The number of first-year students enrolling in radiography and nuclear medicine programs declined in 2014, while the number of students enrolling in radiation therapy programs increased, according to a survey conducted by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT).
ASRT sent the survey by email to 981 program directors in October 2014; 469 participants responded, for a 47.8% response rate.
An estimated 15,211 students enrolled in radiography programs and 1,061 students enrolled in nuclear medicine programs in 2014, the survey found. Compared with 2013 enrollment numbers, this translated to an average decrease of slightly more than one student per class for radiography programs and 1.5 students per class for nuclear medicine programs, according to ASRT.
However, radiation therapy programs grew in 2014, with an estimated 1,544 students enrolled in programs, for an average increase of 0.7 students per program.
Many program directors are limiting enrollment, as the number of students turned away in 2014 closely matched what was reported in 2013, according to ASRT. In 2014, radiography programs that were not at full enrollment turned away an average of 34.1 qualified applicants per class. Meanwhile, an average of 15.7 qualified applicants were turned away for radiation therapy, and an average of 8.3 were turned away for nuclear medicine.
