Best Radiology Schools in Texas

  • According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), Texas has 50 institutions that offer various radiology programs, including medical radiologic technology, radiation protection, radiologic science, and radiobiology(1).
  • Some of the schools in Texas with high program effectiveness data include The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, El Paso Community College, and Texas State University(2).
  • According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Texas hired 16,480 radiologic techs as of May 2019(3).
  • As of May 2019, rad techs in Texas earn a mean annual wage of $61,050. Houston, The Woodlands, and Sugar Land are the highest paying cities with rad techs earning an average annual wage of $65,760(4).
  • The top radiologic tech employers in Texas are Christus Health, MD Anderson Cancer Center, West Houston Medical Center, Scott and White Healthcare, Mission Regional Medical Center, and East Texas Medical Center(5).

Best Radiology Schools in Texas

The National Center for Education Statistics lists 50 institutions in Texas that offer the following radiology programs:

  • Medical Radiologic Technology/Science
  • Radiobiology
  • Radiation Protection/Health Physics
  • Radiologic Technology/Science(6)

The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) accredits various programs in radiography, medical dosimetry, magnetic resonance, and radiation therapy.

The committee calculates the program effectiveness data, which includes the program’s credential exam pass rate, job placement rate, and completion rate.

The committee publishes its findings on its website, www.jrcert.org

The following are some radiology programs in Texas and their program effectiveness data as calculated by JRCERT(7)*:

School, Location Program Program Duration Application Requirements Program Effectiveness Data
Completion rate % Certification exam pass rate % Job placement rate %
Amarillo

College, Amarillo

Associate of Applied Science in Radiography 24 months High school GED

Prerequisite courses

85 74 91
Associate of Applied Science in Radiation Therapy 24 months High school GED

Prerequisite courses

73 97 93
Austin Community College, Austin Associate of Applied Science in Radiography 24 months High school GED

Prerequisite courses

90 98 95
Del Mar College, Corpus Christi Associate of Applied Science in Radiography 22 months High school GED

Prerequisite courses

80 91 100
El Paso Community College, El Paso Associate of Applied Science in Radiography 24 months High school GED

Prerequisite courses

75 100 100
Galveston College, Galveston Associate of Applied Science in Radiography 21 months High school GED

Prerequisite courses

68 65 89
Associate of Applied Science in Radiation Therapy 21 months High school GED

Prerequisite courses

66 92 89.50
Houston Community College, Houston Associate of Applied Science in Radiography 24 months High school GED

Prerequisite courses

82 95 92.70
Lamar Institute of Technology, Beaumont Associate of Applied Science in Radiography 24 months High school GED

Prerequisite courses

82 82.60 98.90
Lone Star College-Cyfair, Cypress Associate of Applied Science in Radiography 24 months High school GED

Prerequisite courses

100 97 91
Lone Star College-Montgomery, Conroe Associate of Applied Science in Radiography 24 months High school GED

Prerequisite courses

73 99 100
McLennan Community College, Waco Associate of Applied Science in Radiography 24 months High school GED

Prerequisite courses

88.50 87.90 95.90
Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls Bachelor of Science in Radiography 48 months High school GED

Prerequisite courses

84 89 99.5
Odessa College, Odessa Associate of Applied Science in Radiography 24 months High school GED

Prerequisite courses

87.5 87.7 100
St. Philip’s College, San Antonio Associate of Applied Science in Radiography 24 months High school GED

Prerequisite courses

87 78 89
Tarrant County College, Fort Worth Associate of Applied Science in Radiography 24 months High school GED

Prerequisite courses

92 93 86
Texas State University, San Marcos Bachelor of Science in Radiation Therapy 26 months High school GED

Prerequisite courses

92 97 100
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston Bachelor of Science Degree in Magnetic Resonance 12 months High school 

GED

Prerequisite courses

98 95 99
Certificate in Radiography 24 months High school GED

Prerequisite courses

81 95 100
Bachelor of Science in Medical Dosimetry 24 months High school GED

Prerequisite courses

88.20 86.50 99
Bachelor of Science in Radiation Therapy 24 months High school GED

Prerequisite courses

80 86 95
Tyler Junior College, Tyler Associate of Applied Science in Radiography 24 months High school GED

Prerequisite courses

92 100 100
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Certificate in Medical Dosimetry 12 months High school GED

Prerequisite courses

100 95 100
Weatherford College, Weatherford Associate of Applied Science in Radiography 21 months High school GED

Prerequisite courses

91 94.5 99

*Data retrieved on September 14, 2020. Changes may occur when new information comes in.

