Best institutions to study Nuclear Medical Technology/Technologist
A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of physicians, to employ radioactive and stable nuclides in diagnostic evaluations and therapeutic applications while monitoring for patient health and safety.
69 U.S. institutions graduated 707 Nuclear Medical Technology/Technologist students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.0905, a specialization of Allied Health Diagnostic (CIP 51.09), and leads most directly to the Nuclear Medicine Technologists occupation (BLS SOC 29-2033).
About Nuclear Medical Technology/Technologist programs
A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of physicians, to employ radioactive and stable nuclides in diagnostic evaluations and therapeutic applications while monitoring for patient health and safety. Includes instruction in nuclear physics, health physics, instrumentation and statistics, biochemistry, immunology, radiopharmacology, radiation biology, clinical nuclear medicine, radionuclide therapy, computer applications, safety regulations, equipment operation, quality control, laboratory procedures, taking patient histories, patient evaluation and monitoring, emergency first aid, administration and record-keeping, and personnel supervision.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Nuclear Medical Technology/Technologist program prepares individuals to work in the healthcare field, specifically in diagnostic evaluations and therapeutic applications using radioactive and stable nuclides. Under the supervision of physicians, students learn to ensure patient health and safety while employing advanced technology in medical settings. This program is ideal for those interested in combining healthcare with technology and science.
Students in this program gain essential skills in nuclear physics, health physics, and instrumentation, along with knowledge in biochemistry, immunology, and radiopharmacology. Coursework includes training in patient evaluation, emergency first aid, and laboratory procedures, equipping graduates with a comprehensive understanding of nuclear medicine practices.
Credentials awarded
What Nuclear Medical Technology/Technologist graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree297 graduates / yr · 34 institutions42%
- Associate's degree263 graduates / yr · 25 institutions37%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years107 graduates / yr · 12 institutions15%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year17 graduates / yr · 4 institutions2.4%
- Master's degree16 graduates / yr · 3 institutions2.3%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years7 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.0%
Graduates over time
Nuclear Medical Technology/Technologist completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 948 |
| 2013 | 853 |
| 2014 | 774 |
| 2015 | 734 |
| 2016 | 710 |
| 2017 | 674 |
| 2018 | 589 |
| 2019 | 666 |
| 2020 | 598 |
| 2021 | 617 |
| 2022 | 575 |
| 2023 | 587 |
| 2024 | 596 |
| 2025 | 707 |
Top 50 institutions for Nuclear Medical 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 | University of Oklahoma - Health Sciences Center Oklahoma City, OKPublicBachelor's | 47 | — | — | $67,979 |
| 2 | Pitt Community College Winterville, NCPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 44 | 35% | — | $57,572 |
| 3 | The University of Findlay Findlay, OHPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsBachelor'sAssociate'sMaster's | 32 | 58% | $23,128 | $62,752 |
| 4 | Houston City College Houston, TXPublicAssociate's | 25 | 17% | — | $64,648 |
| 5 | Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts San Jose, CAPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 25 | 64% | $31,949 | $77,617 |
| 6 | Weber State University Ogden, UTPublicBachelor's | 24 | 46% | — | $67,333 |
| 7 | Broward College Fort Lauderdale, FLPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 21 | 39% | — | $45,720 |
| 8 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 19 | 75% | — | $75,317 |
| 9 | University of Wisconsin - La Crosse La Crosse, WIPublicBachelor's | 19 | 71% | — | $60,232 |
| 10 | GateWay Community College Phoenix, AZPublicAssociate's | 18 | 29% | — | $57,315 |
| 11 | University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Little Rock, ARPublicBachelor's | 18 | — | — | $63,598 |
| 12 | Oregon Institute of Technology Klamath Falls, ORPublicBachelor's | 17 | 54% | — | $83,906 |
| 13 | Community College of Allegheny County Pittsburgh, PAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 17 | 24% | — | $55,599 |
| 14 | Ferris State University Big Rapids, MIPublicBachelor's | 16 | 47% | — | $51,971 |
| 15 | Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute Hudson, NCPublicAssociate's | 15 | 45% | — | $52,283 |
| 16 | Chattanooga State Community College Chattanooga, TNPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 15 | 26% | — | $53,180 |
| 17 | Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, FLPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 14 | 61% | $35,483 | $47,863 |
| 18 | Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster Lancaster, PAPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 14 | 69% | $36,413 | $63,990 |
| 19 | Old Dominion University Norfolk, VAPublicBachelor's | 12 | 46% | — | — |
| 20 | Santa Fe College Gainesville, FLPublicAssociate's | 11 | 53% | — | $57,763 |
| 21 | Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsBachelor's | 11 | 62% | $35,358 | $76,575 |
| 22 | Hillsborough College Tampa, FLPublicAssociate's | 10 | 34% | — | $45,319 |
| 23 | Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science Rochester, MNPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 10 | — | — | $72,446 |
| 24 | Molloy University Rockville Centre, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 10 | 70% | $25,812 | $94,599 |
| 25 | University at Buffalo Buffalo, NYPublicBachelor's | 10 | 75% | — | — |
| 26 | Forsyth Technical Community College Winston-Salem, NCPublicAssociate's | 10 | 34% | — | $54,726 |
| 27 | AdventHealth University Orlando, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 9 | 39% | $31,894 | $77,225 |
