Find Ohio’s Top Sonography Programs in 2021
When most people think of ultrasound, the image of a pregnant woman comes to mind. However, diagnostic imaging is much more than that. Diagnostic medical sonographers play an important role in the care of their patients. Working closely alongside physicians, ultrasound techs use special equipment that uses sound waves to produce images of the inside of the body. These images are then used by physicians to prevent, diagnose and treat disease, as well as monitor the health of the fetus of an expectant mother.
The healthcare sector has been an employment standout, with consistent growth across the board over the past few years. Medical imaging is expected to witness above average job growth. CareerOneStop predicts that available jobs for ultrasound techs may increase by 19.6% by 2026 in Ohio. This, in addition to the relatively short education and training period as well as the potential for high salary, makes medical imaging a popular career choice.
We will explore each of these topics, as well as connect you with accredited schools where you can receive the quality education you need in order to start your career as a sonographer.
Connect with Educational Programs near You
CAAHEP Accredited Diagnostic Sonography Programs
The most widely recognized organization that accredits sonography programs is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). A school receives accreditation from CAAHEP once it has met their DMS Accreditation Standards and Guidelines. The school also has to pass a series of program reviews, including a self-study review and a site visit. This confirms that the school is able to provide high quality education to their students so they’re prepared for certification and ultimately to enter the healthcare workforce.
The successful completion of an accredited Ohio DMS program is the fastest and most straightforward way that students can become eligible for the ARDMS Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) exam, as well as a specialty exam. You need to pass both of these tests in order to receive a professional license in sonography.
If you’re currently enrolled in or have been accepted to a CAAHEP accredited program, you’re also eligible to apply for the UltrasoundSchoolsInfo semi-annual $1,000 scholarship. Click here to learn more.
Accredited Sonography Schools in Ohio in 2021
The schools listed below offer CAAHEP accredited sonography degree or certificate programs as of December 2020:
| School | Programs Offered | Prerequisites | How to Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green State University Firelands College One University Drive Huron, OH 44839 |
Associate of Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. | Completion of prerequisite courses, plus 4-8 hours observation in a clinical ultrasound location. | Apply with the program director after being admitted to BGSU |
| Central Ohio Technical College 1179 University Drive Newark, OH 43055 |
AAS in Diagnostic Medical Sonography Technology. Choose from General, Cardiovascular, or specialty modalities | Prerequisite courses, plus 16 hours observation in an ultrasound clinic. Must also complete the TEAS exam. | Applications due by May 15th of each year. |
| Cincinnati State Technical and Community College 3520 Central Parkway Cincinnati, OH 45223 |
AAS in General Diagnostic Medical Sonography | Certain prerequisite courses must be taken, as well as the TEAS exam. | Students may apply after completing Semester 2, year 1. |
| Collins Career Center – Chesapeake 11627 State Rte 243 Chesapeake, OH 45619 |
AAS degree in either General or Cardiac Sonography | Prerequisite courses, an essay, and job shadowing requirements must be met prior to application. | Applications are due in May of each year. |
| Cuyahoga Community College 11000 Pleasant Valley Road Parma, OH 44130 |
Associate Degree available in General or Cardiovascular Sonography | Prerequisite courses plus 8-16 hours observation with ARDMS certified sonographer | Application packet can be found here. |
| Kettering College 3737 Southern Blvd. Kettering, OH 45429 |
Bachelor of Science in DMS. Concentrations available in abdominal, vascular, Ob/Gyn, or echocardiography | Academic record will be considered, with preference going to existing Kettering students. | Applications due by May 25th of each year. |
| Lorain County Community College 1005 North Abbe Road HS 223 Elyria, OH 44035 |
Associate of Applied Science in General DMS | Prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” or better. | Applications are due by January 5th of each year. |
| Marion Technical College 1467 Mt Vernon Ave Marion, OH 43302 |
Associate of Applied Science in DMS | Prerequisite courses, plus 32 observation hours at three difference ultrasound clinics are required for application. | Online applications are to be submitted by June 1st. |
| Mercy Medical Center – Canton 1320 Mercy Drive NW Canton, OH 44708 |
12-month hospital-based diploma in ultrasound | Applicant must have an Associate Degree in a health care field with direct patient care, OR a Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline. | Applications due by June 30th each year. Checklist can be found here. |
| Ohio State University 453 West 10th Avenue Atwell Hall Columbus, OH 43210 |
Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Sonography | Minimum 2.5 GPA on all prerequisite coursework at accredited institution. 8 hours documented direct patient contact in a sonography department. | Applications found here. |
| Owens Community College PO Box 10000 30335 Oregon Road Toledo, OH 43699 |
Associate of Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography | Prerequisite courses must be completed prior to application. | Overview of the program and application can be found here. |
| Stautzenberger College – Brecksville 8001 Katherine Blvd Brecksville, OH 44141 |
AAS in Sonography, with a portion of coursework available online. | Unavailable | Applications are submitted online. |
| University of Findlay 1000 North Main Street Findlay, OH 45840 |
Program options include a Bachelor’s degree, an Associate degree, or a Certificate. | Prerequisites vary depending on the degree path chosen. | Application packet can be found here. |
| University of Rio Grande/Rio Grande Community College 218 North College Street PO Box 500 Rio Grande, OH 45674 |
Students may pursue an Associate degree in General or Cardiovascular Sonography. Graduates have the option to continue in the Bachelor’s degree program. | Prerequisites vary depending on the degree program. There are course requirements to enter the AAS program as well as a minimum ACT score. | Application deadline is April 1st of each year. |
What do the Students Have to Say?
