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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

29 Colleges in the United States
$20,867 Avg Student Debt
$50,147 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist 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.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 52 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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 Middle Atlantic Region

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

1
Nassau Community College crest
Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY

Nassau Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $81,810. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Students looking for strong value in respiratory care therapy/therapist will find it at Frederick Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,849, while out-of-state students pay about $10,042. Students borrow a median of $16,348 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Frederick Community College earn a median of $59,579 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,348 median debt.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned it the #3 place for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $13,900. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $100,611 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Middlesex County College earned it the #4 place for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Middlesex County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Edison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,764, while out-of-state students pay about $7,356. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Middlesex County College earn a median of $37,975 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Students looking for strong value in respiratory care therapy/therapist will find it at The Community College Of Baltimore County, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,110 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,182 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $16,200 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $69,015. Set against $16,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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6

Erie Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,100 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $17,268 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $58,695 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,268 median debt.

7
Burlington County College crest
Burlington County College
Mount Laurel, NJ

Burlington County College landed the #7 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,990, while out-of-state students pay about $9,495. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $12,488 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $52,240. That is a strong return on a $12,488 median debt.

8

Hudson Valley Community College landed the #8 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,796, while out-of-state students pay about $11,852. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $20,197 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Hudson Valley Community College earn a median of $63,744 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9
Union County College crest
Union County College
Cranford, NJ

Union County College came in at #9 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Union County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Cranford. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $9,500. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $22,755. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Union County College earn a median of $38,168 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Delaware County Community College placed #10 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Located in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,930 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,540. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $21,136 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Delaware County Community College earn a median of $65,167 early in their careers. Set against $21,136 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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11

Onondaga Community College earned the #11 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,102 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,392 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $12,623 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Onondaga Community College generally make around $35,781. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Community College Of Allegheny County landed the #12 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,956, while out-of-state students pay about $12,583. Students borrow a median of $23,623 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $57,189. Set against $23,623 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

County College Of Morris placed #13 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Randolph. Students from in state pay about $6,210 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,310. Students borrow a median of $12,480 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of County College Of Morris earn a median of $66,060 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,480 median debt.

14

Mohawk Valley Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Utica, Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,218 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,851. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $18,614 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Mohawk Valley Community College earn a median of $52,722 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,614 median debt.

15

Suny Westchester Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the suburb of Valhalla, Suny Westchester Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,948 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,486 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $8,764 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Suny Westchester Community College earn a median of $84,624 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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16

Brookdale Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Brookdale Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lincroft. Students from in state pay about $6,270 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,140. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $23,933 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Brookdale Community College generally make around $65,905. Set against $23,933 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Atlantic Cape Community College came in at #17 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mays Landing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,594, compared with $8,350 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,002 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $37,141. That is a strong return on a $12,002 median debt.

18

Bergen Community College came in at #18 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the suburb of Paramus, Bergen Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,913, compared with $9,294 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,345 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Bergen Community College earn a median of $64,743 early in their careers. Set against $16,345 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Baltimore City Community College landed the #19 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Baltimore City Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,314 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,394. Students borrow a median of $11,202 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Baltimore City Community College earn a median of $51,023 early in their careers. Set against $11,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

Sullivan County Community College earned the #20 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the rural area of Loch Sheldrake, Sullivan County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,468 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,132. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $15,950 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $36,736. Set against $15,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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21

Prince Georges Community College earned the #21 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Prince Georges Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Largo. In-state tuition and fees average $4,034, compared with $8,762 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,172 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Prince Georges Community College generally make around $68,506. That is a strong return on a $14,172 median debt.

22

Gloucester County College came in at #22 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the suburb of Sewell, Gloucester County College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,160, while out-of-state students pay about $6,000. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $15,437. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $38,274. That is a strong return on a $15,437 median debt.

23

Allegany College Of Maryland earned the #23 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Allegany College Of Maryland is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Cumberland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,940, while out-of-state students pay about $12,620. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $53,706. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24

Luzerne County Community College came in at #24 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the suburb of Nanticoke, Luzerne County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,600, while out-of-state students pay about $16,260. Students borrow a median of $17,741 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Luzerne County Community College generally make around $51,058. Set against $17,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg came in at #25 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,975, with out-of-state students paying around $12,472. Students borrow a median of $24,150 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earn a median of $62,227 early in their careers. Set against $24,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

Rest of the Top 46 Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in respiratory care therapy/therapist:

26
27
Salisbury University crest
Salisbury University
Salisbury, MD
28
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY
29
30
Canisius College crest
Canisius College
Buffalo, NY
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
Carlow University crest
Carlow University
Pittsburgh, PA
39
Marywood University crest
Marywood University
Scranton, PA
40
41
42
43
Molloy College crest
Molloy College
Rockville Centre, NY
44
Gwynedd Mercy College crest
Gwynedd Mercy College
Gwynedd Valley, PA
45
Saint Josephs University crest
Saint Josephs University
Philadelphia, PA
46

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 52 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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