Your Career in Medical Imaging in Massachusetts Starts Here

There are many reasons to consider pursuing a career in radiology. As this nation’s population continues to age, the radiology profession is following the overall healthcare trend and is growing at a rate that’s twice as fast as the national average for other professions.

(Leer esta información en español)

In the state of Massachusetts, the radiology field is going strong, with about 4,210 radiological technologists currently employed, with dozens of new jobs estimated to appear over the next several years.

Radiologic Technology Schools in Massachusetts

In the state of Massachusetts, there are currently 12 school programs for radiography that are accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiology Technology (JRCERT):

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences University: Located in the picturesque capital city of Boston, this 4-year university offers a Bachelor of Science degree from its Radiography program, which is an accelerated, year-round program that takes 32 months to complete. This program features extensive laboratory classes and supervised field experience. Graduates of this program are eligible to take the American Regis­try of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam.

• Middlesex Community College, Bedford
• Bunker Hill Community College, Boston
• North Shore Community College, Danvers
• Regis College, Medford
• Holyoke Community College, Holyoke
• Massasoit Community College, Brockton
• Northern Essex Community College, Lawrence
• Quinsigamond Community College, Worcester
• Roxbury Community College, Boston
• MassBay Community College, Framingham
• Springfield Technical Community College, Springfield

Other Schools to Consider Radiologic Technology Program

The radiography programs listed below are not currently accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiology Technology (JRCERT), but many are accredited by other organizations and still offer quality radiological technology education and training:

Suffolk University, Boston

Massachusetts Bay Community College

Leaving Massachusetts, there are options in Concord and Lebanon, New Hampshire, to the north, various locations in Connecticut, including Hartford, New Haven, and Bridgeport, to the south, many options in New York State, including Syracuse, Utica, and Binghampton, to the west, as well as schools in Lincoln and Providence, RI and Burlington and Bennington, VT.

Large Employers in Radiology

Many large healthcare facilities employ radiologic technologists in Massachusetts, especially in Boston and other cities. While major hospitals provide the bulk of employment opportunities, small clinics and rural doctors’ offices employ radiological technologists as well.

Professional Organizations

For career support and valuable professional resources such as employment listings, continuing education, and conferences, radiologic technologists and students should consider joining a state organization such as the Massachusetts Society of Radiologic Technologists (MSRT). For aspiring radiology students, the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) is a valuable resource on radiology education.

American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT)

The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) is the world’s largest and most recognized certifying body for radiologic technologists. It is the only organization that offers certification in the field, and its certification process ensures that technologists have attained a certain level of knowledge and experience before they can practice. ARRT also offers continuing education and professional development opportunities, as well as a comprehensive directory of certified technologists.

Accredited Radiology Tech Programs in Massachusetts: 2026 Guide

Massachusetts employs 5,500 radiologic technologists and technicians, and the median annual wage sits at $103,620 – well above the national median – according to BLS May 2025 OEWS data. That figure matters when you are choosing between a $7,288 community college program and a $56,820 university degree, because the payback period looks very different depending on where you start. This page covers every JRCERT-accredited radiography program in the state, what each one costs, how graduates perform on the ARRT exam, and what Massachusetts requires before you can work clinically.

JRCERT-Accredited Radiography Programs in Massachusetts

All 13 programs listed below hold active JRCERT accreditation. Completion rate, exam pass rate, and job placement rate come directly from JRCERT program data. Tuition figures reflect program-total costs as reported to JRCERT and should be confirmed with each institution before you apply, since fees and materials costs vary.

Program Listings

Bunker Hill Community College – Boston

Location: 250 New Rutherford Avenue, Boston, MA 02129
Program type: Radiography | Format: Part-time available
Resident tuition: $6,250 | Non-resident tuition: $12,850
Completion rate: 97% | ARRT exam pass rate: 79% | Job placement rate: 100%
Total program capacity: 132
Clinical affiliates include: Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston Children’s Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston Medical Center, and more than 20 additional sites across Greater Boston.

Bunker Hill offers one of the lowest resident tuition totals in the state and part-time scheduling, which makes it accessible for students who cannot stop working entirely. The 97% completion rate is among the strongest in Massachusetts. The 79% ARRT pass rate is below the state average, so ask the program what ARRT prep resources are built into the curriculum before you enroll.

Holyoke Community College – Holyoke

Location: 303 Homestead Avenue, Holyoke, MA 01040
Program type: Radiography | Program length: 21 months
Resident tuition: $8,463 | Non-resident tuition: $12,583
Completion rate: 87% | ARRT exam pass rate: 94% | Job placement rate: 100%
Total program capacity: 36
Clinical affiliates include: Baystate Franklin Medical Center, Berkshire Medical Center, Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Holyoke Hospital, and Mercy Hospital.

