Texas offers a robust and well-regarded landscape for ultrasound education, with programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) preparing students for careers as diagnostic medical sonographers. The state features a mix of community college programs offering Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees and technical certificates, as well as hospital-based certificate programs.
Many programs are competitive and require prerequisite coursework and entrance exams. Graduates of these programs are eligible to sit for the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) certification exams, which are essential for employment in the field.
Top 20 Ultrasound Schools In Texas
1. Weatherford College (Weatherford)
Weatherford College’s diagnostic medical sonography program has an exceptional track record: since 2019, 62 students have graduated, with 58 triple-registered and 3 double-registered, and the job placement rate is 98%.
Students combine clinicals and classes over five semesters, with first-year students learning physics, normal anatomy, and OB/GYN, while second-year students focus on vascular and pathology. The program is accredited in abdomen, OB/GYN, and vascular tracts, and the cardiovascular sonography program earned CAAHEP accreditation in 2026, allowing students to pursue registry credentials up to 60 days before graduation.
2. Dallas College – El Centro Campus (Dallas)
Dallas College offers an Associate of Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography at its El Centro Campus with an estimated total tuition of $5,940 for in-county residents. The program prepares students to perform sonography examinations on soft tissue structures such as the gall bladder, kidneys, and pregnant uterus.
Admission requires an information session, satisfactory scores on pre-entrance assessment testing, rank ordering by grade point, interviews, and recommendation letters . The program is CAAHEP-accredited upon the recommendation of the JRC-DMS and is located in the Downtown Health Sciences Center with teaching labs that simulate surgical and hospital settings.
3. College of Health Care Professions (CHCP) – Austin and Fort Worth
CHCP offers a Diagnostic Medical Sonography program at its Austin and Fort Worth campuses that is accredited by CAAHEP upon the recommendation of the JRC-DMS. The program is designed to be completed in as few as 96 weeks using a hybrid learning format that combines online coursework with in-person lab and clinical training.
Students train in three learning domains—behavioral, psychomotor, and cognitive—to equip them for entry-level careers as ultrasound technicians. The curriculum covers abdominal, gynecological, obstetrical, and vascular sonography, and students have the opportunity to take a final review course to prepare for ARDMS registry examinations.
4. Lamar Institute of Technology (Beaumont)
Lamar Institute of Technology offers a 65-credit-hour Associate of Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography that combines classroom study with supervised clinical experience. The program is CAAHEP-accredited and prepares students for certification exams in the specialty areas of Abdomen (AB) and/or Obstetrics/Gynecology (OB/GYN) administered by the ARDMS.
Admission is competitive and based on academic performance and TEAS scores, with applications accepted between January and February each year . LIT exclusively offers the program in a full-time, in-person format that facilitates intensive and immersive clinical experiences, covering 24 hours per week on a three-day, eight-hour basis.
5. Austin Community College (ACC)
ACC’s Sonography Program offers two specialty tracks: Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) and Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography (DCS) . Each track consists of both an Associate of Applied Science degree and an Advanced Technical Certificate (ATC), and all students must complete both awards. The program is accredited by CAAHEP upon the recommendation of the JRC-DMS and provides hands-on experience in ACC’s state-of-the-art ultrasound scanning lab.
6. Alvin Community College (Alvin)
Alvin Community College offers a Diagnostic Cardiovascular Sonography program that provides hands-on training in adult, pediatric echocardiography, and vascular sonography. This five-semester program prepares students for an Associate of Applied Science degree and certification exams in sonography. Students learn to conduct ultrasound examinations to support medical diagnoses, making it ideal for those interested in patient care and medical imaging. Classes are held on campus in Alvin, with additional clinical hours in healthcare settings.
7. Collin College (McKinney)
Collin College offers a Diagnostic Medical Sonography program that provides a structured, five-semester pathway to an Associate of Applied Science degree. The program emphasizes hands-on training, with in-person classes on the McKinney campus and clinical practicums at nearby hospitals. Admission is competitive, requiring completion of prerequisite courses, a HESI A2 exam, and an interview. The program offers two focused tracks: Abdomen-Extended & Obstetrics/Gynecology and Cardiac Sonography, equipping students with specialized knowledge essential for their field.
8. Houston Community College – Coleman College (Houston)
Houston Community College’s Coleman College for Health Sciences offers a Diagnostic Medical Sonography program located in the Texas Medical Center . Students are prepared for careers as Medical Radiologic Technologists licensed by the Texas Medical Board.
