Rankings

Healthcare informatics is a rapidly growing field, expanding in response to the innovation in healthcare management information systems serving medical groups, insurance providers and major hospital institutions. This upward trend has created the conditions for an exceptional demand of specialists in the field. The need for trained professionals proficient in acting as liaisons between healthcare providers, patients, and insurance companies are those medical billing and coding technicians is great. Especially for people interested in establishing rewarding careers in the healthcare industry.

Medical billing and coding technicians are just those people. They are the front office and back office practitioners specializing in the field of healthcare informatics and administration as well as a number of other duties. From the administration of managed care and patient records to data coding of records for processing across entire networks of healthcare providers, qualified and experienced medical billing and coding technicians are highly trained and highly sought. Since the enactment of the U.S. Affordable Care Act, the expansion of the healthcare sector has led to new employment opportunities for medical coding professionals. The national outlook for clinical and hospital institutions indicates that the ageing patient population is expected to increase. Add the global shortage in licensed nurses and other practitioners, and the impact on medical office administration is clear. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, by 2022, the rate of growth for medical billing coding technicians will be approximately 22%. Graduates of medical billing and coding schools work within a variety of settings including in hospitals, doctor’s offices, nursing and residential care facilities, and even public health and government agencies and may earn up to $34,160 or more per year.

To enter the field of medical billing and coding, candidates must enrol in an accredited certificate, associate degree or bachelor degree Medical Billing and Coding program. Most certificate and associate degree programs are one to two years in length. For those who wish to continue their education, many go on to earn bachelor degrees in healthcare administration fields. A number of medical billing and coding programs are offered by private and public colleges, non-degree granting career training institutions, and vocational schools. Selecting the program which best suits your academic needs and career goals is often not an easy process. To help in maximizing your training experience while ensuring the program you choose is the best for you and your career goals, here is a list of the 10 Best Online Medical Coding Programs. Participating in any of the programs listed here ensures you receive quality education from an accredited, reputable organization and opens the door to exciting career opportunities within the dynamic, fast evolving healthcare industry.

1. Kaplan University

Founded in Iowa in the late 1930s, Kaplan University has grown to a nationwide higher education institution with both traditional onsite and online campuses. The school offers a Medical Billing and Coding Certificate that trains healthcare professionals in the administration of patient records. Participation within Kaplan’s program provides a well rounded understanding of anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology, medical terminology, medical office management, and data information processing as well as hands on, real world experience through an externship program. Completion of the certificate program at Kaplan gives individuals the opportunity to go on to attain an Associate degree, Bachelor degree or Master degree in healthcare administration, healthcare informatics, or healthcare management or gain employment as qualified professionals. All programs at Kaplan University are accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The University is also a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA). Tuition cost per unit is an affordable $371.

For more about Kaplan’s online medical coding programs, go here

2. Penn Foster College

Penn Foster is a great choice for future medical billers and coders. As the first distance learning school in the United States established in 1890, this college has trained more than 13,000,000 since the founding. Offerings include undergraduate Certificate, Associate degree, Bachelor degree programs in a number of subjects, including Medical Billing and Coding. What makes Penn Foster’s Medical Billing and Coding program unique is that it conforms to ICD-9 and ICD-10 coding standards. This, in turn, prepare students for hospital institutions and AHIMA certification following graduation and opens pathways to many career opportunities. Accreditation by the Distance Education and Training Council and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and five other accrediting bodies ensure the highest quality instruction. Tuition ranging from $678 – $798 ensures affordability. And a diverse number of online programs ensures convenience. All of this and more makes Penn Foster a great choice for online education.

For more about Penn Foster College’s online medical coding programs, go here

3. Everett Community College

Everett Community College is a seven division learning institution located in Snohomish County, Washington. A long history of catering to the educational needs of a diverse student body combined with affordable, accessible, and convenient learning environments gives students a well-rounded experience. Since it’s early beginnings within a converted elementary school in 1941, Everett has expanded to provide a number of associate degree and certificates programs within thirty fields through both on-campus and online programs. It’s unique nine-month, online Medical Coding Program includes a comprehensive program of courses like Healthcare Vocabulary, Legal Compliance, Healthcare Reimbursement, Coding with ICD-10-CM/PCS (PR), Advanced Coding with ICD-10-CM/PCS, Basics of Pharmacology, Principals of Procedural Coding (PR), Health Information Management, and Medical Coding Practicum. This online program prepares students for the American Health and Information Management Association (AHIMA) or the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). Successful completion of both the training and examinations results in a Certified Coding Associate (CCA) or Certified Professional Coder (CPC) designation required for long-term employment and career success. Since this and all programs offered through Everett are accredited by the Washington State Board of Community and Technical Colleges, the training and experiences offered at Everett are guaranteed to be worthwhile. Contact the school for information about tuition.

For more about Everett Community College’s online medical coding programs, go here

4. Drexel University

Drexel University, first established in 1891 in Philadelphia, is ranked as one of “America’s Best Colleges” by U.S.News & World Report for programs offered by the private university on its traditional and distance learning campuses. The University’s Certificate in Medical Billing and Coding is an accredited, online, and a fast-paced six-course certificate program. Students learn the three (3) main coding scripts: 1) CPT, 2) HCPCS, and 3) ICD-9-CM. All of this combined gives students the ability to advance to the ICD-10 in preparation for the American Medical Billing Association (AMBA) exam qualifying trainees to become a Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist (CMRS); as well as sitting for the American Academy of Professional Coder’s (AAPC), American Health Information Management Association’s (CCS or CCS-P), and Certified Professional Coder’s (CPC or CPC-H) board exams. Drexel is accredited by the Middle States Association Commission on Higher Education, Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), National Accrediting Agency for the Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). Tuition is $707 per credit.

For more about Drexel University’s online medical coding programs, go here

 

5. Carrington College

Founded as part of Apollo College in 1976, the Phoenix, AZ based Carrington College is a nationally accredited institution providing Certificate or Associate degree in Medical Billing and Coding training to students in the healthcare sector. This college has eleven campus locations across the Western United States as well as online programs geared toward busy individuals seeking to expand their education and advance their careers. Carrington offers students training in the different aspects of healthcare information technology, including healthcare management information systems (HMIS) support of medical records administered by medical billing and coding specialists. Tuition and fees vary by program and location. Active duty service personnel of the U.S. Armed Forces may be eligible for special tuition rates. The College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

For more about Carrington College’s online medical coding programs, go here

6. Herzing University

Herzing University was established in 1965 to train students in a range of fields, including dynamic programs in medical billing and coding. The University offers 50 different Associate degree, Bachelor degree, and Master degree options in Business, Design, Healthcare, Public Safety, and Technology. Internship opportunities allow students to practice skills learned in the classroom in a professional setting so that they are prepared to enter or advance in their chosen field. Herzing University courses enable students to study according to their own schedule in an asynchronous environment. Contact for tuition information. Herzing University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and North Central Association (NCA).

For more about Herzing University’s online medical coding programs, go here

7. DeVry University

DeVry University and DeVry Institute of Technology are both divisions of DeVry Education Group. The for-profit higher education institution was established in 1931. Students interested in medical coding and billing may participate in the University’s online associate degree in Health Information Technology program. This program was designed to train students in medical billing and coding in an asynchronous, online setting. The comprehensive education in healthcare information technology offered by DeVry is distinct in that it covers IT infrastructure and healthcare management information systems used in medical operations; as well as the technical applications involved in medical billing and coding. Popular with professionals working in the healthcare management and technology sector. DeVry’s course programs prepare students with entry-level competencies as provided for by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). DeVry University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

For more about Devry University’s online medical coding programs, go here

8. Grantham University

Founded in 1951, Grantham University offers special assistance to returning veterans enrolled in one of the University’s thirty eight accredited, online Certificate, Associate degree, Bachelor degrees, and Master degree programs. The University’s degree programs are designed to advance the professional interests of students working in the healthcare field. Medical billing and coding curricula offered through the University’s College of Nursing and Allied Health is available in online format. The breadth of courses offered in the range of certificate and degree programs within the College of Nursing, enable students to tailor their training to fulfil criteria for preparation of knowledge for credentialing exams. The online Associate degree in Medical Billing and Coding on Grantham University’s distance campus trains students for taking the ICD-9 and ICD-10 exams. The latter will be required beginning October 2014. The College’s focus on healthcare informatics for billing and coding makes the program a robust curricula for healthcare administration education. Students graduate with a thorough education in healthcare informatics, as well as knowledge about the application of those skills in clinical, hospital, insurance company, and private practice environments. Grantham University is accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council. Undergraduate Tuition is $265 per credit hour with Graduate Tuition at $325 per credit hour.

