If you are comparing ARMRIT-accredited MRI programs, Tesla MR Institute and AIMS Education are two options with different approaches to getting you certified. AIMS is a hybrid/blended college program in New Jersey with both ARMRIT and ARRT recognition. Tesla MR is a nationwide online program with local clinical placements and ARMRIT accreditation. Both prepare students for MRI technologist certification.
Here is the full comparison so you can decide which format fits your life.
Tip
All AIMS Education facts on this page are sourced from AIMS’s published program documentation at aimseducation.edu and the ARMRIT accredited schools list. Tuition figures reflect published academic-year tuition and fees and are subject to change; verify current figures with AIMS directly.
Program Comparison at a Glance
| Category | Tesla MR Institute | AIMS Education |
|---|---|---|
| Accreditation | ARMRIT | ARMRIT (programmatic) + ARRT recognition + ABHES (institutional) |
| Program length | 12 to 18 months | 24 months (6 semesters, 66 credit hours) |
| Total cost | $11,000 to $12,900 | ~$35,525 academic-year tuition and fees (per AIMS) |
| Payment | Upfront discount or monthly plans | Financial aid eligible (FAFSA) |
| Format | Online coursework + in-person clinicals | Hybrid/blended (online lectures via LMS + on-campus labs and clinicals) |
| Clinical hours | 1,000 hours | 1,000 hours |
| Clinical placement | Within 50 miles of student’s home | AIMS-affiliated facilities in New Jersey and surrounding areas |
| Degree awarded | ARMRIT certification eligibility | Associate of Applied Science in MRI Technology + ARMRIT and ARRT exam eligibility |
| Prior healthcare experience | Not required | Not required (alternative pathways exist for applicants without 30+ college credits) |
| Location | Nationwide (online + local clinicals) | Piscataway, New Jersey |
Both programs prepare you for the ARMRIT registry exam. The differences come down to cost, format, and geography.
Cost: $11,000–$12,900 vs. ~$35,525
This is the largest gap between the two programs.
Tesla MR Institute’s tuition ranges from $11,000 with the upfront payment discount to $12,900 on the monthly plan. No federal financial aid is required because the total cost is manageable through payment plans.
AIMS Education’s published tuition and fees for the MRI Technology associate degree program is approximately $35,525 for the academic year. AIMS is institutionally accredited by ABHES, which makes the program eligible for federal financial aid through FAFSA. Pell Grants and federal student loans may apply for students who qualify, narrowing the out-of-pocket gap.
The published cost difference is roughly $22,000 to $24,000 before financial aid. After grants and scholarships, AIMS may cost less for students who qualify for substantial aid. Run the numbers for your specific situation.
Both programs lead to a credential that supports MRI technologist employment. MRI technologists earn the same salaries regardless of which program trained them.
Program Format: Online vs. Hybrid/Blended
Tesla MR Institute delivers coursework entirely online. Students study MRI physics, cross-sectional anatomy, patient safety, and imaging protocols through self-paced modules and live sessions. Clinical rotations happen at a site near the student’s home, arranged by the program. Students can live anywhere in the country and train locally.
AIMS Education uses a hybrid/blended format. Per AIMS’s published program description, lectures are offered online or remotely via the school’s Learning Management System, while laboratory sessions and clinical training take place on campus or at clinical sites. Clinical internships occur during normal business hours (Monday–Friday).
Who benefits from each format:
The AIMS hybrid model works well if you live within commuting distance of Piscataway, want regular hands-on lab access during didactic coursework, and benefit from being on campus for in-person components. Online lectures provide some scheduling flexibility, but lab and clinical components require physical presence.
Tesla MR’s fully-online didactic model works better if you do not live near an AIMS-affiliated lab, need to keep working during training, or need maximum scheduling flexibility. Tesla MR students study on their own time during the didactic phase, then commit roughly 20 hours per week during clinical rotations.
Clinical Placement
Tesla MR actively places students at clinical sites within 50 miles of their home address. With 334+ clinical site partnerships across 38+ states, most students are placed without needing to relocate. The program handles the affiliation agreements and site coordination.
AIMS Education places students at AIMS-affiliated healthcare facilities throughout New Jersey and surrounding areas. Per AIMS’s program description, clinical internships must occur during normal business hours (Monday–Friday); evening and weekend completion is not available at most sites. If you already live or work in central New Jersey, the clinical commute is straightforward.
