Best institutions to study Electrocardiograph Technology/Technician
A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of physicians and nurses, to administer EKG and ECG diagnostic examinations and report results to the treatment team.
43 U.S. institutions graduated 858 Electrocardiograph Technology/Technician students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.0902, 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 Electrocardiograph Technology/Technician programs
A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of physicians and nurses, to administer EKG and ECG diagnostic examinations and report results to the treatment team. Includes instruction in basic anatomy and physiology, the cardiovascular system, medical terminology, cardiovascular medications and effects, patient care, EKG and ECG administration, equipment operation and maintenance, interpretation of cardiac rhythm, patient record management, and professional standards and ethics.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Electrocardiograph Technology/Technician program prepares individuals to perform EKG and ECG diagnostic examinations under the supervision of healthcare professionals. This program is ideal for those interested in a career in the health professions, specifically in roles that support cardiovascular health and patient care.
Students will gain knowledge in basic anatomy and physiology, the cardiovascular system, medical terminology, and patient care. Coursework includes training in EKG and ECG administration, equipment operation, interpretation of cardiac rhythm, and professional standards and ethics.
Credentials awarded
What Electrocardiograph Technology/Technician graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of less than 12 weeks414 graduates / yr · 18 institutions48%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year393 graduates / yr · 23 institutions46%
- Associate's degree35 graduates / yr · 3 institutions4.1%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years16 graduates / yr · 2 institutions1.9%
Graduates over time
Electrocardiograph Technology/Technician completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,408 |
| 2013 | 910 |
| 2014 | 844 |
| 2015 | 766 |
| 2016 | 870 |
| 2017 | 738 |
| 2018 | 698 |
| 2019 | 773 |
| 2020 | 689 |
| 2021 | 568 |
| 2022 | 652 |
| 2023 | 611 |
| 2024 | 677 |
| 2025 | 858 |
Top 43 institutions for Electrocardiograph Technology/Technician, 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 | Nunez Community College Chalmette, LAPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 73 | 27% | — | $53,528 |
| 2 | Downey Adult School Downey, CAPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 53 | 31% | — | — |
| 3 | GateWay Community College - Central City Phoenix, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 50 | 55% | — | $63,579 |
| 4 | Sheridan Technical College Hollywood, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 42 | 69% | — | — |
| 5 | Allan Hancock College Santa Maria, CAPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 38 | 26% | — | — |
| 6 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, INPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 37 | 40% | — | $55,499 |
| 7 | Columbus State Community College Columbus, OHPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 35 | 28% | — | — |
| 8 | Louisiana Delta Community College Monroe, LAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 34 | 30% | — | — |
| 9 | Sinclair Community College Dayton, OHPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 32 | 41% | — | $57,923 |
| 10 | Green River College Auburn, WAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 32 | 39% | — | — |
| 11 | William T McFatter Technical College Davie, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 30 | 66% | — | — |
| 12 | Central Louisiana Technical Community College Alexandria, LAPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 28 | 70% | — | — |
| 13 | Horry - Georgetown Technical College Conway, SCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 24 | 38% | — | $42,533 |
| 14 | Lansing Community College Lansing, MIPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 23 | 25% | — | $62,717 |
| 15 | Bossier Parish Community College Bossier City, LAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 21 | 15% | — | $69,595 |
| 16 | Polaris Career Center Middleburg Heights, OHPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 21 | 77% | — | — |
| 17 | Austin Medical Assistant Training Forest Hills, NYPrivate for-profitAward of less than 12 weeks | 21 | 100% | — | — |
| 18 | Jackson College Jackson, MIPublicAssociate's | 20 | 16% | — | $48,583 |
| 19 | Contra Costa Medical Career College Antioch, CAPrivate for-profitAward of less than 12 weeks | 20 | 100% | — | $78,315 |
| 20 | American Institute of Medical Sciences & Education Piscataway, NJPrivate for-profitAward of less than 12 weeks | 19 | 88% | $40,225 | $53,576 |
| 21 | Milwaukee Area Technical College Milwaukee, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 18 | 25% | — | $54,937 |
| 22 | Bristol Community College Fall River, MAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 17 | 22% | — | — |
| 23 | Edmonds College Lynnwood, WAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of less than 12 weeks | 16 | 29% | — | — |
| 24 | City College of San Francisco San Francisco, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 15 | 40% | — | — |
| 25 | Delgado Community College New Orleans, LAPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 15 | 24% | — | $47,284 |
| 26 | Baker College Owosso, MIPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 14 | 36% | $15,493 | $46,984 |
| 27 | Hudson Valley Community College Troy, NYPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 14 | 35% | — | $58,246 |
