Wisconsin’s healthcare sector employs over 327,000 people and hosts major innovators like GE HealthCare. However, the state faces critical workforce shortages:
- a potential deficit of 12,000-19,000 registered nurses by 2040
- over 2,000 physician vacancies by 2030, particularly in rural areas
Wisconsin leads health IT innovation as home to Epic Systems, a global EHR developer. The Wisconsin Statewide Health Information Network (WISHIN) enables secure data sharing across 2,200+ care sites, while the state promotes health IT initiatives for enhanced care coordination.
Recognizing the critical need for a skilled health informatics workforce, Wisconsin’s educational institutions are robustly responding by offering specialized programs:
2027 Best Health Informatics Degree Programs in Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI - Public 4-Year - uwm.edu
Master's - Master of Science in Health Care Informatics
Online Learning - Visit Website
The Master of Science in Health Care Informatics at UW-Milwaukee trains professionals to harness IT, data analytics, and automation for healthcare transformation. Coursework spans systems analysis, database design, clinical decision support, and programming, with additional exposure to big data, predictive analytics, and natural language processing. Graduates pursue roles in hospitals, medical software firms, insurance companies, and research institutions. Designed for working professionals, the program offers both online and on-campus courses with full- and part-time enrollment. Students select a thesis or professional project capstone. No specific undergraduate major is required, and the GRE is waived for applicants with a GPA above 3.0. The degree comprises 33–36 credits and can be completed in as few as five years.
- Full-time and part-time options
- Thesis or capstone option
- Curriculum covers systems analysis and design
- Exposure to big data and predictive analytics
- Courses offered face-to-face and online
- No specific undergraduate major required
- GRE not required for GPA above 3.0
- Major professor assigned for advisement
- Completion within five years
Master's - Coordinated MS Health Care Informatics/Master of Library and Information Science
Online Learning - Visit Website
This coordinated dual master's degree blends health care informatics with library and information science, offered entirely online. Students complete 29 credits in informatics—covering systems analysis, database management, and clinical decision support—alongside 27 credits in library science, exploring medical terminology, health information systems, ethical issues, and information retrieval. The program culminates in a thesis or project, preparing graduates for careers as clinical informationists or health informatics specialists in hospitals and research settings. GRE scores are required, though exceptions may be granted. The curriculum emphasizes real-world problem-solving, translating scientific knowledge into practice, and uniquely integrating technology, data, and patient care.
- Entrance exam required
- Exams: GRE
- Thesis or capstone option
- Online program format
- Coordinated MS/MLIS dual degree
- Prepares for clinical informationist career
- Develops systems analysis and design skills
- Finishes with thesis or project
- 29 credits in health care informatics
- 27 credits in library science
Doctorate - Biomedical and Health Informatics
Campus Based - Visit Website
UW-Milwaukee's interdisciplinary PhD in Biomedical and Health Informatics—developed with the Medical College of Wisconsin—is the state's first doctoral program of its kind. Students select from six tracks, including health information systems, knowledge-based systems, medical imaging, and public health informatics. Coursework covers human pathophysiology, medical informatics, databases, and ethics. As an R1 research university, UWM supports students in publishing and presenting, with over 200 peer-reviewed articles produced by students since 2013. Graduates are in demand across healthcare, pharmaceuticals, public health, and academia. Teaching and research assistantships offer funding and leadership experience. No entrance exam is listed, but applicants should verify admission requirements.
- 6 concentration options
- Financial aid available
- Scholarships available
- Interdisciplinary collaboration with Medical College of Wisconsin
- State's first and only such doctoral program
- Graduates in high demand by healthcare employers
- Over 200 peer-reviewed articles since 2013
- Teaching and research assistantships available
- Six specialized tracks to choose from
- Curriculum includes pathophysiology, databases, ethics
Doctorate - Biomedical and Health Informatics (Public Health Informatics)
Campus Based - Visit Website
The Biomedical and Health Informatics PhD at UW-Milwaukee, with a concentration in Public Health Informatics, is the state's only doctoral program in this interdisciplinary field, run jointly with the Medical College of Wisconsin. Students dive into public health data, surveillance, and analytics, while also taking core courses in pathophysiology, informatics, databases, and ethics. The R1 environment allows for extensive research, promoting publications and presentations—students have collectively authored over 200 peer-reviewed articles since 2013. Career paths span public policy, cancer research, and data analytics. Assistantships are available, and graduates are highly sought after. No entrance exam is specified in the program materials.