A 94% ARRT pass rate paired with a relatively low tuition makes Holyoke one of the stronger value options in western Massachusetts. Clinical sites are concentrated in the Pioneer Valley and Berkshires, which suits students based in that region.

MCPHS University – Boston

Location: 179 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115
Program type: Radiography | Program length: 32 months
Tuition (resident and non-resident): $56,820
Completion rate: 92% | ARRT exam pass rate: 89% | Job placement rate: 100%
Total program capacity: 80 | Accreditation term: 8 years
Clinical affiliates include: Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston Children’s Hospital, Tufts Medical Center, VA Boston Healthcare System, and more than 30 additional sites.

MCPHS is the most expensive radiography program in Massachusetts by a significant margin. The 32-month length and bachelor’s-level award give graduates a credential that can support faster entry into advanced imaging roles. The 89% ARRT pass rate is above the state midpoint. Weigh the tuition carefully against the salary data: at $103,620 median, the return on investment timeline from a $56,820 program is longer than from a $7,288 program delivering similar placement outcomes.

MassBay Community College – Framingham

Location: 490 Franklin Street, Framingham, MA 01702
Program type: Radiography | Format: Evening and part-time available | Program length: 21 months
Resident tuition: $9,360 | Non-resident tuition: $8,970
Completion rate: 86% | ARRT exam pass rate: 85% | Job placement rate: 100%
Total program capacity: 75 | Accreditation term: 8 years
Clinical affiliates include: Brigham and Women’s Hospital, New England Baptist Hospital, Tufts Medical Center, VA Boston Healthcare System, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, and UMass Memorial Health.

MassBay offers evening and part-time scheduling, which is rare among Massachusetts radiography programs. Clinical sites span the MetroWest corridor into Boston, giving students exposure to both community and academic medical center settings.

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts – North Adams

Location: 375 Church Street, North Adams, MA 01247
Program type: Radiography | Program length: 45 months
Resident tuition: $11,885 | Non-resident tuition: $20,830
Completion rate: 100% | ARRT exam pass rate: 84% | Job placement rate: 100%
Total program capacity: 40 | Accreditation term: 8 years
Clinical affiliates include: Berkshire Medical Center, Fairview Hospital, Albany Medical Center (NY), Brattleboro Memorial Hospital (VT), and Rutland Regional Medical Center (VT).

MCLA is the only Massachusetts program with a 100% completion rate and a 45-month program length, which reflects a full bachelor’s degree structure. Clinical placements cross into New York and Vermont, reflecting the geographic reality of the Berkshires. This is the primary option for students in far western Massachusetts.

Massasoit Community College – Brockton

Location: 1 Massasoit Blvd., Brockton, MA 02302
Program type: Radiography | Program length: 21 months
Resident tuition: $16,644 | Non-resident tuition: $31,682
Completion rate: 100% | ARRT exam pass rate: 81% | Job placement rate: 100%
Total program capacity: 44 | Accreditation term: 5 years
Clinical affiliates include: Cape Cod Hospital, South Shore Hospital, Charlton Memorial Hospital, Falmouth Hospital, St. Luke’s Hospital, and Morton Hospital.

Massasoit covers the South Shore and Cape Cod clinical corridor well. The 100% completion rate is notable. Resident tuition is higher than several comparable community college programs in the state, so compare carefully. The 5-year accreditation term (rather than the maximum 8-year term) is worth asking the program about when you inquire.

Middlesex Community College – Bedford

Location: 591 Springs Road, Bedford, MA 01730
Program type: Radiography | Program length: 21 months
Resident tuition: $20,376 | Non-resident tuition: $21,376
Completion rate: 92% | ARRT exam pass rate: 88% | Job placement rate: 100%
Total program capacity: 41 | Accreditation term: 8 years
Clinical affiliates include: Lahey Hospital and Medical Center, Winchester Hospital, Emerson Hospital, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, and Lowell General Hospital.

Middlesex has the highest resident tuition among Massachusetts community colleges in this dataset, which is worth scrutinizing given that programs at North Shore and Quinsigamond cost less while delivering comparable or higher pass rates. That said, the 88% ARRT pass rate and strong clinical network are genuine positives.

North Shore Community College – Danvers

Location: 1 Ferncroft Road, Danvers, MA 01923
Program type: Radiography | Program length: 21 months
Resident tuition: $7,378 | Non-resident tuition: $7,784
Completion rate: 100% | ARRT exam pass rate: 91% | Job placement rate: 100%
Total program capacity: 32 | Accreditation term: 8 years
Clinical affiliates include: Beverly Hospital, North Shore Medical Center at Salem Hospital, Beth Israel Health Care Center in Danvers, and Mass General Brigham sites in Beverly and Lynn.

