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2026 Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Bachelor’s Degree Schools

57 Colleges in the United States
$25,767 Avg Student Debt
$52,340 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Bachelor's Degree Badge [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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong respiratory care therapy/therapist education at a price that pays off.

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.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in respiratory care therapy/therapist, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools

1

For return on investment in respiratory care therapy/therapist, no school beat College Of Southern Nevada this year. College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,358, while out-of-state students pay about $13,024. Students borrow a median of $11,600 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from College Of Southern Nevada generally make around $64,976. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2
Northern Kentucky University crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $30,103 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $52,094 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.

3
Atenas College crest
Atenas College
Manati, PR

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Atenas College earned it the #3 place for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Atenas College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Manati. In-state tuition and fees average $8,954. Students borrow a median of $4,750 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $11,861. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4
Marshall University crest
Marshall University
Huntington, WV

Marshall University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $22,789 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $59,017. Set against $22,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

5
Edison State College crest
Edison State College
Fort Myers, FL

Edison State College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Edison State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,401, while out-of-state students pay about $12,979. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Edison State College generally make around $52,597. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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6

Utah Valley University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $51,242. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Universidad Metropolitana earned the #7 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of San Juan, Universidad Metropolitana is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,750. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $12,150. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Universidad Metropolitana earn a median of $15,907 early in their careers. Set against $12,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8
Valencia College crest
Valencia College
Orlando, FL

Valencia College landed the #8 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the city of Orlando, Valencia College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, compared with $9,576 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $17,281 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $68,564. That is a strong return on a $17,281 median debt.

9

Weber State University landed the #9 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $20,226. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $67,333 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,226 median debt.

10

Morehead State University landed the #10 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,024, while out-of-state students pay about $14,980. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $64,504. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

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Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #11 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $71,505. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

12

Modesto Junior College landed the #12 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Modesto Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Modesto. Students from in state pay about $1,282 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,264. Students borrow a median of $8,575 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Modesto Junior College earn a median of $45,865 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Tennessee State University placed #13 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,416 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $29,489 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $48,894. Set against $29,489 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.

14

Pueblo Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of Pueblo, Pueblo Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,049 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,649. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $14,725 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Pueblo Community College generally make around $42,135. That is a strong return on a $14,725 median debt.

15
Midwestern State University crest
Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX

Midwestern State University placed #15 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,950, with out-of-state students paying around $11,770. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $67,953. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Midwestern State University admits about 94% of applicants.

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16

University Of Southern Indiana earned the #16 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. Students from in state pay about $10,066 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. Students borrow a median of $25,169 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $69,965. Set against $25,169 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

17
Ferris State University crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $28,000. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $67,423. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.

18

Youngstown State University landed the #18 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $52,212. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of Michigan Flint came in at #19 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,236, compared with $27,790 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $31,016. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $64,434. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

20

Washburn University came in at #20 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,945 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,949 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $71,318. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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21
Augusta University crest
Augusta University
Augusta, GA

Augusta University placed #21 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Augusta, Augusta University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,414 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,734. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Augusta University earn a median of $58,249 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

22

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #22 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $21,537. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $67,997 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.

23

Georgia State University placed #23 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,664 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Students borrow a median of $25,336 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Georgia State University generally make around $78,175. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

24

Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #24 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $24,470. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $46,566. That is a strong return on a $24,470 median debt. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.

25

East Tennessee State University landed the #25 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,216, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $24,568 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $48,671. Set against $24,568 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s respiratory care therapy/therapist value ranking:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
Salisbury University crest
Salisbury University
Salisbury, MD
35
36
37
38
Radford University crest
Radford University
Radford, VA
39
40
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS
41
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
University Of Mary crest
University Of Mary
Bismarck, ND
50

Other Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist
Associate's Degrees in Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist
Master's Degrees in Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist
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View All Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Rankings >

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 57 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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