- 6 concentration options
- Interdisciplinary collaboration with Medical College of Wisconsin
- R1 research university
- Teaching and Research Assistantships available
- Graduates in high demand
- Students published 200+ peer-reviewed articles since 2013
- Six specialized tracks available
- On campus format
- Prepares for careers in public health, research, data analytics
Doctorate - Biomedical and Health Informatics (Translational Bioinformatics)
Campus Based - Visit Website
UW-Milwaukee's PhD in Biomedical and Health Informatics, concentrated in Translational Bioinformatics, prepares researchers to turn genomic data into clinical insights. This interdisciplinary program, offered with the Medical College of Wisconsin, covers pathophysiology, informatics, databases, and ethics, with research opportunities in clinical outcome prediction and drug discovery. Students gain practical skills in data management and bioinformatics, making them ideal candidates for careers in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and research. The R1 institution provides advanced labs and funded assistantships, while emphasis on publishing and presenting fosters leadership. No entrance exam is mentioned; however, interested applicants should confirm the latest admission policies.
- 6 concentration options
- Financial aid available
- Scholarships available
- State's first doctoral program in biomedical and health informatics
- Collaboration with Medical College of Wisconsin
- Six specialized tracks available
- R1 research university with cutting-edge labs
- Graduates in high demand by healthcare and industry
- Students publish and present research
- Teaching and research assistantships available
List of Wisconsin Colleges With Health Informatics Degree Programs
Milwaukee, WI
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
- Master's - Coordinated MS Health Care Informatics/Master of Library and Information Science
Online Learning - Website
- Entrance exam required
- Exams: GRE
- Thesis or capstone option
- Online program format
- Coordinated MS/MLIS dual degree
- Prepares for clinical informationist career
- Develops systems analysis and design skills
- Finishes with thesis or project
- Master's - Master of Science in Health Care Informatics
Online Learning - Website
- Full-time and part-time options
- Thesis or capstone option
- Curriculum covers systems analysis and design
- Exposure to big data and predictive analytics
- Courses offered face-to-face and online
- No specific undergraduate major required
- GRE not required for GPA above 3.0
- Major professor assigned for advisement
- Doctorate - Biomedical and Health Informatics
Campus Based - Website
- 6 concentration options
- Financial aid available
- Scholarships available
- Interdisciplinary collaboration with Medical College of Wisconsin
- State's first and only such doctoral program
- Graduates in high demand by healthcare employers
- Over 200 peer-reviewed articles since 2013
- Teaching and research assistantships available
- Doctorate - Biomedical and Health Informatics
Concentration: Public Health Informatics - Campus Based - Website
- 6 concentration options
- Interdisciplinary collaboration with Medical College of Wisconsin
- R1 research university
- Teaching and Research Assistantships available
- Graduates in high demand
- Students published 200+ peer-reviewed articles since 2013
- Six specialized tracks available
- On campus format
- Doctorate - Biomedical and Health Informatics
Concentration: Translational Bioinformatics - Campus Based - Website
- 6 concentration options
- Financial aid available
- Scholarships available
- State's first doctoral program in biomedical and health informatics
- Collaboration with Medical College of Wisconsin
- Six specialized tracks available
- R1 research university with cutting-edge labs
- Graduates in high demand by healthcare and industry
Job Market Analysis: What Can You Do With Your Degree?
The Wisconsin market shows strong demand for Epic EHR expertise across multiple employers, with particular emphasis on data analysis skills and healthcare standards knowledge. Remote work options are increasingly available, and career progression paths range from technical implementation to strategic leadership roles. Below is an analysis of some recent job openings.
