Online Medical Billing & Coding Schools in Arizona: Top Programs for 2027
Medical billing and coding is growing much faster than average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Use EduMed’s guide to review top medical billing and coding programs in Arizona, learn how they work online, read FAQs, and see what to expect after you graduate. Take your first steps today.
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Inside Look: How They Work Online
Starting your career in medical billing and coding begins with choosing the right education program. Whether you’re considering a certification, certificate, or diploma, it can be confusing to know where to start.
Here are three standout online medical billing and coding programs in Arizona, highlighting key program details to guide your search:
- Program cost and admission requirements
- Course subjects and curriculum focus
- Online delivery format and completion time
- Eligibility for national certification
These spotlights provide a clear overview of what to look for when selecting a program that fits your goals and schedule.
Medical Billing and Coding Diploma — Arizona College
Prospective billers and coders can complete their education and training and qualify for national certification in around seven months through the Medical Billing & Coding Diploma program at Arizona College.
The curriculum is presented in a hybrid format that combines online and on-campus classes and hands-on labs. Students gain real-world billing and coding practice in a five-week, off-campus externship with a program-affiliated healthcare services provider.
Program graduates are prepared for entry-level billing and coding positions and are eligible to pursue a variety of AAPC, AHIMA, and AMBA national certifications (discover more on billing and coding certifications below). There is no waitlist for enrollment and new sessions begin every five weeks. Financial aid is available to qualifying students.
Duration: Approx. 30 weeks, including externship
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $12,795 (est. total program cost)
Admissions Requirements: No specific requirements for admission. However, a high school diploma or equivalent is needed to obtain national certification.
Curriculum:
Medical Billing & Coding
- Information
- Medical Records & Health Care Reimbursement
- Medical Coding – CPT/HCPCS
- Medical Diagnostic Coding
- Health Insurance Management
- Health Insurance Claims
- Health Law Concepts & Compliance
Medical Administrative Procedures & Computer
- Electronic Medical Records
- Computerized Office Software
- Microcomputer Concepts & Keyboarding
Health Care Fundamentals & Professional Studies and Externship
- Career Development
- Medical Administrative Practices
- The Body as a Whole
- The Body’s Circulation & Defense
- Medical Terminology
- Externship
Programs that might interest you:
Medical Billing and Coding Certificate — Carrington College
Carrington College is a private vocational school with campuses throughout the western United States, including three locations in Arizona.
Carrington offers a variety of degree and non-degree programs in the healthcare field, including this Medical Billing and Coding Certificate of Achievement program.
The program is delivered entirely online with the exception of the culminating externship that requires in-person attendance with a program-approved healthcare services provider.
Graduates are eligible to sit for the exam to obtain the Certified Billing & Coding Specialist (CBCS) national certification and are prepared for entry-level employment in a wide range of medical, dental, and independent billing settings.
A number of financial aid resources (including scholarships, grants, and loans) are available to qualifying students.
Duration: 750 contact hours over as few as nine months
Mode: Fully online
Cost: $22,182 (includes tuition and textbooks)
Admissions Requirements: No specific requirements for admission. However, a high school diploma or equivalent is needed for CBCS certification eligibility.
Curriculum:
- Medical Billing and Coding Theory 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5
- Applications 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5
- Externship
- Career Development Seminar
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Certificate — Coconino Community College
The fully-online Certified Medical Billing and Coding Specialist certification course offered through Coconino Community College features one of the quickest and most affordable paths to qualify for national certification.
The self-paced course covers all phases of the revenue cycle, from patient registration through collections. Instructional topics include how to use the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS), the CPT Category II and ICD-10 codes, and medical billing and coding software.
At the program’s conclusion, students are prepared to sit for the certification exam of their choice — Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Coding Associate (CCA), or Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS).
The course fee includes 12 months of access to all instructional materials and a voucher for their chosen national certification’s exam.
Duration: 370 course hours (12 months of access to course materials)
Mode: Fully online
Cost: $2,995 (total cost)
Admissions Requirements:
There are no admissions requirements or other prerequisites to take this course. However, a high school diploma or equivalent is needed to take the national certification exam.
