2026 Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools in the Southeast Region
[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 137 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 the Southeast 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
St Petersburg College earned the #1 spot for value among respiratory care therapy/therapist schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $62,187. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Georgia Northwestern Technical College one of the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,868. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $11,699. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Georgia Northwestern Technical College earn a median of $60,744 early in their careers. Set against $11,699 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Seminole State College Of Florida one of the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Sanford. Students from in state pay about $3,122 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,447. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $13,563. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Seminole State College Of Florida generally make around $61,445. Set against $13,563 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coastal Pines Technical College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the town of Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,268 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,836 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,812 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $45,656. Set against $5,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oconee Fall Line Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Sandersville, Oconee Fall Line Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,380, compared with $5,948 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $12,718 in student loans. 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 #6 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,007, while out-of-state students pay about $5,575. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $9,086 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Southern Regional Technical College generally make around $50,076. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Durham Technical Community College placed #7 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,240, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $20,408 median debt.
Gulf Coast State College landed the #8 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Panama City. In-state tuition and fees average $2,370, while out-of-state students pay about $8,635. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $9,423 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Gulf Coast State College generally make around $47,500. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Trident Technical College landed the #9 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,546, compared with $8,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,116 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $50,166. Set against $18,116 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wilkes Community College came in at #10 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wilkesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $2,572, with out-of-state students paying around $8,716. Students borrow a median of $9,125 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Wilkes Community College earn a median of $36,341 early in their careers. Set against $9,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida State College At Jacksonville placed #11 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $16,949. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $44,916. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Piedmont Community College came in at #12 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Students borrow a median of $16,422 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $61,455 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,422 median debt.
Hinds Community College landed the #13 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,250, compared with $7,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $18,752. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Hinds Community College generally make around $56,165. Set against $18,752 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stanly Community College earned the #14 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,672, with out-of-state students paying around $8,816. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Stanly Community College generally make around $41,920.
Coahoma Community College came in at #15 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Coahoma Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Clarksdale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,490. Students borrow a median of $11,745 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Coahoma Community College generally make around $29,600. That is a strong return on a $11,745 median debt.
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dothan. In-state tuition and fees average $4,980, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $9,942 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from George C Wallace State Community College Dothan generally make around $42,801. Set against $9,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Cumberland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $40,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fayetteville Technical Community College placed #18 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $14,486. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $50,872. That is a strong return on a $14,486 median debt.
Florence Darlington Technical College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the rural area of Florence, Florence Darlington Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,636, with out-of-state students paying around $6,772. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $7,230 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $34,948. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College placed #20 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Located in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, compared with $11,718 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $15,843 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earn a median of $61,104 early in their careers. Set against $15,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hillsborough Community College earned the #21 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,491, with out-of-state students paying around $9,088. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Hillsborough Community College generally make around $54,140. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rockingham Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the rural area of Wentworth, Rockingham Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,966, while out-of-state students pay about $6,574. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Rockingham Community College earn a median of $55,849 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbia State Community College landed the #23 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the town of Columbia, Columbia State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,948 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,772. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $11,670 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Columbia State Community College earn a median of $54,641 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Horry Georgetown Technical College landed the #24 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Horry Georgetown Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Conway. Students from in state pay about $5,518 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,978 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $27,520 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $47,132. That is a strong return on a $27,520 median debt.
Walters State Community College came in at #25 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Morristown, Walters State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,752, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $10,210 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Walters State Community College generally make around $43,173. That is a strong return on a $10,210 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in respiratory care therapy/therapist:
Narrow Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools by State
More Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Rankings
View All Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Rankings >
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 · 137 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 98 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.
