2026 Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools in California
[Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/respiratory-care-therapy-therapist/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 35 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools
Fresno City College tops our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools in California. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Skyline College earned it the #2 place for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
A rank of #3 makes Mt San Antonio College one of the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $88,132 early in their careers. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Grossmont College earned it the #4 place for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
A rank of #5 makes Victor Valley College one of the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Located in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,425, with out-of-state students paying around $10,125. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $7,995 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $37,755. Set against $7,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American River College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of American River College earn a median of $100,258 early in their careers. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange Coast College earned the #7 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $68,484. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Hartnell College earned the #8 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Hartnell College is a large public school located in the city of Salinas. Students from in state pay about $1,404 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,398 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $35,080. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Foothill College placed #9 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Set in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,565, with out-of-state students paying around $12,590. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $12,000. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $107,048. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Butte College earned the #10 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,356, with out-of-state students paying around $9,276. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $13,302. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Butte College generally make around $65,853. That is a strong return on a $13,302 median debt.
Santa Monica College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Antelope Valley College came in at #12 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Antelope Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lancaster. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,124, compared with $9,548 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,729 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $64,230. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
East Los Angeles College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Set in the suburb of Monterey Park, East Los Angeles College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,238 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,180 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $33,595. Set against $8,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Camino Community College District placed #14 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Set in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,144 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,630. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,589.
Modesto Junior College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Modesto Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Modesto. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,282, compared with $9,264 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $8,575 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $45,865. Set against $8,575 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Los Angeles Valley College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Valley Glen, Los Angeles Valley College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,238 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $10,254. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $81,601. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Crafton Hills College came in at #17 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Crafton Hills College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Yucaipa. Students from in state pay about $1,188 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,556 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $97,976. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt.
Napa Valley College landed the #18 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the city of Napa, Napa Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,908. Median earnings reach $49,517 ten years out.
Ohlone Community College placed #19 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Ohlone Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fremont. In-state tuition and fees average $1,202, with out-of-state students paying around $8,714. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $5,500. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $22,545. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield came in at #20 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $24,931. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield earn a median of $69,391 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,931 median debt.
San Joaquin Valley College Ontario ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. San Joaquin Valley College Ontario is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Ontario. Students borrow a median of $24,931 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $69,391. Set against $24,931 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Concorde Career College Garden Grove landed the #22 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the suburb of Garden Grove, Concorde Career College Garden Grove is a small private for-profit university. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $24,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Concorde Career College Garden Grove generally make around $69,188. Set against $24,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
San Joaquin Valley College Temecula earned the #23 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Temecula, San Joaquin Valley College Temecula is a small private for-profit institution. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $24,931 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from San Joaquin Valley College Temecula generally make around $69,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Concorde Career College San Bernardino came in at #24 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, Concorde Career College San Bernardino is a small private for-profit university. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $17,538 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $42,843. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Concorde Career College North Hollywood came in at #25 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of North Hollywood, Concorde Career College North Hollywood is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $24,375. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $55,067. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Rest of the Top 34 Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in respiratory care therapy/therapist:
More Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
