With an aging baby boomer population, now is a great time to begin a healthcare career in the United States. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the healthcare profession will grow much faster than average over the next decade.
Becoming an ultrasound technician is a great way to join this in-demand field. Ultrasound techs typically need only an associate degree, so you can begin work in as little as two years. Online programs are also available, making education more convenient for those with job or family commitments.
Find the best online ultrasound tech schools and how to get started in this career.
Popular Online Healthcare Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Online Ultrasound Technician Schools
#2 Online Ultrasound Tech Schools of 2024
Jackson College
- Jackson, MI
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $185-$209
Out-of-State | $277
Credits to Graduate: 80
The associate of applied science (AAS) in general sonography at Jackson College offers abdomen/superficial structures and obstetrics/gynecology specialties. The CAAHEP-accredited program prepares enrollees to sit for national registry exams. Degree-seekers complete online coursework and in-person clinicals.
The curriculum requires limited general education coursework. The major covers medical terminology, sonographic techniques, and sonographic instrumentation. Enrollees get 1,350 hours of supervised clinical experience at sites in Michigan or in affiliated states.
Students begin the AAS in the summer. Admission requires a high school diploma or GED certificate and prerequisite coursework.
Out-of-state
Not provided
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Percent Online Enrollment
89%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#3 Online Ultrasound Tech Schools of 2024
Santa Fe College
- Gainesville, FL
- 4 years
- Online
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $106
Out-of-State | $383
Credits to Graduate: 80
Santa Fe College's associate of science in diagnostic medical sonography involves a partnership with local hospitals and imaging facilities. The degree prepares enrollees for specialty sonography exams and national registry exams. Students complete a blended curriculum of online and on-campus courses in Gainesville, Florida.
The program's 80 credits include prerequisite entrance requirements, and degree-seekers take technical courses as part of a cohort. Key topics covered include principles and protocols of imaging, professional aspects of sonography, abdominal sonography, and obstetrics/gynecology sonography.
Enrollees complete clinical internships at hospitals in Florida. Admission requires a high school diploma or GED certificate, prerequisite courses, and a minimum 2.5 college GPA.
Out-of-state
Not provided
Retention Rate
Not provided
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Percent Online Enrollment
55%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#5 Online Ultrasound Tech Schools of 2024
Lamar Institute of Technology
- Beaumont, TX
- 2 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $80
Out-of-State | $500
Credits to Graduate: 65
Lamar Institute of Technology's associate of applied science (AAS) in diagnostic medical sonography offers diagnostic medical and cardiac programs. The AAS holds CAAHEP-accreditation and prepares enrollees to sit for national registry exams. Students complete classroom coursework and supervised clinical experience.
The curriculum includes ultrasound physics, diagnostic electrocardiography, and cardiovascular concepts. Students complete 91 lab hours and a series of practicums. The program only accepts a small number of students each year.
Texans pay a very competitive tuition rate. Admission requires a high school diploma or GED certificate and prerequisite coursework.
Out-of-state
Not provided
Percent Online Enrollment
54%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
At Affordable Colleges Online, we use a proprietary ranking system to help you find the best schools for your needs. Our most important metric, affordability, accounts for 60% of our weighted formula. We also consider academic quality, program offerings, online enrollment, and graduation rate.
You can learn more about our school ranking methodology here.
Why Get a Degree in Ultrasound Technology?
Online ultrasound technician degrees train learners to work with precision and communicate with other healthcare team members well. Graduates create images doctors use for accurate diagnosing purposes.
Earning a sonography degree online helps learners enter the workforce quickly and conveniently. An online format lets students continue working while earning their degree. They can build their resumes and continue earning a paycheck while in school.
How Much Does an Ultrasound Technician Degree Cost?
Students at two-year schools spend an annual average of $11,950, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). However, the cost varies by school type and learners' residency status. Students can save money by attending a public in-state school. Learners attending private or out-of-state schools typically spend more.
Since the minimum degree required for ultrasound technicians is an associate degree, degree-seekers usually spend less on higher education. Many schools charge per-credit tuition. Students who finish a degree quickly can avoid rising tuition rates.
Additional Online Student Fees
Online learners should budget extra expenses, such as scrubs and supplies for clinical site visits.
Some schools charge online degree-seekers to access virtual classroom platforms or databases. Online programs often require a premium subscription to video-conferencing sites like Zoom.
Online students should also budget for materials and books. They can save money by renting or buying used or digital versions.
How Much Do Ultrasound Tech Graduates Make?
Payscale reports that ultrasound technicians make an average hourly wage of $31.65, as of March 2024. This amounts to an average yearly salary of $67,300.
The top 10% of professional earners make over $98,000 a year, and the bottom 10% make less than $50,000. Location, education, and experience can impact how much ultrasound techs make.
Courses in an Ultrasound Technician Program
Ultrasound technician coursework teaches degree-seekers how to create precise medical images. Ultrasound technicians need an eye for detail and the ability to troubleshoot technological issues.
Some ultrasound technician programs let learners specialize in an area of the body. For example, some schools offer concentrations in diagnostic medical or obstetric sonography. Most associate degrees require 60 credits. However, ultrasound technician programs may vary in length.
See below for three common classes in ultrasound technician programs. Keep in mind that class titles and descriptions vary by school.
- Patient Preparation: Ultrasound technicians must know how to get patient cooperation to create a clear image. This class teaches best communication practices, and learners discover how to mentally and physically prepare patients for an imaging procedure. They also learn to record a patient's medical history for a medical professional to review.
- Musculoskeletal System Sonography: Enrollees study the components of the musculoskeletal system and learn how to take images of this system. Students learn best practices for working with patients experiencing pain and injury. Coursework covers how to take sonograms of sprains, arthritic joints, and cysts.
- Abdominal Sonography: This class focuses on capturing images of organs in the abdomen. Students discover the location of the liver, kidneys, spleen, and pancreas and learn how to identify abnormalities, like gallbladder stones. Some classes highlight obstetric sonography.
How to Become an Ultrasound Technician
-
1
Earn your high school diploma or GED certificate.
Getting your high school diploma or its equivalent is required before applying to associate degree programs.
-
2
Earn an associate degree from an accredited ultrasound technician program.
Getting your associate degree in ultrasound technology is the most common route to this career.
-
Students in ultrasound tech programs often get to work alongside established professionals, gaining hands-on clinical experience. This experience helps them qualify for more job opportunities, certifications, and higher pay.
-
-
5
Obtain licensure, if required.
Most states do not require ultrasound techs to become licensed. However, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Oregon require ultrasound techs to be licensed. More states may require licensure in the future. Be sure to check the requirements for your state.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ultrasound Tech Schools
While the job titles of ultrasound tech and sonographer are sometimes used interchangeably, the two roles have some important differences. An ultrasound tech operates ultrasound equipment but typically doesn't evaluate the images captured in the ultrasound. A sonographer operates the ultrasound technology and interprets ultrasound images. Sonographers typically have more training than ultrasound techs.
Some employers prefer candidates with certification. The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography offers certification in this field.
Many ultrasound technicians choose to earn an associate degree to enter the profession, which most commonly takes about two years. It may be possible to earn your associate degree faster with an accelerated program. You may enter the field faster with a certificate program that lasts only one year.
Being an ultrasound technician can be physically draining, as these healthcare professionals are usually on their feet most of the time. They may also work in busy and stressful medical environments. Additionally, there may not be much room for career advancement as an ultrasound tech.
Tuition costs for an associate degree can vary, but the average annual tuition cost for public two-year schools was about $11,593 in the 2022-2023 school year, according to NCES.
Edited by