Thinking About Keiser University’s Sonography Program? Let’s Talk Tuition.
Hey there! If you’ve landed on this page, you’re probably dreaming of a career in diagnostic medical sonography. You’ve seen those cool ultrasound images, and you’re thinking, “I want to do that!” It’s an amazing field, and Keiser University is a popular name in Florida for this program.
But let’s be real. The first big question that pops into everyone’s head is… what’s it going to cost?
Figuring out college tuition can feel like trying to solve a puzzle. You see one number on a website, but then you hear about fees, books, and all these other hidden costs. It’s stressful!
So, I decided to do a deep dive and break down the tuition for Keiser University’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography program. I wanted to get as close to a real-world number as possible, using the latest 2024-2025 data.
My goal is to give you a clear, “human-friendly” breakdown, with no confusing jargon. Just plain-English answers so you can make the best decision for your future.
The Core Program: What You’re Signing Up For
First, let’s get on the same page. The main program at Keiser for sonography is the Associate of Science (AS) in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
This is a degree program, not just a certificate. It’s designed to take you from zero to a career-ready sonographer.
From what I’ve found, the entire AS program is 89.0 credit hours. This is a super important number to know because it’s the foundation of your total cost.
Typically, a full-time student can finish an associate’s degree like this in about two years, which usually breaks down into four semesters. Keep that “four-semester” idea in your head as we start to add up the costs.
The “Sticker Price”: Keiser’s 2024-2025 Tuition
Alright, let’s get to the main event. Keiser University charges tuition per semester, based on how many credits you take.
For the 2024-2025 academic year, the full-time undergraduate tuition is $11,928 per semester.
Full-time is defined as taking 12 to 17.99 credit hours. Since the sonography program is a full-on, hands-on degree, you’ll almost certainly be in this full-time bracket.
So, let’s do the simple math:
$11,928 (per semester) x 4 (semesters) = $47,712
This is your base tuition for the entire two-year program. It’s the biggest chunk of your investment, but it’s definitely not the only cost.
Beyond Tuition: The “Extra” Fees You MUST Know About
This is where things get tricky at any school. The “fees” are what turn that sticker price into the real price. For the sonography program, there are a few key ones.
1. The Program-Specific “Education Fee”
Because sonography is a specialized, hands-on medical program, it has an extra fee. It’s not the same as, say, a business degree. You’re using expensive, high-tech ultrasound machines, simulation labs, and dedicated instructors.
Keiser lists this as an “Education Fee” for the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program.
- Education Fee: $980 per semester
Let’s add that to our total.
$980 (per semester) x 4 (semesters) = $3,920
This fee is a big deal. It adds almost $4,000 to the total cost of the program, so you can’t ignore it.
2. The One-Time “Get in the Door” Fees
These are small, but they exist. You pay them right at the beginning, and that’s it.
- Application Fee: $55
- Registration Fee: $145
So, that’s another $200 just to get enrolled and registered for your first classes.
Adding It Up (So Far): Our First Total
Let’s pause and see where we are.
- Base Tuition: $47,712
- Program Fees: $3,920
- One-Time Fees: $200
Subtotal: $51,832
This is the core academic cost of the degree. If you see numbers online like “$45,000” or “$50,000,” this is what they’re talking about. But wait… we’re not done.
The “Other” Costs: Books, Scrubs, and Exams
These are the expenses that aren’t paid directly to Keiser on your tuition bill, but they are 100% required for you to pass the program.
1. Textbooks (The Big One)
Medical textbooks are notoriously expensive. And for sonography, you’re learning anatomy, physics, and patient care all at once.
Keiser’s own financial documents give a wide estimate. They say to budget “up to $2,000 per semester” for books.
Whoa. That’s a lot. Let’s do the math on that.
$2,000 (per semester) x 4 (semesters) = $8,000
Now, can you get them for cheaper? Probably. You can rent, buy used, or find digital versions. But when you’re budgeting, it’s safer to use the school’s high-end estimate. Let’s be safe and budget $6,000 to $8,000 for books over the two years.
