2026 Best Online Radiology Degrees
Discover which online radiology bachelor's degrees students rate the highest.
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The best online radiology degree helps to build your knowledge in anatomy, patient care, medical imaging procedures, and radiation safety while preparing you for work in diagnostic healthcare settings. The following list ranked by student reviews is a great place to start looking for the best bachelor's programs in this field.
Key Takeaways:
- UAMS is the clearest all-around leader with the highest review rating at 4.41 out of 5, the only 100% recommendation rate, and the second-lowest tuition in the ranking.
- The highest salaries belong to some of the most expensive schools. LLU reports the highest median salary at $97,622, followed by the UNM at $82,671.
Compare each program鈥檚 requirements, curriculum, tuition, student reviews, and career outcomes to find the option that fits your professional goals.
How We Rank "Best" Schools
The OnlineU research team verifies that only institutionally accredited schools offering at least one fully online bachelor's in radiology degree make the cut. On top of that, schools must also have at least five verified student reviews and an aggregate rating of 2.5+ on a five-point scale. While some of our rankings include partner schools, every school is evaluated using the exact same criteria.
We prioritize the most relevant student feedback by starting with reviews tied to the exact program and degree level. If too few bachelor's in radiology qualify, we gradually expand the review pool to include related programs or other degree levels, while preserving the most program-specific results at the top of the list. This process continues until all eligible review data has been considered.
We also manually research all tuition rates and include median earnings for radiology majors five years after graduation when that data is available. By presenting the most complete data available, we aim to give you an honest, well-rounded picture of each program.
2026 Best Online Radiology Degrees
| Rank | School | Review Rating | Recommendation | 100% | $8,190 | $67,741 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center | 4.24 / 5 | 92% | 94% | $9,565 | $67,426 | |
| University of Louisiana - Monroe | 4.05 / 5 | 91% | $12,000 | $63,413 | ||
| Northwestern State University of Louisiana | 4.04 / 5 | 91% | $10,548 | $56,512 | ||
| Indiana University - Indianapolis | 3.89 / 5 | 94% | $8,700 | $79,743 | ||
| Morehead State University | 3.86 / 5 | 95% | $10,192 | $71,986 | ||
| Indiana University - Northwest | 3.81 / 5 | 94% | $7,716 | $66,583 | ||
| University of New Mexico | 3.79 / 5 | 88% | 91% | 95% | $35,100 | N/A |
| Indiana University - South Bend | 3.66 / 5 | 78% | $7,716 | N/A | ||
| Saint Joseph's College of Maine | 3.52 / 5 | 64% | $12,060 | N/A | ||
| La Roche University | 3.51 / 5 | 86% | $34,164 | $58,145 | ||
| Indiana University - Kokomo | 3.45 / 5 | 80% | $7,716 | $66,315 |
Online Degree:
What Sets This Program Apart:
- This is the best-reviewed bachelor's program in this field across the U.S. based solely on student ratings.
- UAMS combines online coursework with some required in-person clinical training. The clinical placements span Arkansas, Alabama, Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Texas, giving the program a broader geographic footprint than many imaging programs.
- The curriculum centers on nuclear medicine procedures, including radiopharmaceutical dosage calculation and administration, imaging-device operation, radiation monitoring, patient care, and radiation safety.
Student Review Summary: Reviews of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences are overwhelmingly favorable, driven by strong ratings and universal recommendations. Students consistently praise accessible, knowledgeable faculty, practical coursework, and learning environments that feel rigorous without being unsupportive. Clinical and team-based instruction stand out as especially effective, helping students build real-world skills, improve test performance, and feel prepared for employment or further study. Flexibility also appears valuable, with online options, manageable workloads, and customizable pacing supporting working adults and career advancement. Criticisms focus less on academics and more on logistics, including high costs in some areas, outdated administration, difficult parking, and an inconvenient, hard-to-navigate campus.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Online Enrollment: 1,085 enrolled
- In-State Tuition: $8,190
- Out-of-State Tuition: $8,190
- Program Length: 4 years
- Median Earnings: $67,741
- Avg. Graduation Rate: N/A
- Retention Rate: N/A
- Institution Type: Non-Profit
Online Degree:
What Sets This Program Apart:
- OU’s online bachelor's in radiation sciences is a post-credential completion program limited to clinicians already credentialed.
- The interdisciplinary curriculum requires students to take three of four principles courses outside their original imaging specialty, providing exposure to radiography, nuclear medicine, radiation therapy, and sonography.
- Online students may finish the bachelor’s completion sequence in as little as 18 months.
