The best colleges that offer sonography programs near me can help you explore one of the most important medicinal careers.
As one of the first steps in the diagnostic process, sonographers capture medical imaging for doctors to interpret to treat patients. Thus, your career is fundamental to ensuring the health and well-being of your community.
Luckily for you, we’ve found ten of the best schools to consider if you’re a prospective sonographer. We ranked them from the lowest to the highest annual costs.
Each of these educational institutions meets the following criteria:
- An average yearly cost of no more than $34,000
- An expected median starting pay of no lower than $40,000
- Accredited programs by recognized bodies
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Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.10 Best Sonography Programs
1. Upstate Medical University
4 Year; Syracuse, NY
Average Annual Cost: $7,525
Upstate Medical University’s sonography program offers prospective students a well-rounded learning pathway. It features a BS and BPS curriculum that provides upper-division learning that requires five consecutive semesters (two years).
With your Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Professional Studies, you’ll find an impressive number of jobs after graduation.
During your time at Upstate Medical University, you’ll work at in-class and hands-on learning experiences. Students will also participate in a clinical education rotation throughout recognized facilities in New York State.
After you’ve finished your studies, you will be able to sit for the national registry exam as a recent graduate.
Compared to the Bachelor of Science pathway, students in the BPS program will graduate with an associate’s degree. This also enables them to be AART-certified in radiography after graduating.
One of the best features of this program is the fantastic number of courses you’ll be able to explore, including:
- Abdominal Ultrasound
- Advanced Physiology
- Ultrasound Physics
- Health Care Ethics
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Ultrasound
- Interventional Ultrasound
- Ultrasound of Superficial Structures
2. Montgomery College
2-4 Year; Rockville, MD
Average Annual Cost: $8,073
The diagnostic medical sonography program at Montgomery College is designed to be anything but traditional.
Students will enter a learning avenue that blends educational technology with face-to-face instruction. You’ll have plenty of theoretical and real-world experience to help you develop into a valuable component of the healthcare industry.
One notable benefit of this program is that it focuses primarily on hands-on instruction. You’ll be able to work with various simulations and state-of-the-art tools to refine your skills.
Montgomery College also allows students to choose from three concentrations for medical sonography: vascular sonography, echocardiography, and general sonography. Upon graduation, students will receive an associate of applied science in diagnostic medical sonography.
It’s also important to note the entire curriculum is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Program. Also, it has been recommended by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
At Montgomery College, you’ll take preparatory courses until fully accepted into the diagnostic medical sonography program.
You’ll then be able to choose whichever major and specialty are most interesting to you. You can participate in a multi-specialty, which teaches you the ins and outs of all sonography types, from vascular to obstetrics.
3. Bellevue College
4 Year; Bellevue, WA
Average Annual Cost: $8,343
Bellevue College’s sonography program is one of the more competitive in the state, especially as they have a rather selective process.
Students must maintain the highest level of discipline during their studies to remain in the program. While enrolled, you’ll explore multiple facets of sonography, whether you want to become an echocardiographer, a vascular technologist, or a diagnostic medical sonographer.
All students will explore a blend of in-class and hands-on learning with valuable medical imaging tools. You’ll also go through numerous diagnostic techniques to help prepare you to sit for your examination.
Like many other sonographer programs, Bellevue College’s curriculum is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
After passing your examination, you can apply for continuing education programs at Bellevue College. Students can enroll in the Radiation and Imaging Sciences with a concentration in diagnostic medical sonography.
During your studies, you’ll learn many valuable concepts, ranging from foundational knowledge of information systems to ultrasound imaging. Students will need to complete 180 credits, 90 specializing in radiation and imaging sciences.
4. Northern Virginia Community College
2-4 Year; Annandale, VA
Average Annual Cost: $9,452
The sonography program at Northern Virginia Community College helps students specialize in various areas of diagnostic imaging.
Many graduates become obstetrics sonographers, vascular sonographers, and adult cardiac sonographers. You’ll find all of your studies will revolve around didactic and laboratory instruction to give you plenty of hands-on learning.
Students enrolled in this program can work in legitimate hospitals and medical affiliates throughout the state. These real-world experiences will help you prepare for a career in health sciences.
Students will also have access to state-of-the-art facilities, such as the scanning laboratory at the Medical Education Campus. After completing your degree requirements, you can choose a specific specialty to study.
Northern Virginia Community College encourages students to consider gynecology, vascular, adult cardiac, and abdominal-extended concentrations. Once you’ve graduated, you’ll also be able to sit for your examinations to obtain professional certifications.
5. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
4 Year; Houston, TX
Average Annual Cost: $13,000
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has one of the nation’s best sonography programs.
Students will explore how you can use sound waves to produce dynamic images of the internal organs. You’ll also go over many facets of physiology, such as male and female reproductive organs, blood flow, and developing fetuses.
The diagnostic medical sonography program at this school is a two-year track. You can continue onto a four-year Bachelor of Science program, ideal for finding the best employment opportunities after graduation.
Once you’ve completed your studies, you’ll find several profitable careers open to you.
Most graduates find themselves working in private practices, hospitals, and clinics. Many graduates also become technologists, researchers, and even sales representatives.
