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Radiation Therapist Schools

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Becoming a radiation therapist is a great career choice for precision-oriented people who want to help patients without going to medical school. Radiation therapy uses intense energy beams to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. An oncologist (cancer physician) prescribes it before or after surgery to remove cancerous cells or tumors and may be prescribed after a series of chemotherapy or surgery.

According to the Mayo Clinic, the most common type of radiation therapy is external beam therapy, which aims light beams at precise points on human bodies. The second and less often used type of radiation therapy is brachytherapy which involves radiation placed inside a human body. Most patients requiring radiation are treated over multiple consecutive days, depending on their diagnosis, and treatment sessions can last for 10 to 30 minutes.

Following safety procedures is a top priority for radiation therapists to protect themselves and their patients. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2023), radiation therapists are responsible for explaining treatment plans to patients, operating and calibrating radiation machines, and keeping meticulous patient treatment records. Beyond technical skills, this role requires precision-orientedness and strong written and verbal communication skills to treat cancer patients with safety, accuracy, and compassion.

Radiation therapy is one of the better-paying careers accessible with two- or four-year degrees from an accredited radiation therapy school. In addition, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2022) projects that jobs in this field will grow by 6 percent between 2021 and 2031, about as fast as the current 5 percent projected for all occupations nationwide. With a median salary of $82,790 annually, radiation therapy is a relatively lucrative profession in the US (BLS May 2022), earning annual salaries 29 percent higher than the national average for all occupations at $61,900 (BLS May 2022). 

Due to the accuracy and detail-orientedness needed to succeed in this position, the educational and certification requirements are significant. Students who complete a program that qualifies them to become certified through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) must complete, at minimum, an associate’s degree in any field and an educational program in radiation therapy. The ARRT lists recognized educational programs, and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) accredits radiation therapy programs.

Fortunately, several high-quality programs provide flexible ways to complete these requirements so that every student can find a school to fit their needs and budget. Read on to learn more about accredited radiation therapy schools, including common courses, tuition, and program curriculums.

Radiation Therapist fast facts
Projected Jobs Created1,000
Projected Job Growth6%
Average Salary$98,340
Low Salary$65,760
Median Salary$82,790
High Salary$133,260
Entry-Level EDU Associate's Degree
Sourced from BLS 2022

On-Campus Radiation Therapy Programs

To become radiation therapists, students must complete a two- or four-year radiation therapy program at an accredited school. While radiation therapy certificate programs were considered acceptable minimum educational requirements in the past, effective January 1, 2015, the ARRT, the primary licensing body for radiation therapists, requires that candidates have completed at least an associate degree to qualify for licensure. In addition to an associate of applied science (AAS) degree, students can pursue bachelor’s of science (BS) or post-baccalaureate specializations in radiation therapy.

Following is a sampling of esteemed radiation therapy programs. All of the schools below hold institutional accreditation by the US Department of Education. In addition, some of them are ARRT-recognized educational programs, and all of them hold programmatic accreditation by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Detailed information about accreditation organizations is included in its section below.

Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) – Located in Portland, Oregon, with several campuses throughout the state, the Department of Radiation Medicine at OHSU offers a 117-credit BS in radiation therapy. This program was established in 1971 and boasts an 87 percent degree completion rate, a 100 percent ARRT exam pass rate, and a 100 percent job placement rate. Admission to this program is competitive, accepting only nine applicants per year in a cohort. Students are required to maintain a 3.0 GPA.

In the program’s first year, junior students learn in clinical environments two days per week, while senior students have clinical rotations three days per week in locations throughout Oregon. Rural clinical opportunities are available during the summer term. Didactic classes take place at OHSU’s newest academic building on the Schnitzer Campus.

  • Location: Portland, OR
  • Duration: 24 months
  • Tuition: $497 per credit (residents); $597 per credit (non-residents)
  • Accreditation: Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)

University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) – The U.S. News and World Report named UNMC, located in Omaha, Nebraska, as one of the top ten primary care medical schools in the nation (2022). Students who complete the 12-month radiation therapy program offered by the College of Allied Health Professions can earn either a BS in radiation science technology or a post-baccalaureate certificate, both of which qualify them to sit for the ARRT exam.

Courses are delivered via lecture demonstrations, laboratory work, and clinical instruction. To be eligible for admission, applicants must be currently certified in radiography, hold radiologic technologists (RT) certification with the ARRT, and complete 21 hours of prerequisite courses.

  • Location: Omaha, NE
  • Duration: 12 months
  • Tuition: $259 per credit (residents); $815 per credit (non-residents)
  • Accreditation: Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)

University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill (UNC) – Named recently as one of the top 30 national universities by the U.S. News and World Report (2022), UNC, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, the UNC School of Medicine has a long-established tradition of excellence in healthcare education.

