1,151 schools · federal data
EMT, surgical tech and radiography programs compared
1,151 schools in our data award certificates or associate degrees in EMT, surgical tech and imaging: 776 certificate programs and 924 associate programs. Graduates of the typical certificate program earned $53,120 a year after finishing and $56,884 four years after.
What counts: the Department of Education groups programs by field, and this field covers allied health diagnostic and treatment professions, such as EMT and paramedic, surgical technology, radiography and sonography.
Where EMT, surgical tech and imaging graduates earn the most
Typical first-year earnings of certificate graduates, by state. Tap a state for its programs.
Certificate or associate degree?
| Certificate | Associate degree | |
|---|---|---|
| Programs | 776 | 924 |
| Graduates in 2023-24 | 34,969 | 31,392 |
| Typical earnings 1 year after | $53,120 | $60,570 |
| Typical earnings 4 years after | $56,884 | $64,080 |
| Typical median debt | $9,563 | $15,250 |
Associate graduates in EMT, surgical tech and imaging started out earning $7,450 more a year than certificate graduates, but an associate degree usually takes longer.
Highest-earning EMT, surgical tech and imaging certificate programs
Programs with at least 10 graduates in 2023-24, ranked by median earnings one year after graduation.
| School | Type | Credential | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crafton Hills CollegeYucaipa, CA | Community college | Certificate | 192 | $137,601 | $84,198 | n/a |
| Anne Arundel Community CollegeArnold, MD | Community college | Certificate | 47 | $123,249 | $131,605 | n/a |
| Cabrillo CollegeAptos, CA | Community college | Certificate | 16 | $111,804 | $113,277 | n/a |
| Loma Linda UniversityLoma Linda, CA | Private college | Certificate | 18 | $101,725 | $95,789 | n/a |
| College of Eastern IdahoIdaho Falls, ID | Community college | Certificate | 30 | $93,039 | $103,819 | n/a |
| Dallas CollegeDallas, TX | Community college | Certificate | 330 | $90,465 | $96,310 | n/a |
| Phoenix CollegePhoenix, AZ | Public technical school | Certificate | 162 | $89,727 | n/a | n/a |
| Community College of DenverDenver, CO | Community college | Certificate | 20 | $85,368 | n/a | n/a |
| College of Lake CountyGrayslake, IL | Public community or technical college | Certificate | 13 | $85,181 | $90,743 | n/a |
| Western Suffolk BOCESNorthport, NY | Public community or technical college | Certificate | 48 | $83,993 | $84,840 | $16,007 |
| Hunter Business SchoolLevittown, NY | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 66 | $83,846 | $92,550 | $23,888 |
| Merced CollegeMerced, CA | Public community or technical college | Certificate | 88 | $83,805 | $90,335 | n/a |
| Collin County Community College DistrictMcKinney, TX | Community college | Certificate | 89 | $83,576 | n/a | n/a |
| San Jacinto Community CollegePasadena, TX | Community college | Certificate | 59 | $82,285 | $80,161 | n/a |
| Vermont State UniversityRandolph, VT | Public university | Certificate | 12 | $81,951 | n/a | n/a |
Highest-earning EMT, surgical tech and imaging associate programs
| School | Type | Credential | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohlone CollegeFremont, CA | Community college | Associate degree | 18 | $126,722 | n/a | n/a |
| Napa Valley CollegeNapa, CA | Community college | Associate degree | 21 | $112,105 | n/a | n/a |
| Skyline CollegeSan Bruno, CA | Community college | Associate degree | 34 | $110,516 | $115,144 | n/a |
| Molloy UniversityRockville Centre, NY | Private college | Associate degree | 11 | $100,322 | $88,600 | $21,000 |
| UCNJ Union College of Union County New JerseyCranford, NJ | Community college | Associate degree | 48 | $95,983 | $69,676 | n/a |
| Gurnick Academy of Medical ArtsSan Jose, CA | For-profit trade school | Associate degree | 348 | $93,163 | $109,480 | $21,882 |
| Mt San Antonio CollegeWalnut, CA | Community college | Associate degree | 51 | $90,909 | $102,200 | n/a |
| Antelope Valley Community College DistrictLancaster, CA | Community college | Associate degree | 27 | $90,807 | $84,908 | n/a |
| Kapiolani Community CollegeHonolulu, HI | Community college | Associate degree | 41 | $89,024 | $83,241 | $15,000 |
| CUNY Bronx Community CollegeBronx, NY | Community college | Associate degree | 30 | $88,480 | $100,751 | $13,928 |
| Bellevue CollegeBellevue, WA | Community college | Associate degree | 83 | $88,317 | $96,612 | $19,219 |
| Orange Coast CollegeCosta Mesa, CA | Public community or technical college | Associate degree | 95 | $88,199 | $91,682 | $14,125 |
| CUNY New York City College of TechnologyBrooklyn, NY | Public university | Associate degree | 55 | $87,811 | $95,808 | n/a |
| Grossmont CollegeEl Cajon, CA | Community college | Associate degree | 57 | $87,725 | n/a | n/a |
| American River CollegeSacramento, CA | Community college | Associate degree | 25 | $86,810 | n/a | n/a |
Largest EMT, surgical tech and imaging programs
By number of graduates in 2023-24.
