Most people become familiar with the work of ultrasound technicians (or, more formally, medical sonographers) when they or their loved ones are expecting a baby. It's an exciting and joyous part of a family's life.
But you may not know about the many other ways medical sonographers play a vital role in the health care team. Sonograms are used to diagnose a host of medical problems from kidney stones to heart conditions. And sonographers are a vital part of care in specialized fields that range from obstetrics to neurology to oncology.
Medical sonography isn't just an important part of health care. It's also a growing career field. With a current unemployment rate of only 1.9 percent, sonographers are in demand now. They're well paid, with a median salary of $67,530. What's more, the profession is expected to grow, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasting a 26 percent increase in jobs from now until 2024.
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If you're just getting started in sonography, the first step is to obtain an associate's degree from a community college program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs. (Check out our Best Online Community College ranking!) An accredited degree, including both classroom study and extensive practical experience, is needed to sit for the licensing exam administered by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
Your medical sonography certification can also lead to a bachelor's degree in radiation science technology and related medical imaging fields. With this degree, you'll be qualified to move into a supervisory role in the hospital, or undertake further graduate study in your field that leads to a teaching position.
What are the best programs for an associate's degree in medical sonography?
We've ranked the 20 best programs in medical sonography based on a number of practical metrics. Because associate's degree programs are most often offered by community colleges and specialized medical training programs, the national reputation of the school may matter less than how well they prepare their students for a career in the field.
In putting together this list, we paid particular attention to attrition levels, the percentage of students who pass their board exams, and placement in work after graduation.
We also focused on programs that offer a variety of specializations, including cardiac, vascular, and general medical sonography. All of our ranked programs are accredited by CAAHEP, ensuring they meet the highest standards of academic quality and up-to-date clinical training.
Rankings
See our rankings methodology page.
