Radiology Technologist Schools and Careers in Colorado

The colleges and universities in Colorado offer various options for earning a degree or certificate in radiologic technology. This guide to radiologic technologist and technician schools in Colorado provides the information you need to decide where to attend school. Read about the difference between radiology technologists and radiology technicians. As an alternative to traditional on-campus courses, you might also consider online radiologic technology schools, which can provide greater flexibility and reduced time commuting. Keep reading for further information on radiologic technologist and technician schools in Colorado, including a table of rad tech programs and potential career tracks for rad tech program graduates.

Quick Facts

• There are 8 not-for-profit colleges and universities with radiologic technology degree programs in Colorado.¹
• 2 schools offer a certificate program in radiologic science.¹
• 6 colleges and universities offer an associate’s degree in radiologic science.¹
• 2 colleges and universities offer a bachelor’s degree in radiologic science.¹
• 1 school offers a master’s or advanced degree in radiologic science.¹
• 3 schools have medical imaging programs accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).²
• No schools have medical imaging programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).³
• No schools have medical imaging programs accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT).⁴

Table of Contents

• Colorado Medical Imaging Schools Comparison
• Select Schools in Colorado with RT Programs
• How to Become an RT in Colorado
• Colorado RT Salary and Job Outlook

Colorado Medical Imaging Schools Comparison

We have designed the following table to allow you to easily compare the not-for-profit radiologic technology and medical imaging programs in Colorado on a variety of factors. Check with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to ensure that the program you are considering will meet licensure requirements.

• — indicates none.
• N.Av. indicates no data available.

Select Schools in Colorado with Radiology Technologist Degree Programs

Colorado Mesa University

Colorado Mesa University’s (CMU) full-time radiologic technology program leads to a Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences (BSRS). Graduates of the 120 semester-hour program are eligible to sit for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam. CMU students take two years of foundational and essential learning coursework before applying to the BSRS Applicants must complete prerequisite classes and the Test for Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) for Allied Health before enrolling in the program. Once accepted, the BSRS curriculum requires five semesters, including a summer semester between the third and fourth years. Students begin clinical rotations in their first semester of the program. Admission selection is based on the TEAS scores, GPA, grades in prerequisite courses, an application essay, and an interview.

Community College of Denver

The Community College of Denver (CCD) confers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Radiologic Technology that can be finished in five to six semesters. Graduates meet the requirements to sit for the ARRT certification exam. The 58-credit hour program combines classroom, lab, and clinical study following 20 credits of prerequisite classes. Students will spend two to four days of the week in clinical rotations while taking courses such as Radiographic Patient Care, Advanced Medical Imaging, and a Radiographic Capstone to prepare for the ARRT exam. Admission to the program is competitive and acceptance is based on a point system. Points are awarded for achievements such as minimum GPAs of 3.0 in science courses and 2.8 in general education courses, completing 12 hours of job shadowing with a practicing radiologic technologist, and completing the course Introduction to Radiography with a “B” or better. Approximately 25 students are admitted to the program each year, depending on available clinical placements.

Pueblo Community College

Graduates of Pueblo Community College’s (PCC) Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Radiologic Technology program will have developed the necessary foundation to secure entry-level employment as radiologic technologists or technicians and will be eligible to sit for the ARRT certification exam. The full-time, five-semester program combines 61 credit hours of radiologic technology coursework and clinical rotations in addition to 16 general education credits for a total of 77 credit hours. Students take classes and intern at local hospitals and medical facilities beginning in the first semester. Clinical rotations are held on alternating days of the week during the academic year and five days a week during the summer semester. Applications to the program are due April 1 for the following fall semester. Applicants must have completed all prerequisites with a minimum GPA of 2.0 and a “C” or better in all coursework. Students with an associate’s degree who are seeking a bachelor’s degree might be interested in PCC’s Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Radiologic Technology (BAS-RT) program. PCC also offers BAS degrees in Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).

Red Rocks Community College

Students who successfully complete Red Rocks Community College’s (RRCC) full-time, 21-month radiologic technology program will earn an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Radiologic Technology and will be eligible to sit for the ARRT certification exam. RRCC students must complete 20 credit hours of prerequisites prior to applying for the program. The five-semester, 77-credit hour program is divided into classroom and clinical work beginning in the first semester, with students spending an increasing amount of time on clinical duties as the program progresses. By the final semester, only one day per week is spent in the classroom. At times, students may be required to work evenings and weekends during their clinical rotation. Shift hours vary but will not exceed 10 hours per shift. Admission to the program requires a background check, drug test, and a physical evaluation. RRCC also offers an Advanced Modality Certificate in Computed Tomography (CT), a Certificate in Echocardiography, an AAS in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, and an AAS in Echocardiography.

How to Become a Radiology Technologist in Colorado

Colorado does not specifically license radiologic technologists. However, radiologic technologists must be certified by either the ARRT or the Nuclear Medical Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) to practice in the state. The process for certification by the ARRT requires the following steps:

1. Complete a diploma, certificate, or associate’s degree in your chosen discipline. The ARRT requires candidates to complete an associate’s degree or higher and an educational program in their chosen discipline. These may be the same program but are not required to be.
2. Take and pass the ARRT exam. Once a candidate has applied for certification, the ARRT will send information on scheduling the exam. A score of 75 or higher is required to pass any of the ARRT’s certification exams.
3. Maintain your registration. Registered technologists must renew their certification annually. The ARRT requires rad techs to complete 24 credits of continuing education every two years.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) offers a limited scope x-ray license, the Limited Scope Operator (LSO), that allows licensees to x-ray limited parts of the body under qualified supervision. To qualify for the LSO license, candidates must complete an acceptable training program that includes a clinical experience component. Qualified candidates may submit an application to the CDPHE to receive permission to sit for the ARRT Limited Scope of Practice in Radiography exam, which must be passed to receive the LSO license.

Colorado Radiology Tech Salary and Job Outlook

Estimates projecta 24.1% increase in radiologic technologist employment from 2020 to 2030.⁵ This is much faster than the national projection for radiologic technologist job growth, which is estimated at 8.6% during the same period.⁵ According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), radiologic technologists and technicians in Colorado earned an average annual salary of $74,080 as of 2022, higher than the national average salary for that position of $70,240.⁶ There were an estimated 3,750 radiologic technologists working in the state as of 2022.⁶ The BLS does not track occupational data for limited-scope x-ray technicians. However, limited-scope technicians typically earn less than fully-licensed radiologic technicians due to the lower educational requirements and work responsibilities. Among the hospitals, clinics, imaging centers, and private physicians offices that hire radiology techs in Colorado are University of Colorado Hospital, Centura Health, UCHealth Pikes Peak Regional Hospital, and Vibra Healthcare.

Colorado Radiologic Technologist Salary by Metro Area

References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology Program Effectiveness Data: https://www.jrcert.org/program-effectiveness-data/
3. Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs: https://www.caahep.org/students/find-an-accredited-program
4. Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology: https://www.jrcnmt.org/programs/
5. Projections Central Long Term Occupational Projections: https://projectionscentral.org/Projections/LongTerm
6. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, Radiologic Technologists and Technicians: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292034.htm
7. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcma.htm