7 Best Ultrasound Technician Schools in New York – 2024

Written By: Pattie Trumble, MPP, MPH

As an ultrasound technician in New York, you will utilize ultrasound technology to help diagnose patients. You will need to know how to perform numerous procedures and exams either alone or with the assistance of a nurse. In the state of New York, the employment of ultrasound techs is expected to grow by 29.31% in the years between 2020 and 2030, and the average annual salary is $89,340. You will need to attend one of several ultrasound technician schools in New York to begin this exciting and high-paying career, and you will find seven of the best programs below.

RECOMMENDED ONLINE HEALTHCARE SCHOOLS

Types of Diagnostic Medical Sonography Educational Programs in New York

There are three options available in NY to work in this field. These include an associate as well as a bachelor’s degree program and a certificate program, which range in length from one to four years and cost anywhere from $2330 to $169,520.

Typical Admission Requirements

Each of the diagnostic medical sonography programs in New York has its own unique set of admission requirements, but they will often overlap. For example, to enter the two-year bachelor’s degree program at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, you must provide:

• Proof of a minimum of 60 semester credits from a college or university accredited by an organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA);
• An undergraduate cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on the standard 4.0 scale;
• Two letters of recommendation from professional colleagues, professors, employers or supervisors;
• Proof of completion of 20 hours of hands-on experience in a medical setting, whether paid or unpaid (volunteer work), within the last five years; and
• A letter grade of “C” or better in the prerequisite courses, including Anatomy & Physiology 1 and 2, General Chemistry, General Physics, and others.

WHAT ARE THE BEST ULTRASOUND TECHNICIAN PROGRAMS IN NEW YORK?

(Based on our Ranking Methodology, below are the 7 best Ultrasound Technician programs in New York. The list includes both campus-based and online programs.)

1) Hunter Business School – Medford

Accreditation: CAAHEP
Program Type: Diploma

Hunter Business School has been synonymous with quality sonography education in New York. A talented and dedicated faculty effectively mentor students in small sized classrooms to help them excel in their career. Clinical experiences at various sites in Nassau, Suffolk counties, Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan further broaden the learning curve, preparing students to treat a diverse population.

The 23-month Diagnostic Medical Sonography diploma program at HBS is designed to prepare you for a challenging career as an Ultra-Sonographer. This 2,442-hour curriculum trains you to scan the areas of - abdomen, OB/GYN, vascular, neonatal, cardiac and superficial structures. Classes are offered only during the daytime, and the schedule is rigorous, so other work commitments if any should be put on hold while pursuing this program. Upon graduation, you can sit for certification exams administered by the ARDMS.

2) Rochester Institute of Technology – Rochester

Accreditation: CAAHEP
Program Type: Baccalaureate & Certificate

Rochester Institute of Technology is an ultrasound technician school in New York equipped with the latest simulation technology at its state-of-the-art lab that closely mimics real patient scenarios. Students are thoroughly trained at this unlimited access lab before they begin their clinical rotations and internship experiences at regional and national hospitals, where they work on real patients.

At RIT, you have two types of programs (Bachelors and Certificate) to choose from to complete your sonography education –

Bachelor of Science: The Bachelor of Science degree in DMS is offered with two different options based on your qualification. Both options mentioned below include an extensive clinical internship where you will gain experience working at two or more health care settings.

3+1 Program: If you are a high-school graduate, you can opt for a 4-year program which includes three years of coursework in science, general education, and core sonography, followed by 1-year of clinical practicum.

2-Year Program: If you are an associate degree holder or certified healthcare professional, then you can complete this 4-years degree program in 2 years. Your prior education should meet the first 2- year requirements of this program.

Certificate: This 18-month DMS certificate program is ideally meant for those who possess a degree in the life sciences or other closely related fields. You should also hold an active license in a medical or allied health field. This program, which is a combination of didactic learning and clinical internship is available in two concentrated tracks –

General Track: Prepares you for an entry-level general sonographer position.

Cardiac Ultrasound or Echocardiography Track: Prepares you with skills and knowledge in heart sonography to obtain employment as an echocardiographer.

3) Long Island University – Brooklyn

Accreditation: CAAHEP
Program Type: Baccalaureate

Long Island University trains sonography students to become leaders in their field. With the state-of-the-art-facility and effective mentorship, graduates turn out to become lifelong learners and compassionate healthcare professionals. Outstanding performance on the certification exams is a testament enough of the superior teaching pedagogy it offers.