To be eligible for the UNC program offered by the Department of Radiation Oncology, applicants must have earned (or be in the process of earning) a minimum of an associate’s degree. In addition, they must be certified in radiography before entering the program. The 12-month post-baccalaureate certificate program qualifies students to sit for the ARRT’s national board certification exam in radiation therapy.

  • Location: Chapel Hill, NC
  • Duration: 12 months
  • Tuition: No tuition; students responsible for textbooks, computer laboratory fees, health insurance, travel, and living expenses
  • Accreditation: Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)

University of Vermont (UV) – UV, located in Burlington, Vermont, provides the perfect career springboard for this bachelor of science (BS) degree program. Their job placement rate for graduates in the last five years sits at an impressive 100 percent, and students who complete this program are prepared to sit for the ARRT exam.

In the final semester of this program, students are placed in a hospital setting with one of UVM’s clinical affiliates. Students learn cutting-edge technology, such as virtual environment radiotherapy trainer (VERT) from radiation therapists at the UVM medical center on-campus. In addition, short-term study abroad and research options are available for students to deepen their studies in radiation therapy.

  • Location: Burlington, VT
  • Duration: Four years
  • Tuition: $678 per credit hour (residents); $1,720 per credit hour (non-residents)
  • Accreditation: Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)

Virginia Western Community College (VWCC) – At VWCC, located in Roanoke, Virginia, the radiation oncology AAS degree prepares students to perform the tasks of a radiation therapist and has an impressive ARRT certification first-time pass rate of 85 percent averaged over the past five years.

In addition, VWCC reports that over 99 percent of their graduates are employed within six months of completing the two-year program. However, the curriculum at VWCC is considered intense, and students are therefore discouraged from working while attending.

  • Location: Roanoke, VA
  • Duration: Two years
  • Tuition: $$170 per credit (residents); $370.19 per credit (non-residents)
  • Accreditation: Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)

Mayo Clinic Minnesota – The radiation therapy program at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science in Rochester, Minnesota, is a one-year program that offers students a hands-on learning experience centered around patient care. Students immediately apply principles from the strong educational foundations learned in the classroom into practice while working with patients.

This program provides students with experience and familiarity with a wide variety of treatment procedures, such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), volume-modulated arc therapy (VMAT), stereotactic body radiosurgery (SBRT), and conventional non-IMRT treatments; using cone beam CT image guidance and 6 degrees of freedom robotic couch. Graduates from this program have a 35-year 100 percent first-time board exam pass rate. Students in the Mayo Clinic Minnesota radiation therapy program benefit from small class sizes, with 8-10 students in each class, allowing for individualized attention from faculty members.

  • Location: Rochester, MN
  • Duration: One year
  • Tuition: $414 per credit
  • Accreditation: Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)

