School Overviews
Radiology residency programs are available to individuals who have completed a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree and want to specialize in diagnosing and treating diseases or injuries using different diagnostic imaging. Such programs are offered by a variety of highly reputable medical schools nationwide. For 2020, U.S News & World Report provided rankings for the best medical schools in the country for primary care. The top three medical schools in this category were the University of Washington in Seattle, the University of California in San Francisco and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. These schools offer both M.D. and radiology residency programs.
University of Washington
The University of Washington (UW) was ranked #2 by U.S. News & World Report among medical schools and hosts nearly 50 areas of medical services, including radiation oncology and radiology and imaging services. Students in the resident program spend the majority of their practicum hours at the UW Medical Center in Seattle. Upon completion of a residency program, most students select a fellowship program and specialize in areas such as neuroradiology, pediatric radiology, oncology radiation, cardiac imaging, and musculoskeletal radiology.
UNC - Chapel Hill
For 2020, University of North Carolina (UNC) was ranked #1 on U.S. News & World Report's list of the best medical schools with primary care programs. Residents in UNC's diagnostic radiology program are trained within the UNC Medical Center, which is made up of the NC Cancer Hospital, NC Children's Hospital, NC Memorial Hospital, NC Neurosciences Hospital, and NC Women's Hospital. The curriculum consists of lecture-based coursework, case study evaluations, grand rounds, weekly conferences, and attendance at the American Institute of Radiologic Pathology. Students also prepare for the Core Exam.
UCSF
The University of California in San Francisco (UCSF) was ranked #3 among medical schools by U.S. News & World Report and boasts some of the most technologically advanced radiology equipment and a high volume of imaging procedures per year. UCSF has two residency program options for those specializing in radiology. The diagnostic radiology program centers on general radiology, while the study of nuclear medicine, a radiology subspecialty, covers its use in diagnosing and treating cancers. The residency program for radiology is highly selective, and residents work at the UCSF Medical Center.
Top Radiology Schools
Aspiring radiologists can also find other strong residency offerings through these three schools:
| College/University Name | Location | Distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana University in Indianapolis | Indianapolis, IN | The School of Medicine receives about $110 million annually in grants from national organizations to further research |
| Michigan State University | East Lansing, MI | Offers multiple residency programs in Radiology |
| University of Wisconsin in Madison | Madison, WI | Students can access a 50,000-square-foot imaging sciences research center with state-of-the-art equipment |
Radiology residency programs are available at the top three medical schools in the United States. There are also other well-respected universities that offer such programs with access to excellent research opportunities and related facilities.