| School | Type | Credential | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Rosa Junior CollegeSanta Rosa, CA | Public community or technical college | Certificate | 692 | $61,034 | n/a | n/a |
| Victor Valley CollegeVictorville, CA | Community college | Certificate | 669 | n/a | $119,604 | n/a |
| Keiser University-Ft LauderdaleFort Lauderdale, FL | Private 2-year college | Associate degree | 596 | $56,171 | $61,608 | $26,500 |
| Germanna Community CollegeLocust Grove, VA | Community college | Certificate | 495 | $61,195 | $68,946 | $9,750 |
| Meridian Institute of Surgical AssistingNashville, TN | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 494 | $73,881 | $79,119 | $6,840 |
| Smith Chason CollegeLos Angeles, CA | For-profit 2-year college | Associate degree | 491 | $57,650 | $64,611 | $24,521 |
| Hillsborough CollegeTampa, FL | Public technical school | Certificate | 412 | $52,343 | $61,572 | $7,106 |
| Ivy Tech Community CollegeIndianapolis, IN | Public community or technical college | Associate degree | 392 | $61,296 | $65,304 | $10,050 |
| Gurnick Academy of Medical ArtsSan Jose, CA | For-profit trade school | Associate degree | 348 | $93,163 | $109,480 | $21,882 |
| Dallas CollegeDallas, TX | Community college | Certificate | 330 | $90,465 | $96,310 | n/a |
| Cambridge College of Healthcare & TechnologyDelray Beach, FL | For-profit 2-year college | Associate degree | 298 | $54,494 | $57,200 | $32,218 |
| CBD CollegeLos Angeles, CA | Private 2-year college | Associate degree | 294 | $57,309 | $64,236 | $20,000 |
| Glendale Community CollegeGlendale, AZ | Public technical school | Certificate | 288 | $49,634 | $56,074 | n/a |
| Broward CollegeFort Lauderdale, FL | Community college | Certificate | 282 | $45,660 | $79,695 | $3,750 |
| Mesa Community CollegeMesa, AZ | Public technical school | Certificate | 276 | n/a | $64,009 | n/a |
EMT, surgical tech and radiography programs by state
Fewer than 3 schools: Delaware (2), Hawaii (1), Vermont (1). See each state's trade school page.
Frequently asked questions
How many EMT, surgical tech and radiography programs are there?
1,151 schools on the College Scorecard awarded at least one EMT, surgical tech and imaging certificate or associate degree in the last two years we have data for: 776 certificate programs and 924 associate programs.
How much do EMT, surgical tech and imaging program graduates earn?
Graduates of the typical EMT, surgical tech and imaging certificate program earned a median of $53,120 one year after finishing and $56,884 four years after, in 2024 dollars. For associate degrees the one-year figure was $60,570. Pay varies a lot by school and state, so check the program tables.
Which EMT, surgical tech and imaging program has the highest earnings?
Among certificate programs with at least 10 graduates, Crafton Hills College in Yucaipa, CA had the highest median earnings one year after graduation: $137,601.
How much debt do EMT, surgical tech and imaging students take on?
At the typical certificate program, graduates who borrowed federal loans left with a median of $9,563. Many trade students borrow nothing, so check each school's net price and aid first.
Other trades: Welding · HVAC · Electrician · Plumbing · Carpentry · Construction trades · Auto and diesel mechanic · Heavy equipment mechanic · Truck driving (CDL) · Cosmetology and barbering · Culinary arts · Medical assistant · LPN and CNA · Dental assisting and hygiene · Phlebotomy and medical lab · Medical billing and coding · Massage therapy · Paralegal
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard (institution and field of study files), data release of October 15, 2026. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working, not enrolled. What each figure covers.