2026 Best Value Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician Schools in Alabama

[Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/diagnostic-medical-sonography-sonographer-and-ultrasound-technician/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools to find the best return on investment for diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician students.
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2026 Best Value Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician Schools in Alabama
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician Schools
Our analysis ranked Lurleen B Wallace Community College the best value for a degree in diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician in Alabama. Located in the rural area of Andalusia, Lurleen B Wallace Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,190, compared with $9,060 for out-of-state students. Diagnostic Medical Sonography/sonographer And Ultrasound Technician graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician degree recipients from Lurleen B Wallace Community College generally make around $52,384. That is a strong return on a $7,500 median debt.
Gadsden State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician, landing the #2 spot this year. Gadsden State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gadsden. In-state tuition and fees average $4,272, compared with $7,368 for out-of-state students. Diagnostic Medical Sonography/sonographer And Ultrasound Technician graduates carry a median of $9,312 in student loans. Soon after graduation, diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician degree recipients from Gadsden State Community College generally make around $38,015. That is a strong return on a $9,312 median debt.
Northwest Shoals Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Muscle Shoals, Northwest Shoals Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,131 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,001. Typical student debt for diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician graduates is $13,312. Soon after graduation, diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician degree recipients from Northwest Shoals Community College generally make around $33,842. Set against $13,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes H Councill Trenholm State Technical College one of the best values for diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician. Located in the city of Montgomery, H Councill Trenholm State Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,190, compared with $9,060 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $32,183 ten years after entry.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus earned it the #5 place for diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician. Located in the city of Birmingham, Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, compared with $8,910 for out-of-state students. Diagnostic Medical Sonography/sonographer And Ultrasound Technician graduates carry a median of $11,769 in student loans. Early-career diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician graduates make about $40,090. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician schools. Set in the rural area of Hanceville, George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,220, with out-of-state students paying around $9,090. Diagnostic Medical Sonography/sonographer And Ultrasound Technician graduates carry a median of $13,500 in student loans. Early-career diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician graduates make about $48,422. Set against $13,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of South Alabama ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician schools. Set in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,116 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,092. Students borrow a median of $29,192 to complete the diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician program here. Early-career diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician graduates make about $51,592. That is a strong return on a $29,192 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.