[Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/respiratory-care-therapy-therapist/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 424 schools to find the best return on investment for respiratory care therapy/therapist students.
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Finding the Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist School for You
Where you study respiratory care therapy/therapist affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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Mt San Antonio College earned the #1 spot for value among respiratory care therapy/therapist schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $9,000. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $88,132. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in respiratory care therapy/therapist will find it at Fresno City College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $7,234. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Skyline College one of the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
St Petersburg College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $16,000. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $62,187. Set against $16,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Seminole State College Of Florida earned it the #5 place for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,122, while out-of-state students pay about $11,447. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $13,563. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $61,445. Set against $13,563 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College placed #6 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rome. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,868. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $11,699 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Georgia Northwestern Technical College earn a median of $60,744 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,699 median debt.
Grossmont College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
El Centro College came in at #8 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,926 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $73,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Texas College earned the #9 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Students borrow a median of $7,548 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $55,553. That is a strong return on a $7,548 median debt.
Pima Community College earned the #10 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $9,993 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $47,906. Set against $9,993 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Frederick Community College placed #11 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,849 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,042 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $16,348 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Frederick Community College generally make around $59,579. That is a strong return on a $16,348 median debt.
Central New Mexico Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,833 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $57,486. Set against $10,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oconee Fall Line Technical College landed the #13 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the rural area of Sandersville, Oconee Fall Line Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,380, compared with $5,948 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $12,718. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Oconee Fall Line Technical College earn a median of $60,210 early in their careers. Set against $12,718 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Regional Technical College landed the #14 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,007, while out-of-state students pay about $5,575. Students borrow a median of $9,086 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Southern Regional Technical College generally make around $50,076. That is a strong return on a $9,086 median debt.
Durham Technical Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,240, while out-of-state students pay about $7,531. Students borrow a median of $20,408 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Durham Technical Community College generally make around $46,293. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coastal Pines Technical College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Set in the town of Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,268, while out-of-state students pay about $5,836. Students borrow a median of $5,812 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Coastal Pines Technical College earn a median of $45,656 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,812 median debt.
Gulf Coast State College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of Panama City, Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,370, with out-of-state students paying around $8,635. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $9,423. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Gulf Coast State College earn a median of $47,500 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,423 median debt.
Florida State College At Jacksonville landed the #18 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $16,949. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $44,916 early in their careers. Set against $16,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moraine Valley Community College earned the #19 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,822, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $10,000. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $55,739. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
Central Piedmont Community College earned the #20 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $16,422 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $61,455. That is a strong return on a $16,422 median debt.
Northern Essex Community College placed #21 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Set in the suburb of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,732, with out-of-state students paying around $12,516. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $14,697 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Northern Essex Community College generally make around $67,610. Set against $14,697 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange Coast College earned the #22 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $68,484. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuyahoga Community College District ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $14,870 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $52,018. That is a strong return on a $14,870 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,924 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $46,222. That is a strong return on a $12,924 median debt.
El Paso Community College placed #25 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $11,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $58,814. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year:
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Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Related Rankings by Major
Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 424 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 284 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/respiratory-care-therapy-therapist/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
