Best Patient Access Representative Programs in Moorhead, Minnesota (2026)

The best patient access representative programs near Moorhead, Minnesota pair focused training with a state median wage of about $37,510 a year for patient access representatives (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most students finish a 3-to-9-month patient access or medical office certificate, or start directly with employer training; the voluntary NAHAM CHAA credential can come with experience.

Patient access representatives register patients, verify insurance coverage, schedule appointments, and manage front-desk operations in hospitals and clinics. Training typically covers insurance verification, scheduling systems, medical terminology, and HIPAA.

Key Facts

  • Minnesota median wage: $37,510/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025)
  • Job outlook: +0% with ~128,500 openings/yr (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034)
  • Minnesota employment: 11,800 patient access representatives (Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025)
  • Minnesota location quotient: 0.68 (Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025)
  • Typical program length: 6-12 months (certificate) to 2 years (associate) (Source: IPEDS, 2024)

Patient Access Representative Schools near Moorhead

Compare patient access representative schools near Moorhead

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from Moorhead, Minnesota.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)TuitionMedian grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
168.7Contact school for pricing$49,85948%Yes*144 mi
264.5$5,908 - $17,194$54,58147%Yes*50 mi
363.6Contact school for pricing$54,67152%Yes*90 mi
461.9$2,794 - $13,655Not reported49%Yes*194 mi
560.4$6,249 - $19,543$50,35751%Yes*126 mi
658.9$5,940 - $16,032$59,90643%Yes*202 mi
758.5$6,491 - $17,408$52,39049%Yes*153 mi
845.5Contact school for pricing$52,69118%Yes*212 mi

Schools closest to Moorhead, Minnesota are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from Moorhead, Minnesota is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

How we rank schools – graduation rate, graduate earnings, cost and retention. Advertising plays no part.

This page lists 8 schools within 212 miles, closest group first, then ordered by BOC Score with the highest at the top. 8 of them carry a score.

Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate how often students finish
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry whether it paid off
25%
Average net price what students actually pay after aid; lower ranks higher
20%
Retention rate how many come back for year two
15%
Fully online availability whether you can study while working
10%

Scores come from IPEDS (2024) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are for all graduates of a school, not one program, so treat them as a signal about the institution rather than about this subject. Sponsored listings are paid placements and are labelled as such; they are separate from this ranking and never change it. Read the full methodology.

#1

Ridgewater College

Willmar, MN 143.9 miles away BOC Score 68.7
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 47.9% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 57
  • Annual completions: 610
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $49,859 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#2

Minnesota State Community and Technical College

Fergus Falls, MN 50.5 miles away BOC Score 64.5
Tuition $5,908 - $17,194
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 46.5%
  • Programs offered: 79
  • Annual completions: 1129
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $54,581 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#3

Northland Community and Technical College

Thief River Falls, MN 90.3 miles away BOC Score 63.6
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 51.8% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 62
  • Annual completions: 654
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $54,671 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#5

Central Lakes College-Brainerd

Brainerd, MN 125.5 miles away BOC Score 60.4
Tuition $6,249 - $19,543
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 50.6%
  • Programs offered: 41
  • Annual completions: 456
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $50,357 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#6

Hennepin Technical College

Brooklyn Park, MN 201.8 miles away BOC Score 58.9
Tuition $5,940 - $16,032
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 42.8%
  • Programs offered: 87
  • Annual completions: 2896
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $59,906 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#7

Minnesota West Community and Technical College

Granite Falls, MN 153.2 miles away BOC Score 58.5
Tuition $6,491 - $17,408
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 49.2%
  • Programs offered: 72
  • Annual completions: 1146
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $52,390 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#8

Minneapolis Community and Technical College

Minneapolis, MN 211.7 miles away BOC Score 45.5
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 18.2% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 43
  • Annual completions: 1275
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $52,691 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

Median Graduate Earnings by School - Best Patient Access Representative Programs in Moorhead, Minnesota (2026)
Median graduate earnings by school, Best Patient Access Representative Programs in Moorhead, Minnesota (2026) (College Scorecard)Hennepin Technical College $59906; Northland Community and Technical College $54671; Minnesota State Community and Technical College $54581; Minneapolis Community and Technical College $52691; Minnesota West Community and Technical College $52390; Central Lakes College-Brainerd $50357.Hennepin Technical College$59,906Northland Community and Tech...$54,671Minnesota State Community an...$54,581Minneapolis Community and Te...$52,691Minnesota West Community and...$52,390Central Lakes College-Brainerd$50,357
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard - median earnings of all graduates at each school (not a single program).
Median graduate earnings by school for schools serving Best Patient Access Representative Programs in Moorhead, Minnesota (2026)
SchoolMedian graduate earnings
Hennepin Technical College$59,906
Northland Community and Technical College$54,671
Minnesota State Community and Technical College$54,581
Minneapolis Community and Technical College$52,691
Minnesota West Community and Technical College$52,390
Central Lakes College-Brainerd$50,357

