Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their respiratory care therapy/therapist programs.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 424 schools to find the best for respiratory care therapy/therapist students.
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Choosing a Great Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist School
The school you choose for respiratory care therapy/therapist can shape your career. To help, we created our Best Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Rankings by Degree Level
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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Stony Brook University tops our 2026 ranking of the best respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Stony Brook. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 14 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Stony Brook University in the most recent year. Graduates of the respiratory care therapy/therapist program make about $107,346 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,538 to complete this degree.
Get the full respiratory care therapy/therapist details for Stony Brook University
The University Of Texas Medical Branch came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Galveston, The University Of Texas Medical Branch is a mid-sized public university. About 13 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas Medical Branch in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from The University Of Texas Medical Branch generally make around $92,841. The University Of Texas Medical Branch graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans.
More information about a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist from The University Of Texas Medical Branch
Students looking for a strong respiratory care therapy/therapist program will find one at Ohio State University Main Campus, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $60,834 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,179 to complete this degree.
See the full respiratory care therapy/therapist program report for Ohio State University Main Campus
Mayo Medical School is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Rochester, Mayo Medical School is a small private not-for-profit university. Mayo Medical School awarded about 10 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Mayo Medical School earn a median of $72,446 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,241.
See the full respiratory care therapy/therapist program report for Mayo Medical School
The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist, landing the #5 spot this year. The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio is a mid-sized public school located in the city of San Antonio. The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio awarded about 67 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the respiratory care therapy/therapist program make about $85,257 in their early career. The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio graduates carry a median of $16,627 in student loans.
Get the full respiratory care therapy/therapist details for The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio
Mt San Antonio College earned the #6 position for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. There were roughly 16 respiratory care therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Mt San Antonio College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their respiratory care therapy/therapist degree from Mt San Antonio College earn around $88,132 in the first couple years of their career. Mt San Antonio College graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist from Mt San Antonio College
Foothill College came in at #7 for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills. Foothill College awarded about 27 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Foothill College generally make around $107,048. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the respiratory care therapy/therapist program at Foothill College
Loma Linda University came in at #8 for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the suburb of Loma Linda, Loma Linda University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 18 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Loma Linda University in the most recent year. Students who receive their respiratory care therapy/therapist degree from Loma Linda University earn around $95,150 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,171 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist from Loma Linda University
Nassau Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public university. About 18 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Nassau Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $81,810. Typical student debt for the program is $18,500.
Get the full respiratory care therapy/therapist details for Nassau Community College
Lone Star College System earned the #10 position for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. Lone Star College System awarded about 32 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their respiratory care therapy/therapist degree from Lone Star College System earn around $64,114 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,080.
Read more about the respiratory care therapy/therapist program at Lone Star College System
Capital Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. This very large public university is located in the city of New Britain. Capital Community College awarded about 34 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Capital Community College earn a median of $71,139 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,250.
Get the full respiratory care therapy/therapist details for Capital Community College
Fresno City College came in at #12 for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. About 25 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Fresno City College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Fresno City College graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans.
See the full respiratory care therapy/therapist program report for Fresno City College
Orange Coast College landed the #13 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Costa Mesa. Orange Coast College awarded about 32 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the respiratory care therapy/therapist program make about $68,484 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,000.
Read more about the respiratory care therapy/therapist program at Orange Coast College
Springfield Technical Community College landed the #14 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Springfield. Springfield Technical Community College awarded about 15 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their respiratory care therapy/therapist degree from Springfield Technical Community College earn around $64,346 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,166 to complete this degree.
Read more about the respiratory care therapy/therapist program at Springfield Technical Community College
Kapiolani Community College landed the #15 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Honolulu, Kapiolani Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 13 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Kapiolani Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their respiratory care therapy/therapist degree from Kapiolani Community College earn around $83,170 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,709.
See the full respiratory care therapy/therapist program report for Kapiolani Community College
El Centro College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. There were roughly 11 respiratory care therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at El Centro College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $73,102. Students borrow a median of $15,926 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist from El Centro College
Northern Virginia Community College placed #17 among the best respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. About 19 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Northern Virginia Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $74,050. Northern Virginia Community College graduates carry a median of $13,437 in student loans.
Read more about the respiratory care therapy/therapist program at Northern Virginia Community College
Seminole State College Of Florida placed #18 among the best respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Sanford. About 21 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Seminole State College Of Florida in the most recent year. Students who receive their respiratory care therapy/therapist degree from Seminole State College Of Florida earn around $61,445 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,563.
Read more about the respiratory care therapy/therapist program at Seminole State College Of Florida
Madison Area Technical College placed #19 among the best respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Madison Area Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Madison. Madison Area Technical College awarded about 19 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Madison Area Technical College earn a median of $59,826 early in their careers. Madison Area Technical College graduates carry a median of $19,946 in student loans.
See the full respiratory care therapy/therapist program report for Madison Area Technical College
Georgia State University came in at #20 for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. There were roughly 40 respiratory care therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Georgia State University in the most recent data year. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of $78,175 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,336.
Read more about the respiratory care therapy/therapist program at Georgia State University
Miami Dade College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Miami. Miami Dade College awarded about 27 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $50,897 early in their careers. Miami Dade College graduates carry a median of $11,750 in student loans.
Get the full respiratory care therapy/therapist details for Miami Dade College
College Of Southern Nevada landed the #22 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Las Vegas. There were roughly 15 respiratory care therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at College Of Southern Nevada in the most recent data year. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of College Of Southern Nevada earn a median of $64,976 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,600.
See the full respiratory care therapy/therapist program report for College Of Southern Nevada
Suny Westchester Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Valhalla. There were roughly 21 respiratory care therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Suny Westchester Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the respiratory care therapy/therapist program make about $84,624 in their early career. Suny Westchester Community College graduates carry a median of $8,764 in student loans.
Get the full respiratory care therapy/therapist details for Suny Westchester Community College
Houston Community College placed #24 among the best respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. Houston Community College awarded about 13 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $65,873 early in their careers. Houston Community College graduates carry a median of $15,612 in student loans.
See the full respiratory care therapy/therapist program report for Houston Community College
Tarrant County College District ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. Tarrant County College District awarded about 14 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the respiratory care therapy/therapist program make about $57,721 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,812.
More information about a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist from Tarrant County College District
Rest of the Top 50 Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools
These schools also placed among the best for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year:
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This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 424 schools evaluated.
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).
