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Diagnostic radiologic technologist education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a diagnostic radiologic technologist. Diagnostic radiologic technologists usually study medical technician, nuclear and industrial radiologic technologies, or military technology. 58% of diagnostic radiologic technologists hold a associate degree, and 27% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 1,070 real diagnostic radiologic technologist resumes to see exactly what diagnostic radiologic technologist education sections show.

The most common colleges for diagnostic radiologic technologists are the Pima Medical Institute and the Pima Medical Institute.

There are also many online diagnostic radiologic technologist courses to help get the education required to be a diagnostic radiologic technologist.

There are certain diagnostic radiologic technologist certifications that you should consider. These diagnostic radiologic technologist certifications include Certified Radiological Technologist and Certified Radiology Administrator (CRA).

What education do you need to become a diagnostic radiologic technologist?

What degree do you need to be a diagnostic radiologic technologist?

The most common degree for diagnostic radiologic technologists is associate degree, with 58% of diagnostic radiologic technologists earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are bachelor's degree degree at 27% and bachelor's degree degree at 3%.
  • Associate, 58%
  • Bachelor's, 27%
  • Diploma, 3%
  • High School Diploma, 2%
  • Other Degrees, 10%

What should I major in to become a diagnostic radiologic technologist?

You should major in medical technician to become a diagnostic radiologic technologist. 52% of diagnostic radiologic technologists major in medical technician. Other common majors for a diagnostic radiologic technologist include nuclear and industrial radiologic technologies and military technology.

Most common colleges for diagnostic radiologic technologists

Diagnostic radiologic technologists often get their degrees at Pima Medical Institute, Midwestern State University, and University of the District of Columbia. Here are the most common colleges for diagnostic radiologic technologists in the US based on their resumes.
Diagnostic radiologic technologist common collegePercentages
Pima Medical Institute13.24%
Midwestern State University8.82%
University of the District of Columbia5.88%
Ferris State University5.88%
Weber State University5.88%

Best majors for diagnostic radiologic technologists

Best colleges for diagnostic radiologic technologists

The best colleges for diagnostic radiologic technologists are Northwestern University, Vanderbilt University, and University of Tulsa.

A diagnostic radiologic technologist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for diagnostic radiologic technologists. 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 diagnostic radiologic technologists.

1. Texas A&M University

College Station, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$11,870

Enrollment

53,194

2. Siena Heights University

Adrian, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$27,124

Enrollment

2,035

3. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

4. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

5. Yale University

New Haven, CT • Private

In-state tuition

$53,430

Enrollment

5,963

6. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$55,188

Enrollment

15,105

7. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Enrollment

18,946

8. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

9. Georgetown University

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$54,104

Enrollment

7,089

10. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

In-state tuition

$49,816

Enrollment

6,840

20 best online courses for diagnostic radiologic technologists

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1. Visualizing the Living Body: Diagnostic Imaging

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This course teaches learners the underlying principles behind conventional radiography, computerized axial tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound. The radiology of chest, abdomen, pelvis, extremities, spine and brain are taught in this course using a combination of lectures and extensive practical activities and assessments. By the end of the course you will be able to: Describe the principles of conventional radiography, CT MRI and ultrasound Describe systematic...

2. Trauma Emergencies and Care

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Welcome to Trauma Emergencies and Care. In this course, you will learn about some of the mechanics and physics of trauma on the human body, and how this can cause injury. You will continue to expand your new vocabulary with medical terminology, and learn how to describe the different injuries you may see. You will also learn about the trauma system itself- and when it is important to transport patients to a trauma center. Then we will dive into specific injuries based on what part of the body...

3. How to Read Chest X-Ray - From Zero to Hero

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4.3
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Master reading CXR entirely from the very basics until professionality with tens of examples & quizzes...

4. Introduction to Medical Imaging

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4.5
(827)

Your guide to the history, science, math, and economics of medical imaging systems (e.g., X-ray, CT, MRI, Ultrasound)...