List of Radiation Therapist Schools

Filter by state :
School City State Website GRADS ('21)
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Carbondale Illinois https://siu.edu 125
Valencia College Orlando Florida https://valenciacollege.edu 117
Georgia Southern University Statesboro Georgia https://www.georgiasouthern.edu 85
CUNY New York City College of Technology Brooklyn New York https://www.citytech.cuny.edu 79
Morehead State University Morehead Kentucky https://www.moreheadstate.edu 72
Triad Education Los Angeles California https://wcui.edu 68
Broward College Fort Lauderdale Florida https://www.broward.edu 63
Florida State College at Jacksonville Jacksonville Florida https://www.fscj.edu 61
University of Hartford West Hartford Connecticut https://www.hartford.edu 58
Arkansas State University Jonesboro Arkansas https://www.astate.edu 54
Baker College Owosso Michigan https://www.baker.edu 52
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania Bloomsburg Pennsylvania https://www.bloomu.edu 51
Greenville Technical College Greenville South Carolina https://www.gvltec.edu 51
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse La Crosse Wisconsin https://www.uwlax.edu 49
Kent State University at Salem Salem Ohio https://www.kent.edu/columbiana 48
Lone Star College System The Woodlands Texas https://www.lonestar.edu 48
College of DuPage Glen Ellyn Illinois https://www.cod.edu 46
Niagara County Community College Sanborn New York https://www.niagaracc.suny.edu 46
Bunker Hill Community College Boston Massachusetts https://www.bhcc.mass.edu 45
St Catherine University Saint Paul Minnesota https://www.stkate.edu 45
University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College Blue Ash Ohio https://www.ucblueash.edu 44
CUNY Bronx Community College Bronx New York https://www.bcc.cuny.edu 43
Loma Linda University Loma Linda California https://llu.edu 43
Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Aguadilla Aguadilla Puerto Rico https://aguadilla.inter.edu 41
Regis College Weston Massachusetts https://www.regiscollege.edu 41
Bellevue College Bellevue Washington https://www.bellevuecollege.edu 39
Hillsborough Community College Tampa Florida https://www.hccfl.edu 39
Emory University Atlanta Georgia https://www.emory.edu 38
University of Nevada-Las Vegas Las Vegas Nevada https://www.unlv.edu 38
Palm Beach State College Lake Worth Florida https://www.palmbeachstate.edu 37
Bergen Community College Paramus New Jersey https://bergen.edu 36
Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis Indianapolis Indiana https://www.iupui.edu 35
Miami Dade College Miami Florida https://www.mdc.edu 35
Nassau Community College Garden City New York https://www.ncc.edu 35
Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus Ohio https://www.osu.edu 34
Chattanooga State Community College Chattanooga Tennessee https://www.chattanoogastate.edu 32
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University Brooklyn New York https://www.downstate.edu 32
Community College of Baltimore County Baltimore Maryland https://www.ccbcmd.edu 30
CUNY Hostos Community College Bronx New York https://www.hostos.cuny.edu 30
Ferris State University Big Rapids Michigan https://www.ferris.edu 30
Weber State University Ogden Utah https://www.weber.edu 30
CUNY LaGuardia Community College Long Island City New York https://www.laguardia.edu 29
Middlesex College Edison New Jersey https://middlesexcollege.edu 29
Misericordia University Dallas Pennsylvania https://www.misericordia.edu 29
Brookdale Community College Lincroft New Jersey https://www.brookdalecc.edu 28
Columbus State Community College Columbus Ohio https://www.cscc.edu 28
Fort Hays State University Hays Kansas https://www.fhsu.edu 28
Hagerstown Community College Hagerstown Maryland https://www.hagerstowncc.edu 28
Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Carolina Campus Carolina Puerto Rico https://uagm.edu/es 28
Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Barranquitas Barranquitas Puerto Rico https://www.br.inter.edu 27
Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City Kansas City Missouri https://www.mcckc.edu 27
Kent State University at Ashtabula Ashtabula Ohio https://www.kent.edu/ashtabula 26
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Oshkosh Wisconsin https://uwosh.edu 25
Volunteer State Community College Gallatin Tennessee https://www.volstate.edu 25
Bellingham Technical College Bellingham Washington https://www.btc.edu 24
Jackson State Community College Jackson Tennessee https://www.jscc.edu 24
Long Island University Brookville New York https://www.liu.edu 24
The Pennsylvania State University University Park Pennsylvania https://www.psu.edu 24
Manchester Community College Manchester Connecticut https://www.manchestercc.edu 22
SUNY Westchester Community College Valhalla New York https://www.sunywcc.edu 22
Truckee Meadows Community College Reno Nevada https://www.tmcc.edu 22
University of Charleston Charleston West Virginia https://www.ucwv.edu 22
Bowling Green State University-Firelands Huron Ohio https://www.bgsu.edu/firelands 21
College of Lake County Grayslake Illinois https://www.clcillinois.edu 21
Idaho State University Pocatello Idaho https://www.isu.edu 21
Mid Michigan College Harrison Michigan https://www.midmich.edu 21
Middlesex Community College Middletown Connecticut https://mxcc.edu 21
Prince George's Community College Largo Maryland https://www.pgcc.edu 21
SUNY Broome Community College Binghamton New York https://www.sunybroome.edu 21
Trident Technical College Charleston South Carolina https://www.tridenttech.edu 21
Washington Adventist University Takoma Park Maryland https://www.wau.edu 21
Avila University Kansas City Missouri https://www.avila.edu 20
Bluefield State College Bluefield West Virginia https://bluefieldstate.edu 20
Center for Allied Health Education Brooklyn New York https://www.cahe.edu 20
Naugatuck Valley Community College Waterbury Connecticut https://nv.edu 20
