Best Ultrasound Technician Schools in Texas – 2024
Written By: Pattie Trumble, MPP, MPH
The state of Texas is home to some of the country’s biggest and most renowned medical facilities, and because of this, the demand for ultrasound technicians is very high. If you want a career that pays very well with only an associate degree, offers exceptional job security, and gives you the opportunity to help people across TX live happier, healthier, and longer lives, a career as an ultrasound technician is the perfect choice for you. Completing a program is the first step, so we have ranked the best ultrasound technician schools in Texas below to help you make the best decision about your education.
5 Habits of Highly Successful Ultrasound Tech Students
A career as an ultrasound tech in the Lone Star state is incredibly demanding, but it can also be just as rewarding. As a student, you may feel overwhelmed by the amount of information you are expected to learn and absorb, but there are five things you can do to make pursuing an ultrasound technician program in TX as seamless and painless as possible.
• Take care of yourself. The body and mind are very closely linked, and if you don’t take care of your body, your mind will undoubtedly suffer. Eat right, stay hydrated, and get plenty of rest to succeed in your program.
• Set aside study time each day. Multitasking is fantastic, but when it comes to studying, you will need to set aside time specifically for that task. This is the best way to absorb the vast amount of information.
• Join a study group. If you find yourself struggling to stay focused on the material, check bulletin boards at your school for study groups. Often, studying with others is a great way to help you stay focused.
• Give your best effort. Ultrasound tech school can be very difficult at times, so it is important that you wake up each morning with a drive to succeed and give your classes your best effort.
• Ask for help. If you feel overwhelmed by course material at any point, talk to your professors to learn more about how you can get extra help through tutoring or other means.
Program Length & Cost of Ultrasound Technician Programs in Texas
The cost and length of ultrasound tech programs across the state will vary a great deal depending on the type of school and even the type of program. An associate degree program takes two years and costs up to $39,410, but a bachelor’s degree program takes four years and costs up to $86,210.
| Type of Program | Length | Cost |
| Associate Degree | 2 Years | $5,250 - $39,410 |
| Bachelor's | 4 Years | $23,360 - $86,210 |
| Certificate (for individuals who hold an associate or bachelor’s degree in an allied health field) | 10 - 18 Months | $2,710 - $25,020 |
WHAT ARE THE BEST ULTRASOUND TECHNICIAN PROGRAMS IN TEXAS?
(Based on our Ranking Methodology, below are the 10 best Ultrasound Technician programs in Texas. The list includes both campus-based and online programs.)
1) Pima Medical Institute – Houston & El Paso
Accreditation: CAAHEP
Program Type: Associate
Pima Medical Institute (PMI) is one of the largest private allied health schools in the nation.
PMI understands the demands of a career in sonography and thus trains students to integrate science, medicine, technology, and compassion into their ultrasound technician practice.
To become an ultrasound technician in TX, you can consider PMI’s 86-credit associate degree program that will take you 22-months to complete. It includes 675-hour theoretical studies, 510-hour lab training, and 1080-hour clinical externship. Your training in diagnostic medical imaging will be focused around different areas such as abdominal, gynecology, obstetrics and vascular. Upon completing this program, you can take up a career as a diagnostic medical sonographer or an ultrasound technologist.
2) Lone Star College - Cypress
Accreditation: CAAHEP
Program Type: Associate (Diagnostic Medical Sonography) & Certificate (Sonography Non-Invasive Vascular Technology Advanced Technical Certificate)
Lone Star College, with its suburban campus, amidst beautiful natural wetlands, native grasses, lakes, ponds, and prairie trees offers sonography training that helps you make an entry into the field of diagnostic medical imaging.
About the Program: This ultrasound technician school in Texas currently offers two sonography programs –
Associate: This full-time, 60-credit hour program will take you 2-years to complete. It is classified into prerequisite coursework and four semesters of core courses. Post-completion you can take the credentialing exam administered by ARDMS and become a registered sonographer specializing in the abdomen and gynecological/obstetrics.
Certificate: This 6-month certificate is a 16-credit program in Non-Invasive Vascular Technology. You can be eligible for this program only after completing your associate degree in DMS or Echocardiography with a GPA of at least 2.0. Upon completion of this certificate course, you can take the Registered Vascular Technologist exam administered by ARDMS or Registered Vascular Specialist exam administered by CCI.
*Both programs follow an open-enrollment policy and typically most of the applicants are accepted post-completion of the admission processes and formalities.
