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Radiography technician education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a radiography technician. Radiography technicians usually study military technology, medical technician, or nuclear and industrial radiologic technologies. 66% of radiography technicians hold a associate degree, and 15% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 305 real radiography technician resumes to see exactly what radiography technician education sections show.
The most common colleges for radiography technicians are the Baker College and the Baker College.
There are also many online radiography technician courses to help get the education required to be a radiography technician.
What education do you need to become a radiography technician?
What degree do you need to be a radiography technician?
- Associate, 66%
- Bachelor's, 15%
- Diploma, 7%
- High School Diploma, 6%
- Other Degrees, 6%
What should I major in to become a radiography technician?
- Military Technology, 29%
- Medical Technician, 17%
- Business, 7%
- Other Majors, 35%
Most common colleges for radiography technicians
| Radiography technician common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Baker College | 8.33% |
| Springfield College | 8.33% |
| Pima Medical Institute | 8.33% |
| University of Nevada - Las Vegas | 8.33% |
| Ferris State University | 8.33% |
Best majors for radiography technicians
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Military Technology | 28.9% |
| 2 | Medical Technician | 16.5% |
| 3 | Nuclear And Industrial Radiologic Technologies | 12.4% |
| 4 | Business | 6.6% |
| 5 | Music | 4.1% |
Best colleges for radiography technicians
The best colleges for radiography technicians are University of Southern California, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt University.
A radiography 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 radiography 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 radiography technicians.
1. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
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. Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA • Private
In-state tuition
$22,584
Enrollment
45,370
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 radiography technicians
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1. 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...
2. 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...
3. Providing Trauma-Informed Care
Exploring psychological trauma and how to provide care and compassion to trauma survivors...
4. Introduction to Medical Imaging
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
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. Information Systems Auditing, Controls and Assurance
The course is awarded The Best Free Online Courses of All Time, and Best Online Courses of the Year (2021 Edition) by Class Central (http://www.classcentral.com). --- Information systems (IS) are important assets to business organizations and are ubiquitous in our daily lives. With the latest IS technologies emerging, such as Big Data, FinTech, Virtual Banks, there are more concerns from the public on how organizations maintain systems’ integrity, such as data privacy, information security, the...
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Master reading CXR entirely from the very basics until professionality with tens of examples & quizzes...
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9. 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...
10. Value-Based Care: Managing Processes to Improve Outcomes
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...
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12. 3ds Max + V-Ray: 3ds Max PRO in 6 hrs
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13. Emergency Care: Pregnancy, Infants, and Children
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...
14. Introduction to Cataract Surgery
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...
15. V-Ray 5 + 3ds Max: Master 3D Rendering with Vray & 3ds Max
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Understand, Develop and Implement Quality Systems for Success and Profit...
17. Functional Safety for Safety Instrumented Systems
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18. Learn BMS & Level Up Your Career- Building management system
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19. Architectural Exterior Rendering Masterclass 3ds Max + V-Ray
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20. ISO/IEC 27001:2022. Information Security Management System
Learn how your company can protect its information with an ISMS that meets the requirements of ISO/IEC 27001...
Top 10 most affordable universities for radiography technicians
The most affordable schools for radiography technicians are Brigham Young University, minot state university, and florida international university.
If the best universities for radiography 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 radiography 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. 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. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Arecibo
Arecibo, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,872
Cost of attendance
13,476
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for radiography technicians
The hardest universities for radiography technicians to get into are University of Southern California, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt University.
Some great schools for radiography 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 radiography 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. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
4. University of Tulsa
Tulsa, OK • Private
Admissions rate
41%
SAT average
1,321
5. Tufts University
Medford, MA • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,461
6. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
7. Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
58%
SAT average
1,304
8. University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
59%
SAT average
1,367
9. SUNY Stony Brook
Stony Brook, NY • Private
Admissions rate
42%
SAT average
1,326
10. Yale University
New Haven, CT • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,517
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for radiography technicians
The easiest schools for radiography technicians 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 radiography 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 radiography technicians.
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 radiography technician salary by education level
| Radiography technician education level | Radiography technician salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $72,064 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $67,540 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $61,216 |
Radiography technician education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common healthcare practitioner and technical questions.
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025