All six programs accepting Oregon residents are structured around ARRT certification eligibility, meaning clinical hours and curriculum meet the board's requirements before you sit for the exam. Program length runs from 20 months to four years, and tuition ranges from roughly $11,000 to $16,000 depending on the school, so the main trade-off is time versus cost rather than certification readiness.
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Which radiology tech programs should Oregon students compare first?
Six Oregon, nearby, and distance-friendly radiology tech options cover the short in-state list plus regional ARRT pathways. The table below ranks them by total cost. Click a name to jump to the detailed write-up.
| Program | Length | Tuition | Credential |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland Community College — Radiography Associate Degree | 2 yr | $11,000–$16,000 | ARRT Radiography prep |
| Spokane Community College — Radiology Technology AAS | 21 mo | $14,000–$20,000 | ARRT Radiography prep |
| Bellevue College — Radiologic Technology AAS | 23 mo | $15,000–$22,000 | ARRT Radiography prep |
| Pima Medical Institute Online — Radiography - Bridge Associate Degree | 20 mo | $30,000–$42,000 | ARRT Radiography prep |
| Pima Medical Institute — Radiography Associate Degree | 2 yr | $47,000–$56,000 | ARRT Radiography prep |
| Oregon Tech — Radiologic Science B.S. | 4 yr | $45,000–$90,000 | ARRT Radiography prep |
Portland Community College — Radiography Associate Degree
- Cost:
- $11,000–$16,000
- Length:
- 2 yr
- Format:
- Campus-based
- Accreditation:
- JRCERT-accredited radiography program
- Credential prep:
- ARRT Radiography
- FAFSA eligible:
- Yes
PCC is the first Oregon program most Portland-area students should compare because it is the lower-cost in-state associate pathway. It is a limited-entry radiography degree, so the real bottleneck is admission timing rather than whether the program maps to ARRT-style radiography work.
View program at Portland Community College →Spokane Community College — Radiology Technology AAS
- Cost:
- $14,000–$20,000
- Length:
- 21 mo
- Format:
- Campus-based
- Accreditation:
- JRCERT-accredited radiology technology program
- Credential prep:
- ARRT Radiography
- FAFSA eligible:
- Yes
SCC is a regional public-college fallback when Oregon seats are too competitive or geographically awkward. It runs a seven-quarter professional sequence and publishes ARRT eligibility language, which makes it a credible relocation comparison.
View program at Spokane Community College →Bellevue College — Radiologic Technology AAS
- Cost:
- $15,000–$22,000
- Length:
- 23 mo
- Format:
- Campus-based
- Accreditation:
- Washington licensure-disclosed program; ARRT national certification preparation
- Credential prep:
- ARRT Radiography
- FAFSA eligible:
- Yes
Bellevue is another nearby public option with an eight-quarter, 23-month radiologic technology sequence and extensive clinical education. Oregon students should verify Oregon licensure fit before enrolling, but it is a useful regional comparison.
View program at Bellevue College →Pima Medical Institute Online — Radiography - Bridge Associate Degree
- Cost:
- $30,000–$42,000
- Length:
- 20 mo
- Format:
- 100% online, asynchronous
- Accreditation:
- ABHES institutional accreditation; ARRT bridge pathway for eligible limited-scope radiographers
- Credential prep:
- ARRT Radiography
- FAFSA eligible:
- Yes
Pima's online bridge is only for limited-scope, military-trained, or foreign-educated radiographers; it is not an entry-level Oregon high-school-to-radiography path. It stays on the page because it solves a real Oregon learner case: upgrading to full-scope radiography without moving for every didactic course.
View program at Pima Medical Institute Online →Pima Medical Institute — Radiography Associate Degree
- Cost:
- $47,000–$56,000
- Length:
- 2 yr
- Format:
- Campus-based
- Accreditation:
- JRCERT-accredited radiography program; ABHES institutional accreditation
- Credential prep:
- ARRT Radiography
- FAFSA eligible:
- Yes
Pima Seattle is not an Oregon campus program, but it is a nearby private-school radiography path with published JRCERT accreditation information. It belongs on the Oregon comparison list for students willing to relocate for a structured two-year cohort.
View program at Pima Medical Institute →Oregon Tech — Radiologic Science B.S.
- Cost:
- $45,000–$90,000
- Length:
- 4 yr
- Format:
- Campus-based
- Accreditation:
- NWCCU institutional accreditation; ARRT radiography exam preparation
- Credential prep:
- ARRT Radiography
- FAFSA eligible:
- Yes
Oregon Tech is the in-state bachelor's route, with a senior-year full-time externship model and a broader medical-imaging curriculum than a two-year AAS. It costs more and takes longer, but it can make sense if you want a bachelor's credential before entering radiography.
View program at Oregon Tech →Which radiology tech credential should you pursue?
Radiology tech programs should prepare you for ARRT radiography certification and any state licensure step required where you plan to work.
| Credential | Issuing body | Exam cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| RT(R) Registered Technologist in Radiography | ARRT | $225 application fee | The core credential most entry-level radiologic technologist jobs expect. |
| JRCERT Programmatic accreditation | JRCERT | No student exam fee | Students who want a radiography program reviewed specifically against radiologic technology standards. |
| State license Radiologic technologist license | State agency | Varies by state | Required in many states after ARRT certification or as part of the same application path. |
| Postprimary CT, MRI, mammography, and other specialties | ARRT | Varies by exam | Radiographers who want to specialize after earning the core RT(R) credential. |
Credential and program-accreditation sources: ARRT, and JRCERT.