North Shore combines a 100% completion rate, a 91% ARRT pass rate, and one of the lowest tuition totals in the state. For students on the North Shore, this program is hard to overlook. Note that clinical placements also include sites in southern New Hampshire, which requires reliable transportation.

Northern Essex Community College – Lawrence

Location: 414 Common Street, Lawrence, MA 01840
Program type: Radiography | Program length: 21 months
Resident tuition: $8,872
Completion rate: 85% | ARRT exam pass rate: 94% | Job placement rate: 100%
Total program capacity: 34 | Accreditation term: 8 years
Clinical affiliates include: Lawrence General Hospital, Holy Family Hospital Methuen, Anna Jaques Hospital, and Lowell General Hospital.

Northern Essex ties Holyoke for the highest ARRT pass rate in the state at 94%, at a resident tuition under $9,000. Non-resident tuition was not reported to JRCERT at time of data collection – contact the program directly. Clinical placements are concentrated in the Merrimack Valley, which is ideal for students in the Lawrence and Lowell area.

Quincy College – Quincy

Location: 1250 Hancock St., Quincy, MA 02169
Program type: Radiography | Award: Associate of Science in Radiologic Technology | Program length: 20 months
Tuition (resident and non-resident): $17,060
Clinical affiliates include: Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston Medical Center, South Shore Hospital, Cape Cod Hospital, and more than 25 additional sites.
Note: Completion rate, ARRT pass rate, and job placement rate were not available in the JRCERT dataset at time of publication. Contact the program directly for current outcomes data.

Quincy College’s 20-month program is the shortest in this listing. The clinical affiliate list is extensive, covering Greater Boston, the South Shore, and Cape Cod. Because outcome metrics were not reported, ask the program directly for its most recent ARRT first-attempt pass rate before applying.

Quinsigamond Community College – Worcester

Location: 25 Federal Street, Worcester, MA 01608
Program type: Radiography | Program length: 24 months
Resident tuition: $7,750 | Non-resident tuition: $14,900
Completion rate: 94% | ARRT exam pass rate: 81% | Job placement rate: 100%
Total program capacity: 51 | Accreditation term: 8 years
Clinical affiliates include: UMass Memorial Medical Center (three campuses), St. Vincent Hospital, Harrington Hospital, Milford Regional Medical Center, and VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System.

Quinsigamond is the central Massachusetts option, with strong UMass Memorial and VA affiliations. At $7,750 resident tuition and a 94% completion rate, it offers solid value for students in the Worcester region. The 81% ARRT pass rate is worth discussing with the program – ask specifically about mock exams, review resources, and recent cohort performance.

Regis College – Medford

Location: 170 Governors Avenue, Medford, MA 02155
Program type: Radiography | Program length: 22 months
Tuition (resident and non-resident): $28,865
Completion rate: 92% | ARRT exam pass rate: 69% | Job placement rate: 100%
Total program capacity: 34 | Accreditation term: 8 years
Clinical affiliates include: Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston Children’s Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Lahey Clinic, Tufts Medical Center, and Mount Auburn Hospital.

Regis College has the lowest ARRT exam pass rate of any program in this listing at 69%, while charging $28,865 in tuition. That combination requires a direct conversation with the admissions team before you commit. The clinical affiliate list is genuinely strong, with placements at major academic medical centers. Ask the program what specific changes it has made to exam preparation in recent cohorts.

Springfield Technical Community College – Springfield

Location: One Armory Square, Springfield, MA 01102
Program type: Radiography | Program length: 21 months
Resident tuition: $7,288 | Non-resident tuition: $14,232
Completion rate: 100% | ARRT exam pass rate: 97% | Job placement rate: 100%
Total program capacity: 40 | Accreditation term: 8 years
Clinical affiliates include: Baystate Medical Center, Baystate Noble Hospital, Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Wing Memorial Hospital, and Baystate Radiology and Imaging sites.

Springfield Technical Community College stands out across every metric in this dataset. A 100% completion rate, a 97% ARRT pass rate, 100% job placement, and the lowest resident tuition in Massachusetts at $7,288 make it the strongest overall performer on paper. If you are based in western Massachusetts, this program warrants serious attention.

Program Comparison Table

The table below covers all 13 JRCERT-accredited radiography programs in Massachusetts. Sort by the metric that matters most to your decision. All figures come from JRCERT program data.

Radiologic Technologist Salaries in Massachusetts

Massachusetts pays radiologic technologists substantially more than most states. According to BLS May 2025 OEWS data, the median annual wage for radiologic technologists and technicians (SOC 29-2034) in Massachusetts is $103,620, with a mean of $101,910. The state employs 5,500 people in this role.

