20 Best X-Ray Tech/Radiology Tech Schools in 2025

In 2022, Lego declared that it would donate 600 Lego models of MRIs to hospitals working with kids. This was the result of a brainwave that two Danish employees had: couldn’t Lego help kids learn, feel comfortable, and even have fun while undergoing MRIs? The project has been a massive success and shows how play can assist scientific understanding. Degree programs in radiology technology emphasize exactly this sort of interdisciplinary, horizontal thinking. Maybe you should go ahead and bookmark Lego’s MRI training videos—for medical staff, not kids—now. This blog will provide a description of radiology tech school/x-ray tech school, the costs, as well as radiology tech salary and the 20 best radiology tech schools in the US.

What is Radiology Tech School?

With a degree from a radiology tech school, you’ll be able to use medical scanning tools ranging from MRIs to angiography to look inside the body. From your studies, you’ll develop razor-sharp precision in handling delicate and specialized equipment, with the option of focusing on what kind of medical imaging most interests you. Because patients sometimes find going into machines scary, you’ll gain tools to navigate stressful interpersonal situations, developing holistic professional skills through courses on patient care and ethics.

What is a Typical Radiology Tech Salary?

The job outlook for radiology technicians is very strong. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2023 median pay was $73,410 a year. With about 16,000 job openings per year and a projected 10-year growth rate of 6%, the benefits to becoming a radiology technician have never been better. For more specialist concentrations within the field, like MRI technology, the median annual salary was $80,090.

How Long Does It Take to Become an X-Ray Tech?

Most graduates receive an associate’s degree, which typically take around two years to complete full-time. However, there are multiple avenues towards the career. Some schools offer bachelor’s programs or even certificates. It’s important to note that associate’s degrees often end up taking as long as bachelor’s programs because students are expected to have certain general education requirements under their belts before beginning this specialized field of study. Once students graduate, the vast majority of them sit for—and pass—professional certification exams. Once certified, they can begin to work.

20 Best X-Ray Tech/Radiology Tech Schools

As with all rankings, this list is not exhaustive. It contains a mix of associate’s and BS programs, but note that many of the former require college-level courses to be completed before enrollment. Programs are selective and students usually have to apply after they have been admitted to the college. Although some other rankings online suggest the University of Alaska Southeast, this school only has a certificate program, so our list also mentions the University of Alaska Anchorage’s AAS (which certificate students can transfer to). The name of the major also varies from school to school, but the curriculum content is similar.

1) University of Iowa

• Location: Iowa City, Iowa
• Cost: $5,861 per year (resident) / $16,842 per year (non-resident)

At the University of Iowa, students can select the Radiologic Technology track as part of the larger Radiation Sciences major. Within Radiologic Technology, students can apply for five competitive programs. They are Radiologic Technology (general focus), Radiologic Technology and Breast Imaging, Radiologic Technology and Computed Tomography, Radiologic Technology and Cardiovascular Interventional, and Radiologic Technology and Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Because the major is offered jointly with Iowa’s Carver College of Medicine, students can do clinical internships in their specialty areas. Graduates can take national certification exams. The job placement rate is 100%.

2) Indian Capital Technology Center (ICTC)

• Location: Muskogee, Oklahoma
• Cost: $9857.50 (in district) / $16,138 (out of district)

Students at ICTC’s two-year Radiologic Technology program have packed schedules. In their first year, they take 10 classes ranging from Patient Care for Radiographers to Film-Screen Acquisition and Processing. In their second year, they take 8 courses that build on knowledge from the first year. The degree highlights applied learning, and students can become members of organizations like Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) and The American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT). After graduating, they can take the exam to qualify as certified radiologic technologists.

3) University of Mississippi

• Location: Oxford, Mississippi / Jackson, Mississippi
• Cost: $6,441

Ole Miss students earn B.S. degrees in Radiologic Sciences, where they learn how to operate imaging technology as well as provide radiation therapy. They complete the first two years of classes in the Allied Health Studies program, then apply to move into Radiologic Sciences, which is selective. They receive personalized academic and career advising and firsthand medical experience.