The key difference: Tesla MR’s model works regardless of where you live. AIMS requires you to be in or near New Jersey for the duration of the program. If you are in the region and want local clinical connections, AIMS has established affiliations. If you are anywhere else, Tesla MR’s nationwide placement model is the practical choice.
Credential: Associate Degree + Dual Certification vs. Certificate
AIMS Education awards an Associate of Applied Science in MRI Technology. Per AIMS’s published documentation, graduates are eligible to sit for the ARMRIT national certification exam and may also pursue ARRT primary pathway certification — AIMS is the only ARRT-recognized MRI program in New Jersey.
Tesla MR awards a certificate with ARMRIT exam eligibility.
For most MRI technologist job postings, the hiring requirement is a recognized credential — most commonly ARMRIT or ARRT. The degree itself is rarely required. If you already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field, the associate adds minimal practical value beyond the certification eligibility itself. If you have no college degree and want one, or if you specifically want the ARRT pathway, the AIMS associate degree is a meaningful credential.
The Time Factor
Per AIMS’s published documentation, the MRI Technology associate degree program runs 24 months (6 semesters, with 3 semesters per academic year). Tesla MR’s program takes 12 to 18 months depending on your pace.
The timeline difference matters financially. Every month earlier you finish training is a month sooner you start earning MRI technologist wages. At the national median of $88,180 per year, each month of earlier employment is worth roughly $7,300 in potential earnings.
Who Should Choose AIMS Education
- You live in or near New Jersey and want to stay local
- You want regular hands-on lab access on campus during didactic coursework
- You qualify for significant federal financial aid (Pell Grants)
- You want an associate degree alongside your certification
- You want a credential that supports both ARMRIT and ARRT pathways
Who Should Choose Tesla MR
- You do not live near Piscataway, NJ
- You need to work while completing your training
- You want lower total cost without taking on student loans
- You want to finish in 12 to 18 months rather than 24
- You need clinical placement arranged for you in your local area
Tesla MR’s tuition starts at $11,000 with clinical sites in all 50 states. Most students complete in 12-18 months.
The Bottom Line
Both Tesla MR and AIMS Education are legitimate, ARMRIT-accredited programs that prepare students for MRI technologist certification. The right choice depends on where you live, how you learn best, and what you can afford.
If you are in central New Jersey, want a hybrid program with regular on-campus lab access, want an associate degree, or specifically want a credential recognized by ARRT (in addition to ARMRIT), AIMS is a solid option. If you want maximum flexibility, lower cost, and the ability to train from anywhere in the country, Tesla MR is designed for that.
Both lead to credentials that support MRI technologist employment.
Sources
- AIMS Education — MRI Technologist program page
- ARMRIT — list of accredited MRI programs
- Tesla MR Institute program documentation
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook, MRI Technologists
Related Reading
Frequently Asked Questions
AIMS Education's published tuition and fees for the MRI Technology associate degree program is approximately $35,525 for the academic year. Tesla MR Institute's certificate program costs $11,000 to $12,900 depending on the payment plan chosen.
Yes. AIMS Education College of Health Sciences in Piscataway, NJ holds ARMRIT programmatic accreditation, ARRT recognition (it is the only ARRT-recognized MRI program in New Jersey), and ABHES institutional accreditation. Tesla MR Institute is ARMRIT accredited.
Per AIMS's published program description, the MRI program uses a hybrid/blended learning format. Lectures are offered online or remotely via the school's Learning Management System, while laboratory and clinical training take place on campus or at clinical sites. Tesla MR Institute offers fully online coursework with clinical rotations arranged near the student's home location.
Both programs accept students without prior healthcare backgrounds. AIMS Education may be a better fit if you live in or near central New Jersey, want an associate degree, and want a credential recognized by both ARMRIT and ARRT. Tesla MR Institute may be a better fit if you do not live near Piscataway, want lower total tuition, or want to complete training in 12 to 18 months.
Both programs prepare students for the ARMRIT registry exam. AIMS Education additionally prepares graduates for ARRT primary pathway certification, since AIMS is the only ARRT-recognized MRI program in New Jersey. AIMS awards an Associate of Applied Science degree in addition to exam eligibility; Tesla MR awards a certificate. Employers hire based on the credential, not the degree type.
Per AIMS's published program description, the MRI Technology associate degree program is 24 months (6 semesters, with 3 semesters per academic year), totaling 66 credit hours. Tesla MR Institute's program takes 12 to 18 months depending on the student's pace.