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Registered radiation therapist education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a registered radiation therapist. Registered radiation therapists usually study biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology, medical technician, or health care administration. 44% of registered radiation therapists hold a bachelor's degree, and 30% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 37 real registered radiation therapist resumes to see exactly what registered radiation therapist education sections show.

The most common colleges for registered radiation therapists are the Virginia Commonwealth University and the Virginia Commonwealth University.

There are also many online registered radiation therapist courses to help get the education required to be a registered radiation therapist.

What education do you need to become a registered radiation therapist?

What degree do you need to be a registered radiation therapist?

The most common degree for registered radiation therapists is bachelor's degree, with 44% of registered radiation therapists earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 30% and associate degree degree at 7%.
  • Bachelor's, 44%
  • Associate, 30%
  • Master's, 7%
  • Other Degrees, 19%

What should I major in to become a registered radiation therapist?

You should major in biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology to become a registered radiation therapist. 33% of registered radiation therapists major in biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology. Other common majors for a registered radiation therapist include medical technician and health care administration.

Most common colleges for registered radiation therapists

Registered radiation therapists often get their degrees at Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Iowa, and Ottawa University. Here are the most common colleges for registered radiation therapists in the US based on their resumes.
Registered radiation therapist common collegePercentages
Virginia Commonwealth University9.09%
University of Iowa9.09%
Ottawa University9.09%
Saint Louis University4.55%
Howard University4.55%

Best majors for registered radiation therapists

Best colleges for registered radiation therapists

The best colleges for registered radiation therapists are Northwestern University, Stanford University, and Vanderbilt University.

A registered radiation therapist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for registered radiation therapists. 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 registered radiation therapists.

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

2. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

3. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

4. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

5. SUNY Stony Brook

Stony Brook, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,625

Enrollment

17,407

6. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

7. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

8. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

9. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

10. Howard University

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$26,756

Enrollment

6,166

20 best online courses for registered radiation therapists

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5. Addiction Treatment: Clinical Skills for Healthcare Providers

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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...

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This course will help you understand and address the challenges parents and families face regarding schooling after a cancer diagnosis. When a child is diagnosed with cancer, families can be overwhelmed learning about and managing this new and frightening reality. As they adjust to the new normal of ongoing treatment, school may be the farthest thing from their mind. However, as their oncology health care provider, you have a critical role in starting conversations about schooling. Even for...

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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...

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Top 10 most affordable universities for registered radiation therapists

The most affordable schools for registered radiation therapists are University of Florida, california state university - bakersfield, and california state university - long beach.

If the best universities for registered radiation therapists 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 registered radiation therapists.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

3. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

4. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

5. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

6. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

7. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

8. California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,886

Cost of attendance

17,645

9. City College of New York of the City University of New York, The

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,140

Cost of attendance

14,430

10. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for registered radiation therapists

The hardest universities for registered radiation therapists to get into are Northwestern University, Stanford University, and Vanderbilt University.

Some great schools for registered radiation therapists 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 registered radiation therapists 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. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

3. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

4. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

5. Yale University

New Haven, CT • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,517

6. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

Admissions rate

9%

SAT average

1,516

7. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

8. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

9. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

10. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for registered radiation therapists

The easiest schools for registered radiation therapists to get into are Notre Dame de Namur University, d'youville college, and la roche college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a registered radiation therapist 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 registered radiation therapists.

1. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

2. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

3. La Roche College

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

99%

SAT average

1,008

4. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

5. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

6. Thomas More University

Crestview Hills, KY • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

1,099

7. Holy Family University

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,017

8. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

9. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

10. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

Average registered radiation therapist salary by education level

Registered radiation therapists with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $123,052 annually. With a Master's degree, registered radiation therapists earn a median annual income of $108,660 compared to $103,751 for registered radiation therapists with an Bachelor's degree.
Registered radiation therapist education levelRegistered radiation therapist salary
Master's Degree$108,660
Bachelor's Degree$103,751
Doctorate Degree$123,052

Registered radiation therapist 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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