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4) Collins Career Technical Center

• Location: Chesapeake, Ohio
• Cost: $24,469

An associate’s in Applied Science in Radiologic Technology lets students take professional certification exams and practice soon after graduation. From 2020-2024, 90% of graduates passed the certification exam on their first try, and 100% got jobs. Students gain real-world experience at seven different clinical sites in Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky.

5) Foothill College

• Location: Los Altos Hills, California
• Cost: $5,200

Foothill College in Silicon Valley offers a two-year Associate of Science in Radiologic Technology. The program has been around since 1961, so students have a strong alumni network. Students gain entrance through a lottery and must take prerequisites before entering. Once they’re in, they work with up to 15 different medical institutions in the region. Between 2019 and 2023, between 96-1oo% of graduates passed the professional certification exam on the first try, and 100% were placed in jobs.

6) Ogeechee Technical College

• Location: Statesboro, Georgia
• Cost: $7,700

Radiologic Technology graduates from Ogeechee Tech leave with Associate of Applied Science degrees, with the option of Computed Tomography Specialist Certificates. Students need to complete 9 prerequisites before being eligible and the program brings in 12 new students each spring. They achieve not just clinical aptitude, but also communication and critical thinking skills. 96.4% of graduates pass the certifying exam on their first attempt.

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7) Santa Barbara City College

• Location: Santa Barbara, California
• Cost: $5,500 – $6,000

With this two-year Associate of Science in Radiology Technology, students leave well-prepared to take on the workforce. From 2019-2023, 88% of graduates passed the certification exam on their first try and 97% were placed in jobs. They take a diverse array of courses and have designated academic counselors. The beautiful Santa Barbara setting means that students can also spend their time off at the beach.

8) Lakeshore Technical College

• Location: Cleveland, Wisconsin
• Cost: $12,409

In-person classes at LTC are supplemented by online class options for Nicolet College and Gateway Technical College students, making this degree more accessible. Students are taught a mix of technical and customer service skills, and can apply for financial aid. With a 94.5% first-time pass rate on the professional certification exam and a 100% job placement rate, they can feel confident about their prospects.

9) Mitchell Technical College

• Location: Mitchell, South Dakota
• Cost: $22,459

A two-year Associate of Applied Science program, Radiologic Technology at Mitchell Tech blends classroom learning with hands-on application in the lab and clinic. There are two semesters of classes, followed by three semesters of clinical rotations. Various scholarships are available and well-advertised on the website. All of the instructors are women, and the job placement rate is 100%.

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10) University of Alaska Southeast/University of Alaska Anchorage

• Location: Anchorage, Alaska
• Cost: $7,162 per year (resident) / $20,746 per year (non-resident)

The one-year certificate program in Pre-Radiologic Technology at the University of Alaska Southeast provides students with a strong basis to pursue an AAS in Radiologic Technology at the University of Alaska Anchorage’s School of Allied Health. While other schools ask for general education prerequisites, the University of Alaska system bundles up the specific ones needed for Radiologic Technology into one program. Students can also learn online and go in-person for clinics.

11) Pasadena City College

• Location: Pasedena, California
• Cost: $3,588 (resident) / $35,256 (non-resident)

Radiologic Technology associate’s degree students at Pasadena City College can take advantage of the institution’s 10 clinical partnerships in the LA area. The program asks for prerequisites and is selective. Between 2019 and 2023, graduates had a 93% pass rate on the professional certification exam and a 99% job placement rate. The college hosts information sessions for prospective applicants to learn about the program.

12) Mt. San Antonio College

• Location: Walnut, California
• Cost: $2,760 (resident) / $20,040 (non-resident)

The system to enroll in Mt. SAC’s Radiologic Technology degree is a little different than at other schools. Students don’t need to wait until they complete prerequisites to apply. Instead, once they submit an application for general admission, they can place themselves on the program waitlist. While they wait to get off, they fulfill the necessary core classes. Mt. SAC offers many course options, as well as affiliated hospitals where students can build medical experience.