This diagnostic medical sonography program in NY is one of the few in the nation that is designed to integrate extensive sonography courses in general ultrasound, vascular ultrasound, diagnostic imaging, and echocardiogram. The bachelor’s degree program provides with in-depth theoretical studies in a classroom environment and extensive experiential learning during the hands-on clinical practicum. The biggest advantage of pursuing the DMS program at LIU is that you can take the SPI exams before you graduate, thus opening doors for early employment.

DMS students are eligible to sit for the national credentialing examinations in Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) along with specialty exams in adult echocardiography, abdominal sonography, and OB/GYN sonography before completing their degree, and therefore, are credentialed by the time of graduation.

4) Western Suffolk BOCES – Northport

Accreditation: CAAHEP
Program Type: Certificate

Western Suffolk BOCES endeavors to educate students with the relevant skills and knowledge required to excel in the field of sonography. A student-centric policy that comes with tutoring, career counseling services and financial aid (for those who qualify), makes studying sonography at BOCES a rather pleasant experience.

If you possess a degree in any allied healthcare career and are seeking a career change, then the 2-year certificate program at Western Suffolk can be a viable option to become an ultrasound technician. This full-time program starts in July with admission being limited to 25 students per year. The first year of the curriculum includes an introduction to sonography, ultrasound physics, nursing procedures, medical terms, anatomy, and other sonographic procedures. In the second year, you will learn about advanced sonographic procedures in vascular & adult cardiac, imaging modalities, and breast ultrasound. Two months before the completion of this program, you will become eligible to take any of the five DMS registry exams and thus gain a competitive edge upon graduation.

5) Center for Allied Health Education - Brooklyn

Accreditation: CAAHEP
Program Type: Certificate

Center for Allied Health Education (CAHE) runs with a mission to provide high-quality health care education at its campus located in Brooklyn. Since its inception in 2007, the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program, with a strong emphasis on hands-on-training has been one of its popular programs.

To become an ultrasound technician in NY, the college offers a two-year DMS program that is available in two different tracks – (Abdomen & OB/GYN) and (Echocardiography & Vascular). Based on the area of your interest, you can choose the track you want to pursue. This full-time, 74-week program is a combination of didactic in-class lectures, lab training, and clinical practicums. To ensure students receive the best clinical experience, the college has partnered with leading health care centers in the New York Metro region such as NewYork–Presbyterian Hospital, Jamaica hospital medical center, Montefiore Medical Center, Maimonides Medical Center, and Staten Island University Hospital. Graduates will be fully prepared to sit for the ARDMS exam, which is highly recommended to have a competitive say in the New York employment market. For students interested in advancing their education to bachelors the college has tied up St. Francis College and Clarion University of Pennsylvania’s, which award them credits for their education at CAHE.

Special Note: This center has strategically partnered with SUNY Empire State College. If you enter the DMS program without any prior degree, then SUNY ESC will award you an associate degree, and CAHE will award you a certificate. In case you have already earned an associate or higher degree before the enrollment in this program, then CAHE will award you the certification of completion.

6) Hudson Valley Community College - Troy

Accreditation: CAAHEP
Program Type: Certificate (Diagnostic Medical Sonography & Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography)

Hudson Valley Community College offers quality sonography training through its Medical Imaging Department that has continuously strived towards establishing affiliations with major hospitals and health centers in the region. This works well for students in gaining from a variety of clinical experiences and internships that often translate into future placements.

The college’s 1-year certificate program is ideally meant for those who hold a degree in any allied health field. It starts in August of each year and ends in August the following year. The program is currently available in two tracks -

Diagnostic Medical Sonography: This 48-credit full-time program focuses on the general sonography coursework. The curriculum is divided into three terms and an intersession. The program includes extensive clinical training at imaging centers affiliated to the college. By the end of this program will be well-prepared to take the DMS certification exam administered by ARDMS.

Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography: This 44-credit full-time program emphasizes on cardiac/heart sonography coursework and prepares you for the ARDMS exam in adult echocardiography. You will complete your clinical training at cardiology departments affiliated to the college.

7) SUNY Downstate Medical Center – Brooklyn

Accreditation: CAAHEP
Program Type: B.S. in Diagnostic Medical Imaging

Established in 1860, SUNY Downstate Medical Center is one of the preeminent urban medical centers in the country and the only academic medical center in Brooklyn. Well-known for its research facilities, SUNY’s ultrasound technician program offers high-quality training in a thriving medical environment. Small sized classes, an experienced faculty, and affordable tuition costs are some of the reasons that make the college an attractive option to pursue sonography education.

