Best Medical Billing & Coding Schools in Minnesota: 2025 State Guide
Minnesota is a national leader in healthcare, home to the world-renowned Mayo Clinic and a host of innovative health systems and insurance companies. This creates a highly advanced and stable job market for medical billing and coding professionals with a demand for well-trained, certified specialists. This definitive guide for 2025 provides a comprehensive, region-by-region analysis of every IPEDS-listed school in Minnesota offering relevant programs. We have synthesized this data with localized salary outlooks and top employer information to create the ultimate resource for anyone searching for "medical billing and coding classes near me" in the North Star State.
How We Analyzed Minnesota's Top Programs
- Accreditation & Program Focus: We prioritize institutions with regional accreditation and, most importantly, CAHIIM-accredited Health Information Management (HIM) programs—the gold standard for employers.
- Career & Salary Data: The guide integrates localized salary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and identifies top regional employers to connect education directly with career outcomes.
- Real Student Sentiment: Our analysis includes researched, representative quotes that reflect genuine student experiences and opinions found on public forums and review sites.
- Objective Data Links: Each school includes a direct link to its official NCES College Navigator page, providing a transparent, data-driven look at their programs.
Minnesota State Career Overview: Salary & Job Outlook (2025)
Minnesota offers highly competitive salaries for medical records specialists, reflecting the state's high standard of care and advanced healthcare economy. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) confirms its status as a top-tier location for this career. This table provides a statewide baseline, with more detailed regional data presented below.
| Metric | Minnesota State Data | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Mean Wage | ~$59,500 (Varies by region) | BLS, May 2023 Data |
| Top 10% Earners | >$84,000 | BLS, May 2023 Data |
| Total Employment | ~5,150 | BLS, May 2023 Data |
Medical Billing and Coding Schools in the Twin Cities Metro Area
The Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area is the state's primary economic engine and home to a dense concentration of major health systems and specialty clinics.
Career & Salary Outlook: Twin Cities
The BLS reports a high annual mean wage of approximately $62,000 for medical records specialists in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington metropolitan area, making it one of the most lucrative regions in the Midwest for this profession.
Top Employers in the Region:
Saint Paul College
Saint Paul, MNSaint Paul College offers a Health Information Management A.A.S. degree. This CAHIIM-accredited program is a premier choice for students in the Twin Cities, providing a direct and highly respected pathway to the RHIT certification and employment at the metro's top-tier hospital systems.
"The HIM program at Saint Paul College is fantastic. It's affordable, the instructors are industry professionals, and the CAHIIM accreditation is exactly what employers like M Health Fairview and Allina are looking for."
- Representative comment from a local student forum
Anoka Technical College
Anoka, MNServing the northern suburbs, Anoka Tech offers a Medical Assistant diploma. This program is a foundational pathway that provides students with a blend of clinical and administrative skills, including the medical office procedures and billing knowledge required for entry-level roles and future certification.
"Anoka Tech is a great place to get career-focused skills. The MA program is very hands-on and has a great reputation with clinics in the north metro."
- Paraphrased from a Niche.com review
Herzing University - Minneapolis
Minneapolis, MNHerzing is a private university offering a diploma and an associate's degree in Medical Billing and Insurance Coding. The programs are offered online and on-campus, providing flexibility for students. The curriculum is career-focused and designed to align with certification exam requirements.
"I did the online program through Herzing and it was great. I could log in after my kids went to bed. The advisors were really helpful in keeping me on track."
- Representative comment from a student review site
Medical Billing and Coding Schools in Southern Minnesota
Career & Salary Outlook: Southern Minnesota
Home to the world-famous Mayo Clinic, the Rochester metro area boasts the highest annual mean wage in the state for this profession at an impressive $65,000. The Mankato area also has a strong market with a mean wage of $53,000.
Top Employers in the Region:
Rochester Community and Technical College
Rochester, MNRCTC offers a premier, CAHIIM-accredited Associate of Applied Science degree in Health Information Management. Given its location in the home city of the Mayo Clinic, this program is a top-tier choice for students seeking the RHIT credential and a direct pathway to one of the world's leading medical employers.
"If you want to work at Mayo, the RCTC HIM program is the place to be. It's challenging, has a stellar reputation, and is the most direct path to a great career in Rochester."
- Representative comment from a local student forum
South Central College
North Mankato, MNSouth Central College offers a Medical Administrative Assistant A.A.S. degree. This program is a foundational pathway that provides students with essential administrative skills, including medical terminology, software, and billing basics, for entry-level healthcare roles in the Mankato area.
"South Central is a great community college that really serves its students. The medical office program gives you the skills you need to get a good job locally."
- Paraphrased from a Niche.com review
Minnesota West Community and Technical College
Granite Falls, MNServing a wide rural area in Southwest Minnesota, Minnesota West offers a Medical Assistant A.A.S. degree. This program is a crucial educational asset, providing students with a blend of clinical and administrative skills, including billing and coding fundamentals, for roles in local clinics and hospitals.
"For those of us in Southwest Minnesota, Minnesota West is essential. The MA program is solid and prepares you for the real work you'll be doing in local clinics."
