Best Radiology Tech Programs
The median pay for a radiologic technologist is $61,900 a year, which is $19,950 more than the median income for all occupations. Depending on the program, a rad tech degree usually takes two years. You'll typically need an associate degree to become a radiologic technologist. Read on to find the best radiology tech programs.
15 Best Radiology Tech Programs
Here are some of the best radiology tech programs in the country in alphabetical order:
How We Choose the Best Programs
We chose the best radiology tech programs based on the following specs:
- Under $35,000 net price
- Over 50% graduation rate
- Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) accreditation
Baptist Health College Little Rock
School type: Private not-for-profit
Net price: $25,014
Graduation rate: 86%
Baptist Health College Little Rock's radiology program takes two years to complete, going to school as a full-time student.
Concorde Career College-Memphis
School type: Private for-profit
Net price: $20,931
Graduation rate: 66%
Concorde Career College's Memphis campus offers a radiologic technology associate degree program that you can complete in 21 months.
Copiah-Lincoln Community College
School type: Public
Net price: $4,875
Graduation rate: 51%
Copiah-Lincoln Community College's Medical Radiologic Technology program takes two years to complete, part of which you'll spend at one of their six partner clinical education centers.
Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center
School type: Private for-profit
Net price: $23,625
Graduation rate: 70%
Conemaugh School of Radiologic Technology offers a 21-month program with 1,000 hours of clinical experience.
Indian Capital Technology Center-Muskogee
School type: Public
Net price: $6,672
Graduation rate: 98%
Indian Capital Technology Center offers a radiologic technology program at its Muskogee campus.
Johnson College
School type: Private not-for-profit
Net price: $18,966
Graduation rate: 62%
Johnson College's two-year radiologic technology associate degree program prepares graduates to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists exam.
Meridian Technology Center
School type: Public
Net price: $8,739
Graduation rate: 73%
Meridian Technology Center offers a two-year radiologic technologist program where you'll practice in a radiography lab on a manikin.
Metro Technology Centers
School type: Public
Net price: starting at $6,440
Graduation rate: 64%
Metro Technology Centers' radiologic technology program includes three clinical practice classes, meaning you'll get plenty of hands-on experience.
Mitchell Technical College
School type: Public
Net price: $23,119
Graduation rate: 73%
Mitchell Technical College offers a radiologic technology associate degree program that you can complete in five semesters.
Northwest Iowa Community College
School type: Public
Net price: $19,077
Graduation rate: 61%
Northwest Iowa Community College's radiologic technology associate degree program that you can complete in two years.
Olney Central College
School type: Public
Net price: $16,577
Graduation rate: 59%
Olney Central College offers a radiography program where you can earn an associate degree in two years.
Roxbury Community College
School type: Public
Net price: $4,200
Graduation rate: 50%
Roxbury Community College's radiologic technology associate program takes five semesters to complete, plus a summer course.
State Technical College of Missouri
School type: Public
Net price: $7,281
Graduation rate: 72%
State Technical College of Missouri's Medical Radiologic Technology program offers student clinical experience that will prepare you for a radiology tech position.
Tulsa Technology Center
School type: Public
Net price: $10,938
Graduation rate: 75%
Tulsa Technology Center's radiologic technologist program takes two years to complete.
West Kentucky Community and Technical College
School type: Public
Net price: $10,938
Graduation rate: 75%
West Kentucky Community and Technical College offers a radiography program where you can earn an associate degree in six semesters.
FAQs on Radiologic Technology Programs
Do you have to take a radiology program to become a radiology tech?
Training and schooling are not optional if you want to become a radiologic technologist. To become certified and recognized by the ARRT, you must go to school at an accredited college or vocational school, and you must pass your certification exam.
What will you learn in a radiologic technology program?
Students enrolled in a rad tech program must take classes on radiation protection, patient care, anatomy, and basic to advanced operation of various radiologic technology.
The curricula for radiology schools vary from state to state, so the exact classes you'll need for each program will be different. Below are some of the classes you might expect to take:
- Anatomy and physiology
- Patient care
- Radiographic procedures
- Clinical practice
- Radiologic science
- Psychology
- Algebra
- Medical microbiology
- Cross-sectional anatomy
How long is radiology technologist school?
It depends on which degree you want. An associate degree should only take around two years to complete, but a bachelor's degree requires four years of study.
How much is radiology tech school?
Radiology tech school costs can vary widely depending on where you live and the type of school. Each school on our Best 15 list is under $35,000 net price. That's the same price as just one year at a four-year university.
How to Choose the Right Radiology Tech School
A strong rad tech program goes beyond the textbook. When finding the best radiology tech programs, look for schools that provide the following:
- A strong balance of hands-on experience and traditional classroom learning
- Alumni career placement services
- Easy access to training equipment
- Emphasis on patient care and patient interaction
- High national exam pass rate
- Focus on current employer needs
Other Ways to Become a Radiologic Technologist
Schooling and training to become a radiology tech cannot be skirted. Both are pivotal and necessary.
If you wish, you can further your education by getting a bachelor's or master's degree in radiology. Doing so would allow you to further assist doctors and patients with advanced imaging techniques and diagnoses. With a master's, you could also go into research or become a teacher.
Radiologic Technologist Program Scholarships
Jerman-Cahoon Student Scholarship
- Who qualifies: Those with financial need, 3.0 GPA, and enrolled in a radiology program
- What it covers: $2,500 for tuition
- Deadline: No deadline provided
Royce Osborn Minority Student Scholarship
- Who qualifies: Minority students with strong academic records in radiography, sonography, magnetic resonance, and radiation therapy programs
- What it covers: $4,000 for tuition and related school costs
- Deadline: January 31st
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