This page covers accredited sonography programs in Texas, state licensure requirements, salary information, and how to get started if you’re pursuing diagnostic medical sonography in the state.
Accredited Sonography Programs in Texas
Texas has one of the largest concentrations of CAAHEP-accredited sonography programs in the country — more than a dozen accredited programs spread across the state’s major metropolitan areas. Most programs offer an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree and can be completed in two to three years of full-time study. A few universities and hospital-based programs offer one-year post-associate certificates or Bachelor’s options.
Because the program landscape in Texas is large and changes year to year, the list below groups accredited programs by metro region. Verify current accreditation status directly at the CAAHEP program directory before applying.
Houston Metro
| Institution | Location | Typical Credential | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston Community College (HCC) | Houston | AAS | Multiple sonography concentrations (abdominal, OB/GYN, vascular, cardiac) |
| The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) | Houston | BS (post-associate certificate available) | University-based; strong clinical partnerships with Texas Medical Center |
| Lone Star College — Montgomery | Conroe | AAS | Community college option north of Houston |
Dallas–Fort Worth Metro
| Institution | Location | Typical Credential | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tarrant County College (TCC) | Fort Worth | AAS | Established program; multiple concentrations |
| El Centro College (Dallas College) | Dallas | AAS | Downtown Dallas; affordable community college tuition |
| The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center | Dallas | Certificate / BS | University-based; competitive admission, high placement |
Austin and Central Texas
| Institution | Location | Typical Credential | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Community College (ACC) | Austin | AAS | Highly competitive; applicant pool exceeds seats |
| Temple College | Temple | AAS | Community college south of Dallas–Fort Worth |
San Antonio and South Texas
| Institution | Location | Typical Credential | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Antonio College (Alamo Colleges District) | San Antonio | AAS | Established; well-regarded in the region |
| South Texas College | McAllen | AAS | Rio Grande Valley access point |
West Texas and Other Regions
| Institution | Location | Typical Credential | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midland College | Midland | AAS | Serves the Permian Basin |
| El Paso Community College | El Paso | AAS | Border-region option |
| Amarillo College | Amarillo | AAS | Panhandle region |
All programs listed above have held CAAHEP accreditation as recommended by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS). Graduates of accredited programs are eligible to sit for ARDMS exams. Confirm current accreditation and specialization options directly with the institution before applying.
State Licensing Requirements
Texas does not require state licensure for diagnostic medical sonographers. There is no state sonography licensing board and no mandatory state credential specific to ultrasound technicians.
In practice, employers across Texas — from the Texas Medical Center in Houston to community imaging clinics in smaller cities — require national certification through ARDMS (or, less commonly, ARRT or CCI for echocardiography). Certification is the functional hiring standard, even without legal mandate. For a full breakdown of ARDMS pathways and exam details, see the Licensing and Certification guide chapter.
Salary and Job Outlook in Texas
Texas is one of the largest employers of diagnostic medical sonographers in the country by volume. According to 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the median annual wage for sonographers in Texas is approximately $84,000 — close to but slightly below the national median of $89,340.
| Metric | Texas | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | ~$84,000 | $89,340 |
| 10th percentile | ~$60,000 | $64,760 |
| 90th percentile | ~$115,000 | $123,170 |
| Employment | ~5,800 | 57,000 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Verify current figures at bls.gov/oes/current/oes292032.htm.
Sonographer employment is projected to grow 13 percent nationally from 2024 to 2034. Texas’s healthcare expansion supports above-average local demand. The Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land metro and the Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington metro typically pay near or above the national median. Austin has seen sharp wage growth in the past five years. Rural and border regions generally pay below the state median.
How to Get Started
- Choose a CAAHEP-accredited program near your target metro. Match your metro to your program when possible; clinical rotations are typically within 30–60 miles of your campus.
- Understand admission competitiveness. Several Texas programs — particularly Austin Community College, Tarrant County College, and UT Southwestern — receive more qualified applicants than seats available.
- Plan for certification. After graduating from an accredited program, you’ll be eligible to sit for the ARDMS registry exams. See the Licensing and Certification guide.
- Explore financial options. In-district tuition at Texas community colleges typically runs $2,500–$5,000 per year. University programs (UT Southwestern, UTHealth) can run $15,000+ per year. See the Sonography school cost post.
Cost of Living and Employment Context
Texas’s cost of living varies dramatically by region. Austin has the state’s highest metro housing costs — now comparable to many coastal cities. Houston and Dallas–Fort Worth offer a balance of competitive wages and moderate cost of living. San Antonio, El Paso, and the Rio Grande Valley are significantly more affordable.
Texas has no state income tax, which materially improves take-home pay relative to states with comparable nominal wages.
Major healthcare employer concentrations in Texas include: Texas Medical Center (Houston); UT Southwestern and Baylor Scott & White (Dallas–Fort Worth); Dell Medical School and St. David’s (Austin); University Hospital and Methodist Healthcare (San Antonio).
Additional Resources
- CAAHEP Program Search: caahep.org
- ARDMS Certification: ardms.org
- BLS: bls.gov/oes/current/oes292032.htm
- Texas Workforce Commission: twc.texas.gov
Last verified: April 2026. Program details, accreditation status, tuition, and wage figures change. Contact institutions directly for current admissions information.