Applicants must take the HESI A2 entrance exam, and admission also requires proof of immunizations, a background check, and a drug screen. HCC’s Coleman College is the only health science community college located in the world-renowned Texas Medical Center, providing students with unique clinical and networking opportunities.
9. Kilgore College (Kilgore)
Kilgore College offers a 21-month Associate Degree program in Diagnostic Medical Sonography located at the Torrence Health Science Center in Kilgore . The program prepares students to work in a wide range of healthcare settings, including clinics, hospitals, physician offices, public health facilities, and laboratories.
Students learn to perform routine sonographic examinations of the abdomen, small parts, vascular system, and obstetrics and gynecology, as well as assist physicians with invasive procedures. The program features state-of-the-art equipment, including GE LOGIQ TOTUS and specialized probes, and the average annual pay for a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer in Texas is $78,539.
10. Angelina College (Lufkin)
Angelina College offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography that is accredited by CAAHEP. The program provides a balance of didactic and technical courses which affords each student individual opportunities for educational development and clinical competence. Students must achieve a minimum grade of “C” in all sonography courses or be dropped from the program. Admission requires completion of prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” or better, including BIOL 2404, ENGL 1301, PSYC 2301, MATH 1314, PHYS 1305, and DMSO 1210. The program is offered in cooperation with area hospitals to provide clinical training.
11. El Centro College (Dallas)
El Centro College, part of the Dallas College system, offers the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program located in the Downtown Health Sciences Center. The program is accredited by CAAHEP and the JRC-DMS. Admission requirements include an information session, satisfactory scores on pre-entrance assessment testing, rank ordering by grade point, interviews and recommendation letters.
Students gain practical experience using ultrasound equipment in the sonography scanning lab and through clinical rotations in area hospitals and other healthcare facilities . Upon graduation, students are eligible to take several registry exams, such as abdomen, OB-GYN, and vascular registries.
12. Baylor Scott & White (Dallas)
Baylor Scott & White offers a 52-week Adult Echocardiography certificate program that is full-time and designed to equip students with skills to work as entry-level cardiac sonographers. The program includes classroom learning, hands-on labs, and clinical externships with a strong focus on adult heart imaging. Upon completion, graduates are eligible to sit for national certification exams in adult echocardiography. The cost of the program is approximately $22,000.
13. Amarillo College (Amarillo)
Amarillo College offers sonography programs at a public, 2-4 year institution with in-state tuition of $3,168, providing an affordable pathway for students seeking quality education without significant debt . The college is located in Amarillo, Texas, serving the Texas Panhandle region with accessible healthcare education and strong ties to local clinical facilities . Like other programs on this list, it is accredited and prepares students for careers in diagnostic medical sonography, equipping graduates with the skills needed to sit for national certification exams and enter the workforce with confidence.
14. Del Mar College (Corpus Christi)
Del Mar College offers sonography programs at a public, 4-year institution with in-state tuition of $4,940, providing a cost-effective option for students in the Coastal Bend region of Texas. Located in Corpus Christi, the college serves the Coastal Bend region of Texas and offers programs designed to prepare students for careers in diagnostic medical sonography with strong clinical partnerships. Students interested in the program should contact the college directly for admission and curriculum details, including information on prerequisite courses, application deadlines, and clinical placement requirements.
15. El Paso Community College (El Paso)
El Paso Community College offers sonography programs at a public, 2-4 year institution with in-state tuition of $3,274, one of the most affordable options in the state for sonography education. The college serves the West Texas and border region, providing accessible healthcare education to a diverse student population with unique clinical opportunities along the U.S.-Mexico border. Students should contact the college directly for specific program details and admission requirements, including prerequisite coursework, entrance exam scores, and clinical placement procedures.
16. Galveston College (Galveston)
Galveston College offers sonography programs at a public, 4-year institution with in-state tuition of $3,266, offering excellent value for students seeking healthcare education on the Texas Gulf Coast. The college serves the Galveston and Gulf Coast region, providing students with access to clinical training opportunities in coastal healthcare facilities that serve diverse patient populations. Students interested in the program should contact the college directly for program information, including admission requirements, curriculum details, and clinical placement opportunities.
17. Hill College (Hillsboro)
Hill College offers sonography programs at a public, 2-4 year institution with in-state tuition of $4,320, providing affordable education for students in the Central Texas region seeking careers in diagnostic medical sonography.
The college serves the Central Texas region and offers programs designed to prepare students for entry-level positions in sonography with a focus on practical skills and professional development . Students should contact the college directly for specific program details and admission requirements, including prerequisite courses, application deadlines, and clinical placement information.
