8 Best Schools for Radiation Therapy in the US
The healthcare system is in need of qualified professionals who would help in the fight against cancer. In recent times, schools have updated their curricula to provide quality education for the different roles healthcare professionals play in this fight. Programs like radiation therapy, radiology technology, x-ray technology, etc. have become rampant in schools, especially in the US.
However, the need to get the best education from the best schools that offer these programs can’t be overemphasized. This is because you’d be dealing with human lives, and anything short of excellence might result in the loss of lives.
That’s why, in this article, you’ll be learning about the best schools that offer radiation therapy programs in the US. You’ll also learn about other things, like the cost of becoming a radiation therapist and how much you can earn annually in this career.
But first, let’s begin by understanding what radiation therapy is all about.
What is radiation therapy?
Radiation therapy, or radiotherapy, is a form of cancer treatment where high-energy radiation like x-rays and gamma rays is used to destroy cancer cells. It is one of the most popular treatments for cancer.
Unlike other cancer treatments that are taken orally or via injection, radiation therapy is administered as radiation to the affected body part. In the other treatments, the entire body gets exposed to cancer-fighting drugs, while in radiation therapy, the focus is on the affected body part.
Radiation therapy is also known as irradiation, x-ray therapy, and radiotherapy.
What do radiation therapists do?
Radiation therapists use cancer-treating equipment like linear accelerators to provide patients with concentrated radiation therapy. They take instructions/prescriptions from radiation oncologists to deliver radiation to patients.
The major duty of the radiation therapist is to operate the cancer-treating machines and deliver treatments according to the prescribed dosage. However, they also stay back to monitor and take care of patients and keep detailed records of the treatment processes.
Is there a high demand for radiation therapists?
With the increase in cancer cases worldwide, there’s a need for more radiation therapists in the healthcare industry. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 9 percent increase in the demand for radiation therapists between 2020 and 2030.
This is as a result of the projected 26 million increase in cancer cases and 17 million cancer-related deaths by the same timeframe.
So, if you’re looking to study radiation therapy, there’s never been a better time to enroll in one of the best schools for it in the US.
What are the best schools for radiation therapy in the US?
Based on program quality, accreditation, and faculty strength, these are the best schools for radiation therapy in the US:
1. University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina (UNC) in Chapel Hill has a strong reputation for its health programs. Therefore, there’s no doubt as to why it ranks as one of the best schools for radiation therapy in the US.
The radiation training program at UNC Chapel Hill is under the UNC Department of Radiation Oncology. The program is structured to prepare students to take up entry-level radiation therapy jobs in any organization. Students acquire the clinical, communication, and critical thinking skills they need to excel in this career.
To apply to this school, you must already have (or be in the process of getting) a minimum of an associate’s degree. You must also have a radiography certification at the time you’re entering UNC.
UNC has an acceptance rate of 24% and an SAT requirement range of 1270-1460. You can visit the school website for more information.
2. University of Nebraska Medical Center
The University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) is a public academic health center in Omaha, Nebraska. The school’s radiation therapy program ranks as one of the best in the US.
UNMC offers a Bachelor of Science in Medical Imaging and Therapeutic Sciences or a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Radiation Therapy. However, applicants must already have certification in radiography and be recognized as radiologic technologists in the US.
Students go through a series of lectures, demonstrations, and clinical training to complete this 12 months program.
Visit the school website to get more information about the programs at UNMC.
3. University of Vermont
The University of Vermont (UV) is a public land-grant university in Burlington, Vermont. The school ranks among the best schools for radiation therapy in the US because of its extensive program.
UV trains students to be experts in radiation safety, patient care, and cancer management and treatment. Students learn the necessary skills they need as radiation therapists by making use of a Virtual Environment Radiotherapy Trainer (VERT) and by working with radiation therapists in the UVM Medical Center on campus.
With its 100% graduate employment rate in the past five years, it’s obvious UV’s radiation therapy is top-notch.
With an acceptance rate of 67% and an SAT requirement range of 1180-1350, UV is fairly easy to get into.
You can visit the school website for more information.
4. Oregon Health and Science University
Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) is a public research university in Portland, Oregon. OHSU is popular for producing highly skilled healthcare professionals that go on to work in top healthcare institutions in the US. It ranks as one of the best schools to acquire a degree in radiation therapy in the US.
OHSU offers a bachelor’s of science degree in radiation therapy, with a strong dedication to producing professionals that are technically and clinically competent to handle radiation therapy cases.
With two world-class hospitals affiliated with the school in Portland, students receive quality hands-on training on radiation therapy.
Looking to find out more about OHSU’s radiation therapy programs? Visit the school website here.
Also read: 11 Best Schools for Radiology in the US
5. Ohio State University in Columbus
With over thirty clinical sites in Ohio, students of Ohio State University (OSU) have access to world-class healthcare education. OSU’s program structure and delivery easily make it one of the best schools for radiation therapy in the US.
At OSU, students undergo general medical training in their first and second years in school before settling for one of the three tracks: radiography, sonography, or radiation therapy. With a maximum class size of twenty, students receive personalized training at OSU.