| 28 | Orange Coast College Costa Mesa, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 13 | 48% | — | $68,484 |
| 29 | Southern Crescent Technical College Griffin, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 13 | 58% | — | $42,632 |
| 30 | Washington State College of Ohio Marietta, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 9 | 32% | — | $46,879 |
| 31 | Washtenaw Community College Ann Arbor, MIPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 8 | 33% | — | $54,371 |
| 32 | Atlantic Technical College Coconut Creek, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 7 | 65% | — | — |
| 33 | Parkland College Champaign, ILPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 7 | 32% | — | $55,060 |
| 34 | Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 7 | 70% | $28,133 | $78,298 |
| 35 | Cuyahoga Valley Career Center Brecksville, OHPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 7 | 81% | — | — |
| 36 | Cochise County Community College District Sierra Vista, AZPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 6 | 30% | — | — |
| 37 | Pensacola State College Pensacola, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 36% | — | $39,962 |
| 38 | College of DuPage Glen Ellyn, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 25% | — | $53,537 |
| 39 | Carnegie Institute Troy, MIPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 50% | $14,418 | — |
| 40 | Trinity Valley Community College Athens, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 27% | — | $50,185 |
| 41 | Healthcare Training Institute Kenner, LAPrivate for-profitAward of less than 12 weeks | 2 | 29% | $22,975 | — |
| 42 | Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 47% | — | $40,965 |
| 43 | New Mexico State University - Alamogordo Alamogordo, NMPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 14% | — | $56,196 |
* 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 17 states
Where Electrocardiograph Technology/Technician graduates come from. Each state links to all Allied Health Diagnostic programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | 6 | 173 | Nunez Community College73 / yr |
| California | 5 | 139 | Downey Adult School53 / yr |
| Ohio | 5 | 104 | Columbus State Community College35 / yr |
| Florida | 4 | 85 | Sheridan Technical College42 / yr |
| Michigan | 5 | 67 | Lansing Community College23 / yr |
| Arizona | 2 | 56 | GateWay Community College - Central City50 / yr |
| Washington | 2 | 48 | Green River College32 / yr |
| New York | 3 | 42 | Austin Medical Assistant Training21 / yr |
| Indiana | 1 | 37 | Ivy Tech Community College37 / yr |
| South Carolina | 1 | 24 | Horry - Georgetown Technical College24 / yr |
| New Jersey | 1 | 19 | American Institute of Medical Sciences & Education19 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 18 | Milwaukee Area Technical College18 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 17 | Bristol Community College17 / yr |
| Georgia | 2 | 15 | Southern Crescent Technical College13 / yr |
| Illinois | 2 | 11 | Parkland College7 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 2 | Trinity Valley Community College2 / yr |
| New Mexico | 1 | 1 | New Mexico State University - Alamogordo1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 29-2031, Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates can pursue careers as Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians, with an annual median wage of $67,260. The job outlook is about as fast as average, with an expected growth rate of 3% and approximately 3,800 annual openings in the field, typically requiring an Associate's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.0902
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 |
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 Electrocardiograph Technology/Technician 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 - 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 - Cardiopulmonary Technology/CIP 51.0915
Technologist partial data51 graduates / yr4 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 is the duration of the program?+
The program can be completed in less than 12 weeks to up to 2 academic years, depending on the award type.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, monitoring, and patient communication.
What kind of jobs can I get after graduation?+
Graduates typically work as Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians.
How many colleges offer this program?+
There are 43 colleges in the U.S. offering the Electrocardiograph Technology/Technician program.
What is the CIP code for Electrocardiograph Technology/Technician?+
Electrocardiograph Technology/Technician is CIP 51.0902 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 administer EKG and ECG diagnostic examinations and report results to the treatment team. Includes instruction in basic anatomy and physiology, the cardiovascular system, medical terminology, cardiovascular medications and effects, patient care, EKG and ECG administration, equipment operation and maintenance, interpretation of cardiac rhythm, patient record management, and professional standards and ethics.
How many institutions offer Electrocardiograph Technology/Technician programs?+
43 U.S. institutions reported Electrocardiograph Technology/Technician graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 17 states, awarding 858 credentials in the year. That is 0.9% of all Allied Health Diagnostic graduates.
How much do Electrocardiograph Technology/Technician graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians occupation, which Electrocardiograph Technology/Technician 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 $54,371 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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