3) San Jacinto College - Central - Pasadena
Accreditation: CAAHEP
Program Type: Associate
San Jacinto College focuses on teaching employable skills by incorporating hands-on learning and clinical experiences that prepare ultrasound technicians for a flourishing career in the healthcare field. Industry partnerships help in curating a teaching plan that meets the requirements of the industry.
Starting in the fall of each year, this 63-credit associate degree in sonography program follows a competitive admission policy and limits its intake to only 18 students. The curriculum primarily focuses on ultrasound imaging in the areas of abdomen, pelvis, superficial structures and obstetrics. You must complete 21-credit prerequisite coursework before the start of the 5-semester core coursework. Training includes theoretical studies, lab sessions, and clinical practicum at 15 partner facilities in Katy, Texas Medical Center and League City. Upon graduation, you can take the ARDMS and apply for jobs in acute centers or medical centers.
4) Weatherford College - Weatherford
Accreditation: CAAHEP
Program Type: A.A.S. Degree
Weatherford College maintains high educational standards with its career-ready and student-friendly learning environment for aspiring sonographers. Its faculty, highly qualified, strives to bring in the best educational experience by combining theory and exceptional hands-on learning.
The 65-credit hour, full-time associate degree program at Weatherford beginning in August every year will take you 22-months to complete. It is divided into 24-credit prerequisite coursework followed by five semesters of core coursework. The rigorous curriculum is delivered through classroom lectures, lab training, and clinical practicum. You will be required to attend classes/clinical sessions five days a week during the daytime. Upon completion of this CAAHEP accredited program, you will be fully prepared to effectively perform all the duties of a general and vascular sonographer.
*Post-completion of your DMS degree you will have the opportunity to pursue Adult Echocardiography Certificate and a Vascular Certificate offered at Weatherford. Both these programs will help to expand your skills and knowledge and further enhance your career opportunities.
5) El Centro College - Dallas
Accreditation: CAAHEP
Program Type: Diagnostic Medical Sonography (Certificate & Associate) ; Cardiac Sonography (Adult & Pediatric, 2 Associates)
El Centro College is committed to maintaining excellent educational standards through highly equipped facilities and overall grooming of sonography students through personal and professional development activities.
The College offers a wide range of sonography education options:
A. 48-week Diagnostic Medical Sonography Advanced Technical Certificate program.
B. 65-credit hour Associate of Applied Science degree program in DMS that will take you 5-semesters to complete.
C. 48-week Technical Certificate in Adult Cardiac Sonography focused on heart sonography.
D. 48-week Technical Certificate in Pediatric Cardiac Sonography which emphasizes on children’s heart sonography.
E. 5-semester Adult Cardiac Sonography AAS degree program with 60-credit hour coursework.
F. 60-credit hour Pediatric Cardiac Sonography AAS degree program with a curriculum focused on children’s heart sonography, that will take 5-semesters to complete.
6) Midland College - Midland
Accreditation: CAAHEP
Program Type: Associate
Founded in 1972, Midland College is spread over a 224-acre campus in Midland, Texas. The college provides an enriching environment that helps sonography students to achieve their career as well as academic goals. The small-sized classes and a dedicated faculty ensure students are effectively mentored throughout their educational journey.
The college offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Sonography where you will be required to attend classes once every week. Clinical training is scheduled three days a week. To graduate you must complete all prerequisite courses, followed by core coursework spread over four semesters. This 61-credit hour curriculum includes ultrasound physics, sonography of different body parts, and clinical practicum sessions.
*Admission requirements include meeting TSI requirements, clearing ATI test of essential academic skills, immunization check, and passing the prerequisite courses with a minimum grade ‘C’ score.
7) El Paso Community College - El Paso
Accreditation: CAAHEP
Program Type: Associate & Certificate
El Paso Community College (EPCC) is well-known in “The Lone Star State” for offering quality education at affordable prices. To train students in the use of ultrasound technology to diagnose medical conditions, EPCC currently offers two types of sonography programs.
Associate: This is a 65-credit hour program that will take 2-years to complete.
Certificate: This 1-year program is for career changers who are seeking to enter the field of diagnostic medical sonography.
* Both programs start during summer every year and require students to attend classes full-time. Admission is competitive, and only 18 students are selected for both programs.
*Upon graduation, you will be eligible to sit for the registry exams administered by the ARDMS and the ARRTS.
8) Angelina College - Lufkin
Accreditation: CAAHEP
Program Type: A.A.S Degree
While you study at Angelina College, you enjoy the best of rural and suburban life; its campus location has to offer. Its sonography coursework is one of the many quality healthcare programs it offers. Training is provided keeping employability of the student in mind, so you go through rigorous class work that is well complemented by extensive clinical experiences.