For more about Grantham University’s online medical coding programs, go here

9. Ultimate Medical Academy

Ultimate Medical Academy, a leader in the medical billing and coding training field, offers an associate degree and diploma program in one of the most dynamic and advanced programs available online. Both Ultimate Medical Academy programs train students for eligibility in application to sit for the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) licensure exam. The Diploma program in Medical Billing and Coding can be completed in as little as 10 months. The Associate degree program is affordable and requires 18 to 24 months until completion. During the course of study, students are introduced to the fundamental principles of healthcare informatics, coding structure used in medical operations and recording keeping, and other essential fundamentals of the field of medical billing and coding. When studying for a Medical Billing and Coding diploma or associate degree, students may elect to train on the Academy’s onsite campuses at Clearwater, Florida, or through the online campus. Ultimate Medical Academy also provides ongoing professional employment search assistance to Academy graduates to help them establish long term and lasting careers. Ultimate Medical Academy is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities (APSCU), and the National Healthcare Association (NHA).

For more about Ultimate Medical Academy’s online medical and billing programs, go here

Related Links

Top 10 Medical Billing and Coding Schools
15 Best Remote Medical Coding Training Programs Online
10 Best Online Health Informatics/Health Information Management Degree Programs

Training for at-home medical coding jobs can be completed wholly online for the greatest flexibility and career-life balance. Whether you’re a parent, disabled, retired, a military spouse, or simply attracted to working in the comfort of home, medical coding is a hot job. CNBC reported that medical coding has a prescription for fast growth since healthcare facilities have switched to electronic records. The BLS predicts that medical records management will spark 29,000 new positions for a 15 percent hiring increase. Companies like Humana, Maxim Health, and Aviacode need fresh telecommuting talent, so consider these 20 Best From Home Top Medical Coding Schools and Programs.

Our ranking zeros in on top online medical coding programs that fulfill requirements for certification, such as Certified Coding Associate (CCA). That’s because pay climbs for credentials with an average salary of $47,796 per year. We used the NCES College Navigator tool to search for coding schools with distance education. Each prospective program had to be regionally accredited, uphold AHIMA standards, feature at least four courses, and include virtual practicum. Preference was given to colleges holding national or regional rankings for prestige. From home coding curricula was also judged for affordability, class size, placement, credit transfer, and academic rigor.

1. Drexel University

Located in Philadelphia’s Powelton Village, Drexel University is a private, nonprofit research hub with cooperative education for over 26,300 Dragons. According to the U.S. News, Drexel is the 96th best national university, 65th top value, and 14th most innovative school. The College of Nursing and Health Professions confers an online, six-course Certificate in Medical Billing and Coding.

Tuition Total: $14,364

Learn more about From Home Top Medical Coding Schools and Programs at Drexel University here.

2. University of Utah

Affiliated with 22 Rhodes Scholars, the University of Utah is a public, space-grant RU/VH institution selectively admitting 31,500 Utes in Salt Lake City and online. The U.S. News named Utah the 111th best university and 73rd best for vets school. There’s a three-part Professional Medical Coding and Billing program delivered online with real-world 3M encoding software.

Tuition Total: $3,495

Learn more about From Home Top Medical Coding Schools and Programs at the University of Utah here.

3. Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapoli

Endowed for $601 million, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis is a public, co-educational RU/H institution “Fulfilling the Promise” to over 30,100 Jaguars. The U.S. News ranked IUPUI as America’s 197th best university and 106th top public college. Online learners can pursue the 26-credit Medical Coding Certificate through the School of Informatics and Computing for AHIMA credentialing.

Tuition Total: $9,233

Learn more about From Home Top Medical Coding Schools and Programs at Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis here.

4. Keiser University

Belonging to the NAIA Sun Conference, Keiser University is a private, nonprofit SACS-accredited college serving over 16,300 Seahawks in Fort Lauderdale and beyond. Keiser is the South’s 23rd top school and 11th best value according to the U.S. News. Online students can prepare for the AAPC exam in the two-year Associate of Science in Medical Administrative Billing and Coding.

Tuition Total: $37,728

Learn more about From Home Top Medical Coding Schools and Programs at Keiser University here.

5. Albany State University

Established in 1874 for freed slaves, Albany State University is a public, TMCF-member institution with over 7,100 Golden Rams studying in southwest Georgia and online. The U.S. News lauded Albany State as the 32nd best historically black school nationwide. The 22-credit Online Certificate in Medical Coding builds expertise in ICD-10 coding systems from home.

Tuition Total: $2,860

Learn more about From Home Top Medical Coding Schools and Programs at Albany State University here.

6. Weber State University

Attracting 26,600 Wildcats to 250+ academic programs, Weber State University is located in Ogden, Utah, with NWCCU accreditation for public, liberal arts education. The U.S. News crowned Weber the West’s 76th top regional university. The Dumke College of Health Professions confers a 10-course Certificate of Proficiency in Healthcare Coding online for a median salary of $34,000.

Tuition Total: $5,340

Learn more about From Home Top Medical Coding Schools and Programs at Weber State University here.

7. Florida A&M University

Classified as a public, land-grant RU/H doctoral institution, Florida A&M University is endowed for $127.18 million to educate over 9,600 Rattlers from Tallahassee and beyond. High school counselors surveyed by the U.S. News placed FAMU 173rd nationally. The School of Allied Health Sciences follows AHIMA standards for an online, nine-course Medical Coding Certificate Program.

Tuition Total: $7,965

Learn more about From Home Top Medical Coding Schoools and Programs at Florida A&M University here.

8. Great Falls College Montana State University

Founded in 1969 for “Changing Lives, Achieving Dreams,” Great Falls College MSU is a two-year, public teaching institution enrolling over 4,700 students in Montana and online. Great Falls is affiliated with the U.S. News’ 210th best university and 118th top public school. Students can pursue the 63-credit A.A.S. in Medical Billing and Coding Specialist online.

Tuition Total: $8,374

9. Herzing University

Operating 11 campuses and an online division from Milwaukee, Herzing University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413, www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400. The U.S. News applauded Herzing for America’s 142nd best online undergraduate programs. In 12 months, online students can complete the 44-credit Diploma in Medical Insurance Billing and Coding Specialist for CCSA Associate certification. For more information regarding graduation rates, median student debt for students who have completed the program, and other information, to Herzing’s consumer disclosure website.

Tuition Total: $12,560

Learn more about From Home Top Medical Coding Schools and Programs at Herzing University here.

10. Peirce College

Led by President James J. Mergiotti, Peirce College is a private, nonprofit MSCHE-accredited college based on Philadelphia’s Pine Street to educate over 1,200. Peirce is acclaimed for holding America’s 132nd best online undergraduate degrees by the U.S. News. The Allied Health Division offers a 39-credit, competency-based Certificate in Medical Coding online with a virtual practice workshop.

Tuition Total: $17,040

Learn more about From Home Top Medical Coding Schools and Programs at Peirce College here.

11. SUNY Herkimer College

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, SUNY Herkimer College is a two-year, public lower-division institution registering over 3,300 Generals in Upstate New York near Utica. Herkimer was picked for the prestigious 2017 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. Home-based learners could finish the 12-month Online Medical Coding-Transcriptionist Certificate via the Internet Academy for mastering ICD-9-CM, CPT, and HCPCS codes.

Tuition Total: $4,490

Learn more about From Home Top Medical Coding Schools and Programs at SUNY Herkimer College here.

12. Great Basin College

Governed by the Nevada System of Higher Education, Great Basin College is a public, two-year career-oriented institution with NWCCU accreditation to educate over 3,400 in Elko, Ely, Battle Mountain, and online. Niche placed Great Basin as America’s 116th “Best Online College.” Each Fall, online students begin the two-semester Certificate of Achievement in Professional Medical Coding and Billing.

Tuition Total: $3,060

Learn more about From Home Top Medical Coding Schools and Programs at Great Basin College here.

13. The University of Cincinnati Clermont College

Sitting on 91.2 wood cares in Batavia, Ohio, UC Clermont College is a regional public, two-year satellite of the University of Cincinnati with over 3,700 Cougars finding “Strength in Unity.” The U.S. News placed UC as America’s 135th best university and 64th top public college. Clermont offers an 11-course Online Certificate in Medical Biller/Coder with open admission.

Tuition Total: $7,320

Learn more about From Home Top Medical Coding Schools and Programs at The University of Cincinnati Clermont College here.

14. Kaplan University

Training 37,000 non-traditional students, Kaplan University is a primarily online private, for-profit HLC-accredited institution of Graham Holdings Company in Davenport, Iowa, with 14 national campuses. The U.S. News declared Kaplan’s online undergraduate programs as the 156th best nationwide. Students work from home for the 39-credit Online Medical Billing and Coding Certificate or 57-credit Online Medical Office Administration Certificate.

Tuition Total: $14,469

Learn more about From Home Top Medical Coding Schools and Programs at Kaplan University here

15. Central Texas College

Since opening in 1965 for Bell County citizens, Central Texas College has expanded as a public, two-year SACS-accredited school with over 39,200 Eagles in Killeen and online. In Community College Week. CTC ranked 15th among associate degree producers nationally. AAPC qualifications can be fulfilled with the 39-credit Online Certificate of Completion in Medical Coding & Billing.

