Radiologic Technologist Training in Mississippi – Schools, Programs, and Other Education Options

As the healthcare needs of our nation’s aging population continue to increase, many professions in the healthcare industry are growing rapidly to meet the demand. Current national trends indicate that employment opportunities for radiologic technologists are likely to expand by 6% in only 10 years – just one of many reasons why now is a better time than ever to start pursuing a career in radiology.

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The state of Mississippi is currently following this national trend with 2,130 working radiological technologists so far, and many more are expected within the decade.

Radiography Licensure in Mississippi

In the state of Mississippi, radiological technologists are required to carry a license to perform work. Depending on the specific radiology field, working professionals must renew their licenses every 1 or 2 years. For its licensing requirements, Mississippi, like 36 other US states, uses the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam.

In addition, some radiology fields require workers to fulfill continuing education hours every license term.

Radiologic Technology Schools in Mississippi

Mississippi is currently home to 10 radiological technology school programs that are endorsed by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) which include 2-year, 4-year, and both public and private institutions. Degrees offered include Associate, Bachelor, and Masters.

University of Mississippi: Located in the capital city of Jackson, the University of Mississippi offers students a Bachelor of Science through its Radiology Department. The program takes 22 months to complete and involves an in-depth residency program and numerous radiology divisions. The program only accepts 50 students per term, and a rigorous admissions process is required of all interested students.

• Itawamba Community College, Fulton
• Northeast Mississippi Community College, Booneville
• Hinds Community College, Raymond
• Mississippi Delta Community College, Moorhead
• Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Wesson
• Jones County Junior College, Ellisville
• Meridian Community College, Meridian
• Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Gautier
• Pearl River Community College, Hattiesburg

Other Schools to Consider Radiologic Technology Program

Northwest Mississippi Community College: Located in Senatobia, this public 2-year institution does not offer a radiologic technology program, but it does offer a pre-radiology program for students who wish to pursue their MD in radiology at another institution.

Mississippi shares its borders with Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Tennessee.

Mississippi’s future radiographers can also look for training in Birmingham, Dothan, Gadsden, Hanceville, Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery, Opelika and Tuscaloosa, Alabama; in El Dorado, Fayetteville, Ft. Smith, Harrison, Jonesboro, Little Rock, or Pine Bluff, Arkansas; Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Eunice, Hammond, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Monroe, New Orleans and Shreveport in Louisiana, and; Clarksville, Memphis, Chattanooga, Columbia, Elizabethton, Nashville, Jackson, Cookeville, Oak Ridge, Knoxville, and Gallatin, Tennessee.

Students should note that community colleges and state universities typically charge higher tuition fees for out-of-state (and sometimes out-of-district) students.

Allied Health Education Programs in Mississippi

For those who may be interested in exploring other allied health fields, the state of Mississippi is also home to several additional educational programs. These include Dental Hygiene, Dietetics and Nutrition, Emergency Medical Services, Health Information Management, Medical Assisting, Nursing, Occupational Therapy Assisting, and Physical Therapy Assisting.

Large Employers in Radiology

There are several large healthcare centers located in Mississippi, especially in the state’s cities and metro areas, which consistently employ radiologic technologists. While the largest numbers of radiologic technology professionals work for the major hospitals, small clinics and rural doctors’ offices hire technologists as well.

Salaries for Radiographers

The average annual wage in Mississippi is $53,640, which is lower than the national average of $73,410. Salaries in Mississippi range from $40,330 at the 10th percentile to $78,690 at the 90th percentile. Regional variations within the state highlight differences in wages across various areas, such as Gulfport-Biloxi, Hattiesburg, and Jackson.

National vs. Mississippi Salaries

Salaries by Region in Mississippi

Radiologic technologist Trends in Mississippi

Mississippi employment trends for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians indicates that in 2020, there were 2,300 individuals employed in this occupation in Mississippi. By 2030, this number is projected to increase to 2,500, reflecting a 9% growth. Additionally, there are projected to be 190 annual job openings in Mississippi from 2020 to 2030. Nationally, employment for this occupation is projected to grow by 6% from 2022 to 2032, with 13,100 annual job openings.

Employment Trends

Source of the data:

• Mississippi : data for wages here and for employment trends here.
• U.S data: Bureau of Labour Statistics

Professional Organizations

For more information, professional networking, and job opportunities, radiologic technologists in the state of Mississippi should consider joining the Mississippi Society of Radiologic Technologists (MSRT), which is a professional organization that was established back in 1938. Prospective students of radiological technology should also visit the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). The joint review committee is an accrediting body that sets the standards for education in radiologic technology. The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) is also a great resource for information, certification, and credentialing. The ARRT is the world’s largest radiology organization with over 300,000 certified members worldwide.