This 65-credit, two-year diagnostic medical sonography program in TX at Angelina has an evenly balanced curriculum comprising of didactic courses delivered in a classroom setting and hands-on training at clinical settings in partnership with nearby hospitals around the campus. Graduates can take the ARDMS registry exam and become registered or certified sonographers.
*Please note: Students are accepted to this program once in two years (even years) post completion of the required prerequisite courses by the end of the second session-summer semester. Admissions are subject to point value system; 20 top-ranked students are interviewed, and only ten are selected.
9) Del Mar College - Corpus Christi
Accreditation: CAAHEP
Program Type: Associate
Del Mar College community college located in Corpus Christi with state-of-the-art facilities, latest lab equipment, and interactive classrooms offers sonography education to aspirants who are keen on entering the healthcare field.
The 2-year ultrasound technologist program offered at the West Campus of Del Mar begins once every year in the summer. It comprises of prerequisite courses and core coursework divided into five semesters. This 65-credit hour program is a combination of classroom studies and hands-on training in clinical settings where you can apply the knowledge acquired through lectures and lab practices. Graduates will be eligible to take the ARDMS registry exam and boost their employment opportunities.
*To apply for this program, you must hold Certified Nurse Aid (CNA) certificate or provide proof of exemption.
10) Tyler Junior College - Tyler
Accreditation: CAAHEP
Program Type: Associate
Tyler Junior College (TJC) is one of the largest community colleges in the state of Texas. Its sonography program is offered by its Health Sciences Center, which is a newly upgraded facility with the latest learning tools and equipment. As a sonography student, you will train under their experienced faculty that bring in their years of personal and professional learning experiences for the benefit of students.
Tyler offers a 16-month associate degree in DMS designed to train you to effectively perform diagnostic examinations by using ultrasound technology. The 63-semester hour curriculum contains 43-credits of major courses and 20-credits of general education courses. Post-completion of your coursework, you can take the ARDMS exam in the areas of abdominal, general physics, and OB/GYN sonography. Earning the credential of Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer will brighten your employment opportunities in a variety of healthcare settings such as hospitals, medical clinics, and physicians’ offices.
Ultrasound Technician Career Information For Texas - 2024
How Many Ultrasound Techs are Currently Employed in TX?
| 6,590 |
In Which Health Care Settings are Ultrasound Techs Currently Working in Texas?
Over three-quarters of the ultrasound techs in TX work in the state’s numerous hospitals and doctors’ offices. They fill many very important roles in places like obstetrics, oncology, and even pediatrics. Ultrasound techs in these facilities work very closely with physicians to provide diagnostic imaging services that can be utilized to diagnose, treat, and often cure patients from their illnesses. A very small portion of ultrasound techs work in laboratories and outpatient care centers and share the same responsibilities.
| Industry | Number of Ultrasound Technicians |
| Hospitals | 3,720 |
| Offices of Physicians | 1,640 |
| Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories | 690 |
| Outpatient Care Centers | 260 |
Top Hospitals in Texas to Work as an Ultrasound Tech
The best hospitals in Texas employ a vast number of ultrasound techs. These include huge hospitals like Houston Methodist, which has an outstanding reputation for lifesaving medical innovation. You might also choose to work at UT Southwestern Medical Center, Baylor University Medical Center, or Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, all of which are university facilities that are training the next generation of excellent healthcare providers.
Four of the top 10 hospitals for ultrasound tech employment in Texas are in Houston, and another three can be found in Dallas. With such concentrated employment, it may benefit you to consider relocating if Houston or Dallas are not within commute distance for you.
| Rank | Hospital Name | Location |
| 1 | Houston Methodist Hospital | Houston |
| 2 | UT Southwestern Medical Center | Dallas |
| 3 | Baylor University Medical Center | Dallas |
| 4 | Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center | Houston |
| 5 | Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center | Houston |
| 6 | Medical City Dallas | Dallas |
| 7 | Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital | Houston |
| 8 | Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital | Sugar Land |
| 9 | Ascension Seton Medical Center Austin | Austin |
| 10 | Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center | Houston |
What is the Average Salary of an Ultrasound Tech in the State of Texas?