Tuition Total: $8,775

Learn more about From Home Top Medical Coding Schools and Programs at Central Texas College here.

16. Sullivan University

As the SACS’ first accredited private, for-profit school, Sullivan University serves over 6,000 students from in Louisville, Lexington, Fort Knox, and online. Niche recognized Sullivan as America’s 64th “Best Online College” and 157th “Best College Campus.” The College of Health Sciences awards a 47-credit, 12-month Medical Coding Diploma online with courses like information literacy, human anatomy, and CCA review.

Tuition Total: $18,565

Learn more about From Home Top Medical Coding Schools and Programs at Sullivan University here.

17. Minnesota State College Southeast

Accredited by the HLC-NCA, Minnesota State College Southeast is a public, two-year technical institution headquartered in Winona since 1949 to train over 2,700 professionals. Niche ranked MSC Southeast as America’s 42nd “Best Trade School.” Through D2L Brightspace, online students can attain the 46-credit Medical Coding Specialist Diploma or finish the 57-credit Medical Coding Specialist A.A.S.

Tuition Total: $8,644

Learn more about From Home Top Medical Coding Schools and Programs at Minnesota State Colleg Southeast here.

18. Bellevue College

With Washington State’s third-largest enrollment at 37,000 Bulldogs, Bellevue College stands on King County’s Eastside as a public, open-access technical institution. PayScale recognized Bellevue for the 25th highest community college ROI with a median mid-career salary of $63,400. Online students can undertake the four-month, AHIMA-approved Professional Medical Coding and Billing Program with CareerStep for CPC credentialing.

Tuition Total: $2,995

Learn more about Top Medical Coding Schools and Programs at Bellevue College here.

19. Mercy College of Ohio

Opened by the Sisters of Mercy in 1917, Mercy College of Ohio is a private, bachelor’s-level health sciences institution with HLC-NCA accreditation to educate over 1,200 future practitioners. College Values Online included Mercy among the “50 Most Affordable Small Catholic Colleges” nationwide. Attend the Virtual Open House to consider the 26-credit Online Medical Coding Certificate Program.

Tuition Total: $11,600

20. National American University

Given HLC-NCA accreditation in 1985, National American University is a private, for-profit learning system based in Rapid City, South Dakota, that’s educating over 7,900 students at 33 U.S. locations and online. College Factual ranked NAU in the top 5 percent nationally for ethnic diversity. The College of Health and Sciences confers a 12-month Healthcare Coding Diploma adhered to AHIMA standards.

Tuition Total: $13,212

Learn more about From Home Top Medical Coding Schools and Programs at National American University here.

Medical coding and billing proves that commuting to a physical campus to invest years and hefty tuition isn’t always necessary to succeed. This allied health discipline is accessible with simply a post-secondary certificate. Online schools are increasingly adding medical coding and billing programs to train students with in-demand patient recordkeeping skills. The U.S. News reported 10-year projected job growth at 15 percent for medical coders and billers. Graduates enter a changing healthcare industry where 29,000 health IT jobs will be created by 2024. According to “Coding Edge” magazine, the income potential is also exceptional with Certified Professional Coders claiming $47,796 on average.

Featured Programs:

1. Medical Billing & Coding Certificate – Kaplan University
2. Associates in Medical Administrative Coding & Billing – Keiser University
3. Associates in Electronic Medical Records – Miller-Motte Online

In this article, we’ll distinguish the 20 Best Medical Coding and Billing Programs Online to aid your collegiate search. Making our list began with the CAHIIM Program Directory to find schools meeting health information management training standards. We narrowed down to distance programs available at least 90 percent online, excluding applied practicum. Each certificate or degree had to contain 20+ credits and fulfill the requirements for AHIMA and/or AAPC certification. Then, we configured the list’s order using rankings from the U.S. News, Forbes, Niche, and other media publications. Particular attention was given to class size, job placement, starting salary, retention, and transferability.

Without further introduction, we present the

20 Best Medical Coding and Billing Programs Online:

1. Rutgers University

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Belonging to the Association of American Universities (AAU), Rutgers University is a prestigious public, sea-grant RU/VH research powerhouse endowed for $1 billion to educate over 67,000 students from New Brunswick, New Jersey, and beyond. The U.S. News and World Report ranked Rutgers as the 25th Top Public University nationwide. Holding Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) accreditation, the School of Health Professions offers a 21-credit Medical Coding Certificate primarily online. Students master appropriate ICD-10-CM coding schemes to pass the CCA certification examination.

Online Tuition: $367 (in-state) or $862 (out-of-state) per credit

Learn more about Rutgers University’s Medical Coding and Billing Online Program here

2. Florida A&M University

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Endowed for $127 million, Florida A&M University is a public, land-grant Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) founded in 1887 that’s serving over 9,900 students face-to-face in Tallahassee and online. The U.S. News and World Report recognized Florida A&M University as America’s seventh Best Historically Black College. Within the CAHIIM-accredited School of Allied Health Sciences, online students could earn the Medical Coding Certificate. The program’s self-paced, 15-week online modules train students to accurately apply inpatient and outpatient procedure codes.

Online Tuition: $151 (in-state) or $549 (out-of-state) per credit

Learn more about Florida A&M University’s Medical Coding and Billing Online Program here.

3. CUNY School of Professional Studies

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Located in Midtown Manhattan, the City University of New York (CUNY) School of Professional Studies opened in 2003 as a public, co-educational distance learning center with over 2,000 credit students. According to the U.S. News and World Report, the School of Professional Studies delivers the 11th Best Online Undergraduate Programs nationally. One such offering is the 20-month, CAHIIM-aligned Online Certificate in Medical Coding. Students are given interviews with Mount Sinai or Bronx-Lebanon Hospital for paid coding apprenticeships.

Online Tuition: $275 (in-state) or $560 (out-of-state) per credit

Learn more about the CUNY School of Professional Studies Medical Coding and Billing Online Program here.

4. University of Cincinnati

Educating over 44,300 students, the University of Cincinnati is Ohio’s oldest and second-largest public, space-grant research institution with campuses in Uptown, Blue Ash, Batavia, Reading, and online. The U.S. News honored UC as America’s 64th top public school and 90th most veteran-friendly college. Through the Clermont College, the CAHIIM-accredited Health Division confers a Certificate in Medical Biller/Coder online. The open-admission program spans 12 months to teach healthcare’s recordkeeping and reimbursement strategies.

Online Tuition: $222 (in-state) or $523 (out-of-state) per credit

Learn more about the University of Cincinati’s Medical Coding and Billing Online Program here.

5. Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis

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Featuring 200+ programs, Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis is a merger between two premier public, co-educational institutions to educate over 30,100 students from the world’s “Racing Capital” and online. Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) was crowned the country’s 106th Best Public University by the U.S. News and World Report. With CAHIIM accreditation, the School of Informatics and Computing gives a 26-credit Medical Coding Certificate. Online coursework will sharpen ICD and CPT coding expertise before a culminating supervised practicum.

Online Tuition: $266 (in-state) or $957 (out-of-state) per credit

Learn more about Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis’ Medical Coding and Billing Online Program here.

6. Great Falls College Montana State University

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Established in 1969, Great Falls College Montana State University is a public, two-year institution affiliated with Montana State University that’s educating over 4,700 students across the Billings Metro and virtually. The U.S. News and World Report applauded Montana State University as the 118th Top Public University. Online students can pursue the Health Information Coding Specialist Certificate in three terms for 47 credits. The program maintains CAHIIM and AHIMA approval for entry-level clinical IT jobs.

Online Tuition: $161 (in-state) or $265 (out-of-state) per credit

Learn more about Great Falls College Montana State University’s Medical Coding and Billing Online Program here.

7. Alfred State College

As the SUNY College of Technology, Alfred State College offers publicly funded, tech-oriented programs in 70+ fields to over 3,500 students in rural Upstate New York. According to the U.S. News and World Report, Alfred State University is the North’s sixth Top Public College and sixth Best School for Veterans. With 85 percent retention, the CAHIIM-accredited Health Information Technology program offers an online Coding Reimbursement Specialist Certificate. Aspiring CPC professionals will complete a 160-hour supervised practice experience.

Online Tuition: $270 (in-state) or $406 (out-of-state) per credit

Learn more about Alfred State College’s Medical Coding and Billing Online Program here.

8. St. Catherine University

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Proclaimed the “Nation’s Largest College for Women,” St. Catherine University is a private, nonprofit liberal arts institution enrolling over 5,000 females in Minnesota’s Twin Cities Metro and online. St. Catherine University was chosen as the Midwest’s 15th Best College and 13th Top Value by the U.S. News and World Report. The College of Adults maintains CAHIIM accreditation for Health Information Technology programs, including an Online Coding Specialist Certificate. Finishing this 36-credit curriculum on CPT and ICD coding takes 45 weeks on average.

