Radiography educational program directors report that the number of enrolled students increased noticeably in 2022, according to the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) Enrollment Snapshot 2022. Conducted every year, the survey highlights entering class enrollments, student capacity and program data.
Survey results show that the number of enrolled radiography students increased with an estimated 16,235 students in 2022, up from 15,477 in 2021. For radiation therapy programs, despite per-program increases, the overall program enrollment declined from an estimated 1,275 in 2021 to 1,208 in 2022. This was due to fewer radiation therapy programs in operation.
Fewer students enrolled in nuclear medicine programs declining from 1,300 students in 2022 to 837 students in 2021. For the first time, the survey tracked enrollments in sonography and MRI programs. In 2022, there were an estimated 3,531 students enrolled in sonography programs and an estimated 720 students enrolled in MRI programs.
“Collecting enrollment data for sonography and MRI provides a more accurate picture of the estimated entering class for the primary disciplines,” says ASRT Associate Executive Director Myke Kudlas, MEd, RT(R)(QM), CIIP, PMP, CAE. “We will continue to track this data in future enrollment snapshots.”
ASRT sent the survey to all 1,197 directors of radiography, radiation therapy, nuclear medicine technology, sonography, and MRI programs currently approved by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. In all, 247 participated, a response rate of 20.6%. ASRT has conducted the survey annually since 2001.
