Best Medical Billing & Coding Schools in North Dakota: 2025 State Guide
North Dakota's healthcare sector, marked by major integrated health systems serving both urban and vast rural areas, offers a stable and growing field for medical billing and coding professionals. As the state's regional medical centers continue to advance, the need for certified specialists to ensure financial accuracy and manage the revenue cycle is essential. This definitive guide for 2025 provides a comprehensive analysis of every IPEDS-listed school in North Dakota 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 Peace Garden State.
How We Analyzed North Dakota'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.
North Dakota State Career Overview: Salary & Job Outlook (2025)
North Dakota offers competitive wages for medical records specialists, especially when considered with the state's affordable cost of living. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) provides a clear picture of the career landscape. This table provides a statewide baseline.
| Metric | North Dakota State Data | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Mean Wage | ~$52,500 (Varies by region) | BLS, May 2023 Data |
| Top 10% Earners | >$78,000 | BLS, May 2023 Data |
| Total Employment | ~600 | BLS, May 2023 Data |
Medical Billing and Coding Schools in North Dakota
Educational opportunities in North Dakota are primarily delivered through the state's excellent and accessible State College system, providing career-focused training across the state.
Career & Salary Outlook: North Dakota
The BLS reports an annual mean wage of approximately $53,000 for medical records specialists in the Fargo, ND-MN metropolitan area, making it the highest-paying region. The Bismarck and Grand Forks areas are also strong, with mean wages around $52,000.
Top Employers in the State:
North Dakota State College of Science
Wahpeton, NDNDSCS offers a premier, CAHIIM-accredited Associate of Applied Science degree in Health Information Technology. This is the gold-standard program for students in North Dakota, providing the most direct and respected pathway to the RHIT certification and employment at top-tier hospital systems like Sanford and Trinity Health.
"The HIT program at NDSCS is the best in the state, without a doubt. It's challenging, but the CAHIIM accreditation is what gets you in the door for the best jobs. The instructors are fantastic and prepare you thoroughly for the RHIT exam."
- Representative comment from a student review site
Dakota College at Bottineau
Bottineau, NDDakota College offers a certificate and an A.A.S. degree in Medical Assistant. These programs are foundational pathways that provide 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.
"Dakota College is a great school with a very supportive environment. The MA program gives you the skills you need to get a good job locally, and the small class sizes are a huge plus."
- Paraphrased from a Niche.com review
Williston State College
Williston, NDServing the Bakken region, WSC offers a Medical Coder certificate program. This is a vital local resource, providing an affordable and direct pathway for residents to gain the specialized skills needed for employment in the region's growing healthcare facilities.
"Williston State's coding 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 bigger city."
- Representative comment from a local community forum
Rasmussen University - North Dakota
Fargo, ND & OnlineRasmussen offers a Medical Billing and Coding diploma and a Health Information Management associate's degree that can be completed online. This provides a flexible and accessible option for students anywhere in North Dakota who want a structured, career-focused curriculum.
"I did the online HIM program through Rasmussen and it was great for my schedule. The program is well-organized and the student support services were very helpful."
- Representative comment from a student review site
The Premier National Online Option
For maximum flexibility, self-motivated learners in any part of North Dakota 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 North Dakota.
"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 North Dakota Students
Is certification required to get a medical coding job in North Dakota?
While not a state law, it is an absolute industry requirement. The top employers like Sanford Health and Altru Health System 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 North Dakota has the most jobs for medical coders?
The Fargo metropolitan area has the highest concentration of jobs and the highest salaries in the state. Bismarck, Grand Forks, and Minot are also significant regional healthcare hubs. The increasing availability of remote work means a coder living anywhere in North Dakota can often work for a company based in one of these major cities.
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 Technology, like the one at NDSCS, is a far stronger foundation and prepares you for the more versatile RHIT credential.