Online Tuition: $680 per credit

Learn more about St. Catherine University’s Medical Coding and Billing Online Program here.

9. Keiser University

Celebrating its 40th anniversary, Keiser University is a private, nonprofit institution catering to over 16,900 non-traditional students in Fort Lauderdale, Daytona Beach, Lakeland, Orlando, Tampa, and online. According to the U.S. News and World Report, Keiser stands as the 23rd Best Southern School and 11th Top Value. With CAHIIM approval, the 60-credit Associate of Science (A.S.) in Medical Administrative Billing & Coding degree is delivered online. Courses like medical ethics, pharmacology, and human anatomy culminate with an externship.

Online Tuition: $669 per credit

Learn more about Keiser University’s Medical Coding and Billing Online Program here.

10. Fisher College

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Ideally situated on Boston’s famous Beacon Street, Fisher College is a private, nonprofit institution tracing back to 1903 that’s enrolling over 2,500 daytime, evening, and online students. Fisher is the North’s 31st Best College with the 180th Best Online Undergraduate Orograms according to the U.S. News and World Report. The School of Accelerated & Professional Studies holds CAHIIM accreditation for its 37-credit Medical Coding Certificate. Online learners spend 18 months part-time learning to appropriately record diagnostic data for AAPC credentialing.

Online Tuition: $369 per credit

 

11. Weber State University

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Affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since 1889, Weber State University is a public, co-educational institution enrolling over 26,600 students from Ogden, Utah, to Davis County and online. The U.S. News and World Report picked Weber as the West’s 76th Best University. Over 30 weeks, online students can finish the Certificate of Proficiency in Healthcare Coding for the CCA exam. Admission to the CAHIIM-accredited HIM program requires a medical terminology prerequisite.

Online Tuition: $252 per credit

Learn more about Weber State University’s Medical Coding and Billing Online Program here.

12. DeVry University

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Owned by one of North America’s largest publicly held education groups, DeVry University provides for-profit online education for over 42,000 students from its Downers Grove headquarters in Illinois. The U.S. News and World Report commends DeVry for America’s 120th Best Online Undergraduate Teaching. Within the CAHIIM-accredited College of Health Sciences, the Medical Billing and Coding Certificate takes 12 months. The 10-course online program equips health information technicians with today’s ICD-10 coding standards.

Online Tuition: $609 per credit ($250 for active-duty military)

Learn more about DeVry University’s Medical Coding and Billing Online Program here.

13. North Dakota State College of Science

Boasting a 98 percent placement rate, the North Dakota State College of Science enrolls over 3,100 as a two-year, public school in Wahpeton. North Dakota State College of Science was ranked #3 Nationally by the Washington Monthly based on the Community College Survey of Student Engagement. Holding CAHIIM approval, the Health Science Cluster confers a 41-credit Medical Coding Certificate online. Virtual labs and an applied practicum ensure necessary skills for AHIMA designations.

Online Tuition: $155 (in-state) or $365 (out-of-state) per credit

Learn more about North Dakota State college of Science’s Medical Coding and Billing Online Program here.

14. National American University

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Founded by Clarence Jacobson in 1941, National American University is an independent, for-profit institution in Rapid City, South Dakota, with 33 U.S. locations to educate over 8,000. Crowned a “Top 25 Best Buy,” National American University was graded A+ for campus quality and A- for diversity by Niche. With CAHIIM accreditation, the Online Healthcare Coding Diploma trains students to properly coordinate electronic health records. The 63-credit curriculum includes online coding labs and one practicum placement.

Online Tuition: $373 per credit

Learn more about National American University’s Medical Coding and Billing Online Program here.

15. Charter Oak State College

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With enrollment surpassing 2,200, Charter Oak State College is a public, co-educational liberal arts school coordinated by the Connecticut Board of Regents for education in New Britain and online. On Forbes, Charter Oak ranked #2 among “Great Colleges for Adults Returning to School.” Boasting an average starting salary of $37,000, the CAHIIM-accredited college confers a 21-credit Certificate in Medical Coding online. Courses will transfer into the A.S. Health Information Management Major.

Online Tuition: $287 (in-state) or 377 (out-of-state) per credit

Learn more about Charter Oak State College’s Medical Coding and Billing Online Program here.

16. University of Alaska Southeast

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Chartered in 1972, the University of Alaska Southeast is a four-year public institution located in Juneau that’s also educating over 3,700 students in Sitka, Ketchikan, and online. Niche selected the University of Alaska Southeast as America’s 84th “Best Online College” with B+ professors. The Health Information Management Division holds CAHIIM accreditation for an Online Coding Specialist Certificate. The 30-credit curriculum opens entry-level jobs in clinics, veterinary hospitals, behavioral health facilities, and more.

Online Tuition: $212 (in-state) or $678 (out-of-state) per credit

Learn more about the University of Alaska Southeast’s Medical Coding and Billing Online Programs here.

17. St. Petersburg College

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Opened in 1927, St. Petersburg College is a public, state-funded higher learning institution serving 65,000 students in sunny Central Florida and online via the ANGEL system. In “Community College Week,” St. Petersburg College ranked 10th in America for number of associate degrees conferred. The CAHIIM-accredited Health Information Technology Department awards a 37-credit Medical Coder Certificate online. Students complete two professional practica to better understand the application of numerical codes.

Online Tuition: $122 (in-state) or $425 (out-of-state) per credit

Learn more about St. Petersburg College Medical Coding and Billing Online Programs here.

18. Lone Star College

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Based in North Harris just 20 miles north of Houston, Lone Star College offers 110+ programs to approximately 18,400 students as a public, state-funded community college system. The Chronicle of Higher Education recognized LSC for America’s third highest international student enrollment. Leading to CCA certification, the Coding Certificate is offered by the Health, Emergency, and Personal Services Division. The 15-month, CAHIIM-approved curriculum is mostly online with practicum at clinical affiliates.

Online Tuition: $164 (in-state) or $250 (out-of-state) per credit

Learn more about Lone Star College’s Medical Coding and Billing Online Program here.

19. Mercy College of Ohio

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Following the Sisters of Mercy tradition, Mercy College of Ohio is a private, nonprofit Catholic health sciences institution with 17 academic programs in Toledo, Youngstown, and online. On Niche, Mercy was declared America’s 113th “Best Online College” and 115th “Best Test Optional School.” Requiring 26 credits, Mercy’s Medical Coding Certificate is available online for CCA exam preparation. The CAHIIM-approved curriculum was updated to include the ICD-10 coding system.

Online Tuition: $396 per credit

 

20. Rasmussen College

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Owned by the Public Benefit Corporation, Rasmussen College is a for-profit distance learning institution based in Bloomington, Minnesota, with 17 satellites to educate over 13,600 students. Inside Higher Ed declared that “Rasmussen proves bigger isn’t always better.” As America’s 13th Best Online Value, Rasmussen houses a Medical Billing and Coding Certificate in its CAHIIM-accredited School of Health Sciences. Graduates of the nine-month program achieve a median salary of $31,454 with employers like the Mayo Clinic and Sanford Health.

Online Tuition: $310 per credit

Learn more about Rasmussen College’s Medical Coding and Billing Online Program here.

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What Are The Top Medical Billing and Coding Programs?

Teaching hospitals play several very important roles in American society. Not only do they serve to train future generations of healthcare workers, but they also provide a significant portion (38%) of hospital charity care and 28% of all Medicaid hospitalization, according to the AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges). More specifically, the AAMC reports that 90% of their member teaching hospitals provide AIDS services, whereas only 14% of non-teaching hospitals do. The following list shows the impact of AAMC-member teaching hospitals:

• 78 percent of all burn care units center beds
• 63 percent of pediatric ICUs
• 82 percent of all ACS-designated level I trauma centers
• 68 percent of surgical transplant services
• 52 percent of Alzheimer centers
• 39 percent of the nation’s neonatal ICUs
• 21 percent of cardiac surgery services, often for the most seriously ill heart patients.

Source: AAMC.

Obviously, having a high-quality teaching hospital affiliated with a medical college is necessity for some healthcare students (e.g., medical students, nursing students, etc.) and a bonus for others (e.g., medical coding and medical billing). There are nearly 5,000 hospitals/ medical centers in the United States, some of which are teaching hospitals. (AAMC member hospitals make up only 6% of American hospitals.) We’ve assembled a list of 25 American universities and colleges which have singular affiliations with teaching hospitals. That is, the hospitals selected here are each only affiliated with a single medical school, although the school may have affiliations with multiple health systems. In some cases, hospitals are run by the school and/or partially staffed by school faculty.