Student Review Summary: Reviews of the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center are generally favorable, with praise centered on caring, experienced faculty, strong preparation for licensure and practice, and a collaborative learning culture. Many reviewers say the school opens career opportunities, builds useful professional connections, and offers solid value through reasonable tuition and location convenience. Several also note meaningful institutional improvements and strong interprofessional exposure. Criticism is concentrated around limited evening options, inconsistent course quality in some areas, low diversity, and a remote classroom setup on the Tulsa campus that can feel disconnected, technology-dependent, and not worth higher out-of-state costs.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Online Enrollment: 457 enrolled
- In-State Tuition: N/A
- Out-of-State Tuition: $22,999
- Program Length: 4 years
- Median Earnings: $70,665
- Avg. Graduation Rate: N/A
- Retention Rate: N/A
- Institution Type: Non-Profit
Online Degree:
What Sets This Program Apart:
- The RT-to-BS pathway is reserved for registered radiologic technologists, radiation therapists, and nuclear medicine technologists who already hold ARRT or NMTCB certification.
- Online students can build their degree around one or more advanced imaging modalities in breast imaging, cardiovascular interventional radiology, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging.
- Iowa combines a 94% recommendation rate with the ranking’s highest graduation and retention rates, at 75% and 90%, respectively.
Student Review Summary: Reviews of the University of Iowa are broadly favorable, with students most often praising caring, accessible faculty, strong career preparation, and a campus that feels both walkable and closely tied to Iowa City. Many describe hands-on learning, internships, research, guest speakers, and alumni connections as meaningful advantages that led to jobs, graduate study, or industry networks. Students also value small classes within some areas, flexible scheduling, online options, safety, and a supportive community. Critiques focus on limited financial aid, uneven advising, occasional faculty disengagement, large-campus impersonality, class scheduling constraints, and a social scene that can feel overly centered on partying or bars.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Online Enrollment: 793 enrolled
- In-State Tuition: $9,565
- Out-of-State Tuition: $9,565
- Program Length: 4 years
- Median Earnings: $67,426
- Avg. Graduation Rate: 75%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Institution Type: Non-Profit
Online Degree:
What Sets This Program Apart:
- ULM’s Registered Technologist Education Plan is designed specifically for ARRT-registered radiologic technologists who want to build on a hospital certificate or associate degree.
- Bachelor’s-level professional courses focus on management, advanced imaging procedures, and specialized medical imaging modalities tied to promotion and administrative roles.
- The 100% online radiology program allows students to progress at their own pace instead of following a fixed cohort schedule.
Student Review Summary: Reviews of the University of Louisiana - Monroe are largely favorable, driven by strong ratings and frequent recommendations. Students consistently praise accessible professors, responsive advisors, and a supportive atmosphere created by small classes, open-door faculty, and personalized guidance. Many value the online format for flexibility, especially while working full time, living out of state, raising families, or serving in the military. Several also highlight affordability, hands-on learning, internships, and useful career connections. Criticisms center on administrative inefficiency, isolated financial aid issues, outdated platforms, limited prestige, inconsistent office hours, and a few severe reports of rude treatment and discriminatory admissions handling.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Online Enrollment: 735 enrolled
- In-State Tuition: $12,000
- Out-of-State Tuition: $12,000
- Program Length: 4 years
- Median Earnings: $63,413
- Avg. Graduation Rate: 54%
- Retention Rate: 73%
- Institution Type: Non-Profit
Online Degree:
What Sets This Program Apart:
- Northwestern State offers both entry-level and advancement pathways in radiologic sciences, including a radiography concentration, an ultrasound concentration, and an RT-to-BSRS completion option.
- Credentialed professionals can pursue undergraduate certificates in computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and invasive cardiovascular technology without completing another full degree.
- The School of Allied Health extends its imaging curriculum beyond bachelor’s degrees through a Master of Science in Radiologic Sciences.
Student Review Summary: Reviews of Northwestern State University of Louisiana are largely positive, with many describing responsive staff, knowledgeable faculty, and a supportive environment that works especially well for those balancing school with jobs and family responsibilities. Students frequently praise small classes, approachable professors, practical coursework, and strong preparation for careers, internships, and further study. Campus involvement, affordability, and a close-knit community are recurring strengths. Criticism centers on uneven program quality, including disorganized instruction, limited guidance in some areas, scarce local resources, expensive housing, weak dining quality, and frustration with maintenance or financial aid. Several reviews note that success depends heavily on personal initiative.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Online Enrollment: 3,318 enrolled
- In-State Tuition: $10,548
- Out-of-State Tuition: $10,548
- Program Length: 4 years
- Median Earnings: $56,512
- Avg. Graduation Rate: 43%
- Retention Rate: 71%
- Institution Type: Non-Profit
Recommendation Rate shows the share of verified reviewers who would recommend a school, while Review Rating (which is what the list above is ranked by) is the average score reviewers give on a five-point scale.