Owens Community College Perrysburg Ohio https://www.owens.edu 20
Southeast Community College Area Lincoln Nebraska https://www.southeast.edu 20
St Petersburg College St. Petersburg Florida https://www.spcollege.edu 20
Washtenaw Community College Ann Arbor Michigan https://www.wccnet.edu 20
Florence-Darlington Technical College Florence South Carolina https://www.fdtc.edu 19
Middlesex Community College Bedford Massachusetts https://www.middlesex.mass.edu 19
New Mexico State University-Dona Ana Las Cruces New Mexico https://dacc.nmsu.edu 19
Quinnipiac University Hamden Connecticut https://www.qu.edu 19
Virginia Western Community College Roanoke Virginia https://www.virginiawestern.edu 19
Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology Delray Beach Florida https://www.cambridgehealth.edu 18
Massasoit Community College Brockton Massachusetts https://massasoit.edu 18
Mercer County Community College West Windsor New Jersey https://www.mccc.edu 18
Newman University Wichita Kansas https://newmanu.edu 18
Polk State College Winter Haven Florida https://www.polk.edu 18
Rend Lake College Ina Illinois https://www.rlc.edu 18
University of Central Arkansas Conway Arkansas https://uca.edu 18
Chesapeake College Wye Mills Maryland https://www.chesapeake.edu 17
Fulton-Montgomery Community College Johnstown New York https://www.fmcc.edu/why-fm 17
MCPHS University Boston Massachusetts https://www.mcphs.edu 17
Midlands Technical College West Columbia South Carolina https://www.midlandstech.edu 17
Saint Johns River State College Palatka Florida https://www.sjrstate.edu 17
Southwest Tennessee Community College Memphis Tennessee https://www.southwest.tn.edu 17
Spartanburg Community College Spartanburg South Carolina https://www.sccsc.edu 17
York Technical College Rock Hill South Carolina https://www.yorktech.edu 17
Cameron University Lawton Oklahoma https://www.cameron.edu 16
College of Central Florida Ocala Florida https://www.cf.edu 16
Dunwoody College of Technology Minneapolis Minnesota https://dunwoody.edu 16
Holyoke Community College Holyoke Massachusetts https://www.hcc.edu 16
Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Ponce Mercedita Puerto Rico https://www.ponce.inter.edu 16
Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale Florida https://www.keiseruniversity.edu 16
La Roche University Pittsburgh Pennsylvania https://www.laroche.edu 16
Madison Area Technical College Madison Wisconsin https://madisoncollege.edu 16
Mohawk Valley Community College Utica New York https://www.mvcc.edu 16
Northern Essex Community College Haverhill Massachusetts https://www.necc.mass.edu 16
Orange County Community College Middletown New York https://sunyorange.edu 16
Texas State University San Marcos Texas https://www.txst.edu 16
American Institute of Medical Sciences & Education Piscataway New Jersey https://aimseducation.edu 15
Gulf Coast State College Panama City Florida https://www.gulfcoast.edu 15
Howard Community College Columbia Maryland https://www.howardcc.edu 15
Kapiolani Community College Honolulu Hawaii https://www.kapiolani.hawaii.edu 15
Lakeland Community College Kirtland Ohio https://www.lakelandcc.edu 15
Marion Technical College Marion Ohio https://www.mtc.edu 15
North Arkansas College Harrison Arkansas https://www.northark.edu 15
Wayne State University Detroit Michigan https://wayne.edu 15
Wor-Wic Community College Salisbury Maryland https://www.worwic.edu 15
Essex County College Newark New Jersey https://www.essex.edu 14
Georgia State University-Perimeter College Atlanta Georgia https://perimeter.gsu.edu 14
Grand Valley State University Allendale Michigan https://www.gvsu.edu 14
Inter American University of Puerto Rico-San German San German Puerto Rico https://www.sg.inter.edu 14
Lorain County Community College Elyria Ohio https://www.lorainccc.edu 14
North Country Community College Saranac Lake New York https://www.nccc.edu 14
Northwest Florida State College Niceville Florida https://www.nwfsc.edu 14
Piedmont Technical College Greenwood South Carolina https://www.ptc.edu 14
Southwestern Oklahoma State University Weatherford Oklahoma https://www.swosu.edu 14
University of Oklahoma-Health Sciences Center Oklahoma City Oklahoma https://ouhsc.edu 14
Anne Arundel Community College Arnold Maryland https://www.aacc.edu 13
Eastern Florida State College Cocoa Florida https://www.easternflorida.edu 13
Florida SouthWestern State College Fort Myers Florida https://www.fsw.edu 13
Horry-Georgetown Technical College Conway South Carolina https://www.hgtc.edu 13
Indian River State College Fort Pierce Florida https://irsc.edu 13
Mohave Community College Kingman Arizona https://www.mohave.edu 13
Shawnee State University Portsmouth Ohio https://www.shawnee.edu 13
Tallahassee Community College Tallahassee Florida https://www.tcc.fl.edu 13
Western Wyoming Community College Rock Springs Wyoming https://www.westernwyoming.edu 13
Atenas College Manati Puerto Rico https://www.atenascollege.edu 12
Capital Community College Hartford Connecticut https://www.capitalcc.edu 12
Carrington College-Spokane Spokane Washington https://carrington.edu 12
Delta College University Center Michigan https://www.delta.edu 12
Oakland Community College Bloomfield Hills Michigan https://www.oaklandcc.edu 12
Aiken Technical College Graniteville South Carolina https://www.atc.edu 11
Columbia State Community College Columbia Tennessee https://www.columbiastate.edu 11
Community College of Beaver County Monaca Pennsylvania https://www.ccbc.edu 11
Eastern Gateway Community College Steubenville Ohio https://egcc.edu 11
Instituto Tecnologico de Puerto Rico-Recinto de Manati Manati Puerto Rico https://instituto-tecnologico-de-puerto-rico-1.jimdosite.com 11
Manhattan College Riverdale New York https://manhattan.edu 11
Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College Orangeburg South Carolina https://www.octech.edu 11
Pasco-Hernando State College New Port Richey Florida https://www.phsc.edu 11
Passaic County Community College Paterson New Jersey https://pccc.edu 11
