Choosing the right radiology program can define your entire career trajectory. Massachusetts offers some of the strongest radiologic technology programs in the Northeast, with outcomes that speak for themselves—from perfect ARRT exam pass rates to near-universal job placement. Whether you’re starting fresh or looking to advance your healthcare credentials, this guide spotlights the top-rated radiology programs in MA that consistently deliver results for aspiring imaging professionals.
What Makes a Radiology Program Stand Out
When evaluating the best radiology programs in Massachusetts, look beyond glossy marketing materials. The metrics that matter most include first-time ARRT certification pass rates, which demonstrate how well a program prepares you for professional licensure. Job placement statistics within 12 months of graduation reveal how employers value each program’s graduates.
Accreditation by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology ensures your degree will be recognized nationwide. Also consider degree format—bachelor’s programs often open doors to leadership and advanced imaging roles, while associate degrees get you working faster at lower cost. Clinical partnerships matter too, since hands-on training with leading hospitals and imaging centers gives you real-world experience and networking opportunities before you graduate.
Strong programs also prepare students for the compliance-intensive reality of modern healthcare. Radiology departments operate under extensive regulatory oversight, from FDA radiation safety standards to HIPAA patient privacy requirements and complex Medicare/Medicaid billing rules.
Programs that integrate proper documentation practices, accurate procedural coding, and regulatory awareness into their curriculum produce graduates who understand corporate compliance frameworks from day one. This training makes new technologists more valuable to employers facing audit risk and positions them for future advancement into quality assurance, departmental compliance coordination, or healthcare administration roles.
Top 6 Best Radiology Programs in Massachusetts
1. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) – Radiologic Technology
MCLA’s radiologic technology program earned a perfect 100% first-time pass rate on the ARRT certification exam in 2024, with graduates averaging an impressive score of 85. This 2+2 bachelor of science degree combines liberal arts general education with rigorous radiologic science coursework, preparing you not just for entry-level positions but for leadership roles throughout your career.
The radiology programs in MA structure allow you to complete foundational courses in your first two years before diving into intensive radiologic technology training with clinical rotations at regional medical centers. MCLA’s location in North Adams provides a close-knit learning environment where faculty know every student by name, yet clinical partnerships extend throughout Western Massachusetts to give you diverse patient care experiences.
2. Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences (MCPHS) – Bachelor of Science in Radiography
MCPHS delivers an accelerated 32-month bachelor of science in radiography that condenses what typically takes four years into an intensive, focused timeline perfect for motivated students eager to enter the workforce quickly. Based in Boston’s vibrant Longwood Medical Area, you’ll train alongside future physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals while gaining access to world-class teaching hospitals including those in the Partners HealthCare and Tufts Medical Center networks.
The accelerated format means back-to-back semesters with no extended breaks, but graduates consistently report that the rigorous pace prepared them exceptionally well for the fast-moving environment of hospital radiology departments. MCPHS also positions you perfectly for advanced imaging specializations like MRI, CT, and interventional radiography through its urban clinical partnerships.
3. Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) – Medical Radiography Program
Bunker Hill Community College offers one of the most affordable paths to becoming a radiologic technologist in Massachusetts without sacrificing quality. This associate degree program in Boston serves a diverse student population with strong support services, from tutoring to financial aid counseling, recognizing that many students are juggling work and family responsibilities while pursuing their healthcare careers.
BHCC’s medical radiography curriculum meets all ARRT eligibility requirements and maintains clinical affiliations with major Boston hospitals, giving you the same caliber of hands-on training as more expensive programs. Graduates regularly secure positions at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston Medical Center, and community hospitals throughout Greater Boston, with many employers specifically recruiting BHCC graduates for their practical skills and work-ready attitude.
4. MassBay Community College – Radiologic Technology
MassBay Community College stands out for its flexible scheduling options that make radiologic technology education accessible to working adults. You can choose between full-time and part-time tracks, both leading to ARRT exam eligibility and an associate degree in radiologic technology.
This flexibility extends to clinical rotations as well, with morning, afternoon, and some weekend options that accommodate varied work schedules. The program maintains strong partnerships with hospitals and imaging centers across MetroWest Boston, from Framingham to Newton, ensuring you gain exposure to different practice settings and patient populations. MassBay’s faculty bring current industry experience into the classroom, regularly updating curriculum to reflect the latest advances in digital radiography, PACS systems, and radiation safety protocols.
5. North Shore Community College – Radiologic Technology Associate Degree
North Shore Community College’s radiologic technology program serves students throughout Essex County with a curriculum designed for both immediate employment and future transfer to bachelor’s programs. The associate degree includes articulation agreements with several four-year institutions, allowing you to seamlessly continue your education toward advanced roles in radiologic sciences, healthcare administration, or medical imaging management.
Clinical training sites span from Salem Hospital to Beverly Hospital and smaller community facilities, giving you experience with diverse equipment and patient demographics. The program emphasizes professionalism and patient care alongside technical skills, recognizing that successful radiologic technologists need both clinical competence and compassionate communication abilities. North Shore’s location also provides access to employment opportunities throughout Boston’s North Shore, a region with growing healthcare infrastructure.
6. Middlesex Community College – Radiography Program
Middlesex Community College has built an impressive track record with an 88% five-year average ARRT first-attempt pass rate and 100% job placement rate for graduates actively seeking employment. These outcomes reflect a program that balances rigorous academics with practical preparation for the realities of working in hospital radiology departments.
The curriculum covers everything from basic radiographic positioning to advanced cross-sectional anatomy, radiation physics, and patient care protocols. Middlesex maintains clinical affiliations with Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, Lowell General Hospital, and numerous imaging centers throughout the Merrimack Valley and Greater Lowell area.
The program’s accessible tuition—typical of Massachusetts community colleges—makes it an excellent value proposition, especially when you consider that radiologic technologists in Massachusetts earn median salaries well above the state average for associate-degree careers.
Choose Your Path Into Medical Imaging
The best radiology programs in Massachusetts share common strengths: ARRT-accredited curricula, strong clinical partnerships, and proven graduate outcomes. Your choice ultimately depends on your specific situation—whether you need the flexibility of part-time study at MassBay, the perfect pass rate of MCLA, or the affordability of a community college option like Bunker Hill or Middlesex.
Start by reviewing each program’s application requirements and deadlines, which typically fall in the winter for programs starting the following fall. Visit campuses to tour simulation labs and meet faculty who will guide your education. Request information about recent ARRT pass rates, job placement statistics, and clinical site opportunities. Many programs offer information sessions where you can ask questions and connect with current students.
Beyond entry-level technologist positions, a strong foundation in radiologic technology can open doors to compliance-focused career paths. Experienced professionals often advance into roles overseeing departmental quality assurance, radiation safety programs, or healthcare compliance coordination—positions where understanding both the technical and regulatory sides of medical imaging proves invaluable.
The radiologic technology field continues growing as imaging technology advances and the population ages, making now an excellent time to launch your career. Apply to your top choices, prepare for a challenging but rewarding educational journey, and take the first step toward a stable, well-compensated healthcare career that puts you at the intersection of technology, patient care, and corporate compliance.