How much do radiology tech programs cost in Oregon?
Radiology tech programs in this comparison range from $11,000 to $90,000 depending on whether the school is a community college, a private career college, or a four-year university.
The biggest cost drivers are institutional type, program length, and whether clinical hours are embedded in tuition. All programs here are FAFSA-eligible, so net cost after aid can differ sharply from sticker price.
| Tier | Tuition range | What you get | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-state community college AAS | $11,000–$20,000 | Full associate degree tuition at a JRCERT-accredited program with FAFSA eligibility and ARRT Radiography exam preparation built into the curriculum. | Portland Community College |
| Regional community college AAS | $14,000–$22,000 | Associate degree at a JRCERT-accredited or state licensure-disclosed program with FAFSA eligibility, clinical rotations, and ARRT national certification preparation. | Bellevue College |
| Private career college bridge or AAS | $30,000–$56,000 | Associate degree or accelerated bridge pathway at an ABHES- or JRCERT-accredited private institution with FAFSA eligibility and ARRT Radiography prep, including a bridge option for limited-scope radiographers. | Pima Medical Institute |
| Four-year university bachelor's degree | $45,000–$90,000 | A full Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Science at a regionally accredited university with FAFSA eligibility and ARRT Radiography exam preparation, covering advanced imaging concepts beyond an associate degree. | Oregon Tech |
How do you become a radiology tech in Oregon?
- 1
Choose an accredited radiography program
education2-4 weeks · $0 (research only)
Oregon has 6 accredited radiography programs, offered through community colleges and hospitals across the state. Compare factors like program length, clinical site locations, and tuition costs before applying.
- 2
Complete classroom and clinical training
training licensing18-30 mo · Varies by program
Radiography programs combine classroom coursework in anatomy, patient care, and radiation physics with hands-on clinical hours at local imaging facilities. Oregon programs typically require around 1,800 clinical hours before you can sit for the national exam.
- 3
Pass ARRT radiography exam and apply for licensure
career1-3 months · $225+ state fees
After graduating, you'll register for the ARRT radiography exam, which costs $225, and then apply for an Oregon radiography license through the Oregon Medical Imaging Board. Most graduates complete this process within one to three months of finishing their program.
Do you need a license to work as a radiology tech in Oregon?
Oregon requires radiologic technologists to hold a state license before they can work. The Oregon Health Authority issues that license, and applicants must graduate from a JRCERT-accredited program and pass the ARRT certification exam before the state will approve them to practice. The ARRT credential in Radiography is the one hiring managers expect to see on your application. Here is what Oregon employers are currently listing as requirements in their open postings.
What is the Oregon job market like for radiology techs?
We pulled the most recent radiology tech postings open to Oregon residents from Indeed, employer career sites, and relevant professional job boards. The numbers below summarize roughly 820 postings from the last 90 days; the three sample postings further down are representative examples we analyzed to figure out what employers actually require.
Top-level findings: median posted pay is $84,680, 0% of roles are remote or remote-eligible, and the largest employers hiring right now include Providence, Oregon Health & Science University, Kaiser Permanente.
Sources: posting count from Indeed; median salary from BLS OEWS 29-2034.
Sample postings analyzed below
All three Oregon postings share the same hard requirements: ARRT registration in radiography, an Oregon Board of Medical Imaging license, and current BLS certification. None of the three list an experience minimum in their posted text, but the credential floor is non-negotiable before you walk in the door.
The duties described are consistent and specific. Providence expects candidates to be "performing diagnostic radiographic procedures, positioning patients, applying radiation safety principles, evaluating images for technical quality." Kaiser Permanente lists "selecting technical factors, maintaining radiation safety, documenting exams" as core daily work. These are not stretch goals; they are the baseline job description.
A clear pattern: all three roles are onsite in the Portland metro area, which matches the 0% remote rate across 820 Oregon postings. The settings range from a large academic medical center at OHSU to hospital and clinic workflows at Kaiser, so candidates should expect to rotate through trauma, outpatient, and operating room environments regardless of employer.
Pick an accredited radiography program that builds ARRT exam eligibility and includes clinical rotations covering trauma, OR, and general diagnostic imaging so you hit the ground running on day one.
FAQ
Can I work full-time while enrolled in any of these programs?
None of these programs are explicitly listed as part-time or self-paced, so full-time work alongside them is unlikely. Radiography programs typically require daytime clinical rotations, which conflict with standard 9-to-5 schedules. The Pima Medical Institute Online bridge program may offer the most scheduling flexibility, but clinicals still apply.
Do these programs accept FAFSA?
Yes, all six programs accept FAFSA.
Will an out-of-state program count for Oregon employers?
Yes. All programs listed lead to ARRT Radiography certification, which is the national credential Oregon employers require. Where you completed your degree matters far less than holding active ARRT certification.
How long until I can sit for the ARRT radiography exam?
The fastest path is Pima Medical Institute Online's bridge program at 20 months, followed by Spokane Community College at 21 months and Bellevue College at 23 months. Portland Community College and Pima Medical Institute's on-campus program both run 2 years, while Oregon Tech's bachelor's degree takes 4 years.