How to Become a Radiologic Technician in Ohio

Ohio is one of the best states in which to get an education in radiologic technology, with a large number of varying degree programs, many of which are affiliated with teaching hospitals.

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The median salary for radiologic technologists in Ohio is well above the average household income for Ohio residents, meaning that this state is also a great place to obtain work in the radiologic sciences after earning a degree.

A Radiologist in Ohio is responsible for using diagnostic imaging technologies such as X-rays, CT scans, ultrasounds, and MRI scans to help diagnose illnesses or diseases in patients. They must also be able to correctly position patients for the correct angle of imaging view and ensure that any images taken are properly processed and interpreted. Additionally, radiologists may also be required to explain the results of imaging tests to patients and their families.

Significant Employers in Radiology

Ohio has many large medical centers and hospitals, which employ radiologic technologists in technical, supervisory, and often even teaching positions if they are affiliated with radiologic technology degree programs. Three of Ohio’s hospitals are nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report in adult specialties: Cleveland Clinic, Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, and MetroHealth Medical Center.

Accredited Radiology Tech Programs in Ohio: 2026 Guide

Ohio has 25 JRCERT-accredited radiography programs – more than most states in the Midwest – spread across community colleges, technical colleges, university campuses, and hospital-based schools. That breadth matters because program tuition in Ohio ranges from just over $4,000 at Lorain County Community College to more than $22,000 at Kettering College, and the clinical network behind each school varies just as dramatically. If you live in Canton, Columbus, Toledo, or a rural county in between, there is almost certainly an accredited program within a reasonable commute. This guide covers what those programs cost, how they perform, what Ohio requires for licensure, and what to look for before you apply.

Ohio Radiographer Salary Data

According to BLS May 2025 OEWS data, Ohio employs 9,570 radiologic technologists and technicians (SOC 29-2034), with a median annual salary of $78,320 and a mean of $76,890. The spread across the career is meaningful: the 10th percentile sits at $60,360, the 25th at $64,950, the 75th at $82,430, and the 90th at $98,450. Entry-level positions typically land in the $60,000-$65,000 range; experienced technologists in high-volume hospital settings can push past $82,000.

Ohio’s cost of living runs below the national average in most metro areas, which stretches that salary further than the same number would in California or Massachusetts. Cleveland, Columbus, and Dayton all sit comfortably below national average housing costs, and smaller markets like Lima, Portsmouth, and Zanesville are considerably cheaper still. A $78,320 median income in Mansfield or Marietta affords a quality of life that the same figure would not in a coastal city.

Career progression matters here. Technologists who add advanced modality credentials – particularly MRI – see a substantial salary increase. BLS May 2025 OEWS data shows MRI technologists (SOC 29-2035) in Ohio earn a median of $87,670, a mean of $87,950, and a 90th percentile of $101,860. That $9,000-$10,000 median gap between general radiography and MRI reflects exactly the kind of credential-stacking that Ohio programs are positioned to support: several schools in the state offer MRI programs as a direct progression from a radiography credential.

Ohio Licensing Requirements for Radiologic Technologists

Ohio requires state licensure for anyone performing radiologic procedures on humans. You must hold an Ohio Department of Health radiologic license. Licenses renew every 2 years on your birthday and require 24 continuing education credits per cycle (12 for GXMOs). The application fee is $65 and renewal is $45. For details, see the Ohio Department of Health radiologic licensure program.

What is consistent and required across essentially all Ohio employers is ARRT certification. To sit for the ARRT Radiography (R) examination, graduates must complete an accredited program (JRCERT accreditation satisfies this), document clinical competencies, and meet the ARRT’s ethics requirements. All 25 programs listed on this page are JRCERT-accredited and qualify their graduates to apply for the ARRT exam. Some Ohio hospital systems – particularly within the Cleveland Clinic and OhioHealth networks – require ARRT certification as a condition of hire, so your pass rate on that exam is not a formality.

Graduates planning to work in Ohio facilities that serve pediatric patients, VA patients, or imaging within an accredited cancer program may encounter additional credentialing expectations at the employer level. Confirm current employer requirements directly with HR during the application process.

JRCERT-Accredited Radiography Programs in Ohio

The 25 programs below are drawn directly from JRCERT accreditation data. Completion rate, exam pass rate, and job placement rate are JRCERT-reported figures. Tuition reflects program-level costs reported to JRCERT and may not include fees, books, or equipment; confirm current costs directly with each institution.