Certificate/Diploma

University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has a certificate program in diagnostic imaging. The university offers financial aid to support students who cannot afford tuition.

Under the program, students learn routine and advanced radiographic imaging techniques, including computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). 

Upon completion of the program, students can apply for positions in hospitals, clinics, and other medical institutions.

University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio offers a one-year certificate in medical dosimetry program. The program starts in August and includes clinical and didactic training in medical dosimetry. 

The program aims to train students to be independent, confident, and effective in entry-level medical dosimetrist positions.

Associate’s Degree

Amarillo College has an associate’s degree program in radiation therapy. The program aims to train students in operating sophisticated equipment that help fight cancer.

Students under the program train in state-of-the-art cancer treatment facilities.

The college also offers a radiography program. Students under the program learn clinical skills in partner hospitals in Pampa, Amarillo, Borger, Dumas, and Hereford.

Austin Community College offers an associate degree program in radiography. Under the program, students learn about medical imaging procedures, patient care, anatomy, physiology, image production, and radiation protection.

Del Mar College offers an associate degree program in radiologic technology. The program aims to prepare students for positions in radiology departments of hospitals, physician offices, clinics, and other medical facilities that use radiographic procedures.

El Paso Community College has an associate degree program in radiography. The program aims to train students in working with radiographic equipment.

Students under the program also study how to prepare patients for various types of diagnostic imaging examinations.

Galveston College offers associate degree programs in radiography and radiation therapy

The college offers the radiography program with the aim of producing graduates who can successfully demonstrate empathy and compassion to their patients and commit to life-long learning.

Under the radiation therapy program, students learn the academic and clinical skills needed to secure entry-level health professions in the radiation therapy field.

Houston Community College has an associate degree in radiography program. Students under the program attend lectures in classes and laboratory sessions at the Coleman Health Science Center College.

Lamar Institute of Technology offers an associate degree program in radiologic technology. The program aims to prepare students for entry-level positions in hospitals, clinics, and physician offices that perform medical imaging procedures.

Lone Star College-Cyfair provides an Associate of Applied Science degree program in radiologic technology. The program aims to offer students education through structured learning experiences.

Lone Star began offering the program in response to the community’s need for medical imaging professionals.

Lone Star College-Montgomery offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in radiologic technology

Under the program, students undergo intensive training with strict attendance requirements. Coursework includes the operation of radiographic systems in lab and clinical settings.

McLennan Community College in Waco offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in radiology. Under the program, students learn how to safely perform diagnostic imaging procedures.

Odessa College offers a radiologic technology program with personalized instructions and clinical rotations for students. The program aims to provide students with the skills and proficiency they need to enter the radiology field.

St. Philip’s College offers a radiologic technology program with clinical training in area hospitals and imaging centers.

The college opened a remote learning option for the program in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tarrant County College offers a two-year program in radiologic technology. Students will earn an Associate of Science degree after completing the program.

Students who completed the program can find career opportunities in hospitals, outpatient imaging centers, physician offices, freestanding emergency rooms, urgent care clinics, mobile X-ray companies, and day surgery centers.

Texas State University offers a radiation therapy program that combines clinical and didactic elements. The program aims to prepare students to demonstrate proper patient care and personal and professional development in the radiology field.

Weatherford College offers an associate’s degree in radiologic technology. Under the program, students learn how to perform radiographic procedures on patients from all age groups who are suffering from various health issues.

