2026 Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools in Florida
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 24 schools to find the best return on investment for respiratory care therapy/therapist students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools in Florida
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 tops our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools in Florida. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Students borrow a median of $16,000 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $62,187 early in their careers. Set against $16,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in respiratory care therapy/therapist will find it at Seminole State College Of Florida, which ranked #2. Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Sanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,122, while out-of-state students pay about $11,447. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $13,563 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Seminole State College Of Florida earn a median of $61,445 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,563 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Gulf Coast State College earned it the #3 place for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Panama City, Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,370, while out-of-state students pay about $8,635. Students borrow a median of $9,423 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Gulf Coast State College earn a median of $47,500 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida State College At Jacksonville came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. 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, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $16,949 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $44,916. That is a strong return on a $16,949 median debt.
Hillsborough Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Hillsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $2,491 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,088. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Hillsborough Community College earn a median of $54,140 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian River State College landed the #6 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,764, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,493 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $41,229. Set against $9,493 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Miami Dade College placed #7 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $2,838, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $11,750. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $50,897 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Johns River State College came in at #8 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Saint Johns River State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Palatka. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,591, compared with $9,334 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $12,546. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Saint Johns River State College generally make around $47,169. That is a strong return on a $12,546 median debt.
Eastern Florida State College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of Melbourne, Eastern Florida State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,791, while out-of-state students pay about $10,976. Students borrow a median of $16,125 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Eastern Florida State College earn a median of $47,257 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,125 median debt.
Daytona State College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of Daytona Beach, Daytona State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,106, with out-of-state students paying around $11,994. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $10,972. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Daytona State College generally make around $49,176. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Edison State College placed #11 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Edison State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Students from in state pay about $3,401 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,979. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $14,000. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $61,622. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tallahassee Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Tallahassee Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,026, with out-of-state students paying around $8,062. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $21,300. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $40,405. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Polk State College placed #13 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Winter Haven, Polk State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,694, with out-of-state students paying around $9,818. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $13,998 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $59,491. That is a strong return on a $13,998 median debt.
Palm Beach State College came in at #14 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Palm Beach State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lake Worth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,050, compared with $10,910 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $13,827 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Palm Beach State College generally make around $52,977. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Valencia College came in at #15 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Valencia College is a very large public school located in the city of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, while out-of-state students pay about $9,576. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $16,141 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Valencia College earn a median of $62,755 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,141 median debt.
Santa Fe College came in at #16 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the suburb of Gainesville, Santa Fe College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,563, with out-of-state students paying around $9,189. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $57,763. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt.
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University landed the #17 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,785 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,725. Students borrow a median of $30,500 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University earn a median of $38,719 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 21%.
Broward College placed #18 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Broward College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,830, with out-of-state students paying around $8,952. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $13,580. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Broward College earn a median of $55,558 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida National University Main Campus came in at #19 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the suburb of Hialeah, Florida National University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,368. Students borrow a median of $31,847 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Florida National University Main Campus earn a median of $50,747 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Concorde Career Institute Tampa placed #20 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Concorde Career Institute Tampa is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Tampa. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $20,752 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Concorde Career Institute Tampa earn a median of $55,666 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Concorde Career Institute Tampa admits about 96% of applicants.
Concorde Career Institute Miramar ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Concorde Career Institute Miramar is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Miramar. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Concorde Career Institute Miramar generally make around $52,180. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Concorde Career Institute Miramar admits about 100% of applicants.
Concorde Career Institute Jacksonville came in at #22 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Concorde Career Institute Jacksonville is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Jacksonville. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $19,843 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Concorde Career Institute Jacksonville generally make around $45,922. Set against $19,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Nova Southeastern University landed the #23 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,700. Students borrow a median of $32,250 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Nova Southeastern University earn a median of $93,694 early in their careers. Set against $32,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Keiser University Ft Lauderdale earned the #24 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Keiser University Ft Lauderdale is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,056. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $35,089 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $75,652. Set against $35,089 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
More Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Rankings
View All Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 24 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.