NOTES:

• Hospitals were selected on a number of factors, including inclusion in “top hospitals” lists from US News and World Report, Thomson Reuters, SK&A and Healthgrades.
• Ranking order of the universities/ colleges listed here is approximately by decreasing number of licensed hospital beds available in a teaching hospital affiliate.
• Bed counts are a approximate, combined from multiple sources. (In the case of different values for a hospital, the larger available value is used.)
• The main teaching affiliate for selected colleges / universities is listed, and occasionally a 2nd or 3rd teaching hospital is mentioned.
• University or school of medicine Web site link is in each entry heading. Main teaching hospital link is at the end of each entry.
• Teaching hospitals do occasionally change their academic affiliations.

25. Rush University Medical Center

 

View of the east tower of the Rush University Medical Center. (source)

Rush University, located in Chicago, IL, was founded in 1972. Rush’s endowment as of FY 2013 was about $500M. In the area of health subjects, it has Rush Medical College, the College of of Nursing , College of Health Sciences and a graduate college. Rush Medical College is one of the first in the midwest, and the nursing college is top-ranked in various lists.

Rush’s teaching hospital affiliate is Rush University Medical Center (RUMC), also located in Chicago, and which includes the Bowman Health Center, a rehab facility. RUMC is having over a billion dollars invested in renovations and also construction of new facilities. The center has ranked well in various categories of U.S. News and World Report (USNWR) 2010 top hospitals list, especially in orthopedics and neurology/ neurosurgery.

Additional Hospital Information:

24. Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Front entrance of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. (source)

The University of Pennsylvania, located in Philadelphia, PA, was founded in 1740 and is one of nine original Colonial Colleges. U Penn’s endowment for FY 2013 was $7.74B. Heath-related schools include medical, dental, nursing, and biomedical.

U Penn’s Perelman School of Medicine (aka Penn Med, founded 1765) is also in Philadelphia. It is a top recipient (#2, 2012) of NIH (National Institutes of Health) research awards and is #4 on US New’s top medical research schools 2012 list, as well as #11 in the same year for primary care. The school took on its current name in 2011 thanks to a $225M contribution by Raymond G. Perelman — the largest donation given for a medical school renaming (David Geffen gave $200M to UCLA).

The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) was founded by Penn Med in 1874, and is reputedly the oldest university-owned teaching hospital in the USA. It ranked #7 in US News’ 2014 top hospitals list. HUP has a fleet of helicopters as part of their Level I trauma center, to serve injured patients in parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.

Penn Med also has other medical facilities including other top teaching hospital affiliations. One is with the 317-bed Penn Presbyterian Medical Center (founded in 1871), also in Philadelphia, PA, and which houses Penn Med’s Orthopaedics and Opthalmology departmeents. Another is with the 515-bed Pennsylvania Hospital, founded by Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Bond, the first hospital in the U.S., and which also has the first surgical amphitheater and medical library.

Additional Hospital Information:

23. Baylor College of Medicine

Night view of O’Quinn medical tower at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center. (source)

Baylor College of Medicine (BCM; founded 1900) in Houston, TX, is entirely focused on health sciences, with a number of different medical schools, including a grad school — several of whose degree programs have ranked well in various “top medical school” lists, including Beckers Hospital Review (overall) and U.S. News (nurse anesthesia and others). It reputedly has one the lowest tuition rates amongst private U.S. medical schools. BCM has been independent from Baylor University (in Waco, TX, and founded 1845) since 1969. BCM’s endowment as of FY 2013 was nearly $874M.

BCM has a teaching hospital affiliation with the 864-bed Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center (SLMC), also in Houston, and founded in 1945. Since its 2013 purchase by Catholic Health Initiatives, the health system is named CHI St. Luke’s Health System, and the “Baylor” is dropped from the center’s name (although BCM is a joint owner). BCM itself is located in the Texas Medical Center (TMC), said to be the largest of its kind in the world. The 29-story O’Quinn Medical Tower that is part of St. Luke’s is 477 feet tall and reputedly the third-tallest hospital in the world.

Additional Hospital Information:

22. Virginia Commonwealth University

VCU Medical Center, Medical College of Virginia Campus. (source)

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), located in Richmond, Virginia, was founded in 1838, originally as Medical College of Virginia (MCV), although its current name is from a merger in 1968 with Richmond Professional Institute. It is designated as a “very high research activity” university and received over $250M in research funds for FY 2011. VCU’s endowment as of FY 2013 was $1.33B.

VCU’s teaching hospital affiliation is with its own 865-bed VCU Medical Center, which serves VCU’s several health-related schools (medicine, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy and allied health professions). Both the VCU health-related schools and the hospital have ranked well in various “top schools” and “top hospitals” lists. The hospital has ranked nationally for Nephrology, Pediatrics: Nephrology, Rehabilitation, Cancer and others.

Additional Hospital Information:

21. University of Connecticut / Health Center

Main entrance to the Hartford Hospital. (source)

The University of Connecticut (UConn), located in Storrs village in Mansfield, CT, was founded in 1881 as Storrs Agricultural School. UConn’s endowment for FY 2013 was $1.33B. UConn is a public research university that has medical, nursing and dental schools.

The University of Connecticut (UConn) Health Center was founded in the 1960s. The 137-bed John Dempsey Hospital opened in 1975, is used as a teaching hospital, and also serves patients for cardiology, cancer, maternal fetal medicine and more.

Additional teaching hospital affiliations for UConn include the 867-bed Hartford Hospital, found in 1854, and the 617-bed St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center, founded in 1897. Hartford is an acute-care hospital with high regional rankings in various US News lists. It has a hyperbaric chamber, a Level I trauma center, and has a helipad and helicopters for air service. St. Francis is an acute-care hospital with a formal affiliation with the Jewish-faith Mount Sinai Hospital — the first such of its kind in the U.S.

Additional Hospital Information:

20. University of North Carolina, School of Medicine

N.C. Memorial Hospital and N.C. Children’s Hospital at the Carolinas Medical Center, University of North Chapel Hill. (source)

The University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill, founded in 1789, is considered the oldest public university in the U.S. UNC Chapel Hill’s endowment as of FY 2013 was $2.38B. It is a highly-ranked public research university with a top-ranked, well-funded medical school that offers degrees in Doctor of Medicine, Master of Public Health and other specializations.

One teaching affiliate is the 874-bed Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, NC, founded in 1940. Carolinas has a Level I trauma center and has been well-ranked for its Orthopedic program. It conducted it’s first organ transplant (a cadaveric kidney) in 1970, and it’s first heart transplant in 1986.

Another teaching hospital affiliate is the UNC Health Care system, founded in 1989, which has five hospitals under the UNC Hospitals alone, including the NC Cancer Hospital, NC Memorial Hospital and NC Children’s Hospital, all on the UNC campus, and with new complex to open in 2015. UNC Hospitals currently have a combined 800+ beds, a Level I trauma center and an Air Care service.

Additional Hospital Information:

19. University of Minnesota Medical School

University of Minnesota Medical Center. (source)

The University of Minnesota has multiple campuses, with the oldest (U of M) being in the twin cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, founded in 1851. The Duluth campus (UMD), founded as the Duluth Normal School in 1902, becoming part of the University of Minnesota system in 1947. U of M’s endowment as of FY 2013 was $2.76B. The U of M and and UMD together share the University of Minnesota Medical school, and one option is a medical scientist program. The UM system also has programs for Pharmacy, Nursing, Dentistry and Public Health.

The 874-bed University of Minnesota Medical Center in Minneapolis was established in 1997, along with the U of M Masonic Children’s Hospital, but were preceded by the U of M Hospitals and Clinics. Center services include primary care, emergency care, organ transplants, childbirthing, pediatrics and others. Surgeons performed the world’s first open-heart surgery in 1952 on a four-year old patient. The center is staffed by both university and community physicians.

Additional Hospital Information:

18. University of Florida

Patient Services building of Shands Hospital at the University of Florida. (source)

The University of Florida, based in Gainesville and originally founded in 1853, is a Public Ivy with a Very-High Research designation (for land-, sea- and space-based research) and a top-15 public university ranking (U.S. News, 2013). UF’s endowment as of FY 2013 was $1.36B. It has a colleges for medicine (established 1956), nursing (also 1956), pharmacy, public health, dentistry and “health and human performance.”

For teaching hospitals, one affiliation is the J. Hillis Miller Health Science Center, which has the 882-bed UF Health Shands Hospital, established in 1956 and which is on campus. US News has it ranked in the top-50 for various adult specialties, including Cardiology and Heart Surgery, Nephrology, and Pulmonology, plus high marks for Cancer, Diabetes and Endocrinology, Geriatrics and more. It also ranked in the top-50 in US News for various Pediatric specialties, including #14 for Diabetes and Endocrinology.

Another teaching hospital affiliation is the 695-bed UF Health Jacksonville, found in 1999 and part of the University of Florida’s Jacksonville campus. This hospital roots actually go back to 1870. Services include a proton therapy facility, and a Level I trauma center.