The program aims to train students in performing diagnostic radiology. It covers training in other modalities like CT and MRI, nuclear medicine, and ultrasound.

Bachelor’s Degree

Midwestern State University offers a Bachelor of Science degree in radiologic technology. The program aims to help students become competent and compassionate radiology techs.

The program also prepares students to demonstrate personal and professional development as a part of a healthcare team.

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers Bachelor of Science degree programs in radiation therapy, magnetic resonance (MR), and medical dosimetry.

Under the radiation therapy program, students study the technical, theoretical, and psychological aspects of becoming radiation therapists. Courses may be taken online. However, clinical rotations at partner hospitals are required.

The university’s MR program incorporates didactic and clinical education to provide students with the knowledge and skills to pass the ARRT exam.

Under the medical dosimetry program, students learn dose calculation, treatment design, and quality assurance through classroom, laboratory, and clinical training.

Accreditation of Radiology Programs in Texas

Aspiring radiographers in Texas have to study under an accredited program to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam.

JRCERT is responsible for awarding accreditation to programs in radiography that can be offered at the certificate, associate, baccalaureate, and master’s degree levels in both traditional and remote settings.  

JRCERT is the only committee recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the United States Department of Education (USDE)(8)

JRCERT is authorized to award accreditation to institutions within the US and its territories, commonwealths, and possessions.

Another accreditor in the healthcare field is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). CAAHEP grants accreditation to education programs in health sciences.

According to the commission’s website, it reviews and accredits more than 2,100 individual education programs in 32 health science professions(9).

The Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT) is the accreditor for postsecondary nuclear medicine technology programs. 

The committee was founded in the late 1960s in response to the growing interest in nuclear medicine. The committee is also recognized by CHEA.

The following are some institutions in Texas that offer JRCNMT-accredited programs:

  • Amarillo College
  • Galveston College
  • Houston Community College

How Does One Become a Radiologic Tech in Texas?

In Texas, aspiring radiologic technologists and technicians have to complete an associate or bachelor’s degree, depending on the level of the occupation desired.

Students under radiologic technologist programs in Texas could take classes that include or are similar to:

  • Radiation Biology and Protection
  • Patient Care
  • Principles of Radiographic Imaging
  • Radiographic Pathology
  • Advanced Radiographic Procedures

Individuals have to make sure to enter a program with accreditation. Completing an accredited program makes students eligible for the ARRT certification exam.

Upon passing the ARRT test, aspiring radiologic technicians and technologists in Texas have to take and pass the state licensure exam.

The Texas Department of State Health Services requires radiologic technicians and technologists to have a license before entering the radiology field.

Rad techs in Texas must also complete 24 hours of continuing education every two years for license renewal. 

Texas allows reciprocity licensing, meaning applicants can skip the licensing process if they are licensed in another state with similar licensing requirements.

After securing a license and certificate, individuals can finally begin their practice.

Radiologic techs can look into specializing in specific areas of study in medical imaging, like sonography, diagnostic imaging, cardiac-interventional (CI) radiography, mammography, X-ray imaging, CT, or MRI.

How Long Does It Take to Complete a Radiology Program in Texas?

The duration of the program varies depending on the student’s desired occupation.

Radiologists, radiologic technicians, and radiologic technologists have different educational requirements.

Is Radiology a Two-Year Degree?

Aspiring radiologists, not to be confused with radiologic technicians and technologists, have to complete four years of undergraduate education and a year of clinical practice.

After completing clinical practice, students must enter a four-year residency program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).

ACGME provides the professional educational standards essential in preparing medical professionals to deliver safe medical care to US citizens.

The independent and physician-led council sets standards for effective residency programs. 

The council also monitors the residency program’s compliance with the standards. It has 28 specialty-specific review committees that supervise the review of medical programs.

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio is one of the teaching hospitals in Texas with an ACGME-accredited residency program.

The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center also offers radiography programs accredited by ACGME.

How Long Does It Take to Be a Radiologic Technician in Texas?