2. Uniforms, Supplies, and Clinical Fees
You can’t just show up to a clinical rotation in jeans and a t-shirt. You’ll need scrubs (probably with the Keiser logo), proper shoes, and other supplies.
You’ll also have to pay for things like your background check, a drug screening, and possibly immunization tracking. These are required by the hospitals where you’ll do your clinical training.
Estimates for this “all-in” supply and clinical fee bundle range from $800 to $1,500 for the whole program.
- Scrubs/Uniforms/Supplies: ~$500 – $1,000
- Clinical Fees (Background check, etc.): ~$300 – $500
Let’s call it a safe $1,200 to be in the middle.
3. The Final Boss: Certification Exam Fees
This is the most important part! After you graduate, you aren’t officially a sonographer until you pass your board exams. The main credential you’ll want is the RDMS (Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer) from the ARDMS.
To get this, you have to pass two separate exams:
- SPI (Sonography Principles & Instrumentation) Exam: This is the “physics” exam. The fee is $250.
- Specialty Exam (e.g., Abdomen or OB/GYN): This proves your skill in a specific area. The fee is $275.
So, you need to budget a minimum of $525 to pay for your certification after you finish all your classes.
The Grand Total: A Realistic Budget for the Keiser Sonography Program
Okay, let’s put all the pieces together.
- Core Academic Cost: $51,832
- Books (Realistic Estimate): $7,000
- Supplies & Clinical Fees: $1,200
- ARDMS Certification Exams: $525
Estimated Grand Total: ~$60,557
So, when you’re planning, a $60,000 to $61,000 budget is a much more realistic number for the total cost of education from start to finish.
This number doesn’t include living expenses (rent, food, gas) or a new laptop. This is just the cost of the program itself.
How on Earth Do I Pay for This? (The Good News)
Seeing a number like $60k is terrifying. I get it. But almost no one pays that full “sticker price” out of pocket.
This is where financial aid comes in, and you have a TON of options.
1. Start with the FAFSA
This is non-negotiable. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is your master key. This one application unlocks all the best types of aid. You must fill this out.
2. Grants (The “Free Money”)
Once you file the FAFSA, you’re automatically considered for grants. This is money you do not have to pay back.
- Federal Pell Grant: The most common one.
- Florida State Grants: Since Keiser is in Florida, you might be eligible for state-specific aid like the EASE Grant (formerly the Florida Resident Access Grant) or the Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG). These are specifically for students at private, non-profit universities in Florida.
3. Scholarships (More “Free Money”)
Scholarships are a bit different. They’re based on merit, need, or other criteria. Keiser offers its own scholarships, so you should ask an admissions counselor about them directly.
I also found one called the Keiser Mills Scholarship, which is specifically for students in “Medical and Nursing” programs. That’s you!
Beyond that, you should be applying to every external scholarship you can find. Think of it as a part-time job. Even a $500 scholarship is $500 you don’t have to borrow.
4. Federal Loans (The “Smarter” Debt)
After grants and scholarships, you’ll likely have a gap. This is where loans come in. The FAFSA unlocks Federal Direct Loans.
- Subsidized Loans: These are the best. The government pays the interest while you’re in school.
- Unsubsidized Loans: You are responsible for all the interest, but they’re still a better, more protected option than private loans.
The key is to only borrow what you absolutely need.
5. Keiser’s Payment Plans
This is a really helpful option I found. Keiser apparently offers interest-free payment plans that let you spread your tuition cost over 9 or 12 months.
This is a fantastic way to pay for a chunk of it as you go, without taking on debt or interest.
My Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?
So, is $60,000 for a two-year associate’s degree worth it?
That’s a personal question, but here’s how I’d think about it:
Diagnostic medical sonography is a high-demand, high-skill career. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects the field to grow much faster than average.
You are investing in a career where you can earn a solid, professional salary. You’re not just getting a “degree”; you’re getting a specific, marketable, and accredited technical skill.
Keiser’s program is fast-paced. Their “one-class-at-a-time” model works really well for a lot of people. You get in, you focus, and you get out into the workforce.
The price tag is serious, there’s no doubt. But it’s an investment in a career that can provide a stable and rewarding future.