Rowan College at Burlington County Mount Laurel New Jersey https://www.rcbc.edu 11
Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud Minnesota https://www.stcloudstate.edu 11
Saint Louis University Saint Louis Missouri https://www.slu.edu 11
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill North Carolina https://www.unc.edu 11
University of Sioux Falls Sioux Falls South Dakota https://www.usiouxfalls.edu 11
East Arkansas Community College Forrest City Arkansas https://www.eacc.edu 10
Grady Health System Professional Schools Atlanta Georgia https://www.gradyhealth.org 10
Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Fajardo Fajardo Puerto Rico https://www.fajardo.inter.edu 10
Northeast Community College Norfolk Nebraska https://northeast.edu 10
Oregon Health & Science University Portland Oregon https://www.ohsu.edu 10
Rolla Technical Institute/Center Rolla Missouri https://rtirtc.rolla31.org 10
Southeast Arkansas College Pine Bluff Arkansas https://www.seark.edu 10
Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College Mount Gay West Virginia https://www.southernwv.edu 10
UnityPoint Health-Des Moines School of Radiologic Technology Des Moines Iowa https://www.unitypoint.org/join-our-team/medical-education-and-career-growth 10
University of St Francis Joliet Illinois https://www.stfrancis.edu 10
Upstate Medical University Syracuse New York https://www.upstate.edu 10
Carolinas College of Health Sciences Charlotte North Carolina https://atriumhealth.org/education/carolinas-college-of-health-sciences 9
Gateway Community College New Haven Connecticut https://www.gatewayct.edu 9
Memorial Hospital School of Radiation Therapy Technology New York New York https://www.mskcc.org/hcp-education-training/school-radiation-therapy 9
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Green Bay Wisconsin https://www.nwtc.edu 9
NorthWest Arkansas Community College Bentonville Arkansas https://www.nwacc.edu 9
Pensacola State College Pensacola Florida https://www.pensacolastate.edu 9
Rose State College Midwest City Oklahoma https://www.rose.edu 9
University of Vermont Burlington Vermont https://www.uvm.edu 9
Augusta University Augusta Georgia https://www.augusta.edu 8
Daytona State College Daytona Beach Florida https://www.daytonastate.edu 8
Laboure College Milton Massachusetts https://www.laboure.edu 8
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania Mansfield Pennsylvania https://www.mansfield.edu 8
Missouri Southern State University Joplin Missouri https://www.mssu.edu 8
North Idaho College Coeur d'Alene Idaho https://www.nic.edu 8
South Arkansas Community College El Dorado Arkansas https://www.southark.edu 8
South Florida State College Avon Park Florida https://www.southflorida.edu 8
University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha Nebraska https://www.unmc.edu 8
Bellarmine University Louisville Kentucky https://www.bellarmine.edu 7
Community College of Allegheny County Pittsburgh Pennsylvania https://www.ccac.edu 7
East Central College Union Missouri https://www.eastcentral.edu 7
Galveston College Galveston Texas https://www.gc.edu 7
Mountwest Community and Technical College Huntington West Virginia https://www.mctc.edu 7
Baptist Health Sciences University Memphis Tennessee https://www.baptistu.edu 6
California Baptist University Riverside California https://calbaptist.edu 6
Gwynedd Mercy University Gwynedd Valley Pennsylvania https://www.gmercyu.edu 6
Howard University Washington District of Columbia https://howard.edu 6
Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis Indiana https://www.ivytech.edu 6
NHTI-Concord's Community College Concord New Hampshire https://www.nhti.edu 6
University of Michigan-Flint Flint Michigan https://www.umflint.edu 6
Bacone College Muskogee Oklahoma https://www.bacone.edu 5
Central California School of Continuing Education San Luis Obispo California https://www.ccsce.org 5
Erie Community College Buffalo New York https://www.ecc.edu 5
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science Rochester Minnesota https://college.mayo.edu 5
Mitchell Technical College Mitchell South Dakota https://mitchelltech.edu 5
Portland Community College Portland Oregon https://www.pcc.edu 5
St. Francis College Brooklyn Heights New York https://www.sfc.edu 5
Briar Cliff University Sioux City Iowa https://www.briarcliff.edu 4
College of Southern Nevada Las Vegas Nevada https://www.csn.edu 4
Rowan College South Jersey Cumberland Campus Vineland New Jersey https://www.rcsj.edu 4
State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota Bradenton Florida https://www.scf.edu 4
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Dallas Texas https://www.utsouthwestern.edu 4
West Virginia University Hospital Departments of Rad Tech and Nutrition Morgantown West Virginia https://wvumedicine.org/radtech 4
Amarillo College Amarillo Texas https://www.actx.edu 3
Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies Springfield Missouri https://www.drury.edu/go 3
Forsyth Technical Community College Winston-Salem North Carolina https://www.forsythtech.edu 3
Parkland College Champaign Illinois https://www.parkland.edu 3
Notre Dame of Maryland University Baltimore Maryland https://www.ndm.edu 2
Rutgers University-New Brunswick New Brunswick New Jersey https://newbrunswick.rutgers.edu 2
University of Jamestown Jamestown North Dakota https://www.uj.edu 2
Western Nebraska Community College Scottsbluff Nebraska https://www.wncc.edu 2
Blackhawk Technical College Janesville Wisconsin https://www.blackhawk.edu 1
Georgetown University Washington District of Columbia https://www.georgetown.edu 1
North Central College Naperville Illinois https://www.northcentralcollege.edu 1
Northeast College of Health Sciences Seneca Falls New York https://www.northeastcollege.edu 1
Roosevelt University Chicago Illinois https://www.roosevelt.edu 1
University of South Alabama Mobile Alabama https://www.southalabama.edu 1
'20-'21 School Data from IPEDS (Sourced in September, 2023)

