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Diagnostic radiologist education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a diagnostic radiologist. Diagnostic radiologists usually study medicine, nuclear and industrial radiologic technologies, or medical technician. 38% of diagnostic radiologists hold a doctoral degree, and 36% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 98 real diagnostic radiologist resumes to see exactly what diagnostic radiologist education sections show.

The most common colleges for diagnostic radiologists are the Yale University and the Yale University.

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

There are certain diagnostic radiologist certifications that you should consider. These diagnostic radiologist certifications include Certification in Diagnostic Radiology and Diagnostic Radiology.

What education do you need to become a diagnostic radiologist?

What degree do you need to be a diagnostic radiologist?

The most common degree for diagnostic radiologists is doctoral degree, with 38% of diagnostic radiologists 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%.
  • Doctorate, 38%
  • Bachelor's, 36%
  • Master's, 8%
  • Associate, 5%
  • Other Degrees, 13%

What should I major in to become a diagnostic radiologist?

You should major in medicine to become a diagnostic radiologist. 26% of diagnostic radiologists major in medicine. Other common majors for a diagnostic radiologist include nuclear and industrial radiologic technologies and medical technician.

Most common colleges for diagnostic radiologists

Diagnostic radiologists often get their degrees at Yale University, Barnard College, and Thomas Jefferson University and Philadelphia University. Here are the most common colleges for diagnostic radiologists in the US based on their resumes.
Diagnostic radiologist common collegePercentages
Yale University12.50%
Barnard College8.33%
Thomas Jefferson University and Philadelphia University8.33%
New York University4.17%
University of Connecticut4.17%

Best majors for diagnostic radiologists

Best colleges for diagnostic radiologists

The best colleges for diagnostic radiologists are Northwestern University, Duke University, and Vanderbilt University.

A diagnostic radiologist 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 radiologists. 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 radiologists.

1. Texas A&M University

College Station, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$11,870

Enrollment

53,194

2. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

3. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

4. Yale University

New Haven, CT • Private

In-state tuition

$53,430

Enrollment

5,963

5. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$55,188

Enrollment

15,105

6. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Enrollment

18,946

7. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

8. Georgetown University

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$54,104

Enrollment

7,089

9. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

In-state tuition

$49,816

Enrollment

6,840

10. Tufts University

Medford, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,382

Enrollment

5,597

20 best online courses for diagnostic radiologists

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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. Everyday Chinese Medicine

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This course aims to serve as an education platform on Chinese medicine (CM) for the general public. Our primary goal is to empower healthcare choices by promoting awareness and practical application on CM diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, as well as regulation on CM services and herbal products using international examples. In the first part of this course, learners will develop skills in applying basic theory of Chinese medicine (CM) for understanding health and illnesses, and be able to...

3. Crisis Intervention Seminar

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The emphasis is on the development of fundamental clinical skills in the area of crisis intervention...

4. Introduction to Longevity Medicine

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A Medical Guide to Longevity Medicine for Physicians...

5. Evaluation of Digital Health Interventions

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This course focuses on data, evaluation methods and the economic evaluation of digital health interventions. This module focuses on key data considerations for digital health including data management, data visualisation and methods for evaluating digital health interventions. The key focus is on experimental and quasi-experimental design approaches that can be applied to evaluating digital health interventions and key considerations for the economic evaluation of digital health interventions...

6. MRI Fundamentals

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Welcome! In this course learners will develop expertise in basic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) physics and principles and gain knowledge of many different data acquisition strategies in MRI. In particular, learners will get to know what is magnetic resonance phenomenon, how magnetic resonance signals are generated, how an image can be formulated using MRI, how soft tissue contrast can change with imaging parameters. Also introduced will be MR imaging sequences of spin echo, gradient echo,...

7. Introduction to Medical Imaging

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

8. ICD 10 & 11 Medical Coding and Billing

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Preparation for Medical Coding Certification Exam...

9. 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...

10. Case Studies in Personalized Medicine

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Learn how advances in biomedicine hold the potential to revolutionize drug development, drug treatments, and disease prevention: where are we now, and what does the future hold? This course will present short primers in genetics and mechanisms underlying variability in drug responses. A series of case studies will be used to illustrate principles of how genetics are being brought to bear on refining diagnoses and on personalizing treatment in rare and common diseases. The ethical and...

11. SAP MM Pricing Procedure

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SAP MM Pricing Procedure step by step configuration and testing with business examples...

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

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

13. Introduction to International Criminal Law

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-- About the Course -- From the Nuremberg trial to the case against Saddam Hussein, from the prosecution of Al-Qaeda terrorists to the trial of Somali pirates – no area of law is as important to world peace and security as international criminal law. Taught by one of the world’s leading experts in the field, this course will educate students about the fundamentals of international criminal law and policy. We will explore the contours of international crimes such as genocide, war crimes,...

14. Good Clinical Practice for Clinical Research Professionals

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The Complete, Certified ICH GCP (R2 & R3) Course for Investigators, Study Coordinators, Sponsors, Monitors and Study staff...

15. EU Medical Device Regulatory Affairs explained Simply

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How to get approval to sell Medical Devices within the European Union. Understand regulatory affairs & ISO 13485 2016...

16. Master Procedural Maze & Dungeon Generation

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Enhance your game environment creation skills by learning to automate dungeon and maze generation with Unity & Blender...

17. Biotechnology: Antibodies & their role in Therapeutics

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Learn about Antibodies: Their Structure, Types, Functions and Role in Therapeutics & Diagnostics Immunology Biology...

18. Internal audit on Medical Device QMS - ISO 13485:2016

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Successfully conduct an internal audit based on requirements of ISO 13485:2016 for Medical Device Development and QMS...

19. Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) Part 2 - Full Study Course

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Full study course and instructor support for the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) Part 2...

20. Basic of Clinical Data Management

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Clinical Data Management...

Top 10 most affordable universities for diagnostic radiologists

The most affordable schools for diagnostic radiologists are University of Florida, florida international university, and florida state university.

If the best universities for diagnostic radiologists 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 radiologists.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

3. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

4. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

5. University of Central Florida

Orlando, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,368

Cost of attendance

21,034

6. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Cost of attendance

25,527

7. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

8. University of Missouri - Kansas City

Kansas City, MO • Private

In-state tuition

$8,178

Cost of attendance

20,934

9. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,207

Cost of attendance

25,275

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 diagnostic radiologists

The hardest universities for diagnostic radiologists to get into are Northwestern University, Duke University, and Vanderbilt University.

Some great schools for diagnostic radiologists 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 radiologists 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. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

Admissions rate

9%

SAT average

1,516

3. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

4. Yale University

New Haven, CT • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,517

5. Tufts University

Medford, MA • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,461

6. Georgetown University

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,456

7. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

8. Emory University

Atlanta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,449

9. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,471

10. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for diagnostic radiologists

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

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a diagnostic radiologist 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 radiologists.

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. Life University

Marietta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

94%

SAT average

979

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. Aultman College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Canton, OH • Private

Admissions rate

75%

SAT average

1,085

7. La Roche College

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

99%

SAT average

1,008

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 radiologist salary by education level

Diagnostic radiologist education levelDiagnostic radiologist salary
Doctorate Degree$145,444

Diagnostic radiologist 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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