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13) Marion Technical College

• Location: Marion, Ohio
• Cost: $13,650 (resident) / $24,050 (non-resident)

This associate’s degree combines technical and science classes with classes in communication. There are a total of 27 courses that students need to complete by graduation. Subsequently, they appear for the professional certifying exam. Since the college offers an array of healthcare programs, students can socialize with and learn from others who may be their future colleagues.

14) Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

• Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
• Cost: $10,448 per year (resident) / $17,998 per year (non-resident)

Students have a few different options when it comes to pursuing a degree at IUPUI. First, they can do an Associate of Science in Radiography, which also offers them the opportunity to conduct research and study abroad. Across two years, they spend an impressive 1,300 hours caring for patients. 98% of AS graduates passed the professional certifying exam from 2019-2023, and 100% received jobs. Alternatively, students can pursue a Bachelor of Science in Medical Imaging Technology, and choose between MRI, CT, IR/CC, Mammo, DMS (Ultrasound), and Non-Clinical tracks. Finally, the Radiologic Sciences department offers an undergraduate major in Nuclear Medicine Technology, in which technologists trace the movement of radiopharmaceuticals through the body to investigate health issues.

15) Virginia Commonwealth University

• Location: Richmond, Virginia
• Cost: $16,720 per year (resident) / $39,884 per year (non-resident)

VCU offers a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Radiation Sciences. Students concentrate in diagnostic medical sonography, nuclear medicine technology, radiation therapy, or radiography. They avail themselves of extensive lab facilities and get work experience at a range of clinics. The major is part of the College of Health Sciences, one of the largest health centers in the country.

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16) Randolph Community College

• Location: Asheboro, North Carolina
• Cost: $5,548 (resident) / $20,368 (non-resident)

This Associate of Applied Science degree in Radiography is taught by professors at the Shackleford Jr. Allied Health Center. Admission is selective, and there are information sessions throughout the semester for prospective students to learn more. From 2020-2024, 90% of graduates passed the certifying exam on their first attempt, and 100% of students got jobs. After graduation, students can keep studying to receive specialized certificates in Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technology.

17) City College of San Francisco

• Location: San Francisco, California
• Cost: $4600 (California resident) / $45,000 (non-resident) / Free (San Francisco resident)

The Radiological Sciences department here has its own acronym: CCSF RADSCI. Its mission-driven approach translates to quality lab infrastructure and clinical opportunities for Diagnostic Medical Imaging AS students. From 2019-2023, 97% of students passed the certifying exam on the first try, and 100% of students got jobs.

18) St. Philip’s College

• Location: San Antonio, Texas
• Cost: $3,112 per year (resident) / $6,592 per year (non-resident)

With the AAS in Radiography Technology, students don’t have to pick a concentration, but instead get rotational experience across different medical imaging techniques. 92% of students between 2019 and 2023 passed the professional certification exam on their first attempt, and 98% found jobs.

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19) Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing

• Location: Omaha, Nebraska
• Cost: $17,444 per year

Students at this healthcare-focused institution can pursue an AS in Radiologic Technology and a BS in Imaging Sciences at the same time. Once they finish the AS, they are eligible to take the certifying exam and can then finish the BA largely online, giving them flexibility to both work and study. In addition, students can pursue certificates in CT, MRI, and Mammography. The AS degree had an 84% exam pass rate and a 100% job placement rate from 2019-2023. Students can also minor in Spanish, allowing them to build language skills to communicate effectively with a wider swathe of patients.

 20) North Dakota State University

• Location: Fargo, North Dakota
• Cost: $4,654 per year (residents) / $6,981 per year (non-residents)

Radiologic Sciences majors here follow a unique structure. The first two years, they take a series of intensive courses. The next two years, they pursue a two-year, full-time internship in specialized areas like radiography, diagnostic medical sonography, or echocardiography. This rigorous combination of classes and medical experience leaves students ready to take on workplace challenges.

Best X-Ray Tech/Radiology Tech Schools – Additional Resources

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