JRCERT Accredited Radiography Programs in Mississippi

Copiah-Lincoln Community College – Radiography

P.O. Box 649, Wesson MS 39191

Tel: (601) 643-8496

Program Name: Medical Radiologic Technology

Program Type: Associate of Applied Science

Duration: 48 months

Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 67%  Credential Examination Pass Rate: 96%  Job Placement Rate: 100%

Tuition Fees: $2,100 Resident, $3,900 Non-resident

Hinds Community College – Radiography

P.O. Box 1100, Raymond MS 39154-9799

Tel: (601) 376-4826

Program Name: Radiologic Technology

Program Type: Associate of Applied Science

Duration: 52 months

Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 69%  Credential Examination Pass Rate: 88%  Job Placement Rate: 100%

Tuition Fees: $3,420 Resident, $7,000 Non-resident

Itawamba Community College – Radiography

2176 S. Eason Blvd., Tupelo MS 38804

Tel: (662) 620-5233

Program Name: Radiologic Technology

Program Type: Associate of Applied Science

Duration: 42 months

Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 94%  Credential Examination Pass Rate: 90%  Job Placement Rate: 94%

Tuition Fees: $2,300 Resident, $4,500 Non-resident

Jones County Junior College – Radiography

900 Court Street, Ellisville MS 39437

Tel: (601) 477-4159

Program Name: Radiography

Program Type: Associate of Applied Science

Duration: 34 months

Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 93%  Credential Examination Pass Rate: 96%  Job Placement Rate: 88%

Tuition Fees: $3,880 Resident, $6,245 Non-resident

Meridian Community College – Radiography

910 Highway 19 North, Meridian MS 39307-5890

Tel: (601) 484-8757

Program Name: Radiologic Technology

Program Type: Associate of Applied Science

Duration: 30 months

Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 85.7%  Credential Examination Pass Rate: 86.6%  Job Placement Rate: 89%

Tuition Fees: $3,150 Resident, $4,715 Non-resident

Mississippi Delta Community College – Radiography

P.O. Box 668, Moorhead MS 38761

Tel: (662) 246-6510

Program Name: Radiologic Technology

Program Type: Associate of Applied Science

Duration: 44 months

Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 75%  Credential Examination Pass Rate: 80%  Job Placement Rate: 89%

Tuition Fees: $2,490 Resident, $4,980 Non-resident

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (Jackson County Campus) – Radiography

P.O. Box 100, Gautier MS 39553

Tel: (228) 497-7710

Program Name: Radiologic Technology

Program Type: Associate of Applied Science

Duration: 60 months

Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 82%  Credential Examination Pass Rate: 94%  Job Placement Rate: 98%

Tuition Fees: $3,910 Resident, $6,834 Non-resident

Northeast Mississippi Community College – Radiography

101 Cunningham Boulevard, Booneville MS 38829

Tel: (662) 720-7364

Program Name: Radiologic Technology

Program Type: Associate of Applied Science

Duration: 22 months

Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 83%  Credential Examination Pass Rate: 83%  Job Placement Rate: 96%

Tuition Fees: $3,150 Resident, $6,306 Non-resident

Pearl River Community College – Radiography

5448 U.S. Highway 49 South, Hattiesburg MS 39401

Tel: (601) 270-6977

Program Name: Medical Radiologic Technology

Program Type: Associate of Applied Science

Duration: 34 months

Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 93%  Credential Examination Pass Rate: 94%  Job Placement Rate: 96%

Tuition Fees: $3,000 Resident, $3,600 Non-resident

University of Mississippi Medical Center – Magnetic Resonance

2500 North State Street, Jackson MS 39216

Tel: (601) 984-4444

Program Name: Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Program Type: Master of Science

Duration: 14 months

Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 100%

Tuition Fees: $11,016

University of Mississippi Medical Center – Radiography

School of Health Related Professions, Jackson MS 39216-4505

Tel: (601) 984-6368

Program Name: Radiology

Program Type: Bachelor of Science

Duration: 50 months

Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 96%  Credential Examination Pass Rate: 98%  Job Placement Rate: 98%

Tuition Fees: $8,745 Resident, $23,805 Non-resident