Students who earn an associate’s degree in nuclear medicine or nuclear medicine technology are qualified for entry-level work in the field of nuclear medicine. This is the area of medicine that focuses on the use of radioactivity to diagnose and treat patients. X-rays, chemotherapy, and PET scans are all technologies that fall within the field.
For our ranking, we started with an extensive list of nuclear medicine associate’s degree programs. These programs were then ranked according to affordability (based on the tuition reported to the National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator) and the quality of the program (based on the graduation rate and student-to-teacher ratio data available on College Navigator).
The top 10 nuclear medicine associate degree programs are available from:
- Galveston College
- Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute
- Cuyahoga Community College
- Miami Dade College
- Forsyth Tech Community College
- Pitt Community College
- Hillsborough Community College
- Amarillo College
- Chattanooga State Community Colllege
- Bellevue College
10. Bellevue College
Bellevue, Washington
Associate of Arts in Nuclear Medicine Technology
Bellevue College offers an associate’s degree in nuclear medicine technology, The mission of the program is to develop competent and compassionate nuclear medicine technologists for the state of Washington, as well as to fulfill the broader needs of the medical community. The program requires the completion of 98 credits worth of courses to graduate. Graduates will be prepared to advance the profession of nuclear medicine as they become leaders in the ever-changing healthcare environment.
Tuition: $9,536
9. Chattanooga State Community College
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Online Associate’s Degree in Nuclear Medicine Technology
The nuclear medicine technology associate’s degree program at Chattanooga State is a 69-credit program that can be completed in five consecutive semesters. The program prepares students to sit for the national licensure exams. The courses are offered primarily online, with each Wednesday’s online classes being offered live. The graduates of the program have a 95% job-placement rate.
Tuition: $6,479
8. Amarillo College
Amarillo, Texas
Associate of Applied Science in Nuclear Medicine
At Amarillo College, students can earn an associate’s degree in nuclear medicine. This successful program has produced many well-paid nuclear technologists, and graduates of the program have a 95% job-placement rate. The 60-credit program prepares students with all of the basic skills needed for a job as an entry-level nuclear medicine technologist.
Tuition: $6,215
7. Hillsborough Community College
Tampa, Florida
Associate of Science in Nuclear Medicine Technology
The nuclear medicine program at Hillsborough Community College is an extremely affordable option for earning an associate’s degree. The program will prepare students for a career in this medical imaging speciality, and they will learn the function and structure of almost every major organ system in the body. The curriculum includes clinical experience, and both clinicals and classes are offered only during the daytime hours. Graduates will be ready for both the NMTCB and the AART-Nuclear Medicine.
Tuition: $2,406
6. Pitt Community College
Winterville, North Carolina
Online Associate’s Degree in Nuclear Medicine Technology
Pitt Community College offers an associate’s degree in nuclear technology that can be completed almost entirely online. The program provides the clinical and didactic experience necessary for students to qualify as entry-level nuclear medicine technologists. All courses can be completed online, with the exception of the clinical practice rotations, which students can complete near their home. Graduates will be prepared to perform procedures related to patient care, use of radioactive materials, operation of imaging and counting instrumentation, and laboratory procedures.
Tuition: $3,944
5. Forsyth Tech Community College
Winston Salem, North Carolina
Nuclear Medicine Technology Associate of Applied Science
The nuclear medicine program at Forsyth Tech Community College is an exciting, 75-credit associate degree program. Acceptance to the program is limited, as only 10 students are admitted each fall. Classroom instruction covers nuclear medicine procedures, general and nuclear physics, pathology, patient care and management, radiation protection, quality assurance, anatomy and physiology, radiobiology, and instrumentation. Coursework includes clinical rotations at nearby healthcare facilities.
Tuition: $6,349
4. Miami Dade College
Miami, Florida
Associate in Science in Nuclear Medicine Technology
Miami Dade College offers an AAS program in nuclear medicine technology that can be completed in two years. This 75-credit program is designed to prepare selected students to qualify as nuclear medicine technologists in hospitals, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers, and physician offices. Students who successfully complete the program’s six terms will qualify to apply for the ARRT examination.
Tuition: $4,998
3. Cuyahoga Community College
Cleveland, Ohio
Associate of Applied Science in Nuclear Medicine Technology
The AAS degree program in nuclear medicine at Cuyahoga Community College is a great option for those looking to enter the field with an associate’s degree. 16 students are admitted to the program each fall, and there is often a waiting list. The 73-credit program is accredited by the JRCNMT. Graduates of the program may be eligible for all necessary examinations to qualify for entry-level jobs in nuclear medicine.
Tuition: $4,130
2. Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute
Hudson, North Carolina
Nuclear Medicine Technology Associate of Applied Science
At Caldwell Community College, students can earn an AAS in nuclear medicine. The program provides the clinical and didactic experience necessary to prepare students to enter the field as entry-level nuclear medicine technologists. The 75-credit curriculum can be completed in four semesters and one summer semester, and it is accredited by the JRCNMT. Students will obtain the knowledge and skills needed to perform all necessary procedures and successfully care for patients. These skills include the use of radioactive materials, the operation of imaging and counting instrumentation, and the performance of laboratory procedures.
Tuition: $4,678
1. Galveston College
Galveston, Texas
Nuclear Medicine Technology Associate of Applied Science
Galveston College offers the #1 program for an associate’s degree in nuclear medicine. This affordable two-year program requires the completion of 60 credits, and it is accredited by the JRCNMT. The mission of the program is to provide a comprehensive, competency-based nuclear medicine curriculum to prepare a diverse group of graduates with the skills needed to obtain entry-level jobs in the field. Graduates will be fully prepared to perform quality nuclear medicine procedures, as well as to administer exceptional patient care.
Tuition: $4,076
Related Resources:
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- Top 10 Associate’s Degrees in Health Informatics Online
- Nuclear Technician Associate’s Degrees
- Online Associate’s Degrees in Radiology
- Top Associate’s in Sonography Online