Online Radiation Therapy Schools

There are a handful of online and hybrid radiation therapy programs that are well-respected in the healthcare community. The ARRT has a comprehensive list of recognized educational programs in radiology. In addition, these programs have been demonstrated to meet a specific set of competency and professional standards that guarantee the best quality educational experience for students, employers, and patients.

While no accredited programs can be completed 100 percent online due to the essentially clinical requirements of radiation therapy programs, students can complete several required general education and radiology courses online. Programs that split their instruction between online and on-campus learning environments are known as hybrid programs.

The following is a sample of hybrid accredited radiation therapy programs recognized by ARRT, JRCERT, or a regional accreditation organization approved by the US Department of Education.

Georgia Southern University – with three campuses across the state, the Savannah campus at Georgia Southern University offers an online bachelor of science bridge program for registered radiology technicians.

The non-clinical track is 100 percent online and aims to teach leadership, management, and technical communication to students with two-year degrees and certification in radiation therapy and other related fields. To be admitted to this program, applicants must have completed a JRCERT-accredited program in radiologic or nuclear medicine technology or sonography or hold an equivalent degree.

  • Location: Savannah, GA
  • Duration: 24 months
  • Tuition: $182.13 per credit (residents); $642.73 per credit (non-residents)
  • Accreditation: ARRT & Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

University of Texas – At the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, radiation therapy students take a two-year BS program either in person or via distance learning. The distance learning option includes synchronous interaction between students and faculty, clinical rotations at affiliated facilities, and a session on the Houston campus.

In the state-of-the-art radiation oncology center, where many students complete their clinical training, more than 4,000 new patients are treated each year, giving students ample opportunities to learn in a world-class treatment facility. The curriculum includes courses such as principles of radiographic exposure and radiobiology. Graduates from this program are qualified to sit for the ARRT certification exam.

  • Location: Houston, TX
  • Duration: Two years
  • Tuition: $2,300 per semester (residents); $8,400 per semester (non-residents)
  • Accreditation: Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)

Washburn University (WU) – Located in Topeka, Kansas, the Department of Allied Health at WU offers a hybrid certificate program in radiation therapy. This program is only 13 months long and offers online classes with in-person clinical experiences in radiation therapy. Applicants to this program must hold a two-year degree recognized by the ARRT and prove completion of prerequisite sciences, mathematics, and communications courses.

Not only is it inexpensive and flexible, but the learning outcomes are stellar. This program has a credential pass rate of 96 percent and a job placement rate of 89 percent calculated over a five-year average. Resident tuition is available to those living in border states adjacent to Kansas, including Missouri, Nebraska, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Texas.

  • Location: Topeka, KS
  • Duration: 13 months
  • Tuition: $338 per credit (residents); $731 per credit (non-residents)
  • Accreditation: Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)

Indiana University Northwest (IU) – The bachelor of science in radiation therapy program at Indiana University Northwest in Gary, Indiana, is designed to prepare students for careers as radiation therapists. The curriculum follows the guidelines established by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists. The program faculty strives to develop students’ interests in lifelong learning through professional societies and continuing education. Students in this hybrid program are expected to complete more than 20 percent of their coursework face-to-face over the course of the degree.

  • Location: Gary, IN
  • Duration: Two years
  • Tuition: $669 per credit
  • Accreditation: Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)

Gateway Community College – Located in New Haven, Connecticut, the radiation therapy program at Gateway Community College prepares students for entry-level radiation therapists in hospitals and cancer centers. The radiation therapy program is either in a hybrid format or online, with clinical education in hospitals and cancer centers. Students rotate through all clinical settings at local healthcare facilities throughout the program. The program culminates in eligibility to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) board examination (Radiation Therapy).

