Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Education Requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a diagnostic medical sonographer. Diagnostic medical sonographers usually study medical technician, psychology, or biology. 55% of diagnostic medical sonographers hold a associate degree, and 28% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 1,789 real diagnostic medical sonographer resumes to see exactly what diagnostic medical sonographer education sections show.

The most common colleges for diagnostic medical sonographers are the West Coast Ultrasound Institute and the West Coast Ultrasound Institute.

There are also many online diagnostic medical sonographer courses to help get the education required to be a diagnostic medical sonographer.

There are certain diagnostic medical sonographer certifications that you should consider. These diagnostic medical sonographer certifications include Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer - Abdomen (RDMS) and Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS).

What education do you need to become a diagnostic medical sonographer?

What degree do you need to be a diagnostic medical sonographer?

The most common degree for diagnostic medical sonographers is associate degree, with 55% of diagnostic medical sonographers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are bachelor's degree degree at 28% and bachelor's degree degree at 6%.
  • Associate, 55%
  • Bachelor's, 28%
  • Diploma, 6%
  • Master's, 3%
  • Other Degrees, 8%

What should I major in to become a diagnostic medical sonographer?

You should major in medical technician to become a diagnostic medical sonographer. 76% of diagnostic medical sonographers major in medical technician. Other common majors for a diagnostic medical sonographer include psychology and biology.

Most common colleges for diagnostic medical sonographers

Diagnostic medical sonographers often get their degrees at West Coast Ultrasound Institute, Keiser University, and Brown University. Here are the most common colleges for diagnostic medical sonographers in the US based on their resumes.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Common College
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Percentages
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West Coast Ultrasound Institute22.64%
Keiser University11.32%
Brown University5.03%
Argosy University5.03%
Jackson College5.03%

Best majors for diagnostic medical sonographers

Rank
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Major
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Percentages
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1Medical Technician75.6%
2Psychology2.6%
3Biology2.0%
4General Studies2.0%
5Liberal Arts2.0%

Best colleges for diagnostic medical sonographers

The best colleges for diagnostic medical sonographers are Northwestern University, Vanderbilt University, and University of Tulsa.

A diagnostic medical sonographer with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for diagnostic medical sonographers. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become diagnostic medical sonographers.

1. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-State Tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

Website

WWW.DUKE.EDU

Address

103 Allen Bldg, Durham, NC 27708

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $93,200 per year

Net Price: $23,442 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 8.91%
SAT Average - 1516
ACT Average - 34
Most Popular Majors
Business
Biology
Nursing
Psychology
Medical Technician

2. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-State Tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

Website

https://umich.edu/

Address

2074 Fleming Administration Building, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1340

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $55,900 per year

Net Price: $16,010 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 22.83%
SAT Average - 1434
ACT Average - 32
Most Popular Majors
Business
Biology
Education
Nursing
Communication

3. Yale University

New Haven, CT • Private

In-State Tuition

$53,430

Enrollment

5,963

Website

https://www.yale.edu

Address

105 Wall Street, New Haven, CT 06520

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $67,800 per year

Net Price: $18,770 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 6.35%
SAT Average - 1517
ACT Average - 34
Most Popular Majors
Business
Biology
Nursing
Psychology
Medical Technician

4. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

In-State Tuition

$55,188

Enrollment

15,105

Website

www.cornell.edu

Address

300 Day Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $76,300 per year

Net Price: $30,494 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 10.61%
SAT Average - 1471
ACT Average - 33
Most Popular Majors
Biology
Business
Communication
Psychology
Health Care Administration

5. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-State Tuition

$8,987

Enrollment

18,946

Website

www.unc.edu

Address

103 South Bldg Campus Box 9100, Chapel Hill, NC 27599

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $49,900 per year

Net Price: $13,918 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 22.71%
SAT Average - 1398
ACT Average - 31
Most Popular Majors
Business
Biology
Communication
Psychology
Nursing

20 best online courses for diagnostic medical sonographers

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1. Visualizing the Living Body: Diagnostic Imaging

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This course teaches learners the underlying principles behind conventional radiography, computerized axial tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound. The radiology of chest, abdomen, pelvis, extremities, spine and brain are taught in this course using a combination of lectures and extensive practical activities and assessments. By the end of the course you will be able to: Describe the principles of conventional radiography, CT MRI and ultrasound Describe systematic...

