ASRT survey finds enrollment up slightly in radiography educational programs

The number of students enrolled in radiography educational programs increased in 2017, according to new survey published by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT), but not by a significant margin. The survey was sent to directors of all radiography, radiation therapy and nuclear medicine technology programs recognized by the ASRT.

More than 15,700 students were enrolled in such programs in 2017, an average of 21.7 students per program. In 2016, the average was 21.1 students per program.

In addition, an average of 10.5 students were enrolled in radiation therapy programs and an average of 10.9 students were enrolled in nuclear medicine technology programs in 2017. These numbers are both down compared to 2016 statistics.

John Culbertson, MA, MEd, ASRT director of research, said these results highlight a major issue with how these classes are being filled.

“Our survey results suggest that program directors continue to limit enrollment by not filling their classes to capacity,” Culbertson said in a prepared statement. “Only about half of the programs in radiography and radiation therapy are at full enrollment, and only a little more than one quarter of nuclear medicine technology programs are at capacity. We’ll continue to monitor this trend to see if it continues in 2018.”