by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 14 U.S. colleges awarded 171 degrees and certificates in Perfusion Technology/Perfusionist. College Factual ranks 9 schools in its 2027 Best Perfusion Technology/Perfusionist 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.
Studying Perfusion Technology/Perfusionist involves the study of Perfusion Technology/perfusionist. A Program That Prepares Individuals, Under The Supervision Of Physicians And Nurses, To Operate Extracorporeal Circulation And Autotransfusion Equipment During Medical Procedures And Surgeries Where The Support Or Temporary Replacement Of A Patient's Own Respiratory Or Circulatory System Is Required. Includes Instruction In Equipment Selection And Operation, Physician And Medical Team Consultation, Patient Condition Monitoring, Procedural Techniques, And Principles Of Respiratory And Circulatory Physiology.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, perfusion technology/perfusionist is a widely-pursued major, with 171 degrees awarded annually. 14 colleges award perfusion technology/perfusionist degrees, an average of 12 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 21.
All 171 of the awards are master’s degrees, the only level colleges reported.
Women earned 53% of perfusion technology/perfusionist degrees and certificates in the latest year (91 of 171). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (122) and Hispanic or Latino (19), and international students earned 1.
College Factual ranks 9 schools in its 2027 Best Perfusion Technology/Perfusionist Schools ranking, including 9 for master’s degrees. It also ranks perfusion technology/perfusionist schools within 6 states. In all, 14 colleges offer perfusion technology/perfusionist programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Perfusion Technology/Perfusionist Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
O*NET rates Active Listening the most important skill for jobs related to perfusion technology/perfusionist, at 3.9 out of 5. The key knowledge areas are English Language, Medicine and Dentistry and Customer and Personal Service. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Near Vision.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a perfusion technology/perfusionist degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 171 |
Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to perfusion technology/perfusionist, at 38.2%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 38.2% |
| Master’s degree | 15.3% |
| Doctoral degree | 10.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 8.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 8.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 6.9% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 5.7% |
| Some college courses | 4.5% |
| First professional degree | 2.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
2 occupations are related to Perfusion Technology/Perfusionist, with an average median salary of $41,701; the strongest outlook belongs to Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, at 10.7% projected job growth. Typical job titles include ARRT Technologist (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists Technologist), Cardiovascular Operating Room Technologist (CVOR Technologist), Electrocardiogram Technician (EKG Tech) and Cardiac Catheterization Technician.
The occupation related to perfusion technology/perfusionist with the most projected jobs is Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians, at 1,630,916.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | 1,630,916 | -0.3% |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
Perfusion Technology/Perfusionist 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 perfusion technology/perfusionist, with a median salary of $46,663.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $36,739 |
Perfusion Technology/Perfusionist has 21 similar majors in the Health Professions field, which together award 98,303 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.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