5. Life, Health and Radiation

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Radiation is all around us - without it we wouldn’t exist. Yet the word has become synonymous with danger, death and disaster. This MOOC will allow the world to see radiation in a new light, to expose its benefits as well as its risks. X-ray radiation, for example, is a scientific and medical discovery that has improved or prolonged billions of lives. Most of us have had an X-ray at some point in our life, at the Dentist, in a hospital or clinic. Yet few people really understand what X-rays are...

6. Prehospital care of acute stroke and patient selection for endovascular treatment using the RACE scale

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Acute stroke is a time-dependent medical emergency. In acute ischemic stroke, the first objective is to restore brain flow using sistemic thrombolytic treatment and, in patients with large vessel occlusion, by endovascular treatment. In hemorrhagic stroke there are also specific treatments that can improve the clinical outcome. The sooner the initiation of all these therapies the higher the clinical benefit. Thus, the organization of Stroke Code systems coordinated between emergency medical...

7. Providing Trauma-Informed Care

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4.7
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Exploring psychological trauma and how to provide care and compassion to trauma survivors...

8. Ultimate 3ds Max + V-Ray Photorealistic 3D Rendering Course

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Become a 3D Rendering Pro: The Complete 3ds Max and V-Ray Course for Interior Designers, Architects, and 3d Artists...

9. Medical Emergencies: Airway, Breathing, and Circulation

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In this course, you will develop the knowledge and skills to assess and stabilize certain types of patients for transport. By the end of this course, you will be able to: 1) assess a basic medical patient 2) describe general pharmacologic principles and the skills associated with medication administration, 3) explain airway physiology, the assessment of the airway and available interventions for airway management, 4) identify, assess and formulate a plan to stabilize a patient with a...

10. Clinical Kidney, Pancreas and Islet Transplantation

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Kidney transplantation is a major advance of modern medicine which provides high-quality of life for patients with end-stage renal disease. What used to be an experimental, risky, and very limited treatment option more than 50 years ago is now routinely performed in many countries worldwide. The number of renal transplants is expected to rise sharply in the next decade since the proportion of patients with end stage renal disease is increasing. Are you interested in clinical kidney, pancreas...

11. 3ds Max + V-Ray: 3ds Max PRO in 6 hrs

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4.4
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3ds Max intro course: 3Ds Max and V-Ray for creating 3D architectural imagery, from beginner to advanced...

12. V-Ray 5 + 3ds Max: Master 3D Rendering with Vray & 3ds Max

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4.5
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3ds Max & V-Ray: Create Beautiful Photorealistic 3D Renderings with V-Ray in 3ds Max Taught by Award-Winning Architect...

13. Medical Emergencies: CPR, Toxicology, and Wilderness

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In this course, you will develop the knowledge and skills to assess and stabilize certain types of patients for transport. By the end of this course, you will be able to: (1) Identify the signs and symptoms associated with a patient in shock, to describe the major categories of shock, to assess a patient with signs of shock and formulate a plan for treatment to stabilize the patient for transport, (2) Identify a patient in cardiac arrest and to describe the components of high performance CPR...

14. Emergency Care: Pregnancy, Infants, and Children

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Welcome to the final course of lectures in your quest to master EMT basics. In this course, we will cover some of the highest-stress patient populations: pregnant patients and kids, also known as pediatrics. To wrap up your EMT knowledge we will end this course with information about hazmat situations, extricating patients from tight spots and finally how you write a note about your patient care. You will learn to ensure it communicates what your assessment of the patient was, what...

15. Medical Coding: ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Training

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4.5
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Learn medical coding and prepare yourself for today's healthcare workplace...

16. ICD 10 & 11 Medical Coding and Billing

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4.4
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Preparation for Medical Coding Certification Exam...

