by our College Data Analytics Team
[Radiologic Technology](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/radiologic-technology/) 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 33 schools to find the best return on investment for radiologic technology students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in radiologic technology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Carl Sandburg College the best value for a degree in radiologic technology in Illinois. Set in the town of Galesburg, Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,390, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,604 to complete the radiologic technology program here. Early-career radiologic technology graduates make about $48,534. Set against $8,604 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moraine Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in radiologic technology, landing the #2 spot this year. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,822, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the radiologic technology program here. Radiologic Technology graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of $55,739 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value radiologic technology schools. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Radiologic Technology graduates carry a median of $12,924 in student loans. Early-career radiologic technology graduates make about $46,222. That is a strong return on a $12,924 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes South Suburban College one of the best values for radiologic technology. South Suburban College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of South Holland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,093, compared with $12,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,347 to complete the radiologic technology program here. Radiologic Technology graduates of South Suburban College earn a median of $52,242 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,347 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in radiologic technology will find it at Triton College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,070, with out-of-state students paying around $15,330. Radiologic Technology graduates carry a median of $14,285 in student loans. Radiologic Technology graduates of Triton College earn a median of $62,280 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,285 median debt.
Kankakee Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value radiologic technology schools. Located in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,220, compared with $25,830 for out-of-state students. Radiologic Technology graduates carry a median of $10,418 in student loans. Early-career radiologic technology graduates make about $54,757. Set against $10,418 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lincoln Land Community College came in at #7 for value in radiologic technology this year. Set in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,744, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Typical student debt for radiologic technology graduates is $14,897. Early-career radiologic technology graduates make about $52,750. That is a strong return on a $14,897 median debt.
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Joliet Junior College earned the #8 position for value in radiologic technology this year. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Typical student debt for radiologic technology graduates is $12,355. Radiologic Technology graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $57,778 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,355 median debt.
Elgin Community College earned the #9 position for value in radiologic technology this year. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,252, compared with $9,516 for out-of-state students. Radiologic Technology graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Radiologic Technology graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $43,975 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Richland Community College placed #10 among the best values for radiologic technology. Set in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,680, with out-of-state students paying around $17,070. Typical student debt for radiologic technology graduates is $9,562. Radiologic Technology graduates of Richland Community College earn a median of $46,542 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Dupage ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value radiologic technology schools. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Students borrow a median of $14,349 to complete the radiologic technology program here. Radiologic Technology graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $58,004 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harper College placed #12 among the best values for radiologic technology. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,894, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. Typical student debt for radiologic technology graduates is $13,842. Radiologic Technology graduates of Harper College earn a median of $64,778 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,842 median debt.
Kaskaskia College placed #13 among the best values for radiologic technology. Located in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800, with out-of-state students paying around $12,570. Typical student debt for radiologic technology graduates is $7,875. Early-career radiologic technology graduates make about $45,658. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Illinois College landed the #14 spot for radiologic technology value this year. Set in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,230 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,720 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,860 to complete the radiologic technology program here. Soon after graduation, radiologic technology degree recipients from Southwestern Illinois College generally make around $57,296. That is a strong return on a $10,860 median debt.
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Parkland College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value radiologic technology schools. Parkland College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Champaign. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,284, with out-of-state students paying around $13,266. Typical student debt for radiologic technology graduates is $13,500. Soon after graduation, radiologic technology degree recipients from Parkland College generally make around $55,060. That is a strong return on a $13,500 median debt.
Sauk Valley Community College landed the #16 spot for radiologic technology value this year. Set in the rural area of Dixon, Sauk Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,340 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for radiologic technology graduates is $8,312. Early-career radiologic technology graduates make about $48,160. That is a strong return on a $8,312 median debt.
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College came in at #17 for value in radiologic technology this year. Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College is a large public school located in the town of Olney. In-state tuition and fees average $5,260, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Radiologic Technology graduates carry a median of $9,434 in student loans. Radiologic Technology graduates of Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College earn a median of $38,331 early in their careers. Set against $9,434 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Heartland Community College landed the #18 spot for radiologic technology value this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Heartland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,550, while out-of-state students pay about $13,110. Typical student debt for radiologic technology graduates is $13,266. Early-career radiologic technology graduates make about $48,710. Set against $13,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Illinois Central College earned the #19 position for value in radiologic technology this year. Located in the suburb of East Peoria, Illinois Central College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800, with out-of-state students paying around $12,150. Students borrow a median of $9,750 to complete the radiologic technology program here. Soon after graduation, radiologic technology degree recipients from Illinois Central College generally make around $56,637. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of St Francis landed the #20 spot for radiologic technology value this year. University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Joliet. Students from in state pay about $38,110 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the radiologic technology program here. Early-career radiologic technology graduates make about $81,259. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Midwestern Career College landed the #21 spot for radiologic technology value this year. Midwestern Career College is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students borrow a median of $20,084 to complete the radiologic technology program here. Early-career radiologic technology graduates make about $43,528. Set against $20,084 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Rasmussen College Illinois ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value radiologic technology schools. Located in the city of Rockford, Rasmussen College Illinois is a mid-sized private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,581. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the radiologic technology program here. Early-career radiologic technology graduates make about $45,427. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt.
Roosevelt University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value radiologic technology schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $21,315 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for radiologic technology graduates is $23,879. Early-career radiologic technology graduates make about $50,101. Set against $23,879 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Stellar Career College earned the #24 position for value in radiologic technology this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Stellar Career College is a small private for-profit institution. Median earnings reach $30,337 ten years out.
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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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.