by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 330 U.S. colleges awarded 7,986 degrees and certificates in Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician. Associate degrees are the most popular award, at 65% of graduates. College Factual ranks 238 schools in its 2027 Best Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $68,190 one year after completing, rising to $77,808 after four years.
A degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician explores Diagnostic Medical Sonography/sonographer And Ultrasound Technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals, Under The Supervision Of Physicians, To Utilize Medical Ultrasound Techniques To Gather Sonographic Data Used To Diagnose A Variety Of Conditions And Diseases. Includes Instruction In Obtaining, Reviewing, And Integrating Patient Histories And Data; Patient Instruction And Care; Anatomic, Physiologic And Pathologic Data Recording; Sonographic Data Processing; Sonography Equipment Operation; And Professional Standards And Ethics. Examples: [Vascular Sonography].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician is a popular field of study, with 7,986 degrees awarded annually. 330 colleges award diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician degrees, an average of 24 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 372.
By level, the 7,986 awards include 1,556 certificates, 5,200 associate degrees, 1,073 bachelor’s degrees and 129 master’s degrees.
Women earned 94% of diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician degrees and certificates in the latest year (7,493 of 7,986). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (3,501) and Hispanic or Latino (2,628), and international students earned 40.
College Factual ranks 238 schools in its 2027 Best Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician Schools ranking, including 188 for associate degrees and 40 for bachelor’s degrees. It also ranks diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician schools within 43 states. In all, 330 colleges offer diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician credential is the associate degree: 5,200 of the 7,986 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician call most for Active Listening, Speaking and Reading Comprehension, and for knowledge of Customer and Personal Service, English Language and Medicine and Dentistry, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Written Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
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How long a diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 1,556 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 5,200 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,073 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 129 |
Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician, at 35.7%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 35.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 15.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 14.9% |
| First professional degree | 12.2% |
| Master’s degree | 9.7% |
| Doctoral degree | 6.7% |
| Post-doctoral training | 5.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
2 occupations are related to Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician, with an average median salary of $69,256; the strongest outlook belongs to Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, at 10.7% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Ultrasonic Tester, Travel OB Ultrasound Tech (Travel Obstetrics Ultrasound Technician), Cardiovascular Sonographer and Ultrasound Tester.
The occupation related to diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician with the most projected jobs is Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, at 3,388,429.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographers | 3,388,429 | 3.2% |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician graduates earn a median $68,190 one year after completing their program, $77,808 after four years and $70,516 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $68,190 |
| 4 years | $77,808 |
| 5 years | $70,516 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician, with a median salary of $91,848.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographers | $91,848 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician has 21 similar majors in the Health Professions field, which together award 90,488 degrees a year; the largest are Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic) (32,528), Physician Associate/Assistant (13,743) and Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiographer (13,037). Browse all Health Professions majors or the full list of college majors.
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