| 28 | Amarillo College Amarillo, TXPublicAssociate's | 9 | 32% | — | $53,099 |
| 29 | Galveston College Galveston, TXPublicAssociate's | 9 | 33% | — | $64,633 |
| 30 | College of DuPage Glen Ellyn, ILPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 8 | 25% | — | $53,537 |
| 31 | Prince George's Community College Largo, MDPublicAssociate's | 8 | 18% | — | $68,506 |
| 32 | University of Mississippi University, MSPublicMaster's | 8 | 72% | — | $50,045 |
| 33 | University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, ALPublicMaster's | 7 | 64% | — | — |
| 34 | Indiana University - Indianapolis Indianapolis, INPublicBachelor's | 7 | 54% | — | $71,505 |
| 35 | University of Iowa Iowa City, IAPublicBachelor's | 7 | 75% | — | $61,373 |
| 36 | Delgado Community College New Orleans, LAPublicAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 7 | 24% | — | $47,284 |
| 37 | Rowan College of South Jersey - Gloucester Campus Sewell, NJPublicAssociate's | 7 | 39% | — | $54,623 |
| 38 | Robert Morris University Moon Township, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 66% | $24,175 | $58,842 |
| 39 | Baptist Health College Little Rock Little Rock, ARPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 6 | — | $34,755 | $44,984 |
| 40 | Loma Linda University Loma Linda, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | — | — | $92,363 |
| 41 | Connecticut State Community College New Britain, CTPublicAssociate's | 6 | 24% | — | $76,553 |
| 42 | Miami Dade College Miami, FLPublicAssociate's | 6 | 46% | — | $64,692 |
| 43 | Saint Louis University Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 80% | $24,886 | $62,107 |
| 44 | Cincinnati State Technical and Community College Cincinnati, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 16% | — | $48,283 |
| 45 | University of Cincinnati - Blue Ash College Blue Ash, OHPublicAssociate's | 6 | 16% | — | $75,317 |
| 46 | Cuyahoga Community College District Cleveland, OHPublicAssociate's | 6 | 31% | — | $52,018 |
| 47 | University of the Incarnate Word San Antonio, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 51% | $21,745 | — |
| 48 | Tarrant County College District Fort Worth, TXPublicAssociate's | 6 | 34% | — | $57,721 |
| 49 | Bellevue College Bellevue, WAPublicAssociate's | 6 | 36% | — | $79,877 |
| 50 | University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences San Juan, PRPublicBachelor's | 6 | — | — | — |
* 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 36 states & territories
Where Nuclear Medical Technology/Technologist graduates come from. Each state links to all Allied Health Diagnostic programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 29-2033, Nuclear Medicine Technologists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program typically pursue careers as Nuclear Medicine Technologists, with an annual job outlook of approximately 900 openings. The field is expected to grow at a rate of 3%, and many professionals hold an Associate's degree, earning a median wage of $97,020 per year.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.0905
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Nuclear Medicine Technologistsprimary SOC 29-2033 | $101,370 | +3.0% About as fast as average | ~900 | 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 Nuclear Medical 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
- Administer radiopharmaceuticals or radiation intravenously to detect or treat diseases, using radioisotope equipment, under direction of a physician.
- Detect and map radiopharmaceuticals in patients' bodies, using a camera to produce photographic or computer images.
- Process cardiac function studies, using computer.
- Calculate, measure, and record radiation dosage or radiopharmaceuticals received, used, and disposed, using computer and following physician's prescription.
- Record and process results of procedures.
- Produce a computer-generated or film image for interpretation by a physician.
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 - 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 degree do I need to become a Nuclear Medicine Technologist?+
Most positions require at least an Associate's degree.
What skills are important for success in this field?+
Critical thinking, active listening, and strong knowledge in science and mathematics are essential.
What is the job outlook for Nuclear Medicine Technologists?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with approximately 900 annual openings.
What tasks will I perform as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist?+
You will administer radiopharmaceuticals, detect and map their distribution in patients, and process results of procedures.
What is the CIP code for Nuclear Medical Technology/Technologist?+
Nuclear Medical Technology/Technologist is CIP 51.0905 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, to employ radioactive and stable nuclides in diagnostic evaluations and therapeutic applications while monitoring for patient health and safety. Includes instruction in nuclear physics, health physics, instrumentation and statistics, biochemistry, immunology, radiopharmacology, radiation biology, clinical nuclear medicine, radionuclide therapy, computer applications, safety regulations, equipment operation, quality control, laboratory procedures, taking patient histories, patient evaluation and monitoring, emergency first aid, administration and record-keeping, and personnel supervision.
How many institutions offer Nuclear Medical Technology/Technologist programs?+
69 U.S. institutions reported Nuclear Medical Technology/Technologist graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 36 states & territories, awarding 707 credentials in the year. That is 0.7% of all Allied Health Diagnostic graduates.
How much do Nuclear Medical Technology/Technologist graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Nuclear Medicine Technologists occupation, which Nuclear Medical Technology/Technologist most directly leads to, pays a median of $101,370 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Allied Health Diagnostic field report median earnings of $60,999 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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