UAMS leads the radiology ranking with a 100% recommendation rate and a 4.41 rating. Morehead State and Holy Family both reach 95%, although their ratings differ at 3.86 and 3.74. The University of Iowa and IU Indianapolis each post 94% recommendation rates, paired with ratings of 4.18 and 3.89.
Stories Behind the Best Online Radiology Degree Programs: An Editorial Analysis
Built to Maximize Prior Imaging Education
La Roche University
La Roche has a transfer structure that can leave experienced imaging professionals with only 10 courses remaining. Eligible students receive 45 block credits for prior science and professional education, plus 15 credits for a current ARRT or RDMS certification. Because the university accepts up to 90 transfer credits toward the 120-credit bachelor鈥檚 degree, well-prepared applicants may enter with three-quarters of the program already satisfied. The remaining curriculum is designed to extend professional capabilities beyond imaging procedures through management, statistics, biomedical ethics, oral communication, and business or technical writing.
A Management-Focused Imaging Degree
Morehead State University
Morehead State offers one of the clearest leadership-focused curriculum for credentialed imaging professionals. This bachelor's degree is not positioned as general radiologic sciences study or advanced clinical training; it is specifically designed for movement into supervisory, administrative, education, and imaging informatics roles. The program accepts professionals from radiography, CT, MRI, diagnostic medical sonography, nuclear medicine, and radiation therapy, creating a cross-modality route into management. Career paths identified by the university include PACS administrator, radiology informatics specialist, imaging services director, and radiology department administrator.
Highest Median Earnings on the List
Loma Linda University
Loma Linda reports median earnings of $97,622 among its radiology bachelor's degree graduates, the highest figure among the 15 schools in this ranking (and nearly $15,000 above the next-highest result). Earnings data should not be treated as a guarantee or a complete measure of program quality, but the difference gives students a meaningful outcome to consider.
Why Structure and Supervision Define Online Radiology Success
CEO of InGenius Prep
Do you think it's a good idea for professionals to pursue a bachelor's in radiologic sciences through an online format?
"Online degrees in radiologic science can work well if there's accountability built in.
Students achieve success in theory learning through online platforms because these platforms provide organized learning paths which maintain their attention. The most effective programs combine classroom instruction with hands-on clinical supervision."
Online study forces self-discipline. Students who manage their time well tend to transition smoothly into hospital work because they're already used to running their own schedule.
In your opinion, what specialized areas are most in demand today?
"MRI and nuclear medicine are where hiring is strongest. The two roles need stable technical competencies and decision-making abilities because hospitals expand their emergency department and ICU facilities."
How is imaging technology evolving, and what digital tools or simulation platforms are improving online radiology education?
"Students can operate imaging simulations through new learning tools which mimic the actual medical equipment operations. The simulation training serves as a confidence builder... but it does not replace actual hands-on clinical training."
EXPERT TIP
"Check certification rules early. States operate with distinct procedures for handling these matters so it is essential to identify them at an early stage to prevent delayed processing."
Is becoming a radiology tech actually worth it? This in-depth guide breaks down the trade-offs 鈥� from pay, burnout, and job demand to how AI is reshaping the field.
FAQs for Comparing the Best Online Radiology Degrees
Can You Earn a Bachelor鈥檚 Degree in Radiology Online?
Yes, you can pursue radiology degrees online through accredited institutions. Online programs offer flexibility that allows students to balance education with other commitments. It's essential to choose reputable online programs to ensure quality education and recognition within the field.
Note that the job title radiologist refers to the medical doctors who interpret diagnostic imagery and communicate results to patients. Becoming a radiologist requires a medical degree, while becoming a technician or technologist does not. However, there is a distinct difference between a technician, who operates machinery and may run tests but does not make assessments, and a radiologic technologist, who may take part in running tests as well as assessing the results with a medical team.
An online radiology degree offers a comprehensive education in diagnostic imaging but allows you to study remotely. These programs integrate medical knowledge with specialized radiologic techniques, ensuring you develop clinical competence alongside theoretical understanding. Courses cover anatomy, radiation safety, and imaging technology.
Which Bachelor鈥檚 Degree Is Best for a Career in Radiology?
While a specific bachelor's degree isn鈥檛 always required for entry into the field, degrees in fields such as radiologic technology, medical imaging, or healthcare administration can provide a strong foundation. These degrees cover essential concepts in anatomy, biology, and medical imaging technology, preparing students for success in radiology-related careers.