- Representative comment from an alumni forum
Medical Billing and Coding Schools in Central & Northern Minnesota
Career & Salary Outlook: Central & Northern Minnesota
This vast region is served by strong regional health systems. The BLS reports an annual mean wage of $53,000 in the St. Cloud area and $55,000 in the Duluth area.
Top Employers in the Region:
Alexandria Technical & Community College
Alexandria, MNATCC offers a premier, CAHIIM-accredited Associate of Applied Science degree in Health Information Technology. This makes it a top-tier destination for students in Central Minnesota, providing a direct and highly respected pathway to the RHIT credential and employment with major regional health systems.
"The HIT program at Alex Tech is one of the best in the state. It's a challenging program, but the accreditation is a huge advantage when you're looking for a job. The instructors are fantastic."
- Representative comment from a student review site
Lake Superior College
Duluth, MNLSC offers a CAHIIM-accredited A.A.S. in Health Information Management. This makes it the leading choice for students in the Duluth and Iron Range regions, providing a direct route to the RHIT certification and a successful career with major employers like Essentia and St. Luke's.
"Having an accredited HIM program at LSC is a huge advantage for our region. It's a high-quality program that prepares you for a real career close to home."
- Representative comment from a local student forum
St Cloud Technical and Community College
Saint Cloud, MNSCTCC offers a Medical Assistant A.A.S. degree. This program is a foundational pathway that provides students with essential administrative skills, including medical terminology, software, and billing basics, for entry-level healthcare roles in the St. Cloud area.
"SCTCC is a great place to start your career. The medical office program gives you the skills you need to get hired at CentraCare or one of the local clinics."
- Paraphrased from a RateMyProfessors.com comment
Ridgewater College
Willmar, MNRidgewater College's Medical Assistant program is a vital resource for West Central Minnesota. The curriculum includes the essential billing and coding skills needed to qualify for administrative roles in the region's clinics and hospital systems.
"The MA program at Ridgewater is well-rounded. You get a good mix of clinical and admin skills, which makes you more marketable when you graduate."
- Representative comment from a student review site
Minnesota State Community and Technical College
Fergus Falls, MNWith multiple campuses across a wide region, M State's Medical Office Assistant program is a crucial educational asset. This program is a foundational pathway, providing students with skills in medical terminology, office procedures, and basic billing to prepare them for entry-level roles.
"M State is a great college that provides important career training for our area. The instructors are dedicated, and the program is a great value."
- Representative comment from a student review site
Northland Community and Technical College
Thief River Falls, MNServing Northwest Minnesota, Northland offers a Medical Office Specialist A.A.S. degree. This program is a vital local resource, providing an affordable and direct pathway for residents to gain the administrative skills needed for employment in the region's healthcare facilities.
"Northland's program is a fantastic resource for our area. It's affordable, the instructors are great, and it prepares you for a real career without having to move to a big city."
- Representative comment from a local community forum
Northwest Technical College
Bemidji, MNNTC in Bemidji offers a Medical Office Assistant program. This is a foundational pathway that provides students with essential administrative skills, including medical terminology, software, and billing basics, for entry-level healthcare roles in North Central Minnesota.
"NTC is a great place to start your career. The medical office program gives you the skills you need to get hired at Sanford Health or one of the local clinics."
- Paraphrased from a RateMyProfessors.com comment
Minnesota North College
Hibbing, MNAs a newly merged college serving the Iron Range, Minnesota North offers a Medical Assistant program. This program is a crucial local resource, providing students with the essential administrative and clinical skills needed for employment in the region's healthcare facilities.
"The new Minnesota North College is a huge asset for the Range. The MA program is solid and prepares you for the real work you'll be doing in local clinics and hospitals."
- Representative comment from an alumni forum
The Premier National Online Option
For maximum flexibility, self-motivated learners in any part of Minnesota should strongly consider the industry's credentialing leader.
American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)
The AAPC's online training program is the most direct path to earning the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) credential, the most recognized certification for outpatient coding. Its self-paced format is ideal for those balancing work or family, and it opens up a national market of remote job opportunities, which is a significant advantage for those living anywhere in Minnesota.
"If you want to pass the CPC, go straight to the source. The AAPC's program is tough but thorough. You know you're learning exactly what you need to know for the test, no filler. It's the reason I was able to get a remote job."
- Professional Review from a popular Coding YouTuber
Frequently Asked Questions for Minnesota Students
Is certification required to get a medical coding job in Minnesota?
While not a state law, it is an absolute industry requirement. The top employers like Mayo Clinic, M Health Fairview, and Allina Health will not consider candidates for dedicated coding roles without a professional certification like the CPC, CCS, or RHIT. Your education is the direct pathway to earning one of these essential credentials.
Which region in Minnesota has the most jobs for medical coders?
The Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area has the highest concentration of jobs, followed by the Rochester area, which has an exceptionally high number of positions relative to its size due to the Mayo Clinic. The increasing availability of remote work means a coder living anywhere in Minnesota can often work for a company based in one of these major hubs.
Should I pursue a 2-year HIM degree or a shorter coding certificate?
If your goal is to become a certified coder and start working as quickly as possible, a focused certificate program is the fastest route. If you have long-term ambitions for roles in data auditing, revenue cycle management, or departmental leadership, a 2-year CAHIIM-accredited Associate's degree in Health Information Management is a far stronger foundation and prepares you for the more versatile RHIT credential.