18. Tyler Junior College (Tyler)
Tyler Junior College offers sonography programs that prepare students for careers in diagnostic medical sonography. The program provides a balance of classroom instruction and clinical experience to develop competent entry-level sonographers. Students should contact the college directly for specific program details and admission requirements.
19. Blinn College (Bryan)
Blinn College offers sonography programs that prepare students for careers in diagnostic medical sonography. The program provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to perform ultrasound examinations in healthcare settings. Students should contact the college directly for specific program details and admission requirements.
20. San Jacinto College (Pasadena)
San Jacinto College offers sonography programs that prepare students for careers in diagnostic medical sonography. The program provides hands-on training and clinical experience in healthcare settings. Students should contact the college directly for specific program details and admission requirements.
Comparison Table
| No | School Name | Location | Approx. Tuition | Program Length | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Weatherford College | Weatherford | Varies | 5 semesters | 98% job placement, triple-registration encouraged |
| 2 | Dallas College – El Centro | Dallas | $5,940 (in-county) | 2 years | CAAHEP accredited, Downtown Health Sciences Center |
| 3 | College of Health Care Professions | Austin, Fort Worth | Varies | 96 weeks | Hybrid format, CAAHEP accredited |
| 4 | Lamar Institute of Technology | Beaumont | $80/credit (in-state) | Varies | CAAHEP accredited, 65-credit program |
| 5 | Austin Community College | Austin | Varies | Varies | Two specialty tracks, AAS + ATC |
| 6 | Alvin Community College | Alvin | $4,330 ($3,058 in-state) | 5 semesters | Cardiovascular sonography focus |
| 7 | Collin College | McKinney | Varies | 5 semesters | Two tracks (Abdomen/OBGYN & Cardiac) |
| 8 | Houston Community College | Houston | Varies | Varies | Texas Medical Center location |
| 9 | Kilgore College | Kilgore | Varies | 21 months | GE LOGIQ TOTUS equipment, $78,539 avg salary |
| 10 | Angelina College | Lufkin | $6,150 ($4,740 in-state) | Varies | CAAHEP accredited, cooperative with hospitals |
| 11 | El Centro College | Dallas | Varies | 2 years | Downtown Health Sciences Center |
| 12 | Baylor Scott & White | Dallas | ~$22,000 | 52 weeks | Cardiac sonography certificate |
| 13 | Amarillo College | Amarillo | $4,704 ($3,168 in-state) | Varies | Texas Panhandle region, affordable |
| 14 | Del Mar College | Corpus Christi | $6,050 ($4,940 in-state) | Varies | Coastal Bend region |
| 15 | El Paso Community College | El Paso | $5,314 ($3,274 in-state) | Varies | Border region, most affordable |
| 16 | Galveston College | Galveston | $5,726 ($3,266 in-state) | Varies | Gulf Coast region |
| 17 | Hill College | Hillsboro | $4,720 ($4,320 in-state) | Varies | Central Texas region |
| 18 | Tyler Junior College | Tyler | Varies | Varies | East Texas region |
| 19 | Blinn College | Bryan | Varies | Varies | Central Texas region |
| 20 | San Jacinto College | Pasadena | Varies | Varies | Houston area, clinical partnerships |
Success Tips for Choosing a Sonography School
Start by verifying that the program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), which is essential for eligibility to sit for the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) certification exams.
Consider the program format and your current commitments; Weatherford College offers a five-semester program combining clinicals and classes, while CHCP offers a 96-week hybrid program with online coursework.
Evaluate each program’s specialty tracks and certification preparation; Weatherford College students are encouraged to take three registries, and programs like Collin College offer specialized tracks in Abdomen-OB/GYN or Cardiac Sonography.
Check admission requirements carefully; many programs require prerequisite courses, entrance exams like TEAS or HESI A2, and clinical requirements including immunizations and background checks.
Compare tuition costs; Dallas College offers in-county tuition of $5,940, El Paso Community College offers in-state tuition of $3,274, and Weatherford College has a strong job placement rate of 98%.
Closing
Texas offers a comprehensive and competitive selection of sonography schools, from the top-performing program at Weatherford College to affordable community college options and specialized hospital-based certificate programs. With strong job placement rates, CAAHEP accreditation, and diverse specialty tracks, these schools prepare students for successful careers as diagnostic medical sonographers.
Note that all information, including program details and admission requirements, is subject to change, so it is essential to verify current details directly with each school and through official sources like the CAAHEP and the ARDMS.