Best institutions to study Cardiopulmonary Technology/Technologist
A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of physicians and nurses, to perform both cardiovascular and pulmonary diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
4 U.S. institutions graduated 51 Cardiopulmonary Technology/Technologist students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.0915, a specialization of Allied Health Diagnostic (CIP 51.09), and leads most directly to the Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians occupation (BLS SOC 29-2031).
About Cardiopulmonary Technology/Technologist programs
A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of physicians and nurses, to perform both cardiovascular and pulmonary diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Includes instruction in cardiopulmonary pharmacology; anatomy and physiology of the heart, peripheral vascular system, and lungs; pulmonary and cardiovascular disease and dysfunction; peripheral vascular Doppler procedures; invasive and non-invasive cardiology; pulmonary function tests; blood gas analysis; echocardiograph procedures; bronchoscopy; patient management; patient history taking and record-keeping; applications to clinical research; and emergency procedures.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Cardiopulmonary Technology/Technologist program prepares individuals to perform essential cardiovascular and pulmonary diagnostic and therapeutic procedures under the supervision of healthcare professionals. This program is ideal for those interested in a career in health professions, focusing on the heart and lungs, and who enjoy working directly with patients in a clinical setting.
Students in this program will gain knowledge in cardiopulmonary pharmacology, anatomy and physiology, and various diagnostic procedures such as echocardiograms and pulmonary function tests. Core skills include active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication, essential for patient management and care.
Credentials awarded
What Cardiopulmonary Technology/Technologist graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree25 graduates / yr · 2 institutions49%
- Associate's degree14 graduates / yr · 1 institution28%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years12 graduates / yr · 1 institution24%
Graduates over time
Cardiopulmonary Technology/Technologist completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2014 | 25 |
| 2015 | 46 |
| 2016 | 37 |
| 2017 | 31 |
| 2018 | 69 |
| 2019 | 43 |
| 2020 | 45 |
| 2021 | 40 |
| 2022 | 51 |
| 2023 | 39 |
| 2024 | 45 |
| 2025 | 51 |
Top 4 institutions for Cardiopulmonary Technology/Technologist, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spokane Community College Spokane, WAPublicAssociate's | 14 | 33% | — | $63,228 |
| 2 | Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 13 | 63% | $31,672 | $74,202 |
| 3 | Florida SouthWestern State College Fort Myers, FLPublicBachelor's | 12 | 39% | — | $61,622 |
| 4 | American Institute of Medical Sciences & Education Piscataway, NJPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 12 | 88% | $40,225 | $53,576 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Allied Health Diagnostic field (CIP 51.09) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 3 states
Where Cardiopulmonary Technology/Technologist graduates come from. Each state links to all Allied Health Diagnostic programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 2 | 25 | Nova Southeastern University13 / yr |
| Washington | 1 | 14 | Spokane Community College14 / yr |
| New Jersey | 1 | 12 | American Institute of Medical Sciences & Education12 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 29-2031, Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Cardiopulmonary Technology program can pursue careers as Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians, with an annual growth rate of about 3% and approximately 3,800 job openings each year. The median wage for this profession is $67,260, with a typical education requirement of an Associate's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.0915
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cardiovascular Technologists and Techniciansprimary SOC 29-2031 | $74,310 | +3.0% About as fast as average | ~3,800 | Associate's degree |
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1071 | $107,310 | +17.3% Much faster than average | ~27,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other SOC 29-2099 | $50,290 | +5.2% Faster than average | ~13,600 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Cardiopulmonary Technology/Technologist programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Conduct electrocardiogram (EKG), phonocardiogram, echocardiogram, stress testing, or other cardiovascular tests to record patients' cardiac activity, using specialized electronic test equipment, recording devices, or laboratory instruments.
- Explain testing procedures to patients to obtain cooperation and reduce anxiety.
- Monitor patients' blood pressure and heart rate using electrocardiogram (EKG) equipment during diagnostic or therapeutic procedures to notify the physician if something appears wrong.
- Obtain and record patient identification, medical history, or test results.
