Enrollment in radiography and radiation therapy educational programs increased slightly in 2013, according to a survey conducted by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT).

Results of the survey, contained in the report “Enrollment Snapshot of Radiography, Radiation Therapy and Nuclear Medicine Technology Programs – 2013,” showed an estimated 16,154 students enrolled in radiography programs in 2013, an average increase of close to one student per class. An additional 1,513 enrolled in radiation therapy programs.

Nuclear medicine technology programs trended slightly in the other direction. An estimated 1,280 students enrolled in such programs in 2013, representing an average decrease of 0.5 students per program, according to ASRT.

Enrollment numbers were limited by program directors, as evidenced by the fact that an average of 36.3 qualified applicants per radiography program class were turned away. The average number turned away per class for radiation therapy and nuclear medicine programs were 17.1 and 7.8 students, respectively.

“After factoring in the number of students who weren’t admitted and the available slots in programs, we estimated that more than 15,500 students were turned away in 2013,” said John Culbertson, ASRT director of research, in a press release. “In addition, about 46 percent of radiography program directors who participated in the survey said their program was not at full capacity in 2013, which possibly indicates that many directors are carefully monitoring their enrollment."

The survey was conducted by email in October 2013 and featured responses from more than 500 program directors.