Phillip EdwinTexas offers a robust and well-regarded landscape for sonography education, with programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). These schools prepare students for careers as diagnostic medical sonographers, a field with strong job growth and competitive salaries.
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.
Top 15 Sonography Schools In Texas
1. Weatherford College (Weatherford)
Weatherford College’s diagnostic medical sonography program was named the “best ultrasound technologist school in Texas” by Nursing Process in 2021. The program, which began in 2009 and received CAAHEP accreditation in 2012, has an exceptional track record: 58 of 62 graduates are triple-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.
2. Austin Community College (Austin)
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 Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS) . Students gain hands-on experience in ACC’s state-of-the-art ultrasound scanning lab and can find careers in hospitals, clinics, and doctors’ offices.
3. Dallas College – El Centro Campus (Dallas)
Dallas College offers both an Associate of Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography and an Advanced Technical Certificate at its El Centro Campus . The AAS 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 Advanced Technical Certificate is for students with a previous associate or bachelor’s degree in an allied health field or a science discipline . Both programs are CAAHEP-accredited.
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 prepares students for certification exams in the specialty areas of Abdomen (AB) and/or Obstetrics/Gynecology (OB/GYN) administered by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS).
Admission is competitive and based on academic performance and TEAS scores, with applications accepted between January and February each year. The program is accredited by CAAHEP upon the recommendation of the JRC-DMS.
5. 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. The program requires a grade of C (75%) or better to progress to the next course or semester.
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.
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. 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.
9. College of Health Care Professions (Fort Worth)
CHCP offers a Diagnostic Medical Sonography program that is a 96-week hybrid Associate of Applied Science degree designed to prepare students for entry-level sonography roles. The program combines online coursework and hands-on training to build foundational skills in abdominal, gynecological, and vascular imaging techniques, patient care, and ultrasound physics. It is ideal for those seeking practical experience and flexible learning options.
10. 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.
11. Angelina College (Lufkin)
Angelina College offers sonography programs at a public, 2-4 year institution with in-state tuition of $4,740, making it an affordable option for students in the East Texas region . The college serves the East Texas region and provides students with training in diagnostic medical sonography through a curriculum designed to meet industry standards and prepare graduates for ARDMS certification.
Students should contact the college directly for specific program details and admission requirements, as the program maintains competitive admission standards and limited class sizes to ensure quality instruction and clinical placement opportunities.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. 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.
Comparison Table
| No | School Name | Location | Program Type | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Weatherford College | Weatherford | AAS / Certificate | #1 in TX, 98% job placement, triple-registration |
| 2 | Austin Community College | Austin | AAS + ATC | Two specialty tracks, CAAHEP accredited |
| 3 | Dallas College – El Centro | Dallas | AAS / Certificate | Multiple entry pathways, CAAHEP accredited |
| 4 | Lamar Institute of Technology | Beaumont | AAS | CAAHEP accredited, TEAS required |
| 5 | Houston Community College | Houston | AAS / Certificate | Texas Medical Center location, 75% minimum grade required |
| 6 | Alvin Community College | Alvin | AAS | Cardiovascular sonography focus, 5-semester program |
| 7 | Collin College | McKinney | AAS | Two tracks (Abdomen/OBGYN & Cardiac), HESI A2 required |
| 8 | Baylor Scott & White | Dallas | Certificate | 52-week program, $22,000, cardiac sonography focus |
| 9 | College of Health Care Professions | Fort Worth | AAS (Hybrid) | Hybrid format, 96-week program |
| 10 | Amarillo College | Amarillo | AAS | Panhandle region, public college affordability |
| 11 | Angelina College | Lufkin | AAS | East Texas region, public college affordability |
| 12 | Del Mar College | Corpus Christi | AAS | Coastal Bend region, public college affordability |
| 13 | El Paso Community College | El Paso | AAS | West Texas region, border community focus |
| 14 | Galveston College | Galveston | AAS | Gulf Coast region, public college affordability |
| 15 | Hill College | Hillsboro | AAS | Central Texas region, public college affordability |
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.
Closing
Texas offers a comprehensive and competitive selection of sonography schools, from the top-ranked 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.