2. Medical Emergencies: Airway, Breathing, and Circulation

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In this course, you will develop the knowledge and skills to assess and stabilize certain types of patients for transport. By the end of this course, you will be able to: 1) assess a basic medical patient 2) describe general pharmacologic principles and the skills associated with medication administration, 3) explain airway physiology, the assessment of the airway and available interventions for airway management, 4) identify, assess and formulate a plan to stabilize a patient with a...

3. ICD 10 & 11 Medical Coding and Billing

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Preparation for Medical Coding Certification Exam...

4. Introduction to Medical Imaging

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4.5
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Your guide to the history, science, math, and economics of medical imaging systems (e.g., X-ray, CT, MRI, Ultrasound)...

5. Prehospital care of acute stroke and patient selection for endovascular treatment using the RACE scale

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Acute stroke is a time-dependent medical emergency. In acute ischemic stroke, the first objective is to restore brain flow using sistemic thrombolytic treatment and, in patients with large vessel occlusion, by endovascular treatment. In hemorrhagic stroke there are also specific treatments that can improve the clinical outcome. The sooner the initiation of all these therapies the higher the clinical benefit. Thus, the organization of Stroke Code systems coordinated between emergency medical...

6. Operations and Patient Safety for Healthcare IT Staff

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Now that you've been introduced to the world of Health IT and the important role played by electronic health records (EHRs), we'll focus on other technologies that play a role in maintaining ongoing operations in healthcare. Telemedicine, patient portals, barcode scanners, printers, and medical devices are just some of the technologies that impact providers and patients. As an IT support specialist, you’ll be asked to troubleshoot issues with a wide variety of tools. You'll see a scenario with...

7. Medical Coding: ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Training

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Learn medical coding and prepare yourself for today's healthcare workplace...

8. EU Medical Device Regulatory Affairs explained Simply

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How to get approval to sell Medical Devices within the European Union. Understand regulatory affairs & ISO 13485 2016...

9. Trauma Emergencies and Care

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Welcome to Trauma Emergencies and Care. In this course, you will learn about some of the mechanics and physics of trauma on the human body, and how this can cause injury. You will continue to expand your new vocabulary with medical terminology, and learn how to describe the different injuries you may see. You will also learn about the trauma system itself- and when it is important to transport patients to a trauma center. Then we will dive into specific injuries based on what part of the body...

10. Medical Terminology

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Introduction to the meaning of various roots, terms and combining forms that are components of medical words...

Top 10 most affordable universities for diagnostic medical sonographers

The most affordable schools for diagnostic medical sonographers are Brigham Young University, minot state university, and florida international university.

If the best universities for diagnostic medical sonographers are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for diagnostic medical sonographers.

1. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-State Tuition

$5,620

Cost of Attendance

18,136

Website

www.byu.edu

Address

Main Campus, Provo, UT 84602

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $46,600 per year

Net Price: $13,181 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 64.47%
SAT Average - 1324
ACT Average - 29
Most Popular Majors
Biology
Education
Business
Psychology
General Education, Specific Areas

2. Minot State University

Minot, ND • Private

In-State Tuition

$7,064

Cost of Attendance

15,576

Website

www.minotstateu.edu

Address

500 University Ave W, Minot, ND 58707

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $38,300 per year

Net Price: $10,920 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 50.10%
SAT Average - 1059
ACT Average - 21
Most Popular Majors
Education
Business
Liberal Arts
Nursing
General Education, Specific Areas

3. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-State Tuition

$6,556

Cost of Attendance

19,434

Website

www.fiu.edu

Address

11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $41,500 per year

Net Price: $8,311 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 58.56%
SAT Average - 1185
ACT Average - 25
Most Popular Majors
Biology
Psychology
Business
Communication
Liberal Arts

4. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-State Tuition

$4,094

Cost of Attendance

14,302

Website

https://www.uprm.edu

Address

Call Box 9000, Mayaguez, PR 00681

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $38,700 per year

Net Price: $8,584 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 63.51%

5. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-State Tuition

$5,656

Cost of Attendance

21,623

Website

www.fsu.edu

Address

222 South Copeland Street, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1470

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $39,700 per year

Net Price: $10,744 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 36.78%
SAT Average - 1289
ACT Average - 28
Most Popular Majors
Biology
Psychology
Liberal Arts
Education
Business

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for diagnostic medical sonographers

The hardest universities for diagnostic medical sonographers to get into are Northwestern University, Vanderbilt University, and University of Tulsa.

