Health Information Technology program at NICC named among the best in the nation

Friday, March 26, 2021

Intelligent.com analyzed thousands of schools with comparable programs on a scale of 0 to 100, with Northeast Iowa Community College’s HIT online program scoring 97.81.

CALMAR and PEOSTA, Iowa—Just as the demand for Registered Health Information Technologists surges, Northeast Iowa Community College’s Health Information Technology (HIT) program is now ranked among the best in the nation for its curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation and post-graduate employment placement success. The NICC Associate of Applied Science program was named first in the US among community colleges and second among all college and university HIT programs.

The ranking follows a research study by Intelligent.com that conducted an assessment of 2,277 accredited colleges and universities. The 2021 rankings are calculated through a scoring system which includes student engagement, potential return on investment and leading third-party evaluations. Intelligent.com analyzed thousands of schools with comparable programs on a scale of 0 to 100, with Northeast Iowa Community College’s HIT online program scoring 97.81.

“The Health Information Technology field is ever-evolving. At Northeast Iowa Community College we are continuously looking at ways to improve our curriculum by staying up-to-date on what is needed in the healthcare industry. We are avid about providing cutting edge education while staying competitive with other HIT programs in the country. Our highly ranked program also keeps talented, skilled graduates in our area,” said Shelly Grant, R.H.I.T., Health Information Technology instructor.

Students graduating from the HIT program this May are elated about the news. “Knowing the HIT program at Northeast Iowa Community College is among the best in the country gives me extra confidence as I start my career. I know that I have been given a great foundation with my coursework, and my instructors have done an excellent job preparing me for my RHIT certification and my future career,” said spring graduate Meira Osness. “I feel extremely proud to be approaching my graduation in May. I have learned so much in the past two years, and I can definitely say that the HIT program at NICC was the best choice for me.”

The HIT program at NICC is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).

Research conducted by Intelligent.com concluded that the healthcare industry will require 23,100 more Registered Health Information Technologists (RHITs) by 2028. As use of electronic health records increases, and the medical needs of the country’s aging population change, the demand for RHITs is expected to rise by 11 percent.

About Intelligent.com: Intelligent.com provides unbiased research to help students make informed decisions about higher education programs. The website offers curated guides which include the best degree programs as well as information about financial aid, internships and even study strategies. With comprehensive, user-friendly guides and hundreds of program rankings, Intelligent.com is a trusted source among students and prospective students. To learn more, please visit https://www.intelligent.com.