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Cardiopulmonary technician education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a cardiopulmonary technician. Cardiopulmonary technicians usually study medical technician, nursing, or biology. 48% of cardiopulmonary technicians hold a associate degree, and 36% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 225 real cardiopulmonary technician resumes to see exactly what cardiopulmonary technician education sections show.

The most common colleges for cardiopulmonary technicians are the Central State University and the Central State University.

There are also many online cardiopulmonary technician courses to help get the education required to be a cardiopulmonary technician.

There are certain cardiopulmonary technician certifications that you should consider. These cardiopulmonary technician certifications include Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT).

What education do you need to become a cardiopulmonary technician?

What degree do you need to be a cardiopulmonary technician?

The most common degree for cardiopulmonary technicians is associate degree, with 48% of cardiopulmonary technicians earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are bachelor's degree degree at 36% and bachelor's degree degree at 5%.
  • Associate, 48%
  • Bachelor's, 36%
  • Master's, 5%
  • Diploma, 4%
  • Other Degrees, 7%

What should I major in to become a cardiopulmonary technician?

You should major in medical technician to become a cardiopulmonary technician. 31% of cardiopulmonary technicians major in medical technician. Other common majors for a cardiopulmonary technician include nursing and biology.

Most common colleges for cardiopulmonary technicians

Cardiopulmonary technicians often get their degrees at Central State University, Eastern Kentucky University, and Winston-Salem State University. Here are the most common colleges for cardiopulmonary technicians in the US based on their resumes.
Cardiopulmonary technician common collegePercentages
Central State University12.50%
Eastern Kentucky University9.38%
Winston-Salem State University6.25%
University of Puerto Rico - Cayey6.25%
American University6.25%

Best majors for cardiopulmonary technicians

RankMajorPercentages
1Medical Technician31.4%
2Nursing9.3%
3Biology6.8%
4Kinesiology6.8%
5Business5.9%

Best colleges for cardiopulmonary technicians

The best colleges for cardiopulmonary technicians are Emory University, New York University, and Northwestern University.

A cardiopulmonary technician with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for cardiopulmonary technicians. 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 cardiopulmonary technicians.

1. Emory University

Atlanta, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,306

Enrollment

6,975

2. Kettering College

Kettering, OH • Private

In-state tuition

$12,960

Enrollment

610

3. University of Connecticut

Storrs, CT • Private

In-state tuition

$15,730

Enrollment

18,830

4. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Ponce

Mercedita, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,914

Enrollment

4,155

5. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

6. Clarkson College

Omaha, NE • Private

In-state tuition

$13,392

Enrollment

646

7. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Arecibo

Arecibo, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,872

Enrollment

3,553

8. Jefferson College of Health Sciences

Roanoke, VA • Private

In-state tuition

$26,886

Enrollment

774

9. Howard University

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$26,756

Enrollment

6,166

10. Ohio State University

Columbus, OH • Private

In-state tuition

$10,726

Enrollment

45,769

20 best online courses for cardiopulmonary technicians

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Top 10 most affordable universities for cardiopulmonary technicians

The most affordable schools for cardiopulmonary technicians are Brigham Young University, university of florida, and louisiana state university at alexandria.

If the best universities for cardiopulmonary technicians 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 cardiopulmonary technicians.

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. Louisiana State University at Alexandria

Alexandria, LA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,668

Cost of attendance

14,488

4. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

5. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

6. Minot State University

Minot, ND • Private

In-state tuition

$7,064

Cost of attendance

15,576

7. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

8. University of Missouri - Kansas City

Kansas City, MO • Private

In-state tuition

$8,178

Cost of attendance

20,934

9. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

10. Midwestern State University

Wichita Falls, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$9,233

Cost of attendance

18,110

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for cardiopulmonary technicians

The hardest universities for cardiopulmonary technicians to get into are Emory University, New York University, and Northwestern University.

Some great schools for cardiopulmonary technicians 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 cardiopulmonary technicians 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. Emory University

Atlanta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,449

2. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

4. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

5. University of Tulsa

Tulsa, OK • Private

Admissions rate

41%

SAT average

1,321

6. Yale University

New Haven, CT • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,517

7. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

Admissions rate

9%

SAT average

1,516

8. University of Connecticut

Storrs, CT • Private

Admissions rate

49%

SAT average

1,318

9. University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

59%

SAT average

1,367

10. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for cardiopulmonary technicians

The easiest schools for cardiopulmonary technicians to get into are AdventHealth University, d'youville college, and university of the incarnate word.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a cardiopulmonary technician 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 cardiopulmonary technicians.

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. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

4. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

5. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

6. Presentation College

Aberdeen, SD • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,050

7. Midwestern State University

Wichita Falls, TX • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,033

8. La Roche College

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

99%

SAT average

1,008

9. Washington Adventist Hospital

Takoma Park, MD • Private

Admissions rate

52%

SAT average

958

10. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Standish, ME • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,069

Average cardiopulmonary technician salary by education level

Cardiopulmonary technicians with a Bachelor's degree earn more than those without, at $39,818 annually. With a Associate degree, cardiopulmonary technicians earn a median annual income of $36,528 compared to $34,814 for cardiopulmonary technicians with an High School Diploma degree.
Cardiopulmonary technician education levelCardiopulmonary technician salary
High School Diploma or Less$34,814
Bachelor's Degree$39,818
Some College/ Associate Degree$36,528

Cardiopulmonary technician 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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