  • Location: New Haven, CT
  • Duration: 20 months
  • Tuition: $174 per credit (residents); $523 per credit (non-residents)
  • Accreditation: Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)

Kent State University Salem – Located in Salem, Ohio, at Kent State University Salem offers a hybrid of online bachelor of science in radiation therapy. Featuring online classes and in-person classes and clinicals, this program is designed for working adults, and applicants must meet one of three admission pathways:

  • Option 1: Earn a radiologic technology associate degree program followed by Kent Core Requirements and five semesters of radiation therapy courses
  • Option 2: Have three years of general course work including Kent Core Requirements followed by five semesters of radiation therapy courses; or
  • Option 3: Have a hospital-based certificate program in radiologic technology and an associate degree in technical studies.

The program assigns students to clinical education settings in northeastern Ohio or western Pennsylvania to complete two to four site experiences for equitable access. The Kent State University Salem radiation therapy program provides students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in this growing field.

  • Location: Salem, OH
  • Duration: 24 months
  • Tuition: $272.10 per credit (residents); $651.70 per credit (non-residents)
  • Accreditation: Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)
School City State Website GRADS ('21)
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Carbondale Illinois https://siu.edu 125
Morehead State University Morehead Kentucky https://www.moreheadstate.edu 72
Clarkson College Omaha Nebraska https://www.clarksoncollege.edu 59
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Texas https://www.mdanderson.org 52
Greenville Technical College Greenville South Carolina https://www.gvltec.edu 51
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse La Crosse Wisconsin https://www.uwlax.edu 49
Kent State University at Salem Salem Ohio https://www.kent.edu/columbiana 48
Bunker Hill Community College Boston Massachusetts https://www.bhcc.mass.edu 45
University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College Blue Ash Ohio https://www.ucblueash.edu 44
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Little Rock Arkansas https://www.uams.edu 39
Washburn University Topeka Kansas https://www.washburn.edu 36
Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis Indianapolis Indiana https://www.iupui.edu 35
Clarion University of Pennsylvania Clarion Pennsylvania https://www.clarion.edu 34
Roane State Community College Harriman Tennessee https://www.roanestate.edu 28
Kent State University at Ashtabula Ashtabula Ohio https://www.kent.edu/ashtabula 26
Pitt Community College Winterville North Carolina https://pittcc.edu 23
Santa Fe College Gainesville Florida https://www.sfcollege.edu 22
Mid Michigan College Harrison Michigan https://www.midmich.edu 21
Indiana University-Kokomo Kokomo Indiana https://kokomo.iu.edu 15
University of Oklahoma-Health Sciences Center Oklahoma City Oklahoma https://ouhsc.edu 14
Indiana University-South Bend South Bend Indiana https://southbend.iu.edu 13
University of New Mexico-Main Campus Albuquerque New Mexico https://www.unm.edu 11
National University La Jolla California https://www.nu.edu 7
Indiana University-Northwest Gary Indiana https://northwest.iu.edu 6
Oregon Institute of Technology Klamath Falls Oregon https://www.oit.edu 2
Rutgers University-New Brunswick New Brunswick New Jersey https://newbrunswick.rutgers.edu 2
Northcentral Technical College Wausau Wisconsin https://www.ntc.edu 2
Atlanta Metropolitan State College Atlanta Georgia https://www.atlm.edu 1
'20-'21 School Data from IPEDS (Sourced in September, 2023)

Core & Elective Courses in Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapists undergo similar training to other radiological professionals (e.g., dosimetrists, radiologic technologists). Still, several courses are unique to radiation therapy programs. Some of the most common core and elective courses include:

  • Principles of oncology – Students learn how cancer affects a patient’s physical, mental, and emotional health in this course. It also discusses typical cancer treatments and identifies aberrations in cancer-related screenings.
  • Clinical radiation oncology – In this course, students learn how to read detailed oncology patient history data, provide clear oral communication of a patient’s medical history for confirmation, and know how to navigate a clinical workflow in radiation therapy.
  • Radiation pathology – Students study various illnesses, diseases, and physical impairments. Although this is a typical course for many kinds of healthcare workers, this course focuses specifically on cancer-related pathologies, such as carcinoma, melanoma, neoplasms, and tumors.
  • Medical imaging – This course teaches the different types of medical images and how to use various medical imaging equipment (e.g., computerized tomography [CT], magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]).
  • Sectional anatomy – In this course, students are introduced to advanced anatomy, focusing on interpreting transverse and sagittal orientations results. Students examine typical scans of these orientations, including spinal, abdominal, chest, and pelvic exams.
  • Practicum – This clinical component allows students to apply their didactic knowledge to real-life situations. Comprising around 200 hours each, this series of clinical rotations must include using CT and MRI systems, analyzing radiological imaging results, standard radiological treatment procedures, and other vital practical experiences.

