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2026 Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools in Missouri
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
For return on investment in respiratory care therapy/therapist, no school beat Saint Louis Community College this year. Set in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,990. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Saint Louis Community College generally make around $53,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ozarks Technical Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,256 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $20,096 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Ozarks Technical Community College earn a median of $48,313 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mineral Area College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Park Hills, Mineral Area College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,660 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,570 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $11,175 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $46,535. That is a strong return on a $11,175 median debt.
Missouri Southern State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,600 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $13,375 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $53,927. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri Southern State University admits about 97% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in respiratory care therapy/therapist will find it at Missouri State University Springfield, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $99,606. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
ADBLOCK #101
Concorde Career Colleges earned the #6 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, Concorde Career Colleges is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $23,372 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $58,450. Set against $23,372 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
