Enrolling in the best sonographer or ultrasound technician school in California can help you enter a competitive field of radiologic technology. A career as a sonographer can be pretty profitable, as it’s one of the top five ranked health professions nationwide. Using your ultrasound school higher education, you’ll gain highly technological skills to visualize pathology, physiology, and anatomy.
We’ve found five fantastic sonography schools in California if you want to pursue a career as a sonographer or ultrasound tech. Each of these schools meets the following criteria:
- An average annual cost of no more than $22,000
- A median starting salary no lower than $30,000
- Accredited programs by recognized bodies
Best Sonographer and Ultrasound Tech Schools in California – Top 5 List
1. Cosumnes River College
2-4 Years; Sacramento, CA
Average Annual Cost: $4,188
Cosumnes River College is one of the best sonographer and ultrasound tech schools in California. Its sonography program combines practicum, laboratory, and didactic instruction.
Ultrasound technician students will learn the fundamental skills expected of medical ultrasound techs and other employable skills. You’ll find your courses will help you develop the skills to create images of human anatomy using specialized equipment. There are a couple of general sonography goals students are expected to meet during their studies. You will need to show the psychomotor, cognitive, and affective skills required for abdominal sonography, cardiac sonography, and other general sonography. Additionally, students will need to show the same skills regarding obstetrics and gynecological sonography.
Currently, Cosumnes River College offers two different programs for students, which include:
- A.S. in Diagnostic Medical Sonography
- Certificate in Diagnostic Medical Sonography
The A.S. degree program is the more popular option for undergraduate students entering this field of study for the first time. During your courses, you’ll have in-class and clinical experience working with advanced medical equipment. You’ll also focus on developing patient contact skills, especially when working with patients with critical medical conditions.
Multiple unique courses health care students at Cosumnes River College will be expected to take include:
- Medical Language for Healthcare Providers
- Interpersonal Communication
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Conceptual Physics
- Human Disease
- Sectional Anatomy for Medical Imaging
- Superficial & Small Parts Scanning
2. Orange Coast College
2-4 Year; Costa Mesa, CA
Average Annual Cost: $4,503
Orange Coast College has a wonderful sonographer and ultrasound tech program for students. You’ll be enrolling in the diagnostic medical sonography program, helping you monitor various health-related events. Many graduates find themselves working with pregnancies while diagnostic medical sonographers diagnose serious bodily diseases.
This program is specifically designed for students with a keen analytical eye. It’s also a phenomenal way to become a fundamental part of the healthcare industry. With daytime, night time, and online course medical instruction, the curriculum is well-rounded for all types of students.
At Orange Coast College, you’ll be signing up for diverse course offerings. A few examples of the essential courses you’ll take include:
- Patient Care
- OB/GYN Sonography
- Introduction to Vascular Ultrasound
- Sectional Anatomy for Medical Imaging
- Sonographic Physics and Instrumentation
- Human Diseases
3. Cypress College
4 Year; Cypress, CA
Average Annual Cost: $6,152
The diagnostic medical sonography program at Cypress College is an excellent option for students entering the medical field. This program offers hands-on training to students to help them better understand obstetrics, superficial structures, and the human abdomen. By enrolling in this program, you’ll learn the fundamentals to be ready for the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography examination.
Students can expect to explore many interesting topics during their schooling. Some of the most common areas of study include:
- Clinical Education
- Doppler Techniques
- Carotid and Arterial Sonograph
- Sonography Physics
- Abdomenl Sonography
- Sonography Externship
- Pathology and Small Parts
- OB/GYN Sonography
- Sonography Physics
As you can likely tell, the ultrasound tech program at Cypress College is one of the more diverse options. Students often graduate and move on to offer medical assisting as diagnostic medical sonographers, a well-paying career option. It’s also important to note this program is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Allied Health Education Programs.
4. Central California School of Continuing Education
2-4 Year; San Luis Obispo, CA
Average Annual Cost: $19,251
The Central California School of Continuing Education sonography program is ideal for professional students. You’ll find the program spans 18 months with full-time study, requiring 106 hours per quarter. Students will find this program is one of the best to give them employable skills in this diverse industry.
During your course, you’ll explore the responsibilities of an entry-level ultrasound technician. Students will diversify their obstetrical and abdominal ultrasound skills. Also, you’ll gather the tools needed to work in physician’s offices, imaging centers, healthcare facilities, and hospitals.
One of the more unique aspects of the sonography program at Central California School of Continuing Education is it also features clinical education for medical assistance. With this addition, students can further their employment options into the following titles:
- Sonographer Assistant
- Medical Assistant (Clinical)
- Sonographer
After your studies, you’ll have the necessary skills to sit for your medical assistant exam. With a passing grade, you can move on to plenty of beneficial career opportunities to help you enter your dream medical field. Interestingly, this school also offers a Vascular Ultrasound specialty along with the standard Ultrasound program.
The Vascular Ultrasound specialty is completed within nine months, requiring 60 hours of coursework per quarter. Students will learn the skills needed to become Medical Vascular Diagnostic Ultrasonographers in this avenue. It can also assist with pursuing a career as a technician assistant in vascular sonography.
5. National Polytechnic College
2-4 Year; Lakewood, CA
Average Annual Cost: $21,012
The sonographer and ultrasound tech program from National Polytechnic College is comprehensive. Diagnostic Medical Sonography and Cardiovascular Sonograpy associate’s defrees are available through NPC. Students will work their way through labs, lectures, and clinical externships. With these study methods, they’ll gather the theoretical and hands-on knowledge to understand the skills and responsibilities of entry-level sonographers.
Upon successful completion of ether program, students will have some of these skills:
- Ultrasound scanning
- Echocardiography scanning
- Anatomic, pathological, and physiologic data recording
Along with the medical-related skills in this field, students will also develop heightened interpersonal skills. They’ll learn to work well alongside other medical professionals and their patients. A massive tenet of this program is to refine your patient care skills with healthy and critically ill patients.
Both of these learning pathways have two choices for students: a diploma or an associate degree. The diploma programs are completed within 24 months, requiring 2360 hours of study. The associate degrees require 26 months or 2630 hours of study.
