Radiology Technologist Schools and Careers in Wisconsin

Wisconsin’s colleges and universities offer a variety of options for earning a degree in radiologic technology. This guide to radiologic technologist and technician schools in Wisconsin provides key information so that you can make an informed choice. Students can pursue programs ranging from certificates in radiologic technology to a master’s in dosimetry. Online programs in radiologic technology, typically found as bachelor’s completion programs for those who already have an associate’s degree in this field, can provide flexible avenues for self-directed study while still including opportunities to collaborate with peers. Continue learning about radiologic technologist and technician schools in Wisconsin with our table of radiologic technician programs, information on salary and employment levels for radiographers in Wisconsin, and more by reading below.

Quick Facts

• There are 15 not-for-profit colleges and universities with radiologic technology degree programs in Wisconsin.¹
• 3 schools offer a certificate program in radiologic science.¹
• 8 schools offer an associate’s degree in radiologic science.¹
• 7 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in radiologic science.¹
• No schools offer a master’s in radiologic science.¹
• 12 schools have medical imaging programs accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).²
• 5 schools have medical imaging programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).³
• 1 schools have medical imaging programs accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT).⁴

Table of Contents

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

Wisconsin Medical Imaging Schools Comparison

We have designed the following table to allow you to easily compare all the not-for-profit radiologic technology and medical imaging programs in Wisconsin on a variety of factors. You should check with the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) to ensure that the program you are considering will meet licensure requirements.

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

Select Schools in Wisconsin with Radiology Technologist Degree Programs

Concordia University Wisconsin

Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW) confers the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Radiologic Technology upon successful completion of its four-year program. Students will spend the first two years of the undergraduate program on campus at Concordia University, completing general education and liberal arts coursework. The final two years are spent in an accredited radiology technology program at an affiliated hospital, where students will complete clinical rotations and radiologic technology coursework. Students are not guaranteed a spot in the clinical component and must maintain a 2.5 GPA to be considered for clinical placement, although a GPA of 3.0 or higher is recommended. Shadowing a working radiologic technician for at least four hours during the pre-professional phase in the first two years of the program is highly encouraged.

Lakeshore Technical College

Lakeshore Technical College (LTC) hosts an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Radiography that will help graduates meet the requirements to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam. The 65-credit, two-year program begins in January with a mix of classroom and clinical education beginning in the first term. In addition to traditional radiography, students will be introduced to imaging technologies such as computed tomography, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Technical courses such as Imaging Modalities, Radiographic Imaging, and Radiographic Pathology are integrated with clinical work and general studies courses through all six terms of the program. Admission into the AAS in Radiography program requires students to submit transcripts from high school and any previous colleges; undergo a physical, drug screen, and Tuberculosis test; and complete four hours of clinical observation of a working radiographer.

Marian University

Students in Marian University’s radiologic technology program will complete four years of coursework and clinical rotations to earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Radiologic Technology (BSRT). Students spend the first two years of the program completing general college requirements in English, humanities, anatomy and physiology, and life systems before beginning radiologic technology coursework. Students also complete approximately 1,624 hours of clinical work during the program, with clinical rotations assigned in various environments, including MRI suites, emergency rooms, and intensive care units. These rotations take place at affiliated medical facilities such as Ascension NE Wisconsin-Mercy Campus, SSM Health St. Agnes Hospital, and Advocate Aurora Health. Applicants to the program must complete at least two separate four-hour job shadowing experiences before applying to the program. Licensed technicians with an associate degree interested in seeking a bachelor’s can apply to Marian’s BS in Radiologic Technology completion program, available entirely online.

University of Wisconsin-Lacrosse

The Department of Health Professions at the University of Wisconsin-Lacrosse (UW-Lacrosse) offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Radiologic Science with an emphasis in Radiation Therapy that requires six semesters of classroom work before beginning a 13-month clinical internship in July of the senior year. Students in the four-year program spend the first two years of coursework completing general education and pre-professional courses. In the fall of sophomore year, students will apply for the professional program. The professional program begins with a year of classes such as Patient Care Issues, Medical Imaging, and Pathophysiology before integrating clinical rotations with classroom work. Admission is competitive. Students wishing to proceed to the professional program must have a GPA of at least 2.75 with no less than a “C” in any required courses and complete 40 hours of professional shadowing. UW Lacrosse also offers undergraduate programs in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Nuclear Medicine Technology, and Radiologic Technology.

How to Become a Radiology Technologist in Wisconsin

Radiographers must hold a license or permit to practice in Wisconsin. The Radiography Examining Board (the Board), a division of the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS), oversees the state’s licensing of radiographers. Receiving a radiography license requires the following steps:

1. Complete a diploma, certificate, or degree in a radiologic modality. Candidates for licensure must complete an accredited program with a specific emphasis on radiography and, because ARRT certification is required, an associate degree. These may be the same program, but don’t have to be.
2. Take and pass a professional certification exam. The Board uses the ARRT examinations to fulfill this requirement.
3. Apply for ARRT certification. ARRT certification is not automatic, so you must apply for your credential after passing the exam.
4. Apply for a DSPS license/permit. Candidates must submit an application to the Board along with any applicable fees and any other necessary forms.
5. Complete the necessary continuing education and renew your credentials. Credentials must be renewed by August 31 of every even year. For each two-year renewal period, licensed radiographers must complete 24 hours of continuing education (CE) in programs approved by the ARRT.

You may also be licensed as a Limited X-Ray Machine Operator (LXMO) in Wisconsin. This allows you to take x-ray images of select areas of the body under supervision. To earn this credential, you must complete an acceptable program of education in limited scope radiography and then submit a preliminary application to the DSPS. If approved, the DSPS will send you instructions on registering for the ARRT Limited Scope of Practice in Radiography exam, which you must pass to earn the LXMO. After the ARRT confirms that you passed the exam, the DSPS will issue your credential.

Wisconsin Radiology Tech Salary and Job Outlook

Estimates project moderate job growth of 5.1% for radiologic technologists and technicians in Wisconsin through 2030.⁵ For comparison, the expected nationwide growth for radiologic technologists and technicians during the same time period is 8.6%.⁵ Among nonmetropolitan areas in the US, northeastern Wisconsin has the fifth-highest employment level for these professionals, with 420 radiologic technologists working in that part of the state.⁶ According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), an estimated 4,530 radiologic technologists and technicians were working in Wisconsin as of 2022 and their average annual salary was $66,670.⁷ 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. Hospitals, doctors’ offices, medical imaging facilities, government agencies, and other medical facilities all hire rad techs. University of Wisconsin Hospitals, SSM Health, Children’s Wisconsin, GE HealthCare, Gundersen Health System, and the Center for Diagnostic Imaging are among the hospitals and medical imaging centers that hire radiologic techs in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin 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