- Monitor patients' comfort and safety during tests, alerting physicians to abnormalities or changes in patient responses.
- Prepare and position patients for testing.
Tools and technology used
Other Allied Health Diagnostic specializations
The 23 other 6-digit CIP codes under Allied Health Diagnostic (CIP 51.09).
- Emergency Medical Technology/CIP 51.0904
Technician (EMT Paramedic) 32,524 graduates / yr662 institutions - Physician Associate/CIP 51.0912
Assistant 13,740 graduates / yr277 institutions - Radiologic Technology/CIP 51.0911
Science - Radiographer 13,035 graduates / yr502 institutions - Surgical Technology/CIP 51.0909
Technologist 8,514 graduates / yr460 institutions - Diagnostic Medical Sonography/CIP 51.0910
Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician 7,984 graduates / yr330 institutions - Respiratory Care Therapy/CIP 51.0908
Therapist 6,816 graduates / yr389 institutions - Medical Radiologic Technology/CIP 51.0907
Science - Radiation Therapist 4,302 graduates / yr212 institutions - Athletic Training/CIP 51.0913
Trainer 3,326 graduates / yr302 institutions - Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment ProfessionsCIP 51.09992,359 graduates / yr80 institutions
- Cardiovascular Technology/CIP 51.0901
Technologist 1,902 graduates / yr91 institutions - Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Technology/CIP 51.0920
Technician 1,327 graduates / yr62 institutions - Electrocardiograph Technology/CIP 51.0902
Technician 858 graduates / yr43 institutions - Nuclear Medical Technology/CIP 51.0905
Technologist 707 graduates / yr69 institutions - Electroneurodiagnostic/CIP 51.0903
Electroencephalographic Technology/ Technologist 302 graduates / yr31 institutions - PolysomnographyCIP 51.0917242 graduates / yr25 institutions
- Perfusion Technology/CIP 51.0906
Perfusionist 171 graduates / yr14 institutions - Gene/CIP 51.0914
Genetic Therapy partial data92 graduates / yr3 institutions - Mammography Technology/CIP 51.0919
Technician 87 graduates / yr18 institutions - Radiation Protection/CIP 51.0916
Health Physics Technician partial data62 graduates / yr5 institutions - Orthopedic Technology/CIP 51.0923
Technician limited data22 graduates / yr2 institutions - Hearing Instrument SpecialistCIP 51.0918limited data4 graduates / yr1 institutions
Show 2 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Hyperbaric Medicine Technology/
Technician51.0921 - Intraoperative Neuromonitoring Technology/
Technician51.0922
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Common questions
What degrees are offered in this program?+
The program offers a Bachelor's degree, Associate's degree, and an award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, monitoring, and effective communication.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is about 3% growth with approximately 3,800 annual openings.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
You can work as a Cardiovascular Technologist, Health Specialties Teacher, or in other health technology roles.
What is the CIP code for Cardiopulmonary Technology/Technologist?+
Cardiopulmonary Technology/Technologist is CIP 51.0915 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Allied Health Diagnostic (CIP 51.09). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of physicians and nurses, to perform both cardiovascular and pulmonary diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Includes instruction in cardiopulmonary pharmacology; anatomy and physiology of the heart, peripheral vascular system, and lungs; pulmonary and cardiovascular disease and dysfunction; peripheral vascular Doppler procedures; invasive and non-invasive cardiology; pulmonary function tests; blood gas analysis; echocardiograph procedures; bronchoscopy; patient management; patient history taking and record-keeping; applications to clinical research; and emergency procedures.
How many institutions offer Cardiopulmonary Technology/Technologist programs?+
4 U.S. institutions reported Cardiopulmonary Technology/Technologist graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 3 states, awarding 51 credentials in the year. That is 0.1% of all Allied Health Diagnostic graduates.
How much do Cardiopulmonary Technology/Technologist graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians occupation, which Cardiopulmonary Technology/Technologist most directly leads to, pays a median of $74,310 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Allied Health Diagnostic field report median earnings of $63,228 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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