2026 Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools in Texas
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 32 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for respiratory care therapy/therapist students.
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2026 Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools in Texas
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
Our analysis ranked El Centro College the best value for a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist in Texas. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Students borrow a median of $15,926 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $73,102. That is a strong return on a $15,926 median debt.
South Texas College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $7,548 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $55,553 early in their careers. 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 El Paso Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $58,814 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Alvin Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,906, while out-of-state students pay about $4,402. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $8,876. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $59,760. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Del Mar College one of the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,500, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $7,000. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $52,431. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Victoria College placed #6 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Victoria College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,976, with out-of-state students paying around $5,328. 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.
St Philips College landed the #7 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $11,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tarrant County College District ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,863 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $12,812. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $57,721. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Midland College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,180, with out-of-state students paying around $6,180. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Midland College generally make around $43,454. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
Amarillo College placed #10 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,136, while out-of-state students pay about $4,704. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $15,750. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $53,099 early in their careers. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville earned the #11 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,148 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,948. Students borrow a median of $12,349 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Brownsville generally make around $61,406. Set against $12,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Houston Community College came in at #12 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, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $15,612 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $65,873. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mclennan Community College landed the #13 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value 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. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $12,858. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Mclennan Community College earn a median of $50,839 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Jacinto Community College landed the #14 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. San Jacinto Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,490, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,157 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from San Jacinto Community College generally make around $58,037. That is a strong return on a $10,157 median debt.
Temple College earned the #15 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Temple, Temple College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,000 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,524. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $20,377 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Temple College generally make around $62,253. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Plains College placed #16 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Located in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,733 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,157. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $13,788. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $30,949. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Howard College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Set in the town of Big Spring, Howard College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,766, compared with $6,716 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,866 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $53,815. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Weatherford College landed the #18 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the town of Weatherford, Weatherford College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,250, while out-of-state students pay about $10,860. Students borrow a median of $15,506 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Weatherford College generally make around $67,339. Set against $15,506 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lamar Institute Of Technology landed the #19 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Lamar Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Beaumont. In-state tuition and fees average $2,844, with out-of-state students paying around $12,924. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $15,292 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Lamar Institute Of Technology generally make around $44,255. Set against $15,292 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Angelina College landed the #20 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Angelina College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Lufkin. Students from in state pay about $3,430 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,490. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $7,828 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Angelina College generally make around $54,570. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Collin County Community College District earned the #21 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,014 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,064. Students borrow a median of $13,519 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Collin County Community College District earn a median of $52,904 early in their careers. Set against $13,519 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lone Star College System placed #22 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $11,080 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $64,114. That is a strong return on a $11,080 median debt.
Cisco College came in at #23 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Cisco College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Cisco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,710, while out-of-state students pay about $7,140. Students borrow a median of $10,875 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Cisco College generally make around $17,820. Set against $10,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tyler Junior College placed #24 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,424, compared with $4,536 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $16,844 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Tyler Junior College generally make around $56,686. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Midwestern State University came in at #25 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $9,950, while out-of-state students pay about $11,770. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Midwestern State University earn a median of $67,953 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in respiratory care therapy/therapist:
More Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