Accreditation for Radiation Therapy Programs

There are two ways institutions of higher learning are accredited: programmatic and institutional. A program’s accreditation status affects graduates’ ability to apply for professional credentials, such as certification through the ARRT.

Institutional Accreditation

Institutional accreditation involves the evaluation and approval of an institution as a whole, including all of its programs. The AART accepts institutional accreditation from several regional agencies for the radiation therapy associate’s degree prerequisite. To be considered valid, programs must be recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the United States Department of Education (USDE) as a legitimate accrediting agency.

Some of the reputable national and regional accrediting agencies recognized and accepted by the AART include:

  • Accrediting Commission for Schools Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
  • Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
  • Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
  • New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
  • Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

To be accredited, schools must meet specific program requirements, including a thorough self-qualifying study to ensure that their program is meeting national standards. A site visit typically follows this study, wherein a team of radiation professionals evaluates the program’s curriculum, technology, and course outcomes. Finally, the evaluation team creates a findings report, and the agency may choose to grant the program accreditation.

Programmatic Accreditation

Programmatic accreditation involves a similar process to institutional accreditation but applies specifically to the radiation therapy program. The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) is the only group that specifically accredits radiation therapy programs.

To be eligible for ARRT certification, a program need not be accredited by JRCERT. Still, it must appear on the AART list of recognized educational programs. As of February 2023, the ARRT recognizes 732 educational programs in radiography.

Career Outlook

While the high-paying field of radiation therapy is expected to grow as fast as the national average (6 percent from 2021 to 2031), relatively few jobs are expected to be created in this field in an absolute sense. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2022) suggests that around 1,000 new radiation therapy jobs will become available between 2021 and 2031.

The growth is due partially to a large aging population that is projected to need screenings and treatment for cancer. In addition, there will probably be an increase in the number of younger people seeking early cancer detection options as affordable screening options become available.

Currently, most radiation therapists work in general hospitals, private practices, and outpatient care centers, with an average (mean) wage of $94,000 and a median wage of $82,790 (BLS May 2021). However, the most highly-paid radiation therapists make an average wage of over $128,550 per year and usually work in specialty hospitals.

According to the BLS, the states that pay radiation therapists the highest wages are:

  • California: $138,400 annual mean wage
  • New York: $126,460
  • Oklahoma: 123,590
  • Washington: $112,520
  • Oregon: $109,930

Cost of living is an essential factor to consider when evaluating salary data. Of the five states listed above, the four top-paying states are also in the top 10 most expensive states to live according to the Cost of Living Data Series published by the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC 2023). Oklahoma is the second most affordable state in the nation, meaning salaries earned working in this state will go further to pay for expenses such as housing, utilities, groceries, and transportation.

Radiation therapists who complete an associate or bachelor’s degree in radiation therapy are most likely to get the highest-paid positions in this field. Board certification may also qualify students for more prestigious jobs.

Career Facts Radiation Therapist
Related CareersMRI Technologist, Neurodiagnostic Technologist, Radiologic Technologist
Common Job TitlesRadiation Therapist, Computed Tomography Simulation Therapist, Dosimetrist
Technology & EquipmentRadiation Therapy Collimators, Radiological Positioning Aids, X-Ray Intensifying Screens
Sourced from BLS, Sept. 2022

Licensing & Certification for Radiation Therapists

To be licensed as a radiation therapist in most states, you must complete a clinical period of study (usually two years), in addition to passing the national exam administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).

Students wishing to sit for the national radiation therapy exam administered by the ARRT must complete a minimum of an associate degree from an accredited college. This degree can be a radiological associate’s degree or any two-year degree in any discipline from an accredited institution recognized by the ARRT. Applicants must also meet ARRT standards of ethics governing appropriate behavior and standards in a healthcare workplace to be eligible to sit for the exam.

Although experience in a clinical setting is not necessary to take the exam, it is vital to becoming a licensed radiation therapist. Most states require a minimum number of hours of clinical training to become certified. In addition, those hours must be corroborated by a currently licensed and registered therapist to allow qualification for licensure.

Jocelyn Blore
Jocelyn Blore Managing Editor

Jocelyn Blore has interviewed dozens of medical technology and healthcare professionals, and edited hundreds of articles related to this field since 2015. After graduating from UC Berkeley, Jocelyn traveled the world for five years as freelance writer and English teacher. After stints in Japan, Brazil, Nepal, and Argentina, she took an 11-month road trip across the US, finally settling into lovely Eugene, OR. When Jocelyn isn’t writing about college programs or interviewing professors, she satirizes global politics and other absurdities at Blore’s Razor (Instagram: @bloresrazor). Thank you for being so interested.

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