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Cardiac/vascular sonographer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a cardiac/vascular sonographer. Cardiac/vascular sonographers usually study medical technician, health sciences and services, or kinesiology. 46% of cardiac/vascular sonographers hold a associate degree, and 36% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 114 real cardiac/vascular sonographer resumes to see exactly what cardiac/vascular sonographer education sections show.

The most common colleges for cardiac/vascular sonographers are the Arkansas State University and the Arkansas State University.

There are also many online cardiac/vascular sonographer courses to help get the education required to be a cardiac/vascular sonographer.

There are certain cardiac/vascular sonographer certifications that you should consider. These cardiac/vascular sonographer certifications include Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer - Adult Echocardiography (RDCS) and Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS).

What education do you need to become a cardiac/vascular sonographer?

What degree do you need to be a cardiac/vascular sonographer?

The most common degree for cardiac/vascular sonographers is associate degree, with 46% of cardiac/vascular sonographers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are bachelor's degree degree at 36% and bachelor's degree degree at 8%.
  • Associate, 46%
  • Bachelor's, 36%
  • Master's, 8%
  • Diploma, 4%
  • Other Degrees, 6%

What should I major in to become a cardiac/vascular sonographer?

You should major in medical technician to become a cardiac/vascular sonographer. 52% of cardiac/vascular sonographers major in medical technician. Other common majors for a cardiac/vascular sonographer include health sciences and services and kinesiology.

Most common colleges for cardiac/vascular sonographers

Cardiac/vascular sonographers often get their degrees at Arkansas State University, Austin Community College, and California State University - San Bernardino. Here are the most common colleges for cardiac/vascular sonographers in the US based on their resumes.
Cardiac/vascular sonographer common collegePercentages
Arkansas State University13.04%
Austin Community College8.70%
California State University - San Bernardino4.35%
University of Nevada - Reno4.35%
University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point4.35%

Best majors for cardiac/vascular sonographers

Best colleges for cardiac/vascular sonographers

The best colleges for cardiac/vascular sonographers are Vanderbilt University, University of Tulsa, and Yale University.

A cardiac/vascular sonographer with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for cardiac/vascular sonographers. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become cardiac/vascular sonographers.

1. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

2. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

3. Yale University

New Haven, CT • Private

In-state tuition

$53,430

Enrollment

5,963

4. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Enrollment

18,946

5. Georgetown University

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$54,104

Enrollment

7,089

6. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

In-state tuition

$49,816

Enrollment

6,840

7. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Enrollment

34,564

8. University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$10,610

Enrollment

40,329

9. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Enrollment

31,503

10. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

20 best online courses for cardiac/vascular sonographers

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Top 10 most affordable universities for cardiac/vascular sonographers

The most affordable schools for cardiac/vascular sonographers are Brigham Young University, university of florida, and florida international university.

If the best universities for cardiac/vascular sonographers are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for cardiac/vascular sonographers.

1. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

2. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

3. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

4. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

5. Minot State University

Minot, ND • Private

In-state tuition

$7,064

Cost of attendance

15,576

6. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

7. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

8. Maine College of Health Professions

Lewiston, ME • Private

In-state tuition

$12,245

Cost of attendance

18,826

9. California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,886

Cost of attendance

17,645

10. University of Colorado Denver

Denver, CO • Private

In-state tuition

$9,283

Cost of attendance

22,243

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for cardiac/vascular sonographers

The hardest universities for cardiac/vascular sonographers to get into are Vanderbilt University, University of Tulsa, and Yale University.

Some great schools for cardiac/vascular sonographers are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for cardiac/vascular sonographers based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

2. University of Tulsa

Tulsa, OK • Private

Admissions rate

41%

SAT average

1,321

3. Yale University

New Haven, CT • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,517

4. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

Admissions rate

9%

SAT average

1,516

5. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

6. SUNY Stony Brook

Stony Brook, NY • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,326

7. Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

58%

SAT average

1,304

8. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

9. Georgetown University

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,456

10. University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

59%

SAT average

1,367

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for cardiac/vascular sonographers

The easiest schools for cardiac/vascular sonographers to get into are AdventHealth University, d'youville college, and gwynedd mercy university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a cardiac/vascular sonographer without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for cardiac/vascular sonographers.

1. AdventHealth University

Orlando, FL • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,016

2. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

3. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

4. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

5. La Roche College

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

99%

SAT average

1,008

6. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Standish, ME • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,069

7. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

8. Aultman College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Canton, OH • Private

Admissions rate

75%

SAT average

1,085

9. Thomas More University

Crestview Hills, KY • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

1,099

10. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

Average cardiac/vascular sonographer salary by education level

Cardiac/vascular sonographers with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $105,709 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, cardiac/vascular sonographers earn a median annual income of $93,406 compared to $84,530 for cardiac/vascular sonographers with an Associate degree.
Cardiac/vascular sonographer education levelCardiac/vascular sonographer salary
Master's Degree$105,709
Bachelor's Degree$93,406
Some College/ Associate Degree$84,530

Cardiac/vascular sonographer education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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