Some great schools for diagnostic medical sonographers are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for diagnostic medical sonographers based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions Rate

8%

SAT Average

1,508

Website

www.northwestern.edu

Address

633 Clark St, Evanston, IL 60208

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $71,900 per year

Net Price: $24,840 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 8.47%
SAT Average - 1508
ACT Average - 34
Most Popular Majors
Biology
Business
Liberal Arts
Communication
Psychology

2. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions Rate

10%

SAT Average

1,514

Website

www.vanderbilt.edu

Address

2101 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN 37240

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $61,900 per year

Net Price: $20,253 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 9.61%
SAT Average - 1514
ACT Average - 34
Most Popular Majors
Nursing
Education
Biology
Business
Elementary Education

3. University of Tulsa

Tulsa, OK • Private

Admissions Rate

41%

SAT Average

1,321

Website

https://utulsa.edu

Address

800 South Tucker Drive, Tulsa, OK 74104-3189

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $50,400 per year

Net Price: $22,817 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 40.77%
SAT Average - 1321
ACT Average - 29
Most Popular Majors
Biology
Business
Psychology
Communication
Nursing

4. Tufts University

Medford, MA • Private

Admissions Rate

15%

SAT Average

1,461

Website

https://www.tufts.edu

Address

Ballou Hall, 2nd Floor, Medford, MA 02155

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $56,600 per year

Net Price: $31,485 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 14.62%
SAT Average - 1461
ACT Average - 33
Most Popular Majors
Biology
Psychology
Education
Medical Technician
Elementary Education

5. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions Rate

22%

SAT Average

1,420

Website

www.bu.edu

Address

One Silber Way, 8th Floor, Boston, MA 02215

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $52,800 per year

Net Price: $30,729 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 22.09%
SAT Average - 1420
ACT Average - 32
Most Popular Majors
Business
Biology
Education
Communication
Psychology

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for diagnostic medical sonographers

The easiest schools for diagnostic medical sonographers to get into are AdventHealth University, life university, and d'youville college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a diagnostic medical sonographer without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for diagnostic medical sonographers.

A

1. AdventHealth University

Orlando, FL • Private

Admissions Rate

87%

SAT Average

1,016

Website

www.ahu.edu

Address

671 Winyah Drive, Orlando, FL 32803

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $53,500 per year

Net Price: $17,211 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 86.89%
SAT Average - 1016
ACT Average - 20
Most Popular Majors
Nursing
Medical Technician
Health Care Administration
Biology
Medical Assisting Services

2. Life University

Marietta, GA • Private

Admissions Rate

94%

SAT Average

979

Website

www.life.edu

Address

1269 Barclay Circle, Marietta, GA 30060

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $36,500 per year

Net Price: $26,841 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 93.63%
SAT Average - 979
ACT Average - 19
Most Popular Majors
Biology
Psychology
Business
Liberal Arts
Medical Technician

3. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions Rate

100%

SAT Average

1,072

Website

www.dyc.edu

Address

320 Porter Ave, Buffalo, NY 14201-1084

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $50,600 per year

Net Price: $20,345 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 99.60%
SAT Average - 1072
ACT Average - 19
Most Popular Majors
Nursing
Biology
Medical Technician
Business
Psychology

4. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions Rate

92%

SAT Average

1,031

Website

https://www.gmercyu.edu/

Address

1325 Sumneytown Pike, P. O. Box 901, Gwynedd Valley, PA 19437-0901

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $48,000 per year

Net Price: $23,213 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 92.00%
SAT Average - 1031
ACT Average - 21
Most Popular Majors
Nursing
Education
Business
Elementary Education
Medical Technician

5. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Standish, ME • Private

Admissions Rate

84%

SAT Average

1,069

Website

www.sjcme.edu

Address

278 White's Bridge Road, Standish, ME 04084-5263

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $42,500 per year

Net Price: $26,405 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 83.62%
SAT Average - 1069
ACT Average - 21
Most Popular Majors
Nursing
Education
Health Care Administration
Medical Technician
Biology

Average diagnostic medical sonographer salary by education level

According to our data, diagnostic medical sonographers with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $108,271 annually. Diagnostic medical sonographers with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $96,266.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer education level
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Diagnostic Medical Sonographer salary
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Master's Degree$108,271
Bachelor's Degree$96,266
Some College/ Associate Degree$87,556

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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