How Does a Radiology Degree Compare With Nursing?
The difficulty of pursuing a career in radiology versus in nursing depends on individual preferences and strengths. Radiology relies on medical imaging technology and diagnostics, demanding proficiency with technology and attention to detail. Becoming a nurse involves getting a nursing degree to gain an understanding of patient care and medical procedures. Prospective healthcare professionals should choose a career path that aligns with their interests and talents.
How Can You Evaluate the Difficulty of Online Radiology Programs?
There's no absolute answer to this question because individuals have different strengths, experiences, and learning styles. One way to gauge the difficulty of individual online programs is by reviewing graduation rates. These can be hard to find for individual programs, but the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology provides a helpful data search tool. Prospective students can review JRCERT-accredited programs for their student completion rate and credential exam pass rate to get a sense of how well a college supports its students and how prepared graduates are for their necessary certifications.
Depending on your aptitude for science and technology, you may find one of these aspects more difficult to learn than the other. Many radiology programs feature courses covering a variety of imaging machines, so current radiology techs may find new equipment difficult to learn if it differs from the equipment they already use in their work. It's also possible that students will excel in their health science and imaging science courses but struggle in some required general education or liberal arts classes.
How Do You Decide Whether a Bachelor鈥檚 in Radiology Is Worth It?
A bachelor's degree in radiology can unlock a range of fulfilling career options in medical imaging and diagnostics. That said, it鈥檚 possible to enter a field with an associate degree. The main advantage of a bachelor's degree is a wider range of job opportunities, including more specialized roles and potentially higher pay. However, it's important to consider the stress that comes with a radiology career, which can involve intense, high-stakes decisions and patient care.
Here are some pros and cons to weigh:
Pros
- Diverse career opportunities
- Solid earning potential
- Advanced knowledge of radiology
- Professional advancement in the field
Cons
- Financial and time investment to earn a degree
- High stress levels
- Rapid technological changes in the field
- Licensing requirements for some advanced positions
It's important to mention that accreditation should be a priority when choosing the best online radiology degree program as it indicates adherence to industry standards, ensuring a high quality education and professional recognition. OnlineU only features accredited schools on its website.
What Do You Learn in an Online Radiology Degree Program?
Radiology is a crucial healthcare field for diagnosis and imaging. Online radiology degrees provide specialized education for individuals seeking a career in medical imaging and diagnostic procedures. These programs equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in this important healthcare sector. Radiology online degrees cover a wide range of topics, including medical imaging principles, radiation safety protocols, and the operation of cutting-edge diagnostic equipment.
Course offerings can differ across radiology programs, but most of them have a few courses in common. This is because faculty want to train diagnostic imaging specialists who are not just proficient at one set of tests but also adept at cross-training on new technology according to the needs of their employers.
Below, we've listed a few classes that radiology students are likely to encounter:
- Fundamentals of Computed Tomography: Students learn the uses and limitations of CT scans in diagnosing illnesses and injuries. Professors teach the scan process, including safety protocols and administration of contrast agents. Although a doctor is responsible for diagnoses, professors may cover a basic interpretation of results.
- Introduction to Diagnostic Medical Sonography: Lessons in this course cover the use of sound waves to retrieve images. Students learn the practical applications of sonography, including echocardiograms for cardiovascular imaging and ultrasound for obstetrics and gynecology. Faculty generally cover patient care, professional behavior, and ethics.
- Introduction to MRI: This course introduces the principles of MRI, including the operation of machinery and the interpretation of results. Students learn about the physical processes behind using magnets and contrast agents to reveal organs and tissues. Faculty emphasize safety around magnets and common patient reactions to immersion in an MRI tube.
- Physics in Diagnostic Imaging: Faculty teach the scientific principles that allow machines to render diagnostic images. Coursework may cover image formation and processing, magnetism, and basic electronics. Students are introduced to concepts explored in more depth in later courses, such as contrast (including the use of nuclear medicine) and the effects of the body's structures on imaging.
- Sectional Anatomy: Radiology students learn the human body's systems and how they interconnect. Professors often discuss which imagining machinery best reveals each system in this class. The focus is generally on the physical plane viewable in different types of images, along with the limits of each.
Enrollment in a radiology degree 鈥� even a program with fully online courses 鈥� requires an in-person field experience, where students will have supervised practice on the complex machinery they'll use in their jobs. Students currently working as technologists may be able to complete this at their place of employment, or they may need to arrange for another location.
How Long Does It Take To Get a Radiology Degree Online?