Additional Hospital Information:

17. Wake Forest University, School of Medicine

Bowman Gray statue in front of Wake Forest University’s School of Medicine. (source)

Wake Forest University (WFU), originally established in Wake Forest, NC, in 1834, moved to its current location of Winston-Salem in 1956. WFU’s endowment as of FY 2013 was $1.06B. The School of Medicine was established in 1902 at the original location of Wake Forest University, in the town of Wake Forest, North Carolina, moving in 1941 to Winston-Salem and becoming the Bowman Gray School of Medicine — now simply the WFU School of Medicine. The very selective school, in terms of admission, is highly ranked by US News, ranking in 2013 at #51 for primary care and #49 for research, as well as well-funded (top third) by NIH.

The teaching hospital affiliation for WFU is the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center (WFBMC), established in 1997 but with history going back to 1902. It is located off-campus in downtown Winston-Salem. WFBMC includes the 885-bed North Carolina Baptist Hospital, used for teaching, as well as the Brenner Children’s Hospital. WFBMC achieved top rankings in US News’ 2014 list of best hospitals for Cancer and three other areas, as well received high rankings for several other areas including Cardiology and Heart Surgery. The center also made Becker’s Hospital Review top 100 hospitals 2014 list. The center has a Level I trauma center and a helicopter service.

Additional Hospital Information:

16. Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine

View of the old Prentice Women’s Hospital building, part of the Northwestern Memorial Hospital group of buildings. (source)

Northwestern University (NU) was founded in 1851 and is located in Evanston and Chicago, in the state of Illinois. It has a reputation as a top research university and as of FY 2013, was in tenth place for endowments — at approximately $7.88B — amongst nearly 850 American universities and colleges assessed by NACUBO.org. It also has top-22 rankings nationally and top-28 rankings globally on various 2013 and 2014 lists published by Forbes, US News, Times Higher Ed, and others.

NU’s medical school, the Feinberg School of Medicine, is located in Chicago and ranked 18th in US News’ 2014 list of top medical schools. It was established in 1859 as part of Lind University, becoming independent in 1863 and affiliating with Northwestern University a few years later. The current name comes from a $75M donation in 2002, which itself was preceded a $17M (1988) and $10M (1996) donations from the Feinberg family for a cardiovascular institute and a clinical neurosciences institute, respectively.

One teaching affiliate hospital is 897-bed Northwestern Memorial Hospital (NMH), established in 1966, in Chicago. NMH ranked #6 in 2013 and #10 in 2014, on US News’ list of top American hospitals. Some of the specialties it ranks for are neurology and neurosurgery, orthopaedics, and diabetes and endocrinology. It has top-17 ranks in a number of other areas as well. Researchers at NMH filed 70 disclosures of inventions in 2010 alone. Trials in progress include AIDS, cancer, diabetes and other clinical research — over 2,000 studies as of 2010

Other teaching hospital affiliates include the 288-bed Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital, used for pediatric education, and the Prentice Women’s Hospital (the old building is pictured above).

Additional Hospital Information:

15. Rutgers University/ New Jersey Medical School

Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack New Jersey. (source)

Rutgers University in the state of New Jersey was founded in 1766 as Queen’s College and is one of the original nine Colonial Colleges. Rutgers, a Public Ivy, has not one but three major campuses, but the flagship campus is in New Brunswick, NJ, and additional campuses and facilities, all in New Jersey. Rutgers endowment as of FY 2013 was ~$783M.

The university has a number of health-related schools and colleges, including the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, College of Nursing, School of Nursing, School of Dental Medicine, School of Public Health, Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Jersey Medical School and others. The latter two are graduate medical schools and were acquired as part of a 2013 merger with UMDNJ (University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey). These and the other schools/ colleges are in different locations in New Jersey.

The New Jersey Medical School (NJMS) was originally founded in 1970 as Rutgers Medical School as part of the university, though it was was split off in 1971 by the state Governor’s office. Even before this, in 1952, the university’s Selman Waksman received the Nobel Prize in Medicine for his part in discovering over 20 antibiotics, including one used to cure tuberculosis.

One teaching hospital affiliate of NJMS is the 900-bed Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC), originally founded in 1881 and located in Hackensack, NJ, in Bergen County. HUMC offers tertiary and healthcare services for New York City and parts of New Jersey and was the first hospital in the country to receive a Magnet award for Nursing excellence. In addition to being a state-designated children’s hospital, it also offers cardiac care and surgery, as well as geriatric services and a stem cell transplantation program. Other services include a Level II trauma center and a helipad.

Another NJMS teaching affiliate is the 478-bed Saint Peter’s University Hospital (SPUH) in New Brunswick, NJ, founded in 1907. It is a state-designated acute care children’s hospital and has one of the United States’ largest maternity services. SPUH has won four Magnet awards for Nursing Excellence.

For the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (RWJMS), one teaching affiliate is the 519-bed University Hospital in Newark, NJ, founded in 1882. It has a Level I trauma center

Additional Hospital Information:

14. University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine

Recreation Center at University of Alabama, Birmingham (source)

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) was founded in 1969 –with roots going back to 1936 — and is part of the University of Alabama System. The university is in the top-20 for federal funding. UA’s combined endowment as of FY 2013 was $1.05B.

UAB School of Medicine, also located in Birmingham as part of the campus medical center, has its roots in the Medical College of Alabama, founded in 1859. The school has top-20 ranked specialties, including AIDS and internal medicine. The School of Nursing is also well-ranked, as are some of its programs. The School of Medicine has an early acceptance program, EMSAP, which guarantees entry into the school after graduation to undergrads who are accepted. It also has a Medical Scientist Training Program, one of only a few dozen in the country, which is funded by NIH grants, and which has the option to earn an MD and PhD, with free tuition and a stipend.

One teaching affiliate of the School of Medicine is the 908-bed UAB Hospital, found in 1945 and which is part of the UAB Health System (UABHS). UABHS and UAB Hospital are located in Birmingham, AL, on the UAB campus, adjacent to other hospitals (affiliated but non-UAB), which are off-campus in the Birmingham Medical District. Teaching specialties include internal medicine, neurology, radiology and others. The hospital itself has a Level I trauma center. The hospital and many of its physicians have made it to various “top hospitals/ top physicians” lists, and the hospital earned a Consumer Choice award for 2005-6.

Additional Hospital Information:

13. Loma Linda University School of Medicine

View of the Loma Linda University Medical Center from the South Hills. (source)

Loma Linda University (LLU) in Loma Linda, California, was founded in 1905 and is affiliated with the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. LLU’s endowment as of FY 2013 was $648M. It ranks #11 of 1,017 schools on the PayScale.com list of starting salaries after graduation. LLU has a number of health-related schools, including for medicine, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, public health and allied health professionals.

The School of Medicine was established in 1909 and is also located in Loma Linda. The School has a total of 21 departments, fourteen of which are clinical and four intermediary (including public health and preventive medicine). Admission preference favors applicants of the Seventh-Day Adventist faith, and clinical rotations for junior and senior years are at the Loma Linda University Medical Center (LLUMC).

The LLUMC was established in 1905. It is a Level I trauma center that has two helipads for air service, and the 11-story main tower is visible from many parts of the San Bernadino-Riverside-Ontario region east of Los Angeles. LLUMC has an emergency room that specializes in snake bites and an infant heart transplant program. The transplant program is part of the 275-bed Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, a Level I trauma center that serves four counties in southern California.

Additional Hospital Information:

12. Georgetown University School of Medicine

Garden view of exterior of Washington General Hospital at the MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, D.C. (source)

Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., was founded in 1789 and is affiliated with the Catholic and Jesuit faiths — reputedly the oldest such institution in the U.S. Georgetown’s endowment as of FY 2013 was $1.29B. The university has had many notable alumni, including politicians, heads of state, royalty and others. Georgetown has a number of health-related schools, including for medicine and nursing.

The School of Medicine (SoM) was founded in 1851 and has ranked well in US News’ yearly top medical schools lists. The university and the non-profit MedStar Health have partnered since 2000, which added seven hospital affiliates in Washington, D.C., and nearby Baltimore, MD, to supplement the existing Georgetown University Medical Center (GUMC), which is located on campus.

One teaching hospital affiliation that resulted from the partnership is the 926-bed MedStar Washington Hospital Center, founded in 1958. It offers variety of services including primary, secondary and tertiary care, and is a Level I trauma center with air ambulance service. The center’s specialties include cancer, neurosciences, burn treatment and others.

Another teaching affiliate, on campus, is the 609-bed MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, founded in 1898, which houses the (Vince) Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, amongst others that cover specialties including neurology, neurosurgery, vascular surgery, and living-donor liver transplants. The hospital received a Magnet award in 2004, and ranked for over a dozen specialties in US News’ 2001 best hospitals list.

Due to reasons of faith, the center and the hospital do not perform abortions.

