Radiology Technologist Schools and Careers in Colorado

The colleges and universities in Colorado offer a variety of 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 make an educated decision on where to attend school. As an alternative to traditional on-campus courses, you might also consider online radiologic technologist and technician schools, which can provide greater flexibility and reduced time commuting. Read about the difference between radiology technologists and radiology technicians. Keep reading this page 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 9 colleges and universities with radiologic technology degree programs in Colorado.¹
• 2 schools offer a certificate program in radiologic science.¹
• 7 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
• 4 schools have medical imaging programs accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).²
• 1 school has a medical imaging program 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

For not-for-profit schools with radiologic technology programs.

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 all of the not-for-profit radiologic technology and medical imaging programs in Colorado on a variety of factors. You should 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 should be able to sit for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam. CMU students typically take two years of coursework before applying to the BSRS; during this time it is recommended that students complete all required foundational and essential learning courses. 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 year. Students will begin clinical rotations in their first semester of the program. Admission to the BSRS is limited; 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 semesters and will help students meet the requirements 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 designed to help students prepare for the ARRT certification 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 a radiologic technologist or technician 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. Students will take classes and intern at a local hospital or medical facility beginning in the program’s first semester. Clinical rotations and coursework 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, before which all prerequisite courses for the program must be completed or in progress. Applicants must have 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 in Radiologic Technology (BAS-RT) program.

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 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. Admission to the program requires a background check, drug test, and a physical evaluation.

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 for their chosen discipline. 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

Colorado occupational estimates between 2018 and 2028 show an expected 25.1% increase in radiologic technologist employment.⁵ This is much faster than the national projection for radiologic technologist job growth, which is estimated at 9% 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 $66,420 as of 2019, higher than the national average salary for that position of $63,120.⁶ There were an estimated 3,750 radiologic technologists working in the state as of 2019.⁶ 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, Southwest Diagnostic Centers, 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-a-Program.aspx
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