With an acceptance rate of 48% and an SAT requirement range of 1260-1450, you have good chance of getting into OSU. Visit the school’s website to learn more about its programs.
6. Virginia Western Community College
Virginia Western Community College (VWCC) is a public community college in Roanoke, Virginia. It has a strong reputation as one of the best schools for radiation therapy in the US.
VWCC offers an associate degree program in radiation oncology that prepares students to be professional radiation therapists. Students are taught clinical, communication, and other necessary skills they need to succeed in an entry-level radiation job.
You can visit the school’s website to learn more about its programs.
7. Emory University
In affiliation with the Grady School of Radiation Therapy, Emory University provides excellent clinical training for students. Students rotate between the different care centers provided by Emory University.
The 12-month training program prepares students for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam. With personalized training from the experts at Emory, the school prepares students to take up entry-level radiation therapy jobs.
You can visit the school’s website to learn more about its programs.
8. Texas State University – San Marcos
The Texas State University at San Marcos offers a Bachelor of Science degree program in radiation therapy. It is one of the few schools that offers a B.Sc. in radiation therapy in the US.
The two and half year program prepares students for the theoretical, technical, and psychological aspects of the field. The radiation therapy program at Texas State University is a highly competitive one, and applicants are advised to arrange for an academic advising session before submitting their application.
You can visit the school’s website to learn more about its programs.
What major do I need to be a radiation therapist?
For a career in radiation therapy, you’d need either an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree in radiation therapy. This qualifies you to earn a certificate from the ARRT as a professional radiation therapist.
How long does it take to be a radiation therapist?
An associate’s degree in radiation therapy takes two years to complete, while a bachelor’s degree can be completed in four years.
What are the basic requirements for enrolling in a radiation therapy school?
Though most schools have their own individual admission requirements for their radiation therapy programs, these are the common requirements among them:
- You must have completed the necessary science prerequisites
- Must be 18 years old and above
- Must have a high school diploma or a GED
- You’re required to also have a pass in the entrance examinations
What skills do I need to be a successful radiation therapist?
To succeed as a radiation therapist, you’d need to have the following skills:
- Strong technical skills
- Good communication skills
- Basic life support
- Treatment planning
- Good clinical knowledge
How much do radiation therapists earn in the US?
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual wage of radiation therapists in the US is $94,000.
The lowest 10 percent earn less than $61,030, and the highest 10 percent earn more than $128,550.
Where do radiation therapists work?
Radiation therapists work in the following healthcare settings:
1. Hospitals:
Radiation therapists work in hospitals of all sizes to help treat cancer patients. Sometimes, in the absence of a physician, they can lecture patients about their conditions and the necessary steps to take.
2. Physician’s offices or clinics:
A radiation therapist can work with physicians who are in private practice. They mostly work with radiation oncologists.
3. Outpatient centers:
For cancer outpatient centers, radiation therapists are vital to the cancer treatment process. They assist the radiation oncologist in administering treatments.
How much does it cost to study radiation therapy?
An associate’s degree in radiation therapy requires tuition costs of $7,000 to $42,000, depending on the school.
However, a bachelor’s degree in radiation therapy costs from $32,000 to $110,000.
What state pays the highest for radiation therapists?
The highest paying states for radiation therapists are provided in the table below:
| State | Annual average wage |
| California | $138,400 |
| New York | $126,460 |
| Oklahoma | $123,590 |
| Washington | $112,520 |
| Oregon | $109,930 |
How do I become a radiation therapist?
Complete an associate’s or bachelor’s degree
Acquiring an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree in radiation therapy is the first step to becoming a radiation therapist. You can also acquire an associate’s degree in a related field, like radiology technology, and go on to take a certification course in radiation therapy.
Get ARRT certification
After your degree or certification program, you have to write and pass the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) exam to be certified to practice as a radiation therapist.
Apply for jobs
Once you’ve been certified to practice as a radiation therapist, you can go on to apply for jobs.
Conclusion on schools for radiation therapy in the US
The fight against cancer is intense; more oncology healthcare specialists are needed to make it worthwhile.
I hope this article has provided you with the right guidelines on how you can become a radiation therapist and contribute your quota to this fight.
Frequently Asked Questions about schools for radiation therapy in the US
How much does it cost to get a degree in radiation therapy?
It costs between $7,000 and $110,000 to acquire either an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree in radiation therapy. An associate’s degree typically costs between $7,000 and $42,000, while a bachelor’s degree costs between $32,000 and $110,000.
Can I become a radiation therapist with an associate’s degree?
Yes, an associate’s degree in radiation therapy is the minimum requirement to become a radiation therapist.
Can I get a radiation therapy degree online?
There are online degree programs for radiation therapy. However, you’d still need to visit a medical center approved by the school for your clinical training.
Do radiation therapists get exposed to radiation?
Yes, radiation therapists get exposed to radiation. However, as professionals, just like in other risky professions, they apply the right safety measures in order not to be affected. This is one of the things you’d learn from a quality school of radiation therapy.