Additional Hospital Information:

11. Thomas Jefferson University, Sidney Kimmel Medical College

Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. (source)

Thomas Jefferson University (TJU) in Philadelphia, PA, was founded in 1824. TJU has a number of health-related schools and colleges, including for medicine, nursing, pharmacy, population health and health professions. The medical school, formerly known as Jefferson Medical College (JMC), was founded in 1824. It was renamed to the Sidney Kimmel Medical College (SKMC) thanks to a $110M donation in 2014 by Sidney Kimmel.

SKMC has nearly 30 departments covering a wide range of specialties, from Anesthesiology to Urology. It claims “more living graduates than any other private medical school in the nation”. As well, nearly one in four applicants to medical school in the U.S. apply to JMC/ SKMC. (For example, there were over 10,000 applications for the 2012-2013 Academic Year, according to the university’s annual report for that year.)

One teaching affiliate is the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, founded in 1825. It is an acute care facility with a Level I trauma center. The parent organization, Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals (TJUH), has a total of 957 beds and services in five locations. Other teaching affiliate hospitals include Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience and Methodist Hospital.

Additional Hospital Information:

10. USF Health, Morsani College of Medicine

Tampa General Hospital. (source)

The University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa, FL, was founded in 1956. It is one of three institutions in the USF system, and ranks highly for a number of factors, including being a very high research university, research funding, research expenditures, number of patents granted (over 1,400), ranking for the School of Nursing (in terms of funding received by NIH in FY 2012) and more. USF also ranked 40th in Forbes’ “top 100 best buy colleges” list in 2012, and in the Princeton Review top 75 “best college values” 2014 list, as well as for various rankings in multiple other lists. USF’s endowment as of FY 2013 was $364M.

USF has a number of health-related colleges that together comprise USF Health, including the colleges of nursing, pharmacy, public health, medicine and others. The Morsani College of Medicine is a grad school, founded in 1971. Specialties across USF Health include research into prosthetics, Alzheimer’s, diabetes and others. Morsani/ USF Health also has a three-story medical simulation center used for training.

One teaching hospital affiliate is the 1,018-bed Tampa General Hospital (TGH), situated on the Davis Islands and opening in 1927. It is a Level I trauma center with helicopter service and has a number of specialties including orthopedics, urology, parathyroid surgery, head and neck surgery, neonatal intensive care, amongst others. Awards include getting Magnet status in 2005, winning the Consumer’s Choice Award several years in a row, and earning a top-50 ranking nationwide in US News’ 2012 best hospitals for adult specialties. It is a Level I trauma center with helicopter service.

Another teaching hospital affiliate is the 981-bed Lehigh Valley Hospital – Cedar Crest in Allentown, PA, via USF’s SELECT program. Specialties include cancer treatment, kidney transplantation, and burn treatment, amongst others. It is an Adult Level I and Pediatric Level II trauma center.

Additional Hospital Information:

9. Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine

Case Medical Center and Lerner Tower.jpg (source)

Case Western Reserve University (CWRU or Case), located in Cleveland, OH, is the result of the 1967 merger between Western Reserve University (founded 1826) and Case Institute of Technology (founded 1881). Case ranked #37 in US News’ 2013 list of top national universities. Its endowment as of FY 2013 was $1.68B. Notable health-related divisions include the School of Medicine (CWRU SOM/ CaseMed), the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, and the Department of Biomedical Engineering.

CaseMed has roots back to 1843 as the Medical Department of Western Reserve College, aka Cleveland Medical College. It is currently a graduate school of Case and received a #23 ranking in US News’ 2014 list of top medical schools in the U.S. for research. Of the 16 Nobel Prizes won by Laureates affiliated with Case (as alumni or former or current faculty) between 1907 and 2004, inclusive, eight are in physiology/ medicine, including for research on diabetes and polio. Two U.S. Surgeons General are alumni, and another is a director of the CDC. Two other alumni are the second (1852) and third (1854) women to earn a medical degree in the U.S. In addition to various MD degrees, CaseMed also has a Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP).

One teaching hospital affiliate for CaseMed is the 1,032-bed University Hospitals Case Medical Center, founded in 1866. The center covers a number of specialties including orthopedics, radiation oncology, cardiovascular surgery, human genetics and others. The center includes the 244-bed teaching facility Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, ranked #2 in 2008 for neonatal care by US News, and other facilities.

Another teaching affiliate is the 861-bed MetroHealth System, founded in 1837, which is a Level I trauma center with an air ambulance service. MetroHealth also has a burn unit. CaseMed has additional teaching hospital affiliates, including the 1,200-bed Cleveland Clinic, which has its own Lerner College of Medicine.

Additional Hospital Information:

8. Harvard Medical School

Main entrance of the Massachusetts General Hospital. (source)

Harvard University, located in Cambridge, MA, was founded in 1636. It is not only the oldest higher-learning institution in the U.S., it is at or near the top in many rankings lists of schools worldwide. Harvard’s endowment ($32.3B for FY 2013, $30.4B for FY 2012) is said to be the largest of any academic institution worldwide, and was the largest in the U.S. for 2013.

Harvard has many notable alumni: U.S. presidents, billionaires, Rhodes Scholars, Nobel Laureates and more. Of the over 170 Nobel Prizes awarded to people in some way associated with Harvard, over 50 of prizes were award for the “Physiology or Medicine” category. Harvard has more than four times as many medical as non-medical administrative staff.

Harvard Medical School (HMS), founded 1782, is located in the Longwood Medical Area, along with the dental and the public health schools. HMS has so far been a permanent fixture at #1 for medical schools ( research) on the US News medical schools list. HMS is the third-oldest American medical school. U Penn/ Pereleman at #24 in this list, founded in 1765, and Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, founded in 1767, are older.

The main teaching hospital affiliate of HMS is the 1,057-bed Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), founded in 1811, making it the third-oldest American general hospital. It ranked number one nationwide in US News’ 2013 list of top hospitals, but dropped to #2 below Mayo Clinic for the 2014 list. Services include obstetrics, pediatrics, neonatal intensive care and others. It is a Level I trauma center with a helipad and air service.

A second teaching affiliate hospital is the 793-bed Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH), founded in 1980. Another teaching affiliate is the 631-bed Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), founded as Deaconess in 1896. Both BWH and BIDMC are Level I trauma centers with helipads. HMS has nearly 20 teaching affiliate hospitals/ centers in total — many of which have multiple affiliations with other academic institutions, so are not listed here.

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7. Duke University School of Medicine

South building of the Duke University Hospital. (source)

Duke University, located in Durham, NC, was founded in 1838 in Trinity, NC, as Brown School, and eventually relocating to Durham in 1892 while named Trinity College. Duke ranked #18 in the Times Higher Ed (THE) 2014-15 national list, and #25 in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) 2014-15 worldwide list. Its endowment as of FY 2013 was $6.04B. The university tied for 8th place on US News’ 2014 best colleges (national) list, and had other high rankings from nearly a dozen other lists.

In terms of health-related disciplines, Duke has a school of medicine and a school of nursing. These schools, along with Duke Clinic and various hospitals comprise Duke University Health System. (There is also a graduate medical school in Singapore that is a partnership with National University of Singapore.)

One teaching affiliate hospital, is the 938-bed acute care Duke Medical Center/ Duke University Hospital founded in 1925. It received nearly $300M in funding for 2013 from the NIH. The hospital is a Level I trauma center with a helipad. The hospital and the schools of medicine and nursing were created as part of a donation from James Buchanan Duke (after whose father the university itself is named).

Duke Health also has three other hospitals in its roster: Duke Children’s Hospital and Health Center, Duke Regional Hospital, and Duke Raleigh Hospital. Combined specialties include treatment services for cancer, heart, spine and back, lung disease, children’s health, OB-GYN and others.

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6. Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine

Johns Hopkins Hospital – listed in the National Register of Historic places. (source)

Johns Hopkins University (JHU), founded in 1876, is located in Baltimore, MD, and has campuses in Maryland state and nearby Washington, D.C. JHU’s endowment as of FY 2013 was $2.99B. Notable alumni and other affiliated people include over 30 Nobel Laureates, one of whom was also a U.S. President (Woodrow Wilson) and was the first Laureate for JHU. Half the original donation from entrepreneur philanthropist Johns Hopkins that founded the university went to founding Johns Hopkins Hospital. The $7M bequest was the largest philanthropic gift in the U.S. at the time.

JHU ranks at the top of the list of receipt of federal R+D funds, and the School of Medicine ranks first for receipt of extra awards from NIH. The JHU School of Medicine (JHUSOM, founded 1893), together with the School of Nursing and Bloomberg School of Public Health comprise Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions (JHMI) Campus. JHUSOM’s alumni and faculty have collectively won 15 Nobel Prizes in the category of “Physiology or Medicine.” JHUSOM ranked #3 in US News’ 2014 list of top medical schools for research.

