Keiser University Radiology Program Reviews: The Unvarnished Truth
So, you’re thinking about a career as a radiologic technologist, and Keiser University keeps popping up. You’ve seen the ads, you’ve heard the name, and now you’re doing the smart thing: you’re digging for real reviews. Is Keiser’s radiology program your golden ticket to a career in medical imaging, or is it a costly detour you’ll later regret?
We’ve combed through student forums, official accreditation reports, and program data to give you the unvarnished truth. Here’s the real review of Keiser University’s radiologic technology program you’ve been looking for.
First Things First: A.S. vs. B.S. (Don’t Get Confused)
Let’s clear up a major point of confusion. Keiser University offers two distinct programs that you might see:
- Associate of Science (A.S.) in Radiologic Technology: This is the entry-level program. It’s designed to take you from zero to a registered technologist (RT). It’s a 2-year program (after prerequisites) that prepares you for the ARRT certification exam. This is likely the program you’re looking for.
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Imaging Sciences: This is a degree completion program. It is not for beginners. It’s designed for existing rad techs who already have their associate degree and ARRT certification and want to move into management or advanced clinical roles.
This review will focus on the Associate (A.S.) in Radiologic Technology program, as this is the path for new students.
The Big Question: Is Keiser’s Radiology Program Accredited?
Yes, but this is where your research becomes critical.
The most important accreditation for any radiologic technology program is from the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Graduating from a JRCERT-accredited program is the only way you can sit for the national ARRT certification exam, which you must pass to get a job.
Keiser University’s campuses are individually accredited by the JRCERT. This is good. It means they are a legitimate option.
However, accreditation status is not a simple “yes” or “no.” It can change, and it varies by campus.
A Major Red Flag: The Lakeland Campus Probation
As of late 2024, the Keiser University – Lakeland campus’s Associate of Science in Radiologic Technology program was placed on Probationary Accreditation by the JRCERT.
According to the official JRCERT letter, this action was taken due to “non-compliance with Standard Six,” specifically “Objective 6.1.” In plain English, the program was failing to ensure that its 5-year average ARRT credentialing exam pass rate (on the first attempt) was at or above the JRCERT’s 75% benchmark.
This is a serious issue. It indicates that a significant number of graduates from that specific campus were not passing their boards. While this doesn’t invalidate the degrees of current students, it is a massive red flag for anyone considering enrolling at that location.
The Good: What Students & Data Say They Like
It’s not all bad. Keiser has a “students first” motto, and for some, the model works. Here are the most common “pros” we found.
Excellent Job Placement Rates (On Paper)
This is Keiser’s strongest selling point. The program effectiveness data published by the university for its JRCERT-accredited programs shows fantastic job placement.
- Sarasota Campus: 100% job placement (5-year average, 2019-2023)
- Tampa Campus: 100% job placement (5-year average, 2020-2024)
- West Palm Beach Campus: 100% job placement (5-year average, 2019-2023)
- Tallahassee Campus: 100% job placement (5-year average, 2018-2022)
These numbers are impressive. They mean that every graduate who was actively seeking employment found a job in the field within 12 months.
Potentially Shorter Waitlists
This is a major theme in online student discussions. Many public state and community college radiology programs are extremely competitive and have long waitlists or points-based systems that can take years to get into.
Keiser, as a private institution, often has more frequent start dates and may have shorter waitlists. For some students, the ability to start their career 2-3 years sooner is worth the extra cost. One student on Reddit noted that while Broward College was “tough to get into,” Keiser was a viable (though expensive) alternative that got them into clinicals quickly.
Small Class Sizes and Good Instructors
This benefit was mentioned in several positive reviews. Students praised the small class sizes, one-on-one time with instructors, and knowledgeable faculty. One graduate testimonial praised the instructors and clinicals for teaching them to “stay on task and always be prepared.”
The Bad: The “Diploma Mill” Reputation & Student Complaints
You can’t search for Keiser reviews without running into a wall of criticism. It’s essential to understand why.
The Crushing Cost: The Biggest “Con”
This is the number one complaint, by far. Keiser is a private, not-for-profit (it was formerly for-profit, which is the source of its reputation) university. Its tuition is dramatically higher than public state colleges.
- Keiser University: Students on forums like Reddit report total program costs of $50,000 or more.
- Public State Colleges: In-state tuition for the entire A.S. in Radiography program at a Florida state college is often a fraction of that. For example, Hillsborough Community College’s resident tuition is around $4,300. Broward College is around $4,000.
This is a life-changing amount of money. Taking on $50,000+ in student loans for a career where the starting salary is often in the $50k-$60k range is a significant financial burden that public college graduates simply do not have.
The “For-Profit” Stigma
Keiser was a for-profit university for decades before switching to not-for-profit status. This history has created a persistent “diploma mill” or “student loan scam” reputation that you will see everywhere online.
Many students and even some healthcare professionals in online forums express a bias against Keiser graduates, fairly or not. The most common complaints allege that the school is more focused on “high-pressure sales” and “taking money” than on student outcomes.
Inconsistent ARRT Pass Rates
While job placement is high, the ARRT board exam pass rates—the most important academic metric—are inconsistent across campuses. This data is publicly available on Keiser’s website.
- Tallahassee Campus: The 5-year average (2018-2022) was 72%, which is below the 75% JRCERT standard. The annual rate has been a rollercoaster, from a low of 57% in 2021 to 92% in 2022.
- Sarasota Campus: The 5-year average is a good 82%, but it dipped to 63% in 2022.
- West Palm Beach Campus: The 5-year average is 81%, but it had a disastrous 43% pass rate in 2019.
- Lakeland Campus: As mentioned, this campus is on probation for failing to meet the 75% pass rate standard.
This inconsistency is a problem. While public colleges like Hillsborough Community College and Indian River State College boast pass rates of 98-100% year after year, some Keiser campuses are barely meeting or even failing the minimum standard.
Verdict: Should You Go to Keiser for Radiology?
So, what’s the final word?
Keiser University’s radiology program is a high-cost, high-risk, high-speed option.
It may be the right choice for you only if all of the following are true:
- You have exhausted your options at cheaper public state and community colleges.
- You are facing a multi-year waitlist at those public colleges.
- You are financially prepared to take on $50,000+ in student loan debt.
- You are not considering the Lakeland campus (due to its probation) and have carefully checked the 5-year ARRT pass rates for the specific campus you are applying to.
For the vast majority of prospective students, the more prudent path is clear: Apply to your local public state or community college.