The 2-year DMS program at SUNY Downstate begins in the fall of each year. This 71-credit curriculum prepares you for an entry-level position as a general sonographer and/or adult cardiac sonographer. Specialty areas covered in the coursework include obstetrics-gynecology, abdomen, cardiology, vascular ultrasound, pediatric echocardiography, and Doppler imaging. As part of the overall curriculum, you will undergo intensive training at imaging centers across New York. Graduates are eligible to sit for the nationally acclaimed ARDMS certification exams and thus brighten their employment opportunities.


VIEW OUR RANKING METHODOLOGY

Do I Require any Licensure or Certification to work as an Ultrasound Tech in New York?

What Certification Options are Available in New York?

1. American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS)

The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, or ARDMS, offers several certifications that can help you further your career and boost your ultrasound technician salary in New York. Most of the credentials will require you to apply for and pass the Sonography Principles & Instrumentation Examination (SPI), which costs $225. After passing the SPI, you can then take various other specialty examinations to prove your competency in specific areas of sonography. For the ARDMS Midwife Sonography Certificate, you will instead need to pass the MW Midwife Sonography Examination, which costs $300. You can apply, pay for, and schedule these exams via the ARDMS website.

2. Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI)

Cardiovascular Credentialing International, or CCI, offers several credentials for ultrasound techs. These include Advanced Cardiac Sonographer (ACS), Registered Congenital Cardiac Sonographer (RCCS), Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS), and Registered Phlebology Sonographer (RPhS). You can apply for each credentialing examination online, and the cost, which you will need to pay at the time you apply, ranges from from $365 to $450. You will be awarded your chosen credential after passing the examination.

3. American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT)

The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) provides several diagnostic imaging credentials, including Breast Sonography (BS), Sonography (S), and Vascular Sonography (VS). You will need to apply and pay for each exam online, then schedule and pass the exam in order to earn your credential. The exams cost anywhere from $200 to $400.

How Many Job Openings are there for Ultrasound Techs in New York?

Each year across NY, some 730 new and replacement jobs for ultrasound techs become available. Most of these jobs are in hospitals, doctors’ offices, and medical and diagnostic laboratories, and outpatient care centers. Job availability is most highly concentrated in more populated metro areas, including New York City, Rochester, Buffalo, Albany, and Syracuse.

Salary in New York

You can expect to earn an average hourly salary of $42.95, or $89,340 annually, as an ultrasound tech in NY. Your salary will depend on several factors, including your city and place of employment, your experience, and your chosen specialization. The more specializations you choose, the more valuable your skills become to New York employers – particularly those in metro areas serving large populations.

Salary Comparison: New York vs National

The average salary for ultrasound technicians in New York, $89,340, is just slightly higher than the national average, which is $84,410 annually. This difference of $4,930 (or 5.84%) is due to the higher cost of living in the state of New York when compared to the national average.

Employment Outlook

Between the years of 2020 and 2030, the employment of ultrasound technicians in the state of New York is expected to grow 29.31% from 6,620 to 8,560. This growth will be due to several factors, including the growing population of New York – particularly in metropolitan areas – as well as increased access to affordable healthcare and improvements in the global healthcare industry’s ability to effectively diagnose and treat patients.

5 Best Cities for Ultrasound Techs

As an ultrasound technician in the state of New York, finding a job that provides you with an excellent salary and outstanding job security is important. Cities like New York City, Rochester, Buffalo, Albany, and Syracuse will provide the most opportunities. In fact, of all the ultrasound techs employed across the state, the vast majority (6,840) work in New York City at some of the finest medical institutions in the world. Ultrasound techs in New York City also earn the highest average salary in the state at $91,310 a year.

Hospitals Hiring the Most Ultrasound Techs

New York Presbyterian Hospital in New York City, in collaboration with Weill Cornell Medicine and the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, employs the largest number of ultrasound techs in the state. Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park, which serves as a global frontrunner in minimally-invasive robotic surgery, ranks second on the list. Montefiore Hospital Moses Campus in the Bronx, which serves as the academic medical center and hospital for the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, ranks third. The Mount Sinai Hospital and Buffalo General Medical Center round out the list.