning: You can earn credits for your work experience, completed national exams, and military service.Â
Know Before You Enroll:
- Financial Aid: Not all credits in the program are eligible to receive full financial aid.
- Higher Out-of-State Tuition: If you live and study out of state, you will pay a higher tuition rate.
50%
$3,443
63%
$5,164
- Acceptance Rate
- N/A
- Students Enrolled
- 6,069
- Institution Type
- Public
San Juan College
- Farmington, NM
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
What Sets It Apart:Â
When you complete SJC's medical insurance coder/biller certificate program, you can qualify for the certified coding associate exam from AHIMA. The flexible online program allows you to work while you study, and you could qualify for free tuition if you live in New Mexico.
Total Program Cost: $5,789 (includes fees, books, and materials)
Why Students Choose SJC:
- Affordable Tuition: The school offers one of the lowest per-credit tuition prices on this list.
- Student Support Resources: At SJC, you receive access to academic support, career coaching, and counseling.Â
Know Before You Enroll:
- Study Length: At 16 months, this is one of the longest programs on this list.
- Out-of-State Rates: If you live out of state, you could pay nearly double the in-state tuition rate.Â
- Prerequisites: For admission, you need the appropriate prerequisite courses in anatomy and terminology.Â
53%
$1,344
69%
$4,272
- Acceptance Rate
- N/A
- Students Enrolled
- 5,454
- Institution Type
- Public
Cowley County Community College
- Arkansas City, KS
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
What Sets It Apart:Â
Cowley College's medical coding certificate program can qualify you for the CCA and CPC exams from AHIMA. Your courses run in a flexible asynchronous online format, and the program qualifies for the Kansas Promise Act Scholarship, which could cover all your education expenses.
Total Program Cost: $5,600 (includes some fees but not books or materials)
Why Students Choose Cowley College:
- Finish Fast: You can complete all 35 credits in just one year.
- Discounted Tuition: Cowley County residents pay the lowest tuition rates in the school, but Kansas and Oklahoma students also enjoy savings.Â
Know Before You Enroll:
- Convenient Payments: Cowley College offers monthly payment plans to those who need them.Â
- In-Person Requirements: The program features a practicum that requires in-person attendance.Â
64%
$2,250
58%
$3,750
- Acceptance Rate
- 100%
- Students Enrolled
- 2,230
- Institution Type
- Public
Hutchinson Community College
- Hutchinson, KS
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
What Sets It Apart:Â
Accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education, HutchCC's healthcare coding certificate program prepares you for coding careers in various medical facilities. The online courses at HutchCC run primarily asynchronously in accelerated four- to eight-week sessions.
Total Program Cost: $5,760 (does not include fees, books, or materials)
Why Students Choose HutchCC:
- Transfer Friendly: Most credits earned in this program transfer to the associate in health information technology.Â
- Advance Quickly: You can complete the 45-credit program in just four semesters.
- Moderate Out-of-State Costs: While you pay higher tuition as an out-of-state student, HutchCC only charges out-of-state learners $31 more per credit than the in-state rate.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Practicum Included: Since the program has a practicum, you will need to complete in-person training.Â
- Placement Tests: Depending on your situation, you may need to complete a placement test before starting the program.
- Financial Aid Options: HutchCC awards more than 500 scholarships annually, plus grants and work-study opportunities.
46%
$2,850
55%
$3,780
- Acceptance Rate
- N/A
- Students Enrolled
- 4,960
- Institution Type
- Public
Price Check
Completing a certificate takes less time than a traditional undergraduate degree. Some accelerated certificates only take one year.
Why Pursue a Medical Coding Certificate Program?
If you want to break into an in-demand healthcare role without committing to a full undergraduate or graduate degree program, consider a medical coding certificate. Medical coding certificates can take 1-2 years to complete and qualify you to take professional examinations and earn licensure to work as a medical coder.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that medical records specialists earn a median annual salary of $50,250 and have a projected growth rate of 7% from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average growth rate for all jobs.
How to Become a Medical Coder
Wondering how to become a medical coder? Although becoming a medical coder does not require years of school like some other healthcare professions, there are still some steps you need to take to prepare for a career in the field.
- Earn a high school diploma or equivalent: Most medical coding certificate programs and employers will require candidates to obtain a high school diploma.
- Become familiar with medical terminology: Understanding the basics of medical terminology can help you succeed in your first role as a medical coder.
- Complete a medical coding certificate: While this step is not required, a medical coding certificate will help your resume stand out to prospective employers and prepare you to earn professional credentials.
- Earn professional credentials: Earn professional credentials like certified coding associate (CCA) or certified professional coder (CPC).
- Apply for jobs: With a medical coding certificate and a professional credential, you should stand out to employers as a candidate for medical coder roles.
Ways to Save on a Medical Coding Certificate Program?
Consider multiple options to reduce the total cost when paying for your education. For example, search for funding sources like scholarships and consider in-state and accelerated options.
Utilize Scholarships
Scholarships help students pay for tuition and other education-related expenses and don’t require repayment. Speak with your school’s financial aid office about available scholarship opportunities.
Attend an In-State Program
Students who attend in-state programs often pay less tuition than students who travel out of state for their education.
Consider Accelerated Programs
Completing an accelerated program usually costs less than completing a similar program over a longer period.
Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Coding Certificate Programs
Medical coding involves classifying diagnoses, medical services, and medical equipment into a standardized system of codes. These codes help insurers, healthcare providers, and billers ensure that they receive appropriate reimbursements. Medical coders also ensure that diagnoses and services receive accurate classification on medical records.
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