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Medical imaging technician education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a medical imaging technician. Medical imaging technicians usually study medical technician, military technology, or business. 50% of medical imaging technicians hold a associate degree, and 30% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 210 real medical imaging technician resumes to see exactly what medical imaging technician education sections show.
The most common colleges for medical imaging technicians are the St. Louis and the St. Louis.
There are also many online medical imaging technician courses to help get the education required to be a medical imaging technician.
What education do you need to become a medical imaging technician?
What degree do you need to be a medical imaging technician?
- Associate, 50%
- Bachelor's, 30%
- Master's, 10%
- High School Diploma, 6%
- Other Degrees, 4%
What should I major in to become a medical imaging technician?
- Medical Technician, 42%
- Military Technology, 10%
- Business, 7%
- Other Majors, 34%
Most common colleges for medical imaging technicians
| Medical imaging technician common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| St. Louis | 13.33% |
| University of Washington | 6.67% |
| Boise State University | 6.67% |
| Illinois College | 6.67% |
| Ashford University | 6.67% |
Best majors for medical imaging technicians
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Medical Technician | 42.0% |
| 2 | Military Technology | 10.0% |
| 3 | Business | 7.0% |
| 4 | Electrical Engineering | 7.0% |
| 5 | Nuclear And Industrial Radiologic Technologies | 5.0% |
Best colleges for medical imaging technicians
The best colleges for medical imaging technicians are New York University, Northwestern University, and University of Maryland - College Park.
A medical imaging 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 medical imaging 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 medical imaging technicians.
1. University of Maryland - College Park
College Park, MD • Private
In-state tuition
$10,595
Enrollment
30,184
2. University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT • Private
In-state tuition
$15,730
Enrollment
18,830
3. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
4. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Arecibo
Arecibo, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,872
Enrollment
3,553
5. Jefferson College of Health Sciences
Roanoke, VA • Private
In-state tuition
$26,886
Enrollment
774
6. Howard University
Washington, DC • Private
In-state tuition
$26,756
Enrollment
6,166
7. Ohio State University
Columbus, OH • Private
In-state tuition
$10,726
Enrollment
45,769
8. Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ • Private
In-state tuition
$14,974
Enrollment
35,656
9. University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$19,080
Enrollment
19,127
10. Inter American University of Puerto Rico San German
San German, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,940
Enrollment
3,747
20 best online courses for medical imaging technicians
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1. Visualizing the Living Body: Diagnostic Imaging
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. Health After Cancer: Cancer Survivorship for Primary Care
This course presents basic principles of cancer survivorship to primary-care physicians. Developed by a team of experts in caring for cancer survivors, and narrated by a primary-care physician, this course provides practical tips and tools that can be easily integrated into medical practice. You will learn about the complex physical and psychosocial needs and concerns of the growing number of cancer survivors, along with the key role that primary care physicians have in guiding these patients...
3. Introduction to Medical Imaging
Your guide to the history, science, math, and economics of medical imaging systems (e.g., X-ray, CT, MRI, Ultrasound)...
4. Deep Learning with PyTorch for Medical Image Analysis
Learn how to use Pytorch-Lightning to solve real world medical imaging tasks!...
5. Medical Emergencies: Airway, Breathing, and Circulation
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...
6. Introduction to Medical Software
In this class, we present a broad overview of the field of medical software. You will learn from Yale professors and a series of industry experts who connect the course concepts to their real world applications. We begin by discussing medical device regulatory structures, data privacy and cybersecurity regulations, and key support technologies such quality management systems and risk management. We then take a detailed look at the medical software life cycle, starting with identifying user...
7. Medical Coding: ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Training
Learn medical coding and prepare yourself for today's healthcare workplace...
8. ICD 10 & 11 Medical Coding and Billing
Preparation for Medical Coding Certification Exam...
9. Trauma Emergencies and Care
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...
10. Prehospital care of acute stroke and patient selection for endovascular treatment using the RACE scale
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...
11. A Specialty Approach to Learning Medical Billing and Coding
Volume One: Medical Hematology...
12. Medical Terminology
Introduction to the meaning of various roots, terms and combining forms that are components of medical words...
13. Medical Devices Quality Management System - ISO 13485:2016
Awareness and Application for the requirements of ISO 13485:2016 for Medical Device Development and QMS...
14. Medical Terminology 101
For those in healthcare, billing, and more. Boost earning ability and marketable skills by learning to speak medicine...
15. AMCI Introduction to Medical Coding (I2MC) Course
Introduction to Medical Coding (I2MC) Course...
16. How to Read Chest X-Ray - From Zero to Hero
Master reading CXR entirely from the very basics until professionality with tens of examples & quizzes...
17. ISO 13485 - IQOQPQ - Process Validation for Medical Devices
Installation Qualification (IQ), Operational Qualification (OQ) & Performance Qualification (PQ) Medical Devices...
18. ISO 13485:2016 - Design and Development of Medical Devices
Design and Development of Medical Devices in the perspective of ISO 13485:2016 and Medical Devices Industry...
19. ISO 13485 Demystified - Medical Devices' QMS 360° Insights
Deep dive into the world of ISO 13485 international standard for medical devices' QMS, basic concepts & requirements...
20. Understanding Medications and Therapeutics
Helping you build the best foundation to truly understand medications and develop clinical reasoning skills...
Top 10 most affordable universities for medical imaging technicians
The most affordable schools for medical imaging technicians are Brigham Young University, minot state university, and louisiana state university at alexandria.
If the best universities for medical imaging 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 medical imaging technicians.
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. Louisiana State University at Alexandria
Alexandria, LA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,668
Cost of attendance
14,488
4. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
5. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
6. Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$9,233
Cost of attendance
18,110
7. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Arecibo
Arecibo, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,872
Cost of attendance
13,476
8. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
9. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
10. University of Alaska Southeast
Juneau, AK • Private
In-state tuition
$7,092
Cost of attendance
16,853
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for medical imaging technicians
The hardest universities for medical imaging technicians to get into are New York University, Northwestern University, and University of Maryland - College Park.
Some great schools for medical imaging 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 medical imaging 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. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. University of Maryland - College Park
College Park, MD • Private
Admissions rate
47%
SAT average
1,390
4. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
5. University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT • Private
Admissions rate
49%
SAT average
1,318
6. University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
59%
SAT average
1,367
7. Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
60%
SAT average
1,303
8. Emory University
Atlanta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,449
9. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
Admissions rate
58%
SAT average
1,309
10. SUNY Stony Brook
Stony Brook, NY • Private
Admissions rate
42%
SAT average
1,326
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for medical imaging technicians
The easiest schools for medical imaging technicians to get into are AdventHealth University, gwynedd mercy university, and midwestern state university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a medical imaging 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 medical imaging technicians.
1. AdventHealth University
Orlando, FL • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,016
2. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,031
3. Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,033
4. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
5. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
6. Thomas More University
Crestview Hills, KY • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,099
7. Washington Adventist Hospital
Takoma Park, MD • Private
Admissions rate
52%
SAT average
958
8. Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Weatherford, OK • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,085
9. Mount Aloysius College
Cresson, PA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,031
10. University of Saint Francis - Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,062
Average medical imaging technician salary by education level
| Medical imaging technician education level | Medical imaging technician salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $61,195 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $39,360 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $58,133 |
| Doctorate Degree | $59,968 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $48,308 |
Medical imaging technician education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025