Most online bachelor's degrees in radiology are degree-completion programs for students who have an entry-level associate degree and are already registered radiologic technologists. These degrees can take 16-24 months of full-time study or 24-36 months of part-time study to complete all 120 credits. In addition to regular coursework, the bachelor's degree includes a field experience with a set number of required clinical hours in a healthcare practice setting. This experience can last from a few months to a year but may occur simultaneously with online classes.
What Specializations Are Available in Online Radiology Degree Programs?
Starting in their degree program, radiologic technologists can specialize in one or several imaging modalities, which include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), ultrasound, and bone densitometry. There are a number of online bachelor's degree concentrations that can help prepare graduates for different career paths, such as MRI technologists or nuclear medicine technologists.
If you're specifically looking to become a diagnostic medical sonographer, specifically, you may want to research online sonography degrees.
Which Careers Can You Pursue With an Online Radiology Degree? And How Much Can You Earn?
All radiologic technologists train in human anatomy in order to take precise and accurate images. Their responsibilities usually also include maintaining complex radiology equipment, managing patient records, and occasionally helping doctors interpret image results. Depending on their state regulations, an aspiring technologist generally needs to obtain certification after earning a degree.
Graduates of an online radiology degree program can pursue various careers in medical imaging, diagnostics, and patient care:
administer diagnostic imaging exams on patients.
- Salary: $78,980 per year, $37.97 per hour
- Job Growth: 5% (faster than average)
run MRI scanners, overseeing patient safety and comfort. They analyze the scanned images of the scanned areas to ensure image quality.
- Salary: $95,480 per year, $45.91 per hour
- Job Growth: 7%+ (much faster than average)
carry out tests to analyze the pulmonary or cardiovascular systems of patients to help determine the diagnosis and the best path for treatment.
- Salary: $74,310 per year, $35.73 per hour
- Job Growth: 3-4% (average)
prepare and deliver radioactive drugs for imaging or treatment purposes.
- Salary: $97,020 per year, $46.64 per hour
- Job Growth: 3% (average)
Student Reviews of Online Radiology Programs
Adventist University Health Science was a wonderful school. This doesnt mean it was easy! I already had an associates degree and diagnostic imaging so I was very familiar with a lot of the topics that were reviewed in obtaining my bachelors degree but these classes were more in depth and were 14 weeks long. Going to school online is not as easy as I thought it was going to be. Studying by myself was something that I had to practice at in order to have this work for me mainly because I did have a... Read More
Review Date: 9/16/2019
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
This was a well structured college which allowed me to further my education online. Being that I worked full time and had just started a family this college fit my needs. I was really impressed with the relatively ease of applying for classes and the help was very easy to obtain, even during my already busy lifestyle, when help was needed. I am now pursuing a graduate degree in physician assistant studies, through University of Dayton Dayton, OH, I would have loved to attended this school for a second... Read More
Review Date: 6/25/2017
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
I have very much enjoyed my time at OSU thus far. The professors are wonderful and are able to facilitate a positive classroom environment. While the class work is challenging, it is intellectually rewarding and I know that it will help me in my future career as a radiologist.
Review Date: 3/12/2026
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to attend Weber State University and to be a graduate from the Radiation Therapy program. From the moment I began inquiring about the program to the very end, the program director Casey Neville, was there to encourage and support us through the program. The instructors are excellent and will stay late to help you with any topic that you do not understand. It is very apparent that they are truly there for the students and to help us succeed. I am very proud... Read More
Review Date: 6/30/2017
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
Director of Radiology Program is not in support of her students success or wellbeing. The Director in this program does not care about mental health she only cares about her reputation. She will will not follow what is right on student behalf if they make report to her. If you get n her radar she will push yo-yos out if you place in the program. Overall the school has to look the other way. So sad how many students I have seen affected by her poor leadership.
Review Date: 1/19/2023
Would Recommend: No
Helpful for Career: No
this program was excellent, thorough, and prepared me very well for my job as a diagnostic cardiac sonographer. It was extremely hands-on and allowed me to build my skills both in the classroom setting, but also simultaneously in the clinic setting. It gave me hands-on experience with patients, in multiple different areas of cardiac imaging and allowed me room to grow and the ability to receive constructive feedback and improve upon it.
Review Date: 3/19/2026
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
Quinnipiac University is known for producing extraordinarily well prepared professionals. As a whole my Quinnipiac education provided me with an in depth and well rounded experience. My Radiological Sciences program has given me many opportunities to grow as a student and as a competitive member within my community. Through a critical analysis of my undergraduate degree I have discovered that not only have I expanded my ability to make decisions but gave me the opportunity to grow my awareness and... Read More
Review Date: 3/16/2018
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No