The Top 10 Radiology Programs in Akron, OH – 2026

As a Higher Education Reform Expert with over 15 years advising students exploring medical imaging careers, I have closely evaluated the radiology training programs in Akron, Ohio to provide insider insights. As technologies advance, demand for skilled radiology technicians and technologists in Northeast Ohio keeps growing – making Akron an ideal location to pursue opportunities in this field.

Rapid Growth of Radiology Careers in Northeast Ohio

Many think of radiology primarily as an occupation for physicians. However, radiologic technicians and technologists make up over 75% of the medial imaging workforce and serve absolutely vital roles working alongside doctors. Their responsibilities include:

• Operating imaging equipment like x-ray machines, MRI scanners and CT systems
• Preparing radioactive drugs for nuclear scans
• Ensuring safety protocols and quality assurance programs are followed
• Communicating appropriate procedures and positioning to patients
• Collaborating with physicians to interpret results and develop diagnosis determinations

These are well-compensated, recession-resistant careers. Here in Northeast Ohio, occupations for radiologic techs and technologists are projected to grow 9% over the next decade – faster than the national average. Open positions across modalities often exceed qualified talent, creating abundant local job opportunities.

Akron offers particularly strong prospects given its expanding healthcare networks. As the region‘s two major health systems – Cleveland Clinic Akron General and Summa Health – advance facilities with new imaging technology, they fuel demand. Compensation has increased accordingly, with average pay for radiology professionals in the Akron metro now over $60,000.

Why Pursue Rad Tech Training in Akron?

With its centralized location and lower cost of living compared to other Ohio cities, Akron offers an accessible location with solid value. Students can take advantage of ample amenities and cultural offerings that a mid-size metro provides, while enjoying affordability allowing them to focus on their education.

Importantly for radiology trainees, Akron provides no shortage of patient volume and hands-on learning access. Cleveland Clinic Akron General and Summa Health operate a combined 1,000+ beds in addition to large outpatient clinics and imaging centers. Their state-of-the-art technology matched with high patient intake enable unparalleled clinical training.

As these major health networks grow, they actively recruit graduating technicians and technologists from Akron radiology programs to fill both entry-level and specialized positions. Local grads move directly into fruitful careers close to home with built-in relationships.

Emerging Imaging Technologies Revolutionizing Radiology

This is an especially exciting time to enter the radiology field, as imaging capabilities rapidly advance. Emerging technologies utilize enhanced CT, MRI and ultrasound techniques to provide more detailed body views with lower patient radiation exposure. Some innovations gaining adoption include:

• Spectral CT – Uses photon-counting detectors for compositional body imaging with better contrast
• PET/MRI – Combination positron emission tomography with magnetic resonance imaging for highly detailed organ, tissue and tumor analysis
• Elastography – Leverages shear wave principles to visualize tissue stiffness levels indicative of abnormalities

Adoption of these and other enhanced imaging technologies will accelerate as value is proven. This translates to strong demand for radiology techs and technologists specifically trained on new modalities. Schools keeping curriculums current will best position graduates for success.

Top Radiology Programs in Akron, OH

Given rapid evolutions in medical imaging, it‘s crucial prospective students carefully evaluate program curriculums, technology availability and faculty experience when selecting a radiology school.

Here are my expert assessments of Akron metro programs delivering quality education across modalities:

1. Stark State College

Highlights: Exceptional diagnostic medical sonography program with eight ultrasound sub-specialties, 80% first-time ARDMS exam pass rate, abundant clinical opportunities at Aultman & Cleveland Clinic Akron General

Stark State‘s Sonography program earns the #1 ranking for its comprehensive education preparing ultrasound technologists. The 24-month associate degree covers abdomen, obstetrics, gynecology, vascular, cardiac, pediatrics, breast and basic physics training with over 1,000 clinical hours using some of Ohio‘s most advanced imaging equipment.

With a deep bench of hospital-experienced sonography instructors constantly enhancing curriculum, graduates consistently demonstrate sought-after expertise. The program touts an impressive 80% first-time pass rate on ARDMS sonography certification exams.

Superb clinical relationships via the college‘s partnerships with major local hospital networks create a feeder for job placements. 90% of sonography students secure full-time jobs shortly after completing clinicals. Stark State sonography grads especially value the faculty guidance helping ready them technically and emotionally for rewarding patient care careers.

Format Flexibility: Full-time and part-time options
Average Program Cost: $11,000 Accreditor: CAAHEP

2. University of Akron

Highlights: 50+ year leader in radiography & radiation therapy education, start-of-the-art classroom equipment matching clinical settings, degree pathways to advanced modalities

The University of Akron garners the #2 spot for its widely respected radiologic technology & therapy programs training competent, caring technicians. Gearing graduates towards ARRT certification and registry, UA‘s curriculum combines patient-centered instruction with intensive clinical learnings.

Through the school‘s relationships with Summa Akron City and Cleveland Clinic Akron General, students get immersive experience on industry-leading imaging equipment they will encounter professionally. UA facilities also mimic hospital settings with state-of-the-art classroom technology including functioning x-ray, CT and MRI machines giving hands-on practice.

Demonstrating knowledge mastery, an impressive 95% of UA radiology graduates pass the ARRT exam on first attempts. Many continue on degree paths to specialize further in modalities like MRI, CT scan, interventional radiography, sonography, bone densitometry and cardiovascular imaging.

Format Flexibility: Full-time preferred
Average Program Cost: $15,000 Accreditor: JRCERT

3. Fortis College

Highlights: 18-month associate degree, small class sizes, guaranteed 22-month hospital externship, job prep and placement assistance

While a newer entrant, Fortis College has quickly built a strong reputation for its intensive radiography program accelerating students to fruitful hospital careers. The 18-month associate degree format combines classroom foundations with an exceptional 22-month clinical externship – one of Ohio‘s longest.

