Best Ultrasound Tech Schools and Programs of 2024
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Ultrasound technicians use specialized equipment to create images of the inside of the human body. Their work helps diagnose medical issues and detect any health conditions in fetuses. Learn more about ultrasound technician careers and the top schools to explore this exciting career path.
Top Ultrasound Technician Programs
Hinds Community College
Raymond, MS- 2 year
- Campus + Online
Programmatic Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $150
Out-of-State | $275
Credits to Graduate: 71
Hinds Community College's associate of applied science in diagnostic medical sonography trains students in technical proficiencies through an intensive 41-credit core. Learners begin with introductory coursework in anatomy, ultrasound and sonographic technologies, and clinical best practices. Later semesters delve deeper into these topics, and students also receive specific instruction in abdominal, obstetric, and gynecological sonography.
Though the program mainly uses a face-to-face delivery, certain courses are available online. Between 2018 and 2022, 100% of program alumni secured employment as sonographers within three months of graduation.
- In-State$3,500
- Out-of-state$6,550
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate60%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled10,802
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment44%
- AccreditationYes
Lamar Institute of Technology
- Beaumont, TX
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
Programmatic Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $80
Out-of-State | $500
Credits to Graduate: 65
Lamar Institute of Technology's associate of applied science in diagnostic medical sonography combines intensive classroom learning with field-based clinical experiences. Students build skills with M-Mode, 2D and 3D Echo technologies, and spectral and color flow Doppler systems.
LIT exclusively offers the program in a full-time, in-person format. This facilitates intensive and immersive clinical experiences, which cover 24 hours per week on a three-day, eight-hour basis.
Learners can also complete a specialized AAS degree in cardiac sonography. LIT accepts 12 students into each track per academic year.
- In-State$1,920
- Out-of-state$11,712
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate54%
- Acceptance Rate61%
- Students Enrolled4,487
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment54%
- AccreditationYes
Santa Fe College
- Gainesville, FL
- 4 year
- Online
Programmatic Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $107
Out-of-State | $383
Credits to Graduate: 80
Santa Fe College's associate of science in diagnostic medical sonography uses a rigorous five-semester learning model.. The program begins with a 23-credit prerequisite sequence covering foundational basics. Learners then proceed into an immersive 57-credit core covering anatomy; clinical best practices; and obstetric, gynecological, abdominal, and vascular techniques.
From 2018-2022, 100% of graduates passed their credentialing exams. During that same period, in-field employment rates have ranged from 85.7%-100%.
- In-State$1,872
- Out-of-state$7,418
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled12,830
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment55%
- AccreditationYes
State Fair Community College
- Sedalia, MO
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
Programmatic Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
Cost per Credit:
In-District | $351-$401
Missouri Resident | $416-$466
Credits to Graduate: 80.5-82.5
With generalist and cardiac tracks, State Fair Community College's diagnostic medical sonography program combines online, lab-based, and field-based learning. Students complete all academic coursework online while lab components occur at SFCC's campus in Sedalia, Missouri. The program culminates with supervised clinical experiences, where learners apply your didactic coursework.
During 2021-2023, graduates of the general track posted average employment rates of 100%. Alumni of the cardiac track secured in-field employment at a 94% average rate.
- In-State$4,200
- Out-of-state$5,688
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate60%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled3,785
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment74%
- AccreditationYes
Did You Know…
Ultrasound technicians are often the first people to hear a fetus’ heartbeat.
Why Get an Ultrasound Technician Degree?
Ultrasound technicians are in demand as the U.S. population gets older. Between 2023 and 2033, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects the number of diagnostic medical sonographer jobs to increase by 15% and the number of medical sonographer and cardiovascular technologist and technician jobs to grow by 4%.
How Much Does an Ultrasound Technician Degree Cost?
The cost of a degree depends on what degree you get and what type of institution you attend. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the average undergraduate tuition and fees to attend a two-year public institution was $3,598 for the 2022-2023 school year; the cost to attend a four-year public institution was $9,750 for the same year.
How Much Do Ultrasound Technicians Make?
Salary varies depending on many factors, including professionals’ specialty, employer, and geographic location. However, according to the BLS, the median annual wage for diagnostic medical sonographers, which includes ultrasound technicians, is $84,470. Professionals who work at outpatient care centers typically earn more than those at hospitals or physicians’ offices.
Most employers prefer to hire sonographers with a degree from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. Many employers also prefer candidates certified in sonography and CPR.
Organizations like the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) offer certification exams. Students can also pursue certification through Cardiovascular Credentialing International or the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.
What Courses are in an Ultrasound Technician Program?
Ultrasound technician programs cover applied sciences, biology, and anatomy. Classes vary depending on your specialization. Common courses in ultrasound technician programs include:
- Introduction to Sonography: You’ll learn the basics of sonography, ultrasounds, and scanning. Learners explore terminology and anatomical relationships. The course prepares you to learn more in-depth information about sonograms and ultrasounds.
- ECG for Cardiac Sonographers: Electrocardiogram (ECG) courses teach you how to interpret an ECG, a test that monitors the heart. An ECG can indicate various heart conditions. You’ll learn how to spot various patterns and features of the ECG and compare them against the baseline. The course trains you to read ECG charts in clinical settings.
- Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation: This course teaches you about the basic physics of human tissue. You’ll study how scanning technology works. Ultrasound technicians must understand sound-tissue interaction. The course explains how pulse-echo principles apply to diagnostic sonography.
How to Become an Ultrasound Technician
You need a degree or certificate from an accredited program to become an ultrasound technician. Many employers prefer candidates with professional certification. These certifications typically require a degree from an accredited program. You must also pass two exams: one in sonography principles and instrumentation (SPI) and one in your specialty.
You can pursue certification in several specialties. You can obtain multiple certifications to boost your knowledge and job prospects.
Ultrasound Technician Licensure
Not all states require ultrasound technician licensure. Only technicians who work in New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Oregon need licensure. Typically, earning a license requires an application and an exam.
ARDMS offers professional certifications in many areas, including pediatrics. You must pass an exam and fulfill the prerequisites. ARDMS offers exams throughout the year at various locations. Applications typically cost a few hundred dollars.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ultrasound Technician Programs
Next Steps
Page last reviewed April 15, 2024. All rankings and school descriptions on this page were created and reviewed independently by the ASO Rankings Team.