The spread across the earnings distribution is wide:

• 10th percentile: $75,350
• 25th percentile: $83,200
• Median (50th percentile): $103,620
• 75th percentile: $122,900
• 90th percentile: $131,940

That 10th-to-90th range spans $56,590, which reflects real differences in employer type, shift differentials, years of experience, and geographic location within the state. Boston-area hospital systems, particularly the Mass General Brigham and Beth Israel Lahey Health networks, tend to pay more than community hospital positions in rural areas of the state.

Cost-of-Living Context

A $103,620 median wage looks strong in isolation, but Massachusetts – particularly Greater Boston – carries one of the highest costs of living in the United States. Housing costs in Boston are significantly above the national average. A radiologic technologist earning $83,200 (25th percentile) in Boston will have less purchasing power than a counterpart at the same wage in a lower-cost state. That context matters when comparing Massachusetts salaries to national figures. Western Massachusetts cities like Springfield and Pittsfield have meaningfully lower living costs, and wages there may fall in the lower half of the state distribution, though specific sub-state wage data for this occupation is not reported by BLS at the city level.

Career Progression: MRI Technologist Wages

Radiographers who add MRI certification (ARRT MRI credential) open access to a higher wage tier. BLS May 2025 OEWS data shows MRI technologists (SOC 29-2035) in Massachusetts earn a median of $110,600 and a mean of $111,980, with 1,490 employed statewide. The 90th percentile reaches $146,880. Compared to the radiography median of $103,620, the MRI median is $6,980 higher – and at the 90th percentile the gap widens to $14,940.

That progression is one reason students sometimes choose programs at university-based institutions with bachelor’s degree awards: the additional credential and longer clinical exposure can support faster movement into specialty imaging roles after graduation.

Massachusetts Radiologic Technologist Licensing Requirements

Massachusetts requires radiologic technologists to hold a state license before practicing clinically. The licensing body is the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Radiation Control Program. Here are the key requirements as of 2026:

• Graduation from an accredited program: You must complete a JRCERT-accredited (or equivalent) radiography program.
• ARRT certification: Massachusetts requires applicants to hold or be eligible for ARRT registration. Passing the ARRT Radiography examination is the standard pathway. The exam covers patient care, safety, image production, and radiographic procedures.
• State license application: After passing the ARRT exam, you apply through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for your Radiologic Technologist license. The application fee is $75 and the license fee is $75 per category, for a total of $150. You submit your application via the Environmental Health eLicensing Portal with ARRT verification. Your license must be renewed every 2 years for $150.
• Continuing education: Massachusetts requires 24 continuing education units per two-year renewal cycle. Licenses renew every two years through the last day of your birth month in odd-numbered years. Mammography licensees must complete at least 12 of those units in mammography. Radiologist assistants must complete 50 units per cycle. See the Massachusetts Department of Public Health renewal guide for details.
• Background check: A criminal background check is required as part of the licensing process.

Always verify current requirements directly with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, since licensing regulations can change. Do not rely solely on information provided by a school’s admissions staff for regulatory details.

ARRT Exam Preparation in Massachusetts Programs

The ARRT Radiography exam is a computer-adaptive test covering patient care and education, safety, image production, and radiographic procedures. Programs in Massachusetts vary in how formally they structure exam preparation. When evaluating programs, ask specifically:

• Does the program provide a formal ARRT review course in the final semester?
• What practice exam platform does the program use (e.g., Lange, Mosby, ASRT review materials)?
• What was the program’s ARRT first-attempt pass rate in the most recent cohort?
• How many clinical hours does the program require, and what percentage are in direct patient positioning?

Clinical hours matter because hands-on repetition in positioning and technique is one of the strongest predictors of exam confidence. Clinical hour requirements vary by program and are based on competency-based standards set by JRCERT, which caps clinical involvement at 10 hours per day but does not set a minimum hour count. When comparing Massachusetts programs, ask each school directly about its clinical hour requirements.

What to Look for in a Massachusetts Radiology Tech Program

Choosing between 13 accredited programs requires more than comparing tuition. Here are the factors that matter most in this specific state.

ARRT Pass Rate Above 85%

The state average ARRT pass rate across the 12 programs that reported data sits between 80% and 90% depending on how you weight by cohort size. Programs at Springfield Technical Community College (97%), Northern Essex (94%), Holyoke (94%), and North Shore (91%) are outperforming the field. Programs below 80% should be asked pointed questions about what they are doing to improve outcomes.

Clinical Site Network Matching Your Geography

Massachusetts has distinct healthcare corridors. Greater Boston has the densest concentration of academic medical centers in the country. The North Shore (Beverly, Salem, Danvers) runs a separate system anchored by Mass General Brigham. The South Shore and Cape Cod are served by separate hospital networks. Western Massachusetts (Berkshires, Pioneer Valley) is clinically distinct from