“I love attending Kettering College because they know the goal of their students is to get in the hospital and start working as soon as possible. All of the labs within the school look exactly like the hospital does with the same equipment. Although it is my first semester in college, the camaraderie between my fellow classmates and I is like nothing I have ever experienced before.”. S. Bishop, Fall 2020 USI Scholarship finalist and student at Kettering College in Kettering, OH
Ultrasound Tech Certification Requirements in Ohio
Currently, Ohio doesn’t require practicing sonographers to receive professional certification or licensure. However, as many employers do prefer or require certification, it’s a smart thing to consider if you want to have an advantage over other potential job candidates. Many states are considering mandating certification as well.
Receive your ARDMS certification in Ohio
The most highly recognized certification is provided by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). The only way to earn their certification is by taking and passing their exam. In order to qualify, you first have to meet one of their prerequisites. The most comprehensive and direct way to meet one of their prereq’s is to graduate from a CAAHEP accredited sonography program. Once you have, you can take the exam at one of the various testing locations in Ohio:
- Norwood, OH 45212
- 4770 Duke Dr # 185, Mason, OH 45040
- 700 Taylor Rd # 180, Columbus, OH 43230
- 355 E Campus View Blvd, Columbus, OH 43235
- 202 Montrose W Ave, Copley, OH 44321
- 2001 Crocker Rd suite 350, Westlake, OH 44145
- 3201 Enterprise Pl # 10, Cleveland, OH 44122
- 6155 Rockside Rd #100, Independence, OH 44131
Additional Certification Information
Certification overview
About the ARDMS
How Much do Ultrasound Techs Make in Ohio?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2019) states that the mean annual salary for sonographers in Ohio is $67,150* ($32.28 an hour), which is a bit lower than the national average of $75,780. The 90th percentile made an average wage of $85,070* a year, while the 10th percentile made a mean annual salary of $52,330*.
Where you work, amount of education, whether or not you received certification from the ARDMS, and more can play a role in how much you earn as a sonographer. For example, outpatient care centers tend to pay the most, though hospitals have the highest employment numbers. In addition, diagnostic medical sonography is one of the highest paying careers available with just an Associate’s Degree. Earning a Bachelor’s Degree can open you up to higher paying positions as well.
Geographic location can also affect a sonographer’s salary. The table below displays the mean salaries for different areas of Ohio*:
| Metro Area | 2019 Mean Salary |
| Akron, OH | $67,220 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $59,260 |
| Cleveland-Elyria-Mentor, OH | $69,150 |
| Columbus, OH | $68,990 |
| Dayton, OH | $76,490 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $68,700 |
| Lima, OH | $63,240 |
Ultrasound Technician Schools in Columbus
Ohio State University has a CAAHEP accredited sonography degree program located in the Columbus area. U.S. News and World Report ranked OSU 17th out of 209 in terms of top public schools, making it a great place where you can work towards you degree.
In 2019, there were 410 working sonographers in Columbus, Ohio who made an an average annual wage of $68,990* or $33.17 an hour* (BLS). In addition, job growth is expected to increase by 19.6% by 2026 state wide (CareerOneStop).
Get started on a career as a sonographer and become a part of the booming healthcare industry by attending an accredited school or program in the Ohio area.
Other resources:
- Getting started
- Sonographer overview
- Degrees
- What makes a great sonographer
- Careers & education
- Other jobs in healthcare
*Conditions in your area may vary.
All salary and job growth statistics provided by:
*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292032.htm
*Career One Stop, sponsored by the U.S. Dept. of Labor, May, 2019: http://www.careerinfonet.org/occ_rep.asp?next=occ_rep&Level=&optstatus=111111111&jobfam=29&id=1&nodeid=2&soccode=292032&menuMode=&stfips=39&x=36&y=15