Patient Access Representative Pay and Job Outlook

Annual Wage by Percentile, United States - Receptionists and Information Clerks
Receptionists and Information Clerks annual wage percentiles, BLS OEWS May 2025P10 $28760, P25 $33960, P50 $38010, P75 $45130, P90 $49950.10th$28,76025th$33,96050th (median)$38,01075th$45,13090th$49,950
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
Receptionists and Information Clerks annual wage percentiles
PercentileAnnual wage
10th$28,760
25th$33,960
50th (median)$38,010
75th$45,130
90th$49,950
Projected employment growth, United States, Receptionists and Information Clerks, 2024-2034
Receptionists and Information Clerks employment 2024 vs 2034 projection, BLS Employment Projections2024 employment 1.0072e+06; 2034 projected employment 1.0076e+06.20241,007,200 jobs2034 (proj.)1,007,600 jobs
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034
Receptionists and Information Clerks employment projection 2024 to 2034
YearEmployment
20241,007,200
2034 projected1,007,600

Minnesota Patient Access Representative Quick Facts

Patient-Access-Representative Salary in U.S.

Median Salary $38,010 $18.27/hr
Average Salary $39,460 $18.97/hr

Salary Range

$28,760 10th pctl
$38,010 Median
$49,950 90th pctl
10th Percentile $28,760 $13.83/hr
25th Percentile $33,960 $16.33/hr
75th Percentile $45,130 $21.70/hr
90th Percentile $49,950 $24.01/hr

Employment & Outlook

Total Employed910,180
Growth (2024-2034)0.0%
Annual Openings128,500
Jobs per 1,0005.9

Receptionists and Information Clerks (43-4171) • BLS OEWS, May 2025 • bls.gov/oes

How to Start a Patient Access Representative Career in Minnesota

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Customer service and office experience are helpful.

  2. Complete patient access or medical office training. Short certificate programs typically cover insurance verification, scheduling, terminology, and privacy rules (HIPAA).

  3. Learn your employer’s systems. Health systems provide paid on-the-job training in their registration and EHR software.

  4. Consider the NAHAM CHAA credential. The Certified Healthcare Access Associate is a voluntary mark of competence in the field.

  5. Advance in the revenue cycle. Experienced representatives may move into lead, supervisor, financial counseling, or billing roles.

No. No license is required to work in patient access. The National Association of Healthcare Access Management (NAHAM) offers the voluntary Certified Healthcare Access Associate (CHAA) credential, which some employers value.

Pathways into the Field

Common entry paths are direct hire with employer training, a short patient access or medical office certificate, or transfer from another customer service role. Skills transfer across every part of the healthcare industry.

What You Study

  • Patient registration and check-in workflows
  • Insurance verification and authorizations
  • Scheduling and EHR systems
  • Medical terminology basics
  • HIPAA and patient privacy

Tips for Choosing a Patient Access Representative Program

  • Confirm accreditation and how recognized the credential is with employers.
  • Look for hands-on training in EHR system exposure, externship placement, and employer partnerships.
  • Compare flexible schedules (day/evening/online) that match your availability.
  • Ask about job-search support with local employers.
  • Review certification-prep resources and post-completion support.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does patient access representative training take near Moorhead?

Certificate programs in patient access and medical front office work typically run 3 to 9 months. Many representatives instead start with a high school diploma and paid on-the-job training in their employer's registration systems.

How much do patient access representatives earn in Minnesota?

According to BLS OEWS (May 2025), patient access representatives in Minnesota earned a median annual wage of about $37,510. Pay varies with experience, employer, and specialization. The 10th-to-90th percentile range was about $28,320 to $50,540 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

How many patient access representative schools are near Moorhead?

The schools listed above are within driving distance of Moorhead. Compare them by tuition, program length, BOC Score, and the credential each one awards.

Do patient access representatives need a license?

No. No license is required to work in patient access. The National Association of Healthcare Access Management (NAHAM) offers the voluntary Certified Healthcare Access Associate (CHAA) credential, which some employers value.

In Minnesota

Next Steps


About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)