Program Comparison Table

Tuition figures are program-level costs reported to JRCERT as of the most recent accreditation data. Confirm current costs with each institution before applying. Resident tuition shown; non-resident rates differ at many schools.

Individual Program Listings

Aultman College of Nursing and Health Sciences – Canton

Program length: 21 months | Tuition: $19,700 | Completion rate: 100% | ARRT pass rate: 86% | Job placement: 100% | Flexible options: Distance Education

Based in Canton with a clinical network spanning Akron Children’s Hospital, Summa Health, Western Reserve Hospital, and more than 20 other sites, this program offers wide exposure to pediatric, orthopedic, and acute care settings across northeast Ohio. The 21-month format is shorter than many peers. Tuition is on the higher end for the state, but the 100% completion and placement rates are among the strongest in Ohio.

Belmont College – St. Clairsville

Program length: 24 months | Tuition: $7,090 | Completion rate: 100% | ARRT pass rate: 92% | Job placement: 100%

At $7,090 in resident tuition, Belmont College offers one of the most affordable pathways in Ohio with a 92% ARRT pass rate – a combination that is genuinely rare in the state. The clinical network extends across the Ohio-West Virginia border into Wheeling, Weirton, and Moundsville, giving students experience in multi-state hospital systems. The 8-year accreditation term reflects a long-standing, stable program.

Central Ohio Technical College – Newark

Program length: 22 months | Resident tuition: $8,244 | Completion rate: 79% | ARRT pass rate: 100% | Job placement: 100%

COTC reports a 100% ARRT first-attempt pass rate, the highest in the state, which is a significant data point for anyone prioritizing exam preparation. The completion rate of 79% means the program is selective and demanding. Clinical sites include Columbus-area hospitals such as Grant Medical Center, Mount Carmel, and Nationwide Children’s Hospital, giving central Ohio students access to high-volume facilities.

Cleveland Clinic Administrative Campus/Beachwood – Beachwood

Program length: 24 months | Tuition: $16,050 | Completion rate: 94% | ARRT pass rate: 80% | Job placement: 100%

Training within the Cleveland Clinic system means students rotate through one of the largest and most technically advanced hospital networks in the country. Clinical sites include the main Cleveland Clinic campus, Akron General, Fairview Hospital, Hillcrest, Medina, and the Louis Stokes VA. The 80% ARRT pass rate is below the Ohio average and worth discussing directly with the program before enrolling.

Collins Career Technical Center – Chesapeake

Program length: 22 months | Tuition: $9,500 | Completion rate: 86% | ARRT pass rate: 90% | Job placement: 100%

Located in Lawrence County in southern Ohio, Collins serves a region where radiography programs are otherwise sparse. Clinical affiliations include Southern Ohio Medical Center, Holzer Health Systems, and facilities across the West Virginia border, including Cabell Huntington Hospital and CAMC. A 90% pass rate and 100% placement make this a strong regional option.

Columbus State Community College – Columbus

Program length: 20 months | Resident tuition: $5,038 | Completion rate: 100% | ARRT pass rate: 96% | Job placement: 100%

At 20 months, Columbus State runs one of the shortest programs in Ohio while maintaining a 96% ARRT pass rate and 100% completion. For Columbus-area students, the combination of low tuition, short program length, and strong outcomes is hard to match. Clinical sites include Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, Nationwide Children’s, Riverside Methodist, and several OhioHealth and Mount Carmel locations.

Cuyahoga Community College (Western Campus) – Parma

Program length: 24 months | Resident tuition: $4,646 | Completion rate: 87% | ARRT pass rate: 94% | Job placement: 100% | Flexible options: Weekend and Evening

Tri-C’s program in Parma is among the most affordable in the state and offers weekend and evening scheduling – a meaningful option for working students. The clinical network spans Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, MetroHealth, Southwest General, and Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center. A 94% ARRT pass rate confirms solid exam preparation.

Good Samaritan College of Nursing and Health Science – Cincinnati

Program length: 24 months | Tuition: $19,570 | ARRT pass rate: 73% | Job placement: 100%

Good Samaritan’s clinical network is anchored in the TriHealth system, with sites including Bethesda North, Good Samaritan Hospital, Cincinnati Children’s Liberty Campus, and OrthoCincy. The 73% ARRT pass rate is the joint-lowest in Ohio alongside Mercy College of Ohio, which is worth factoring into your decision. Placement is 100%. Completion rate was not reported to JRCERT in the available data set.

