2026 Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools in the Southwest 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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong respiratory care therapy/therapist education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 48 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 Southwest 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
El Centro College earned the #1 spot for value among respiratory care therapy/therapist schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $15,926. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $73,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pima Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist, landing the #2 spot this year. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $9,993 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $47,906. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in respiratory care therapy/therapist will find it at South Texas College, which ranked #3. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Students borrow a median of $7,548 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $55,553 early in their careers. Set against $7,548 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central New Mexico Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $10,833 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $57,486 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist, landing the #5 spot this year. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Students borrow a median of $11,875 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $58,814. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Alvin Community College landed the #6 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,906, while out-of-state students pay about $4,402. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $8,876 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $59,760. That is a strong return on a $8,876 median debt.
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus placed #7 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Set in the town of Roswell, Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,256 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,616. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $11,110 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus generally make around $21,129. Set against $11,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Del Mar College placed #8 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,500 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,000 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $52,431 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Juan College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. San Juan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Farmington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,910, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,150 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $48,862. That is a strong return on a $16,150 median debt.
Victoria College placed #10 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Victoria, Victoria College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,976, compared with $5,328 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $10,910 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $50,201. Set against $10,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana landed the #11 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Las Cruces. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,322, while out-of-state students pay about $6,360. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $9,995. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from New Mexico State University Dona Ana generally make around $56,196. Set against $9,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Philips College came in at #12 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Students borrow a median of $11,950 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $49,898. That is a strong return on a $11,950 median debt.
Oklahoma City Community College earned the #13 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Oklahoma City Community College is a large public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. Students from in state pay about $4,059 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,810. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $16,193 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Oklahoma City Community College earn a median of $49,282 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,193 median debt.
Tarrant County College District placed #14 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $12,812. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $57,721. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Midland College placed #15 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Midland College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Midland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,180, compared with $6,180 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $9,000. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $43,454. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public school located in the city of Brownsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,148, compared with $4,948 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $12,349. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $61,406. That is a strong return on a $12,349 median debt.
Amarillo College placed #17 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,136, with out-of-state students paying around $4,704. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $15,750. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Amarillo College generally make around $53,099. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tulsa Community College came in at #18 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Tulsa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tulsa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,792, with out-of-state students paying around $9,720. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $54,621. That is a strong return on a $19,137 median debt.
Houston Community College came in at #19 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $15,612 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $65,873 early in their careers. Set against $15,612 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mclennan Community College earned the #20 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Mclennan Community College is a large public school located in the city of Waco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, compared with $5,910 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $12,858 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Mclennan Community College generally make around $50,839. That is a strong return on a $12,858 median debt.
San Jacinto Community College came in at #21 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. San Jacinto Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Students from in state pay about $2,490 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Students borrow a median of $10,157 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of San Jacinto Community College earn a median of $58,037 early in their careers. Set against $10,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Temple College came in at #22 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Temple College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Temple. In-state tuition and fees average $3,000, with out-of-state students paying around $7,524. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $20,377 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Temple College earn a median of $62,253 early in their careers. Set against $20,377 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Plains College came in at #23 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. South Plains College is a large public school located in the town of Levelland. In-state tuition and fees average $2,733, with out-of-state students paying around $5,157. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $13,788 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from South Plains College generally make around $30,949. That is a strong return on a $13,788 median debt.
Cochise College landed the #24 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the city of Sierra Vista, Cochise College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,280, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,013 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Cochise College earn a median of $40,712 early in their careers. Set against $12,013 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Howard College placed #25 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Located in the town of Big Spring, Howard College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,766 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,716. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $14,866 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Howard College generally make around $53,815. That is a strong return on a $14,866 median debt.
Rest of the Top 43 Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year:
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 · 48 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 32 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.