Key Highlights:
- Cross-disciplinary opportunities bridge clinical practice, technology, business analytics, and quality management
- Salary ranges from $60K-$80K (entry-level) to $77K-$168K (analyst positions)
- Education requirements span from Associate’s degrees to advanced medical/pharmacy degrees
- Major employers include Ascension, Epic, Stryker, Aspirus Health, and University of Wisconsin
Core Technical Skills in Demand
Data Analysis & Programming
Primary Employers: Stryker, University of Wisconsin System
- Stryker seeks proficiency in Python, R, SQL for healthcare data analysis ($77,200-$168,200)
- UW System requires data science methodologies and analytics tools (salary not disclosed)
- Both positions emphasize transforming complex healthcare data into actionable insights
EHR/EMR Systems Expertise
Primary Employers: Ascension, Epic, Aspirus Health, Advocate Aurora
- Epic leads with physician-focused roles requiring several years Epic software experience (salary not disclosed, merit-based compensation plus stock grants)
- Ascension seeks Epic EHR specialists across multiple positions (salary varies by experience)
- Aspirus Health requires extensive Epic core systems experience for leadership roles (salary not disclosed)
- Advocate Aurora mandates Epic certification within 6 months (salary not disclosed)
Healthcare Data Standards
Primary Employers: Stryker, Advocate Aurora
- Stryker requires proven experience with ICD-10, HL7, FHIR frameworks ($77,200-$168,200)
- Advocate Aurora focuses on pharmacy information systems and interoperability (salary not disclosed)
Education Requirements by Role Level
Entry-Level Positions
Bridge Community Health Clinic – Associate’s degree in Health Information Technology, HIT, Health Informatics, or HIM ($60,000-$80,000)
Mid-Level Positions
Ascension – High school with 2+ years experience OR Associate’s/Bachelor’s degree (salary varies) Stryker – Bachelor’s in Health Informatics, Information Systems, Public Health, or Business Analytics ($77,200-$168,200)
Advanced Leadership Roles
Aspirus Health – Master’s degree in nursing or informatics required for Director positions; DNP preferred (salary not disclosed) Epic – Medical degree required for physician informatics roles (competitive compensation) Advocate Aurora – Doctor of Pharmacy preferred for specialized positions (salary not disclosed)
Salary Ranges by Position Type
Analyst Roles
- Health Informatics Analyst (Stryker): $77,200-$168,200 plus bonuses
- EHR Manager (Bridge Clinic): $60,000-$80,000
Specialist Positions
- Clinical Informatics Specialist (Ascension): Compensation varies by experience
- Pharmacist Informatics Analyst (Advocate Aurora): Not disclosed
Leadership Positions
- Medical Director (.5 FTE, Aspirus): Not disclosed
- Director System Nursing Informatics (Aspirus): Not disclosed
- Clinical Informatics Manager (Ascension): Not disclosed
Cross-Disciplinary Opportunities
Clinical-Technology Bridge Roles
Ascension combines clinical experience with technology implementation, requiring healthcare background plus EHR expertise. Epic specifically targets practicing physicians to transition into informatics consulting.
Business-Healthcare Analytics
Stryker merges health economics with data science, requiring understanding of value-based care models and CMS performance metrics. UW System integrates public health policy with data analytics.
Quality-Informatics Integration
Advocate Aurora combines pharmacy practice with informatics, requiring clinical expertise plus technology skills. Aspirus Health blends nursing leadership with informatics management.
Implementation-Training Specialization
Multiple employers emphasize change management and training delivery, combining technical knowledge with education and communication skills.
Specialized Certifications Valued
Healthcare Quality
Stryker prefers CPHQ (Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality) or CPPS certifications
Technical Certifications
Aspirus Health values Epic certification in clinical modules and ANCC certification in healthcare informatics
Professional Associations
Aspirus Health recommends HIMSS, ACHE memberships for networking and continued education
Remote Work and Geographic Flexibility
Advocate Aurora offers fully remote work from multiple states including Wisconsin. Stryker provides remote opportunities from Madison. Ascension offers hybrid arrangements (3 days onsite, 2 remote).
Career Progression Paths
Entry-level positions at Bridge Community Health Clinic can advance to analyst roles at Stryker, then progress to specialist positions at Ascension or Advocate Aurora. Leadership tracks are available through Aspirus Health director roles or Epic physician consulting positions.
Wisconsin’s health informatics market spans large health systems (Ascension, Aspirus), technology companies (Epic, Stryker), academic institutions (UW System), and community clinics (Bridge), offering diverse career trajectories from technical implementation to strategic leadership.