If you want to become a radiologic technologist, you’ll probably choose between two kinds of programs: an associate degree at a community college or a certificate program run by a hospital. Both can lead to the same ARRT credential and the same jobs. The differences are in how they’re organized, what they cost, who gets in and what you walk away with. Here’s how to compare them.
Key takeaways
- Both paths can prepare you for the ARRT radiography exam, as long as the program is accredited.
- Since 2015, ARRT requires an associate degree or higher to be eligible for certification. Hospital programs handle this by requiring a degree first or partnering with a college.
- Community college programs give you a degree and are often the cheapest option for local residents.
- Hospital programs often have small classes and lots of time in a real hospital, and some are inexpensive.
- Compare programs on accreditation, total cost, admission requirements and their published outcomes.
Quick comparison
| Community college program | Hospital-based program | |
|---|---|---|
| What you earn | Associate degree (usually an A.A.S.) | Certificate, sometimes alongside a degree from a partner college |
| Length | About 2 years, plus prerequisites | About 2 years (often 21–24 months), plus prerequisites or an existing degree |
| Degree for ARRT | Included | You need one before or by the end of the program |
| Class size | Small to medium (limited by clinical sites) | Often very small |
| Clinical training | At several hospitals and clinics | Mainly at the sponsoring hospital and its sites |
| Cost | Low for in-district students; higher out of district | Varies widely; some charge modest tuition |
| Financial aid | Usually federal aid eligible | Some are federal aid eligible; ask each program |
| Credits for a later bachelor’s | Usually transfer more easily | Depends on the partner college |
The ARRT degree rule explained
To be eligible for ARRT certification in radiography, you need an associate degree or higher from an accredited institution. The degree doesn’t have to be in radiology. That rule applies to graduates since January 1, 2015.
This matters most for hospital programs, which award certificates. They usually handle it in one of two ways:
- You already have a degree when you start, in any field.
- You earn one alongside the program through a partner college.
For example, WVU Medicine’s hospital-based program in West Virginia requires applicants to document an associate degree or higher, either when they start or before they finish. Students without one enroll through a partner community college that awards an associate degree alongside the radiography training.
What hospital-based programs offer
Real examples:
- WVU Medicine (West Virginia): a 22-month certificate program with 24 students a year. Tuition is $1,500 per semester, or $6,000 total, plus books, uniforms and exam fees. The program is approved for federal Pell Grants and Direct Loans.
- UW Health School of Radiography (Wisconsin): a 21-month certificate program. It reports an average 97% completion rate, 100% job placement and a 100% first-attempt registry pass rate for 2021–2025. It also offers a track with a partner university that leads to a bachelor’s degree.
Possible advantages:
- Small classes and close contact with instructors and staff technologists.
- Lots of time in a busy hospital, which can feel like a long job interview.
- Some hospitals hire many of their own graduates.
Possible drawbacks:
- Very competitive admission because of small class sizes.
- Often need a degree or many prerequisites before you start.
- Not all programs offer federal financial aid.
- Credits may not transfer as easily if you later want a bachelor’s degree.
What community college programs offer
Real examples:
- Robeson Community College (North Carolina): about $8,056 in estimated total program costs, including tuition, books, uniforms, health checks, background checks and ARRT fees (May 2026 estimate).
- Hagerstown Community College (Maryland): about $18,300 for in-county students, including tuition, fees, textbooks and supplies (2025–26 estimate).
Possible advantages:
- You earn a degree, which meets the ARRT requirement automatically.
- Usually eligible for federal financial aid.
- Credits are designed to build toward a bachelor’s degree.
- Clinical rotations at several sites can give you broader experience.
Possible drawbacks:
- Competitive admission and waiting lists in some areas.
- Out-of-district and out-of-state students can pay much more.
- Clinical sites may be spread out, which means more travel.
How to choose
- Check accreditation. Look for programs accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Accreditation helps ensure you’re eligible for the ARRT exam.
- Compare outcomes. JRCERT-accredited programs publish their five-year credentialing exam pass rate, job placement rate and completion rate. Compare them.
- Add up the full cost. Include prerequisites, fees, books, uniforms, travel and certification.
- Check the degree path. If you don’t have a degree, confirm how the program meets the ARRT requirement.
- Ask about financial aid and any hospital tuition or work commitments.
- Think about your future plans. If you want a bachelor’s degree or a move into management or teaching later, ask how credits transfer.
- Visit. Talk to current students and ask where graduates get hired.
Frequently asked questions
Do employers prefer one type of program? Employers mainly look for ARRT certification and your state license. Clinical experience and references from your rotations also matter.
Can I go to a hospital program without a college degree? Sometimes, if the program partners with a college so you earn an associate degree alongside it. You can’t get ARRT certified without a degree.
Are hospital programs cheaper? Some are. WVU Medicine charges $6,000 in total tuition, for example. But costs vary a lot, so compare full cost sheets.
Can I get paid during a hospital program? A few programs offer stipends or work opportunities, but this isn’t typical. Ask each program.
Sources
- WVU Medicine: Radiography program.
- UW Health: School of Radiography.
- Robeson Community College: Radiography Program Costs (May 2026).
- Hagerstown Community College: Radiography fee sheet 2025–2026.
- Radiology Business: ARRT sets associate degree certification requirement.
- Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT): Program effectiveness data.
This article is for general information only. Program details change, so check each program’s website and talk to its admissions office before you apply.