Curriculum:
Medical Terminology
- Introduction to Medical Terminology
- The Musculoskeletal System
- The Cardiovascular System
- The Lymphatic and Immune Systems
- The Respiratory System
- The Digestive System
- The Urinary System
- The Nervous System
- The Special Senses the Eyes and Ears
- The Integumentary System
- The Endocrine System
- The Reproductive System
- Diagnostic Procedures, Nuclear Medicine, Pharmacology
Medical Billing and Coding
- Introduction to Medical Billing and Coding
- Introduction to Health Insurance
- Managed Healthcare
- Revenue Cycle Management
- Legal Aspects of Health Insurance and Reimbursement
- ICD-10-CM Coding
- CPT Coding
- HCPCS Level II Coding
- ICD-10-PCS Coding
- Pharmacology for Coders
- Midterm
- Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI)
- Insurance Claims
- Commercial Insurance
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Medicare
- Medicaid, CHIP, TRICARE, Workers’ Compensation
- Certification
- How to Find a Job in Medical Billing and Coding
- Final
Arizona Medical Billing & Coding FAQs
Notwithstanding the program information detailed in the three spotlights above, it’s perfectly reasonable for you to have several questions about medical billing and coding training and careers in general. To help you out, here are the answers to five questions commonly asked by prospective Arizona medical billing and coding students.
Are medical billing and medical coding the same thing?
Although there are similarities and some overlap of duties, medical billing and medical coding are two separate activities, each requiring its own specific set of hard skills.
- Medical billing involves the processing and submittal of reimbursement claims to patients and their insurance providers for medical treatment and services.
- Medical coding concerns the use of alphanumeric codes in translating medical treatments and services into a standardized language for patient medical records and insurance/billing documentation.
Online medical and billing programs in Arizona may provide education and training in one or both of these activities. It’s crucial that you clearly understand exactly what type of training you’ll be getting in any program under consideration before you enroll.
Is financial aid available to help me pay for my Arizona medical billing or coding education?
The costs of Arizona medical billing and coding programs, online or otherwise, vary based on a number of factors. These include the specific program type (whether it be a certification course, diploma, certificate, etc.) and the school offering it.
Many students need help in paying for programs. Financial aid resources are often available to qualifying medical billing and coding students. Specific forms of funding help may include scholarships and grants, tuition discounts and payment plans, employer tuition reimbursement programs, and possibly even student loans.
Is it important that my Arizona medical billing and coding program is accredited?
Proper accreditation of your Arizona online medical and billing program is critical because it ensures the program meets certain standards of academic excellence. It’s also important since completion of an accredited medical billing/coding program is necessary for national certification eligibility, which you’ll need to land a medical billing or coding job in the state (or anywhere else, for that matter).
You’ll want to confirm your program’s school is institutionally accredited by one of several regional or national accrediting agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation information can often be found on program and school websites themselves. If you don’t see it there, you can check current accreditation status by using the Department of Education search engine.
Is career advancement possible as a medical biller or coder in Arizona?
Entry-level positions can be found in a range of employment settings including doctor’s offices, hospitals and medical clinics, long-term care facilities, medical insurance companies, and government agencies. The foundational education and training you receive in your online medical billing and coding program in Arizona along with basic national certification will qualify you for the vast majority of entry-level jobs.
Moving on to more advanced positions may require additional training, some degree of work experience, and specialized national certification.
Medical Billing & Coding Certification in Arizona
Neither licensing nor certification is needed to work as a medical biller or coder in Arizona. However, most health services providers either require or strongly prefer that medical billers and coders possess national certification.
There are a range of reputable medical billing and coding national certification credentials available. Among the most popular are the Certified Professional Biller (CPB) and Certified Professional Coder (CPC) from the AAPC and the Certified Billing & Coding Specialist (CBCS) from the National Healthcareer Association.
Each national certification type has its own unique purpose and set of eligibility requirements. However, all require applicants to have completed an accredited medical billing and/or coding education program and pass a qualifying exam. And once you’ve obtained your national certification, you’ll need to renew it on a regular basis.
Renewal requirements also vary by credential, but you can be sure that you’ll need to complete a given number of continuing education units (CEUs) during each renewal period.
How Much Do Medical Billers and Coders Make in Arizona?
Medical Records Specialists
| Area ↕︎ | 10th Percentile ↕︎ | Median ↕︎ | 90th Percentile ↕︎ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $36,530 | $47,630 | $75,430 |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $38,560 | $55,650 | $73,320 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | $36,610 | $41,570 | $64,040 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $36,530 | $47,450 | $75,950 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $36,780 | $45,580 | $75,520 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | $37,010 | $43,830 | $66,000 |
| Tucson, AZ | $35,750 | $49,300 | $69,740 |
| Yuma, AZ | $37,140 | $45,140 | $68,470 |
Source: Medical Records Specialists, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2025
Data does not reflect school-specific information.