In Texas, the duration of the programs for radiologic technicians varies depending on the student’s education path. 

For X-ray technicians, a diploma or a certificate program takes approximately one year to complete while a program for an associate’s degree takes two years to finish.

Students with an associate’s degree in radiologic technology can begin their practice in entry-level positions.

A bachelor’s degree program for X-ray technicians takes four years to complete. Some institutions offer two-year programs, but an associate’s degree or a diploma may be required.

After earning a degree, students have to obtain certification from ARRT and a license. Obtaining certification and license will take them more time before they can begin their practice.

Radiology Requirements in Texas

Students have to complete an accredited radiologic technology program before they can be certified by the ARRT. Radiologic technologists and technicians also need to have a license to work in the state.

Individuals must take and pass an examination that has been approved by the Department of State Health Services to secure a license.

Upon obtaining a license, radiologic techs must apply for license renewal every two years.

Career Opportunities in Texas

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2019, Texas has the second-highest employment level for radiologic technicians and technologists(10).

As of May 2019, Texas has hired 16,480 rad techs. Texas is behind California, where 17,390 radiologic techs were employed as of May 2019(11).

Houston, The Woodlands, Sugar Land, Dallas, Fort Worth, and Arlington in Texas are among the US cities with the highest employment level for radiology technicians and technologists(12).

Top employers for rad tech graduates include Christus Health, MD Anderson Cancer Center, West Houston Medical Center, Scott and White Healthcare, Mission Regional Medical Center, and East Texas Medical Center(13).

Salaries of Radiologic Techs in Texas

Data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics show that radiologic technicians and technologists have a mean annual salary of $63,120 on the national level as of May 2019(14).

In Texas, rad techs earn a mean annual wage of $61,050(15).

In Houston, The Woodlands, and Sugar Land, rad techs have an average annual wage of $65,760 or a mean hourly wage of $31.62(16).

Meanwhile, in Dallas, Fort Worth, and Arlington, rad techs earn a mean annual salary of $61,390 or an average of $29.51 per hour(17).

Conclusion

According to the NCES, Texas has 50 institutions that provide medical radiologic technology, radiation protection, radiologic science, and radiobiology programs(18).

The following are some of the schools in Texas with high program effectiveness data based on JRCERT’s standards:

  • El Paso Community College
  • Lone Star College
  • Midwestern State University
  • Odessa College
  • Texas State University
  • Tyler Junior College
  • University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
  • University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • Weatherford College(19)

Upon graduation, rad tech students can send their resumes to Christus Health, MD Anderson Cancer Center, West Houston Medical Center, Scott and White Healthcare, Mission Regional Medical Center, and East Texas Medical Center.

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that Texas has hired 16,480 radiologic techs as of May 2019. Rad techs in the state earn a mean annual wage of $61,050(20).


20 Sources

  1. National Center for Education Statistics. College Navigator. Retrieved from https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?s=TX&p=51.0907+26.0209+51.0916+51.0911+51.0814&l=91+92+93+94&pg=1
  2. Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. Accredited Program Details. Retrieved from https://portal.jrcertaccreditation.org/accredited-educational-programs/search
  3. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Employment Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292034.htm
  4. Ibid
  5. Radiology Schools 411. Radiology Technologist Schools in Texas. Retrieved from https://www.radiologyschools411.com/texas/
  6. NCES. College Navigator. op. cit.
  7. JRCERT. Accredited Program Details. op. cit.
  8. JRCERT. Retrieved from https://www.jrcert.org/
  9. Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. Retrieved from https://www.caahep.org/
  10. BLS. Occupational Employment Statistics. op. cit.
  11. Ibid
  12. Ibid
  13. Radiology Schools 411. op. cit.
  14. BLS. Occupational Employment Statistics. op. cit.
  15. Ibid
  16. Ibid
  17. Ibid
  18. NCES. College Navigator. op. cit.
  19. JRCERT. Accredited Program Details. op. cit.
  20. BLS. Occupational Employment Statistics. op. cit.
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