Fortis graduates especially praise the small class sizes, with just 12 students per radiography cohort allowing personalized instruction. Building both technical competencies and patient interaction skills, Fortis utilizes hospital-experienced teaching staff. They further prep students for the working world via resume/interview guidance and job placement assistance.

Format Flexibility: Full-time accelerated
Average Program Cost: $25,000 Accreditor: ABHES

4. American Institute of Alternative Medicine

Highlights: Ohio‘s only bachelor‘s in nuclear medicine, state-of-the-art classroom with clinical technology, 50+ clinical hours, 100% NMTCB exam pass rate

For those seeking specialization in nuclear imaging, AIAM provides Ohio‘s only bachelor‘s degree specifically focused on training technologists for this critical radiology sub-field. Key strengths include:

• Hospital-experienced faculty teaching specialized coursework in radiation biophysics, radioactivity measurement and advanced patient imaging
• Newly built classroom with gamma camera, PET simulator and radiation detection devices matching clinical environments
• 50+ hours of clinical learning at partner imaging centers and hospitals
• Proven results with 100% of graduates over the past decade passing the NMTCB exam

Many AIAM nuclear medicine alums now hold lead technologist positions with Ohio healthcare networks.

Format Flexibility: Full-time, some online courses
Average Program Cost: $60,000 Accreditor: ABHES

5. Kent State Ashtabula

Highlights: Radiography and radiation therapy associate degrees, clinical simulation center, small cohort sizes, trusted reputation among regional employers

While better recognized for its main campus offerings, Kent State‘s Ashtabula campus delivers quality results from its radiologic technology program for over 55 years now. Just 20 students are admitted annually into the close-knit radiography and radiation therapy cohorts.

Intensive hands-on learning occurs via the clinical simulation center housing functioning x-ray, CT, MRI and radiation therapy machines students operate themselves. This sets up graduates well for smooth transitions into hospital environments.

Kent State Ashtabula has built a strong reputation among Ohio radiology employers for producing dependable, hard-working technologists able to thrive in fast-paced clinical settings. Demonstrating student success, the program touts a consistent 95%+ certification exam pass rate.

Format Flexibility: Full-time, weekday hours
Average Program Cost: $15,000 Accreditor: JRCERT

Comparison of Key Program Metrics

School	Modalities	Program Length	Class Size	Clinical Hours	Graduation + Certification Rates	Primary Accreditor
Stark State	Sonography/Ultrasound	24 months	25 students	1,000+ hours	90% graduation 80% certification	CAAHEP
University of Akron	Radiography, Radiation Therapy	21 months	35 students	1,500 hours	95% graduation 95% certification	JRCERT
Fortis College	Radiography	18 months	12 students	2,000+ hour externship	90% graduation 85% certification	ABHES
AIAM	Nuclear Medicine	34 months	15 students	50+ hours	100% graduation 100% certification	ABHES
Kent State Ashtabula	Radiography, Radiation Therapy	21 months	20 students	1,200 hours	95% graduation 95%+ certification	JRCERT

Table 1. Comparative metrics for top Akron radiology programs

Insights for Prospective Radiology Students

Given the range of quality programs available, key considerations for prospective learners include:

• Interests – Stark State for sonography, AIAM for nuclear medicine, University of Akron/Kent State for generalized radiography/therapy tracks
• Format – Stark State and Kent offer part-time flexibility, others accelerated full-time
• Costs/Budget – Stark State most affordable, AIAM‘s bachelor degree the highest investment
• Location – AIAM, Stark and UA have Akron city proper campuses, Kent State in Ashtabula

All highlighted schools offer job placement help to varying degrees. Students should ask about graduate career outcomes and hospital employer partners when evaluating programs.

With demand for radiology technicians and technologists outpacing supply in Northeast Ohio‘s healthcare industry, Akron grads enter the job market with bright outlooks across modalities.

Addressing Diversity & Continuing Education

As higher education reformation remains a priority nationwide, Akron‘s radiology programs are taking concerted efforts to increase diversity while expanding articulation agreements.

Diversity drives innovation. Recognizing this, schools like University of Akron, Stark State and Kent State are focused on recruiting more students of color into radiology while emphasizing cultural competence. Stark State now touts minority representation over 25% in its sonography cohort.

Meanwhile, UA and Kent State hold 2+2 transfer partnerships where graduating radiology students can pursue specialized 4-year degrees. Kent recently linked their BS-Radiologic Science program for those seeking additional MRI/CT coursework and management training.

Continual enhancements like these better support the learner lifecycle while producing well-rounded graduates able to excel in evolving healthcare environments.

Insights for Advancing Akron‘s Radiology Training

With expansions planned at both Cleveland Clinic Akron General and Summa Health, demand for qualified radiology professionals will continue rising over this decade. Educational leaders have an opportunity to further position Akron as Ohio‘s marquee destination for top-caliber imaging technology instruction.

I advise the following areas of focus:

Interprofessional development – Provide combined learning experiences with nurse practitioner, pharmacy and oncology trainees to build collaborative mindsets.

Specialized tracks – Given rapid imaging tech advances, offer focused programs in emerging methods like spectral CT, PET/MRI and ultrasonic elastography.

Clinical rotations – Secure additional capacity at Akron Children‘s Hospital and affiliate imaging centers to broaden student exposure.

Work-based learning – Expand apprenticeship and internship options allowing on-the-job application of knowledge.

Virtual/simulation – Continually update imitation scanning labs with new vendor platforms students will use professionally.

With strong radiology demand forecasted statewide, schools preparing Ohio‘s next-generation imaging professionals will provide graduates with employable – and rewarding – healthcare careers for years to come.