Medical Records Specialists
| Area ↕︎ | Curr. Jobs ↕︎ | Proj. Jobs ↕︎ | New Jobs ↕︎ | Growth % ↕︎ | Avg. Ann. Openings ↕︎ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 194,800 | 208,600 | 13,800 | 7.1% | 14,200 |
| Arizona | 3,300 | 3,920 | 620 | 18.9% | 290 |
Source: Projections Central, 2024-2034
Ranking the Best Online Medical Billing & Coding Programs in Arizona
Central Arizona College
Program Details
- Location: Coolidge, AZ
- HLCAccreditation
- YesCounseling Services
- PublicSchool Type
- 49%Students W/ Aid
- $7,083Avg. Aid Amount
- 15/1Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected Central Arizona College
- 100% online, so students can complete the program flexibly from anywhere.
- No prerequisites are required, making it accessible to career changers and beginners.
- The course includes a certification exam voucher, eliminating an extra out-of-pocket testing cost.
Program Details
- Location: Coolidge, AZ
- HLCAccreditation
- YesCounseling Services
- PublicSchool Type
- 49%Students W/ Aid
- $7,083Avg. Aid Amount
- 15/1Student/Faculty Ratio
Bryan University
Program Details
- Location: Tempe, AZ
- NWCCUAccreditation
- YesCounseling Services
- PrivateSchool Type
- 75%Students W/ Aid
- $5,737Avg. Aid Amount
- 26/1Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected Bryan University
- The program is delivered 100% online with an online externship, enabling flexible, real-world training.
- Students receive hands-on preparation for the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) certification, boosting employability.
- The Associate of Applied Science degree structure provides a focused, career-oriented credential in medical billing and coding.
Program Details
- Location: Tempe, AZ
- NWCCUAccreditation
- YesCounseling Services
- PrivateSchool Type
- 75%Students W/ Aid
- $5,737Avg. Aid Amount
- 26/1Student/Faculty Ratio
Arizona College-Mesa
Program Details
- Location: Mesa, AZ
- ABHESAccreditation
- YesCounseling Services
- PrivateSchool Type
- 82%Students W/ Aid
- $4,521Avg. Aid Amount
- 20/1Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected Arizona College-Mesa
- Hybrid online/in-person 30-week diploma format offers accelerated, flexible completion for busy adult learners.
- Program includes a 5-week off-campus clinical externship, providing real-world medical information and billing experience.
- Frequent start dates about every five weeks make it easy to begin training without long delays.
Program Details
- Location: Mesa, AZ
- ABHESAccreditation
- YesCounseling Services
- PrivateSchool Type
- 82%Students W/ Aid
- $4,521Avg. Aid Amount
- 20/1Student/Faculty Ratio
Program Details
- Location: Kingman, AZ
- HLCAccreditation
- YesCounseling Services
- PublicSchool Type
- 60%Students W/ Aid
- $3,409Avg. Aid Amount
- 12/1Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected Mohave Community College
- The program prepares students to sit for national medical coding certification exams, boosting employability.
- Structured practicum coordination and dedicated faculty support provide strong guidance and real-world preparation for coding careers.
- Clear completion timeline and rigorous competency standards ensure graduates meet employer expectations for professional coding and billing roles.
Program Details
- Location: Kingman, AZ
- HLCAccreditation
- YesCounseling Services
- PublicSchool Type
- 60%Students W/ Aid
- $3,409Avg. Aid Amount
- 12/1Student/Faculty Ratio
Cochise County Community College District
Program Details
- Location: Sierra Vista, AZ
- HLCAccreditation
- YesCounseling Services
- PublicSchool Type
- 49%Students W/ Aid
- $5,190Avg. Aid Amount
- 15/1Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected Cochise County Community College District
- Students are prepared to sit for a national coding certification exam upon program completion.
- There are no special admissions requirements, making entry into the program more accessible to applicants.
- Medical Billing and Coding students are eligible for a dedicated $4,000 foundation scholarship support opportunity.
Program Details
- Location: Sierra Vista, AZ
- HLCAccreditation
- YesCounseling Services
- PublicSchool Type
- 49%Students W/ Aid
- $5,190Avg. Aid Amount
- 15/1Student/Faculty Ratio
Pima Community College
Program Details
- Location: Tucson, AZ
- HLCAccreditation
- YesCounseling Services
- PublicSchool Type
- 40%Students W/ Aid
- $4,748Avg. Aid Amount
- 18/1Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected Pima Community College
- Fully online with flexible 8- and 16-week classes lets students finish in as little as 32 weeks.
- Taught by expert instructors with real-world industry experience, it builds practical, job-ready skills.
- It is Title IV financial aid eligible, and military/veterans benefits are available.