James A. Rhodes State College – Lima

Program length: 21 months | Resident tuition: $6,338 | Completion rate: 100% | ARRT pass rate: 83% | Job placement: 99% | Flexible options: Distance Education

Rhodes State serves northwest Ohio with a broad clinical network covering Lima Memorial, St. Rita’s Medical Center, Blanchard Valley Health System, Van Wert Health, Parkview Bryan, and more than a dozen other facilities. The 100% completion rate and 21-month format make this one of the more efficient programs in the region. Resident tuition is well below the state average.

Kent State University – Ashtabula Campus – Ashtabula

Program length: 24 months | Resident tuition: $8,022 | Completion rate: 100% | ARRT pass rate: 87% | Job placement: 100%

The Ashtabula campus program achieves 100% completion with a clinical network anchored in University Hospitals and MetroHealth systems across northeast Ohio, including Ashtabula Regional Medical Center and facilities stretching to Beachwood, Cleveland Heights, and Parma. Non-resident tuition rises to $18,132 – one of the sharper in-state/out-of-state differentials in the comparison.

Kent State University – Salem Campus – Salem

Program length: 24 months | Resident tuition: $9,681 | Completion rate: 91% | ARRT pass rate: 99% | Job placement: 100%

Kent Salem posts a 99% ARRT pass rate – second only to COTC in the state – at a reasonable resident tuition. Clinical affiliations include St. Elizabeth Youngstown, Mercy Health Boardman, Akron Children’s Beeghly Campus, and Salem Regional Medical Center. This is a compelling program for students in the Mahoning Valley and Columbiana County area.

Kettering College – Kettering

Program length: 19 months | Tuition: $22,000 | Completion rate: 76% | ARRT pass rate: 85% | Job placement: 100%

Kettering College is the most expensive program in Ohio and runs the shortest timeline at 19 months. The Kettering Health clinical network is extensive, covering sites from Dayton to Hamilton, Troy, and Beavercreek. The 76% completion rate suggests significant attrition. Students who complete the program and pass the ARRT place at 100%, but weigh the cost and completion data carefully before applying.

Lakeland Community College – Kirtland

Program length: 24 months | Resident tuition: $5,042 | Completion rate: 100% | ARRT pass rate: 88% | Job placement: 100%

Lakeland’s program in Lake County achieves 100% completion with clinical sites primarily in the University Hospitals Lake Health system, plus Ashtabula Regional Medical Center and Steel Valley Portable X-ray Service. At just over $5,000 for resident tuition with strong outcomes, this is an underrated option for northeast Ohio students north of Cleveland.

Lorain County Community College – Elyria

Program length: 21 months | Resident tuition: $4,004 | Completion rate: 91% | ARRT pass rate: 88% | Job placement: 96%

LCCC offers the lowest resident tuition of any program in Ohio at $4,004. The 96% job placement rate is the only figure in the state below 99% among programs reporting that metric, but it remains a strong outcome. Clinical sites span Lorain, Medina, and the greater Cleveland area, including Cleveland Clinic, MetroHealth, Fisher-Titus, and Firelands Regional. The 21-month format adds efficiency to an already affordable program.

Marietta Memorial Hospital – Marietta

Program length: 24 months | Resident tuition: $5,228 | Completion rate: 93% | ARRT pass rate: 81% | Job placement: 100%

The Marietta Memorial program serves southeast Ohio with a smaller cohort capacity (35 students) and a tight clinical network centered on the Memorial Health System and associated outpatient and orthopedic sites in Washington County. The 81% ARRT pass rate falls slightly below the state median. For students in the Parkersburg/Marietta corridor, this hospital-based program offers direct access to a well-regarded regional health system.

Marion Technical College – Marion

Program length: 24 months | Resident tuition: $8,200 | Completion rate: 85% | ARRT pass rate: 88% | Job placement: 100%

Marion Technical College serves north-central Ohio with clinicals at Marion General Hospital, Riverside Methodist in Columbus, Grant Medical Center, Morrow County Hospital, Memorial Hospital of Union County, and Shelby Hospital. The program is smaller in capacity (37 students) and provides a community-oriented training environment that suits students planning to work in mid-size Ohio markets.

