10 Best Hybrid Radiology Tech Programs in 2025
Radiography programs are great for job opportunities, but the credentialing takes a while. Here's a way to proceed faster through convenient hybrid programs.
You can enter the healthcare field as a new radiographer by earning an associate degree in one of several hybrid radiology tech programs. These offer a convenient mix of online and on-campus courses, ideal for working adults. Below, you can learn more about hybrid degree programs in the radiologic sciences.
What Is a Hybrid Radiology Technology Program?
A hybrid radiology technology program provides in-person training for clinical experience along with online coursework for most didactic courses. Most students enter radiography educational programs hoping to specialize in areas like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), diagnostic imaging, computed tomography, nuclear medicine, mammography, radiation therapy, or sonography.
Future radiologists can earn the qualifications for these roles by completing an associate degree or certificate program at a community college or an online degree program. The hybrid programs usually allow you to finish general education courses online before enrolling in more advanced health science classes and hands-on clinical rotations you would normally complete at a medical center.
Top 10 Hybrid Radiology Tech Programs
Here is a list of 10 accredited hybrid programs in this field. We'll discuss a program description, estimated tuition rates, and other important information.
1. Century College
Century College has about an even split of daytime in-person classes and evening online courses for its Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. Through a combination of prerequisite courses and training at various clinical settings, students get everything they need for their future careers while gaining eligibility to sit for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) licensing examination.
- Estimated tuition cost: $208.04 per credit hour
- Program length: Six semesters
- Accreditation:
Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)
2. Indian Hills Community College
Indian Hills Community College trains prospective radiologists in several areas, including X-ray machines, medical imaging equipment, ultrasound, and mammography. This hybrid program lasts about 24 months, consisting of eight terms. This is also one of the most affordable programs in our rankings, which you can make even cheaper by exploring the school's financial aid options.
- Estimated tuition cost: $218 per credit hour
- Program length: 24 months
- Accreditation: JRCERT
3. Ball State University
Ball State University offers an Associate of Science (AS) program with a blended format that combines on-campus courses and distance learning. This program teaches students all about radiation protection, how to operate imaging equipment, evaluating radiographs, and preparing imaging data for physicians. Once you advance to clinical rotations, you'll get to work with medical assistants and allied health professionals at three nearby clinical sites.
- Estimated tuition cost: $314 per credit hour
- Program length: 26 months
- Accreditation: JRCERT
4. Santa Fe College
Santa Fe College also offers an AS degree in radiography. The admissions requirements state that incoming students must achieve at least a 3.0 GPA and complete several prerequisite courses, such as anatomy and physiology. The student learning outcomes include gaining several radiology competencies, building good communication skills with patients and professionals, and adherence to proper radiation safety practices.
- Estimated tuition cost: $106.77 to $126.33 per credit hour
- Program length: 20 months
- Accreditation: JRCERT
5. Cox College
Cox College offers a hybrid option for students pursuing a two-year degree. Its program effectiveness data shows a 99% pass rate on the AART licensure exam, along with a 100% job placement rate for new graduates. This small program promises a terrific blend of flexible online courses with other opportunities to utilize advanced technological and educational tools in radiology.
- Estimated tuition cost: $375 per credit hour
- Program length: Two years
- Accreditation: JRCERT
6. Widener University
Widener University's radiological technology program consists of 49 core radiology credit hours and 12 prerequisite credit hours delivered in a blended format. All the prerequisite classes are online before moving on to clinical training in multiple state-of-the-art facilities. Widener requires incoming students to have at least a 2.5 GPA from high school and to obtain two letters of recommendation.
- Estimated tuition cost: $700 per credit hour
- Program length: Two years
- Accreditation: JRCERT
7. Washburn University
Washburn University's degree program combines in-person laboratory requirements with some online courses. This radiology program focuses on six key outcomes, including applying positioning skills with equipment, validating patient care, performing non-routine exams, and demonstrating good communication skills. The program claims a 100% job placement rate among graduates for several years in a row.
- Estimated tuition cost: $402 per credit hour
- Program length: 24 months
- Accreditation: JRCERT
8. Smith Chason College
Smith Chason College's two-year program focuses on diagnostic radiography the most. It provides thorough training in a range of post-primary modalities, such as mammography, bone densitometry, cardiac radiography, and vascular sonography.
This 21-month hybrid program does not require prerequisite courses, prepares students to take the ARRT certification exam, and features a hands-on externship opportunity.
- Estimated tuition cost: $17,985 per year
- Program length: 21 months
- Accreditation: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)
9. Dorsey College
Dorsey College offers an AAS degree for future radiologic technologists. Its hybrid learning approach features many essential courses for developing a firm understanding of practical radiology. These courses included topics like radiographic pathology, patient care for radiographers, quality management in diagnostic imaging, principles of radiographic physics, and a capstone project.
- Estimated tuition cost: $51,500 (total cost)
- Program length: 24 months
- Accreditation: JRCERT
10. University of Saint Francis, Fort Wayne
The University of Saint Francis, Fort Wayne, permits students to enroll in its AAS program in a blend of online classes with clinical work at one or more of its three campuses. While this is a two-year, entry-level program, some students proceed directly into a dual-degree track, allowing them to work on the AAS in radiology, along with a bachelor's degree devoted to advanced medical imaging.
- Estimated tuition cost: $515 per credit hour
- Program length: 22 months
- Accreditation: JRCERT
FAQs About Hybrid Radiology Tech Programs
Check out these four frequently asked questions (FAQs) about hybrid radiology tech programs. This covers topics like program duration, salary and career prospects, and the fastest degree programs for full-time students.
What Is the Highest Paid Radiology Technologist?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the highest-paid radiologists are those who work in outpatient care centers, earning an No InterWiki reference defined in properties for Wiki called "annual average salary of $434,770}https"!. Radiologists and MRI technologists who work in physicians' offices or medical laboratories also earn close to $400,000 per year. Keep in mind these averages include many advanced radiologists, who often hold at least a bachelor's degree in the field.
How Long Is X-Ray Tech School?
This depends on where you enroll and which degree type you pursue. An associate degree or radiology certification may take only 12 to 24 months to complete, whereas a Bachelor of Science in Radiology could require four years of study.
Is There a Fast Track Radiology Tech Program?
The fastest way to become a radiology technologist is to focus on education, completing approved apprenticeships, and passing the ARRT exam for radiographic certification. For the academic component, there are many accelerated, online, and hybrid programs that let you finish school almost 50% quicker. You can explore the schools on our rankings to find the most suitable fast-track option for you.
What Is the Fastest Radiology Tech Degree?
It's common for radio techs to complete a certification within 12 months before securing entry-level employment. The fastest associate degrees last only 12 to 15 months as well. This does not include the preparation time for the certification exam since some students take a few extra months to study for it.
Explore More Radiology Tech Programs
Learn.org has hundreds of other articles to help you find a high-quality degree program. This includes multiple ways to become a radiology tech or any other healthcare professional through convenient online or hybrid programs.