One teaching hospital affiliates is JHU’s own 1,148-bed Johns Hopkins Hospital, founded in 1889. A seminal book of medical practices was written at the hospital by internist Sir William Osler, a founding professor and physician of JHUSOM. The hospital held US News’ #1 spot for best hospitals (Honor Roll, 2014-15) from 1991-2011. In 2012, it lost it’s #1 spot, regained it in 2013 and lost it again in 2014, this time to the Mayo Clinic (first time at #1). The hospital has also ranked high or at the top for research funding from the NIH. It is a Level I trauma center, Adult and Pediatric. Top-ranked specialties include geriatrics, neurology and neurosurgery, urology, and numerous others received #2 to #6 rankings by US News in recent years.

Another teaching hospital affiliate is the 550-plus-bed John Hopkins Bayview Medical Center (JHBMC), which went by other names in the past, including Francis Scott Key Medical Center. It was founded in 1773 as Baltimore City Hospitals. Services include neonatal intensive care, a burn center, geriatrics and others. JHBMC is a Level II trauma center with a helipad.

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5. Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

View from New York’s Central Park of Mount Sinai Medical Center. (source)

The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), located in Manhattan, NY, was founded in 1963 as the Mount Sinai School of Medicine (MSSM) as part of Mount Sinai Hospital, which is now part of Mount Sinai Health System.

ISMMS’ predecessor MSSM was previously affiliated with City University of New York (CUNY), who administered the medical degrees of MSSM students. As of 1999, MSSM became affiliated with New York University (NYU; #4 in in this list) via the merger of their respective health system. However, they kept operations separate from NYU School of Medicine, and the merger ended in 2003. In 2010, MSSM became accredited and were able to grant their own medical degrees. In Nov 2012, MSSM announced a change to ISMMS, thanks to American businessman/ investor Carl Icahn, who donated $200M. A number of buildings and labs were also renamed in his honor.

Carl Icahn also contributed to ISMMS’ teaching affiliate hospital, the 1,171-bed Mount Sinai Hospital, where he is a trustee. Mount Sinai, founded in 1852, is one of the oldest teaching hospitals in the U.S. and the second Jewish hospital in the country. It was ranked nationally as a top hospital by US News for 10 specialties on their 2014 top hospitals list. The highest three specialties are geriatrics (#2), gastroenterology and GI surgery (#9) and a tie at #10 for cardiology and heart surgery, and in ear, nose and throat.

Mount Sinai has had many milestones in its history, including a number of medical discoveries, and being first to describe certain medical conditions which were later given a name, as well as first to use certain medical procedures.

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4. New York University School of Medicine

NYU Langone Medical Center, northeast view across 30th Street. (source)

New York University (NYU), located in downtown Manhattan, New York, was founded in 1831 and claims to be one of the largest private universities in the U.S. NYU also has satellite campuses in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai. Health-related schools and colleges at NYU include dentistry, nursing and medicine.

The NYU School of Medicine was established in 1841 but with history dating to 1837. NYU was for a time affiliated with the Mount Sinai School of Medicine (MSSM) via the merger of their health systems in 1998, though that ended in 2003. (See #5 in this list). NYU SoM ranked #19 in US News’ 2014 best medical schools list, and of the 36 Nobel Prizes awarded to people variously affiliated with the school, 12 prizes were in the category of “Physiology or Medicine.” Four Nobel Laureates are associated specifically with NYU SoM.

NYU SoM is part of NYU Langone Medical Center, the teaching affiliate hospital, founded in 1841. Langone was previous known as NYU Medical Center, but was changed after a $200M donation from Kenneth and Elaine Langone in 2008. The center has three hospitals that combine to a total of 1,232 beds. This includes the 705-bed Tisch Hospital. Some of the center’s specialties include cancer, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopedics, and children’s services. Also at the center are the Hospital for Joint Diseases, and the Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine. The latter is the first such university-affiliated center in the world focusing only on rehabilitation medicine research and training.

Another teaching affiliate hospital is the 1,200-bed Bellevue Hospital Center in New York, founded in 1736 — the United States oldest public hospital. It has 861 beds for general use and 339 for psychiatric use. It is a Level I trauma center with a helipad. Bellevue has a long relationship with NYU, with clinical instruction for the school of medicine starting at the hospital in 1847. Bellevue formed its own medical college in 1861, and merged with NYU’s medical college in 1898.

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3. Washington University, School of Medicine

View of Barnes-Jewish Hospital across Jefferson Lake in St. Louis. (source)

Washington University in St. Louis, MO, (WUSTL) was founded in 1853. WUSTL’s endowment as of FY 2013 was $5.65B. The university has achieved a number of top rankings on various lists for both the United States and the world, including a #7 position on Princeton Review’s (PR’s) 2012 “best value private colleges” list and #2 in PR’s 2014 list of best college dorms. It has previously held a #4 ranking in terms of NIH funding.

The Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM) was founded in 1891. WUSM has ranked as high as #2 in US News’ list of top medical schools (2003,2004), and has a #6 spot in US News’ 2014 list of top comprehensive medical schools. It claims 17 Nobel Prizes through various affiliations with winners, of the 22 prizes for the university.

WUSM is part of the WUSTL Medical Campus, aka Washington University Medical Center, which also includes two teaching hospitals –which are staffed by WUSM’s Physicians and Nurse Practitioners — and a number of centers and institutes.

One teaching affiliate hospital is is the 1,252-bed Barnes-Jewish Hospital, a merger of two hospitals — one founded in 1902, the other in 1914. Barnes has been on US News’ honor roll of best hospitals for many years, taking #17 in the 2014 list. It has also ranked well for a number of specialties, including pulmonology, urology, nephrology, neurology and neurosurgery, ophthamology and others.

The second teaching hospital is the 258-bed St. Louis Children’s Hospital, founded in 1879, and which serves parts of six states. It covers all pediatric services and has numerous advocacy programs for nutrition, fitness, safety and more. The hospital had performed 410 pediatric lung transplants as of year-end 2013 (since 1990), and 18 heart-lung transplants in the same period.

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2. Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine

The Broward Health Medical Center. (source)

Nova Southeastern University (NSU), founded in 1964, has its main campus in Fort Lauderdale, FL. NSU claims the status of eighth-largest non-profit private university in the United States, in terms of enrolled students (over 28,000). It’s endowment as of FY 2013 was $6.7M. It is designated a “high research activity” university, and is one of 37 in the country to receive the Community Engagement classification from the Carnegie Foundation.

NSU’s health-related schools and colleges include osteopathic medicine, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, optometry and allied health. NSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine (NSUCOM)was founded in 1979, in Davie, FL., as part of Southeastern University. (The latter merged with Nova University in 1994 to form NSU.) The college offers a D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine), an M.P.H. (Master of Public Health) and an M.S. (Master in Biomedical Informatics). Options are a combined D.O./ M.P.H. program or a combined D.O./ D.M.D. (Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry).

NSUCOM’s teaching affiliate hospital is the 1,529-bed Broward Health Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale, FL, with Broward General Hospital founded in 1938, now known as Broward General Medical Center. Broward Health is a Level I trauma center. Specialties include stroke treatment and liver transplants.

The Chris Evert Children’s Hospital is also part of Broward Health and has a pediatric trauma center and intensive care unit. Other pediatric specialties include allergy/ immunology, cardiology, endocrinology, pulmonology, otolarynology, neurosurgery, plastic surgery and more.

NSUCOM has numerous other hospital affiliations, mostly across Florida but also in Alabama and New York states.

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1. Yale University School of Medicine

Aerial view of the Yale-New Haven Hospital. (source)

Yale University, located in New Haven, CT, was founded in 1701. It is the third oldest of the original nine Colonial Colleges and is an Ivy League school. Yale claims to be the first American university to grant a Ph.D., in 1861. The university’s endowment as of FY 2013 was $20.78B. It is ranked #3 in US News’ 2014 list of top national universities.

Amongst the health-related schools at Yale are medicine, nursing and public health. Yale School of Medicine was founded in 1810. It ranks as #7 in US News’ 2014 list of top medical schools for research. Degrees offered are an MD/ MPH and MD/ MHS (Master of Health Science). There are also other combined degree options, including a MD/PhD and a MMSc (Physician Associate), MMSc/ MPH, as well combinations with management, divinity, and law degrees. Over 4,000 students competed for 100 spots for the class of 2016.

Yale School of Medicine has a number of teaching affiliate hospitals. The main one is the 1,541-bed Yale-New Haven Hospital (YNHH) in New Haven, CT, founded in 1826 — one of the largest hospitals in the world. YNHH also serves Yale School of Nursing students for education, and has Magnet status for excellence in nursing. YNHH ranked in US News’ 2014 list for 11 adult specialities, including #7 in diabetes and endocrinology, and #11 in psychiatry.

The bed count at YNHH includes the Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital, Smilow Cancer Hospital, and Yale-New Haven Psychiatric Hospital. The Children’s Hospital ranked in US News’ 2014 list for seven pediatric specialties, including #3 for diabetes and endocrinology, and #18 for gastroenterology and GI surgery.

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