Program Details
- Location: Tucson, AZ
- HLCAccreditation
- YesCounseling Services
- PublicSchool Type
- 40%Students W/ Aid
- $4,748Avg. Aid Amount
- 18/1Student/Faculty Ratio
Phoenix College
Program Details
- Location: Phoenix, AZ
- HLCAccreditation
- YesCounseling Services
- PublicSchool Type
- 50%Students W/ Aid
- $3,128Avg. Aid Amount
- 16/1Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected Phoenix College
- The program offers specialized certificates approved by AHIMA, providing strong industry recognition and certification exam preparation.
- Students can access hundreds of targeted scholarships through the Maricopa Community Colleges District Scholarship Database to help reduce costs.
- The curriculum includes a professional practice affiliation in local ambulatory health care settings, giving real-world coding experience and employer exposure.
Program Details
- Location: Phoenix, AZ
- HLCAccreditation
- YesCounseling Services
- PublicSchool Type
- 50%Students W/ Aid
- $3,128Avg. Aid Amount
- 16/1Student/Faculty Ratio
Carrington College-Tucson
Program Details
- Location: Tucson, AZ
- ACCJC/WASCAccreditation
- YesCounseling Services
- PrivateSchool Type
- 66%Students W/ Aid
- $4,683Avg. Aid Amount
- 20/1Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected Carrington College-Tucson
- All coursework is delivered online with an in-person externship at an approved healthcare facility.
- Students can earn a Certificate of Achievement or associate degree in as few as 9–13 months.
- Graduates are eligible to sit for nationally recognized billing and coding certification exams such as CBCS.
Program Details
- Location: Tucson, AZ
- ACCJC/WASCAccreditation
- YesCounseling Services
- PrivateSchool Type
- 66%Students W/ Aid
- $4,683Avg. Aid Amount
- 20/1Student/Faculty Ratio
Program Details
- Location: Phoenix, AZ
- ACCETAccreditation
- YesCounseling Services
- PrivateSchool Type
- 92%Students W/ Aid
- $4,359Avg. Aid Amount
- 25/1Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected UEI College-Phoenix
- In as few as 10 months, students gain career-ready billing and coding skills through hybrid, hands‑on training.
- The program includes a real‑world externship where students practice skills with a potential employer before graduating.
- Flexible hybrid schedules with online classes and on‑campus labs two days a week support working adults in Phoenix.
Program Details
- Location: Phoenix, AZ
- ACCETAccreditation
- YesCounseling Services
- PrivateSchool Type
- 92%Students W/ Aid
- $4,359Avg. Aid Amount
- 25/1Student/Faculty Ratio
Pima Medical Institute-Phoenix
Program Details
- Location: Phoenix, AZ
- ABHESAccreditation
- YesCounseling Services
- PrivateSchool Type
- 49%Students W/ Aid
- $5,572Avg. Aid Amount
- 35/1Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected Pima Medical Institute-Phoenix
- Hybrid online-and-campus format with hands-on lab training and structured externship placement provides real-world experience.
- Faculty with years of industry experience offer intensive, fast-paced training supported by tutoring, mental health resources, and ongoing career support.
- Multiple financial aid options, including federal grants, loans, and scholarships, help make the program more affordable for qualified students.
Program Details
- Location: Phoenix, AZ
- ABHESAccreditation
- YesCounseling Services
- PrivateSchool Type
- 49%Students W/ Aid
- $5,572Avg. Aid Amount
- 35/1Student/Faculty Ratio
Base Methodology for EduMed’s “Best Online College Rankings” for the ‘25-’26 school year.
One: Create a list of eligible schools & programs
To be eligible for ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on data pulled from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), which was self-reported by the schools themselves:
- Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
- At least one online component in a program within the ranking-subject area.
- The existence of academic and career counseling on campus and/or online.
Two: Assign weightings to eligible schools & programs
After creating the list of eligible schools, EduMed data scientists assigned weights and ranked schools based on a mix of metrics, which were all self-reported by the school themselves to the U.S. Department of Education and IPEDS.
The metrics are listed below in order of most- to least-heavily weighted*.
- Tuition – Average in-state tuition for undergraduate students studying full-time.
- Online Programs – Number of online programs, either partially- or fully-online, in the relevant subject area.
- Avg. Aid Amount – Average amount of institutional grant aid awarded to full-time, first-time undergraduates.
- Students w/ Aid – Percent of full-time, first-time students undergraduates awarded institutional aid.
- Online Enrollment – Percent of undergraduate students taking at least one distance education class.
- Graduation Rate – Percent of full-time, first-time receiving an award in 6 years.
- Student/Faculty Ratio – The number of students per faculty member.
*Metrics #2-5 and #6-7 were equally weighted.
About Our Data
EduMed’s rankings use the latest official data available from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Most recent data pull: July 2025
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