17. Operations and Patient Safety for Healthcare IT Staff

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Now that you've been introduced to the world of Health IT and the important role played by electronic health records (EHRs), we'll focus on other technologies that play a role in maintaining ongoing operations in healthcare. Telemedicine, patient portals, barcode scanners, printers, and medical devices are just some of the technologies that impact providers and patients. As an IT support specialist, you’ll be asked to troubleshoot issues with a wide variety of tools. You'll see a scenario with...

18. Introduction to Cataract Surgery

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This comprehensive course will give you the fundamental knowledge needed to begin performing cataract surgery by phacoemulsification and extracapsular removal. Each step from preoperative evaluation to postoperative care will be covered to help prepare you for the operating room...

19. Architectural Exterior Rendering Masterclass 3ds Max + V-Ray

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4.2
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FULL COURSE TAUGHT BY AN OFFICIAL V-RAY MENTOR. Create Photorealistic 3D Renderings with 3ds Max + V-Ray from scratch...

20. Value-Based Care: Managing Processes to Improve Outcomes

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COURSE 3 of 7. This course is designed to introduce you to critical office-based processes that a value-based practice must manage in the drive towards improved patient outcomes. In Module 2, we’ll focus on office-based and clinical patient-based supporting functions. At every level in healthcare, guidelines, processes, and functions exist to improve outcomes, and following a consistent process will return the best effect. Refine your understanding of value and learn strategies to provide real...

Top 10 most affordable universities for diagnostic radiologic technologists

The most affordable schools for diagnostic radiologic technologists are Brigham Young University, minot state university, and florida international university.

If the best universities for diagnostic radiologic technologists 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 diagnostic radiologic technologists.

1. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

2. Minot State University

Minot, ND • Private

In-state tuition

$7,064

Cost of attendance

15,576

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. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

6. Augusta University

Augusta, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$8,604

Cost of attendance

20,618

7. University of Colorado Denver

Denver, CO • Private

In-state tuition

$9,283

Cost of attendance

22,243

8. Maine College of Health Professions

Lewiston, ME • Private

In-state tuition

$12,245

Cost of attendance

18,826

9. SUNY Stony Brook

Stony Brook, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,625

Cost of attendance

24,718

10. Tarleton State University

Stephenville, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$7,292

Cost of attendance

20,387

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for diagnostic radiologic technologists

The hardest universities for diagnostic radiologic technologists to get into are Northwestern University, Vanderbilt University, and University of Tulsa.

Some great schools for diagnostic radiologic technologists 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 diagnostic radiologic technologists 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. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

2. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

3. University of Tulsa

Tulsa, OK • Private

Admissions rate

41%

SAT average

1,321

4. Tufts University

Medford, MA • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,461

5. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

6. Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

58%

SAT average

1,304

7. University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

59%

SAT average

1,367

8. SUNY Stony Brook

Stony Brook, NY • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,326

9. Yale University

New Haven, CT • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,517

10. Texas A&M University

College Station, TX • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

1,291

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for diagnostic radiologic technologists

The easiest schools for diagnostic radiologic technologists to get into are AdventHealth University, life university, and d'youville college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a diagnostic radiologic technologist 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 diagnostic radiologic technologists.

1. AdventHealth University

Orlando, FL • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,016

2. Life University

Marietta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

94%

SAT average

979

3. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

4. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

5. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Standish, ME • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,069

6. La Roche College

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

99%

SAT average

1,008

7. Aultman College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Canton, OH • Private

Admissions rate

75%

SAT average

1,085

8. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

9. Thomas More University

Crestview Hills, KY • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

1,099

10. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

Average diagnostic radiologic technologist salary by education level

According to our data, diagnostic radiologic technologists with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $65,333 annually. Diagnostic radiologic technologists with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $62,208.
Diagnostic radiologic technologist education levelDiagnostic radiologic technologist salary
Master's Degree$65,333
Bachelor's Degree$62,208
Some College/ Associate Degree$57,752

Diagnostic radiologic technologist 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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