Mercy College of Ohio – Toledo

Program length: 21 months | Tuition: $21,472 | Completion rate: 81% | ARRT pass rate: 73% | Job placement: 100%

Mercy College operates within the Mercy Health system in Toledo with an unusually broad clinical reach that extends into southeast Michigan, including Michigan Medicine, Henry Ford Health, and multiple University of Michigan outpatient centers. The 73% ARRT pass rate and 81% completion rate are among the lower figures in Ohio. The program’s cross-state clinical exposure is its distinguishing strength; the exam prep metrics are a fair concern to raise with admissions.

North Central State College – Mansfield

Program length: 22 months | Resident tuition: $9,724 | Completion rate: 71% | ARRT pass rate: 97% | Job placement: 100% | Flexible options: Distance Education

North Central State posts the sharpest contrast between completion rate and ARRT pass rate in Ohio: 71% of students who start the program complete it, but 97% of those who do pass the ARRT exam. Students who persist through a demanding curriculum enter the workforce well prepared. The distance education option adds scheduling flexibility for students in the Mansfield and Richland County area.

Owens Community College – Perrysburg

Program length: 23 months | Resident tuition: $8,225 | Completion rate: 100% | ARRT pass rate: 80% | Job placement: 100% | Flexible options: Distance Education

Owens Community College serves the Toledo metro area and northwest Ohio. The 100% completion rate is notable, and the distance education option adds flexibility. The 80% ARRT pass rate is on the lower end for the state and worth discussing with the program during the application process.

Shawnee State University – Portsmouth

Program length: 24 months | Resident tuition: $10,180 | Completion rate: 85% | ARRT pass rate: 96% | Job placement: 100%

Shawnee State serves the Scioto Valley region of southern Ohio with a 96% ARRT pass rate and 100% placement. For students in the Portsmouth, Chillicothe, and Huntington corridor, this is one of the strongest regional options available.

Sinclair Community College – Dayton

Program length: 24 months | Resident tuition: $5,798 | Completion rate: 96% | ARRT pass rate: 94% | Job placement: 100%

Sinclair combines a high completion rate with strong exam performance at a tuition that is well below the state average. The Dayton-area clinical network is extensive. Sinclair also offers MRI programming as a next-step credential for working technologists, making it a logical long-term base for career development in the Miami Valley.

The Ohio State University – Columbus

Program length: 21 months | Resident tuition: $13,641 | Completion rate: 100% | ARRT pass rate: 95% | Job placement: 100% | Flexible options: Distance Education

OSU’s program trains students within the Wexner Medical Center ecosystem, one of the highest-volume academic medical centers in the Midwest. The 100% completion and 95% ARRT pass rate reflect a rigorous and well-resourced program. Resident tuition is mid-range for Ohio. Students interested in advancing to a bachelor’s degree in radiologic science or therapy have a direct pathway within the same institution.

University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College – Blue Ash

Program length: 33 months | Resident tuition: $6,790 | Completion rate: 70% | ARRT pass rate: 92% | Job placement: 100%

UC Blue Ash runs the longest program in Ohio at 33 months, which accounts for its broader clinical exposure across the UC Health and TriHealth systems. The 92% ARRT pass rate is strong for the tuition level. The lower completion rate is worth exploring with the program; students who finish place at 100% and pass the exam at a high rate.

University of Rio Grande/Rio Grande Community College – Rio Grande

Program length: 22 months | Resident tuition: $5,457 | Completion rate: 86% | ARRT pass rate: 88% | Job placement: 100%

Rio Grande serves the rural southeast Ohio region with affordable tuition and solid outcomes. Clinical affiliations extend into the Holzer Health and Cabell Huntington networks. For students in Gallia, Jackson, and Vinton counties, this is a well-positioned local option.

Zane State College – Zanesville

Program length: 24 months | Resident tuition: $13,794 | Completion rate: 89% | ARRT pass rate: 93% | Job placement: 100%

Zane State anchors radiography education in the Muskingum Valley with clinical sites at Genesis Healthcare, Southeastern Ohio Regional Medical Center, Licking Memorial, and Knox Community Hospital. The 93% ARRT pass rate and 100% placement are strong; resident tuition is somewhat higher than comparable community colleges in the state, reflecting the program’s hospital-connected clinical infrastructure.

Professional Organizations

The leading professional organization for radiologic technologists in Ohio is the Ohio Society of Radiologic Technologists (OSRT), which is the state affiliate of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists. This organization hosts annual meetings for professionals in the state, posts job openings, provides grants and other scholarship opportunities for students in the field, and advocates for the radiologic science professions.