Accredited Ultrasound Technician Schools in Minnesota (with Expert Advice)

(found 4 schools, updated in March 2017)

If you want to become an ultrasound technician in Minnesota, this article is right for you. Called the “Land of 10,000 Lakes”, it is not surprising that Minnesota has many popular outdoor locations that include lakes for fishing and boating, miles of trails for hiking and snowmobiling, and interesting sites like Minnehaha Falls. The state also has a rich cultural and arts scene that includes the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and the American Swedish Institute located in a castle. Minnesota is considered a leader in providing health and wellness services to a diverse population. Diagnostic Medical Sonographers will find numerous opportunities to joint innovative efforts to meet growing healthcare needs.

Sonography Training Programs in Minnesota

Minnesota has four Sonography schools that are CAAHEP accredited as of 2017. The accredited ultrasound technician schools in Minnesota offer Associate degrees, diplomas, certificates and Baccalaureate degrees in sonography. Ultrasound technology students can choose to study general sonography, specialize in cardiac sonography or vascular sonography. The training program at the University of Minnesota Rochester is offered in collaboration with the Mayo School of Health sciences and can lead to earning a certificate or a Bachelor’s degree, depending on the educational track chosen.

Pay and Career Outlook for Sonographers in Minnesota

Sonographers looking for employment in Minnesota will find it is one of the highest paying states. Professionals earn an average annual salary of $77,680. Minnesota holds excellent career opportunities according to the statistics, with 1,540 already employed and an expected 50 new positions becoming available each year. Salaries by metropolitan area vary significantly with Duluth being one of the lowest paying cities for sonographers and Rochester being the highest. Most positions are located in Minneapolis. The federal statistical area of Minneapolis-St.Paul-Bloomington is listed as one of the top metropolitan areas for sonographer employment. | See Job Openings

Best Paying Regions in Minnesota

Here are the 5 top paying regions in Minnesota in terms of annual median wages:

1. Rochester, MN: $79,950
2. St. Cloud, MN: $78,400
3. Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI: $77,470
4. Southeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area: $75,390
5. Duluth, MN-WI: $72,850

Best Accredited Ultrasound Technician Schools in Minnesota

Argosy University

Address: 1515 Central Parkway
Zip: 55121
City: Eagan
Website: www.argosy.edu
Contact Person: Jennifer Zafke
Contact Email: jzafke@argosy.edu
Contact Phone: (651) 846-3526
Program: Associate Degree in General Sonography, Associate Degree in Cardiac Sonography
Accreditation: CAAHEP
Program Length: 70 semester credit hours (24 months including 6-month clinical training)
Application Deadline: Apply anytime; wait list maintained for approved applicants
Program Start Date: Can matriculate Fall or Spring Semester
What to Learn: Medical Terminology, Abdominal, Ultrasound Concepts, OB/GYN, Vascular, Ultrasound Physics, Special Procedures and Patient Care, Medical Law and Ethics, Cardiac, Cardiac Anatomy and Physiology, Congenital Heart Disease and Pediatric Echo, Clinical
Clinical Sites: Available upon request
Estimated Tuition, Fees and Costs: $570 Tuition per credit hour; $165 Laboratory Fee per lab class
Financial Aid Opportunity: U.S. Federal Government Grants and Loans; Veterans’ Benefits like the Post 9/11 GI Bill Yellow Ribbon Program; Other grants, loans and possible scholarships;

Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science

Address: 200 First Street SW
Zip: 55905
City: Rochester
Website: www.mayo.edu
Contact Person: Diane Youngs (general and vascular sonography), Sally J Miller (cardiac sonography)
Contact Email: youngs.diane@mayo.edu | miller.sallyj@mayo.edu
Contact Phone: (507) 255-3322 | (507) 284-9918
Program: Diploma and Bachelor Degree in Cardiac Sonography, Certificate and Bachelor Degree in General Sonography and Vascular Sonography
Accreditation: CAAHEP
Program Length: Certificate – 21 months; Bachelor’s Degree – 48 months;
Application Deadline: Certificate – November 1 to February 1 (Apply to Mayo School of Health Sciences); Bachelor’s Degree – Apply to University of Minnesota Rochester by February 1
Program Start Date: Certificate – August; Bachelor’s Degree (sonography track) – August
What to Learn (General and Vascular Sonography): Same Sonography Curriculum for Certificate and Bachelor’s Degree – Foundation of Sonography, Gynecologic Sonography, Vascular Technology, OB Sonography, Cross-Sectional Abdominal Anatomy, Abdomen Sonography, Superficial Sonography, Pediatric Sonography, Clinical Practicum
What to Learn (Cardiac Sonography): Same Sonography Curriculum for Certificate and Bachelor’s Degree – Foundations of Echocardiography, Adult Echocardiography, Echocardiographic Application, Stress Echocardiography, Special Procedures, Congenital Heart Disease, Ultrasound Physics, Clinical Practicum
Clinical Sites: Mayo Clinic Health System locations
Estimated Tuition, Fees and Costs: Cardiac Program – $33,726 (tuition and fees), $1,205 (books, uniforms, and other costs); General and Vascular Program – $33,755 (tuition and fees), $1,100 (books, uniforms and ARDMS SPI examination)
Financial Aid Opportunity: Visit here to explore scholarships, grants and loans

Saint Cloud Technical and Community College

Address: 1540 Northway Drive
Zip: 56303
City: St. Cloud
Website: www.sctcc.edu
Contact Person: Jeff Gunderson MS, RDMS, RVT, RT(R)
Contact Email: jgunderson@sctcc.edu
Contact Phone: (320) 308-0971
Program: Associate Degree Program in General Sonography
Accreditation: CAAHEP
Program Length: 64 credits
Application Deadline: January 15
Program Start Date: Fall Semester
What to Learn: Introduction to Sonography Field, Ultrasound Cross-Sectional Anatomy, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Ultrasound Physics, Clinical Training
Clinical Sites: Most facilities in Minnesota and North Dakota
Estimated Tuition, Fees and Costs: Tuition and Fees – $178.48 per credit hour; Textbooks and Supplies (Total program) – $4,483
Financial Aid Opportunity: Complete Common Application for Scholarship Consideration; Federal Grants and Loans; Veterans’ Benefits

Saint Catherine University

Address: 601 25th Avenue South
Zip: 55454
City: Minneapolis
Website: www.stkate.edu
Contact Person: Susan Trelstad
Contact Email: sdtrelstad@stkate.edu
Contact Phone: (651) 690-7765
Program: Bachelor Degree in General Sonography
Accreditation: CAAHEP
Program Length: 4 years
Application Deadline: Contact school for specific dates
What to Learn: Abdomen, GYN, Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation, Vascular Ultrasound, Abdomen, OB Lecture, Clinical Ultrasound
Clinical Sites: Twin Cities-area clinics and hospitals
Financial Aid Opportunity: St. Kate’s Scholarships; St. Catherine University Grant; Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans; Direct PLUS Loans; Federal Grants; Minnesota State Grant and more financial aid programs