As expected from such a popular diagnostic imaging program, this course’s curriculum features highly practical courses. Some of the most popular classes you’ll be enrolled in include:
- Doppler Sonography
- Advanced Non-Invasive Vascular Technology
- Sonography of High-Risk Obstetrics
- Abdominal Ultrasound
- Sonography Lab
- Pediatric Sonography
- Research Techniques in Radiologic Sciences
6. University of Holy Cross
4 Year; New Orleans, LA
Average Annual Cost: $13,671
University of Holy Cross’ sonography program is incredibly competitive and structured slightly differently than the others on this list. Instead of offering your prerequisite education, their program is designed for students entering their four-year Bachelor of Science degree pathway.
The University of Holy Cross is partnered with Delgado Community College, which is where their students complete their prerequisites.
After finishing your program at Delgado Community College, you can then apply to the clinical training program at the University of Holy Cross. This program awards you a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences.
In total, students must earn 120 credits to obtain their degrees.
There’s another option if you’re looking for an inclusive learning pathway rather than transferring from Delgado Community College. The University of Holy Cross offers a radiologic technology curriculum that can award you an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.
Both programs will involve using medical imaging tools to help diagnose patient diseases.
7. University of Oklahoma – Health Sciences Center
4 Year; Oklahoma City, OK
Average Annual Cost: $14,858
The diagnostic medical sonography program at the University of Oklahoma – Health Sciences Center is a comprehensive curriculum.
Students will work through obstetrical, abdominal, and small parts fundamentals and vascular technology. They are expected to understand the concepts of each specialty before continuing their education.
After your studies, you’ll be eligible to sit for the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography exam. This examination covers all of the above-listed specialties, which is why it’s important to master every concentration.
By the end of your courses, you should be prepared with professional-level knowledge to enter the growing healthcare field.
Along with in-class studies, students at the University of Oklahoma – Health Sciences Center have many hands-on opportunities. You’ll learn underneath licensed professionals in real-world environments. You’ll also likely participate in numerous labs and research studies to help boost your applied knowledge.
8. University of Nebraska Medical Center
4 Year; Omaha, NE
Average Annual Cost: $18,624
The University of Nebraska Medical Center features a relatively quick program designed for students interested in sonography.
Within 12 months (three full semesters), you can obtain a bachelor of science in medical imaging and therapeutic sciences. Alternatively, students can choose a post-baccalaureate professional certificate in diagnostic medical sonography.
University of Nebraska Medical Center’s small program accepts 18 students per class. This gives you more one-on-one experience with your educators, helping you refine your skills in a comfortable environment.
There’s also the option to choose from two specific concentrations: general diagnostic imaging or cardiovascular diagnostic imaging.
Clinical hours are among the most unique aspects of the sonography program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Every graduate must have over 1000 supervised clinical hours before sitting for their exam.
This is a fantastic way to help develop real-world skills so you’re ready to work immediately after graduating.
9. Bryan College of Health Sciences
4 Year; Lincoln, NE
Average Annual Cost: $27,423
The sonography program at Bryan College of Health Sciences is one of the most competitive in the state.
It provides students with hands-on learning and theoretical practice in classroom environments. You’ll learn all about diagnostic imaging and how it works with tissues, organs, and blood flow in the body.
Currently, Bryan College of Health Sciences offers two bachelor’s degrees that you can tailor to your concentration of choice.
Students can decide to sign up for either diagnostic medical sonography or adult cardiac and vascular sonography. The fundamental tenets of both programs are similar, although you’ll learn about in-depth specifics of each specialty.
Bryan College of Health Sciences’ primary objective is to ensure students are thoroughly prepared for a fruitful career in the healthcare industry. Their curriculum primarily revolves around clinical training to help develop your skills.
On average, students get up to 2200 hours of supervised clinical training, depending on the program.
You’ll also find the curriculum is designed to give you the knowledge needed to sit for and pass your registry examinations. At Bryan College of Health Sciences, the first-time pass rate is 96% on average, speaking to the quality of their instruction.
10. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
4 Year; Little Rock, AR
Average Annual Cost: $33,010
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences is another fantastic and competitive program to consider in Arkansas.
The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs accredited the vascular, general, and cardiac imaging curricula. As you would expect, this learning pathway holds students to the highest standards, ensuring you meet several milestones before sitting for your exam.
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences students can work towards a bachelor’s degree. There are four fall or spring semesters and a single summer session.
During your coursework, you will be expected to complete 120 total credits to receive your degree.
While learning sonography at the school, there are 73 unique courses students will be required to take. These courses include:
- Abdominal Sonography
- Advanced Physics
- Basic Patient Care
- Sectional Anatomy
- Doppler Sonography and Advanced Hemodynamics
- Advanced Vascular Sonography
By working through the fundamentals of every sonography specialty, you’ll find it easier to choose the concentration best for you.
Students must select from either adult echocardiography or vascular sonography as their specialty. From there, you’ll have a learning pathway to help you diversify your special knowledge for your career.
It’s important to note the sonography program at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences is a full-time program. Also, they admit only 13 students at the beginning of each fall semester. As such, it’s a pretty competitive program.
Sonography Programs Near Me
Finding the best colleges that offer sonography programs near me is relatively easy, as it’s a growing field of interest.
Each of the ten schools we reviewed in this guide has competitive curricula paired with plenty of hands-on learning to build your career. If you want to contribute to the healthcare industry, enrolling in your desired program ASAP is best.