The average annual ultrasound tech salary in Texas is $78,440, which is excellent, considering the minimum education required for this occupation is a two-year associate degree. This is equal to $37.71 an hour or $6,540 a month and provides ample opportunity to make a great living for yourself and your family in the Lone Star State. Keep in mind that the more education and experience you have, the more you are likely to earn.
| Type | Salary |
| Hourly | $37.71 |
| Monthly | $6,540 |
| Annual | $78,440 |
| (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) | |
Salary Based on Years of Experience
| Years of Experience | Hourly | Monthly | Annual |
| Less than 1 year (Starting) | $27.81 | $4,820 | $57,840 |
| 1-4 years | $32.10 | $5,560 | $66,770 |
| 5-9 years | $38.34 | $6,650 | $79,740 |
| 10-19 years | $44.18 | $7,660 | $91,890 |
| 20 years or more | $47.62 | $8,250 | $99,040 |
| (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) | |||
Ultrasound Tech Average Salary Comparison: Texas vs. National
When compared to the national average ultrasound technician pay of $84,410 a year, Texas falls somewhat short. It’s average annual pay of $78,440 is $2280 (or 7.07%) less than the national average. It is important to consider the cost of living in Texas, though, which is lower than in many other parts of the country.
| Texas | National | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| $78,440 | $84,410 | -$5,970 | -7.07% |
| (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) | |||
Job Outlook
You can enjoy wonderful job security in Texas when you choose a career as an ultrasound technician. Between 2020 and 2030, some 1,530 new jobs will become available in the state, representing growth of 28.49% - higher than in many other states. In 2020, there were 5,370 ultrasound technicians in the state, but by 2030, there will be 6,900 – a significant difference.
This occupational growth will be fueled by numerous factors, including Texas’ exceptional population growth. Between 2000 and 2010, which are census years, the population grew by four million, and it will likely grow by another six million between 2010 and 2020. As the population grows, so will the demand for medical professionals to diagnose and treat injury or illness.
| Employment | Employment Growth (2020-2030) | ||
| 2020 | 2030 | Number | Percent |
| 5,370 | 6,900 | +1,530 | +28.49% |
| (Source: careeronestop) | |||
Annual Job Openings
| New | Replacement | Annual Job Openings (New + Replacement) | |
| 153 | 437 | 590 | |
| (Source: careeronestop) | |||
Metro Wise Employment & Salary Data
In some cases, changing the location where you work can help you increase your salary a great deal, but it is crucial that you balance your anticipated salary very carefully with job availability. In Texas, the metros employing the most ultrasound techs also tend to pay the highest, and this is due in part to the sheer number of world-renowned medical facilities and universities in those areas.
The Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land metro area employs more ultrasound techs than any other (1,660), and they earn an average annual salary of $74,920. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington comes in a close second. There are 1,930 ultrasound technicians employed in this metro, and they earn an average annual income of $84,510. However, the highest average annual pay in the state belongs to those who work in the Waco metro. Though only 50 ultrasound technician jobs can be found here, collectively, they earn $73,820 – far more than the state average, and a great deal more than the national average, too.
| Metro | Employment | Average Salary | ||
| Hourly | Monthly | Annual | ||
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | 1,930 | $40.63 | $7,040 | $84,510 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land | 1,660 | $36.02 | $6,240 | $74,920 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | 730 | $38.90 | $6,740 | $80,910 |
| Austin-Round Rock | 500 | $39.36 | $6,820 | $81,860 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission | 170 | $37.05 | $6,420 | $77,050 |
| El Paso | 160 | $33.00 | $5,720 | $68,630 |
| Killeen-Temple | 110 | $37.36 | $6,480 | $77,720 |
| Corpus Christi | 100 | $34.67 | $6,010 | $72,120 |
| Lubbock | 100 | $35.25 | $6,110 | $73,310 |
| College Station-Bryan | 90 | $35.96 | $6,230 | $74,790 |
| Amarillo | 80 | $30.75 | $5,330 | $63,950 |
| Tyler | 80 | $35.12 | $6,090 | $73,060 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur | 70 | $30.27 | $5,250 | $62,970 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen | 70 | $31.48 | $5,460 | $65,480 |
| Abilene | 60 | $36.03 | $6,250 | $74,950 |
| Midland | 60 | $38.81 | $6,730 | $80,730 |
| Longview | 50 | $33.73 | $5,850 | $70,150 |
| Waco | 50 | $35.49 | $6,150 | $73,820 |
| Texarkana | 40 | $34.93 | $6,060 | $72,660 |
| (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) | ||||
Pattie Trumble, MPP, MPH Pattie Trumble is a nurse who worked in both California and New York for many years as an emergency room nurse. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley, and an Associate Degree in Nursing from the Samuel Merritt Hospital School of Nursing. After 10 years of providing direct care, she went back to school and earned concurrent Master’s degrees in both public policy and public health from the University of California, Berkeley. Thereafter, she worked for various public health agencies in California at both the community and state levels providing economic and legislative analysis.
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