2026 Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/respiratory-care-therapy-therapist/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 62 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for respiratory care therapy/therapist students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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
Leading the list is Moraine Valley Community College, our #1 best value for respiratory care therapy/therapist in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,822, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College earned it the #2 place for respiratory care therapy/therapist. City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $12,924. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $46,222. Set against $12,924 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuyahoga Community College District earned it the #3 place for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $14,870 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $52,018 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Henry Ford Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $20,828. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $58,792. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Kalamazoo Valley Community College one of the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Set in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,144 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,094. Students borrow a median of $20,985 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $54,134. That is a strong return on a $20,985 median debt.
Kankakee Community College landed the #6 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,830. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $10,418 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Kankakee Community College generally make around $54,757. That is a strong return on a $10,418 median debt.
Delta College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,820, compared with $7,880 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $14,601 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Delta College generally make around $52,791. Set against $14,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sinclair Community College came in at #8 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,593 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $46,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Central State College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. North Central State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mansfield. Students from in state pay about $5,786 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,374. Students borrow a median of $12,475 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $47,262. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland Community College earned the #10 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $16,339. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $46,485. Set against $16,339 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lincoln Land Community College came in at #11 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,744, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $14,897. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Lincoln Land Community College generally make around $52,750. That is a strong return on a $14,897 median debt.
College Of Dupage ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Students borrow a median of $14,349 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $58,004. That is a strong return on a $14,349 median debt.
Macomb Community College earned the #13 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Students borrow a median of $8,350 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $57,326. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Monroe County Community College placed #14 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Monroe County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Monroe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,759, with out-of-state students paying around $8,267. Students borrow a median of $13,881 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $63,378. That is a strong return on a $13,881 median debt.
Ivy Tech Community College earned the #15 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Students borrow a median of $11,696 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $64,476 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,696 median debt.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earned the #16 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,517, with out-of-state students paying around $10,044. Students borrow a median of $16,668 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College generally make around $56,689. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stark State College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Stark State College is a large public school located in the suburb of North Canton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,790, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $17,860. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Stark State College generally make around $51,690. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbus State Community College earned the #18 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,488, compared with $11,224 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $9,041. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,435. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Illinois College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Set in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,230 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,720. Students borrow a median of $10,860 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Southwestern Illinois College generally make around $57,296. That is a strong return on a $10,860 median debt.
Kaskaskia College placed #20 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Set in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,570. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $7,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Kaskaskia College generally make around $45,658. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mott Community College landed the #21 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the city of Flint, Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,845, while out-of-state students pay about $11,460. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $30,284 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Mott Community College earn a median of $53,532 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,284 median debt.
Lakeland Community College came in at #22 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Kirtland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,872, while out-of-state students pay about $9,235. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $20,307 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Lakeland Community College earn a median of $57,844 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,307 median debt.
Parkland College came in at #23 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Champaign, Parkland College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,284 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,266. Students borrow a median of $13,500 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Parkland College generally make around $55,060. That is a strong return on a $13,500 median debt.
Rock Valley College placed #24 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rockford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,334, with out-of-state students paying around $7,379. Students borrow a median of $9,236 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Rock Valley College generally make around $41,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jackson Community College placed #25 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Located in the rural area of Jackson, Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,350, compared with $10,200 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $22,312 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Jackson Community College earn a median of $48,583 early in their careers. 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 rounded out the top of this year’s respiratory care therapy/therapist value ranking:
Narrow Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools by State
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 62 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 47 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.
