Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 424 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best respiratory care therapy/therapist schools.
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Our analysis ranked Foothill College the best school in the country for a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills. Foothill College awarded about 22 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. Foothill College graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist from Foothill College
Mt San Antonio College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist, ranking #2. 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. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $88,132 early in their careers. 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
Loma Linda University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Set in the suburb of Loma Linda, Loma Linda University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. There were roughly 18 respiratory care therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Loma Linda University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the respiratory care therapy/therapist program make about $70,571 in their early career. Loma Linda University graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans.
See the full respiratory care therapy/therapist program report for Loma Linda University
Orange Coast College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist, landing the #4 spot this year. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. About 16 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Orange Coast College in the most recent year. Students who receive their respiratory care therapy/therapist degree from Orange Coast College earn around $68,484 in the first couple years of their career. Orange Coast College graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans.
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Students looking for a strong respiratory care therapy/therapist program will find one at Nassau Community College, which ranked #5. This large public university is located in the suburb of Garden City. Nassau Community College awarded about 18 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Nassau Community College earn a median of $81,810 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the respiratory care therapy/therapist program at Nassau Community College
Capital Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public institution. Capital Community College awarded about 34 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their respiratory care therapy/therapist degree from Capital Community College earn around $65,724 in the first couple years of their career. Capital Community College graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans.
See the full respiratory care therapy/therapist program report for Capital Community College
Lone Star College System earned the #7 position for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. About 32 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Lone Star College System in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $58,408. Lone Star College System graduates carry a median of $10,926 in student loans.
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Fresno City College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Fresno. There were roughly 25 respiratory care therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Fresno City College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their respiratory care therapy/therapist degree from Fresno City College earn around $37,470 in the first couple years of their career. Fresno City College graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans.
More information about a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist from Fresno City College
Springfield Technical Community College landed the #9 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 15 respiratory care therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Springfield Technical Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the respiratory care therapy/therapist program make about $64,346 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,166 to complete this degree.
Get the full respiratory care therapy/therapist details for Springfield Technical Community College
Kapiolani Community College landed the #10 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Honolulu, Kapiolani Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Kapiolani Community College awarded about 13 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Kapiolani Community College earn a median of $85,511 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,751 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist from Kapiolani Community College
Northern Virginia Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. 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.
See the full respiratory care therapy/therapist program report for Northern Virginia Community College
Suny Westchester Community College landed the #12 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the suburb of Valhalla, Suny Westchester Community College is a large public university. Suny Westchester Community College awarded about 21 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their respiratory care therapy/therapist degree from Suny Westchester Community College earn around $84,624 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $8,764 to complete this degree.
See the full respiratory care therapy/therapist program report for Suny Westchester Community College
Weatherford College landed the #13 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the town of Weatherford, Weatherford College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 21 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Weatherford College in the most recent year. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Weatherford College earn a median of $67,339 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,506 to complete this degree.
See the full respiratory care therapy/therapist program report for Weatherford College
Hillsborough Community College came in at #14 for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Hillsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. About 12 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Hillsborough Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Hillsborough Community College generally make around $62,961. Hillsborough Community College graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans.
Read more about the respiratory care therapy/therapist program at Hillsborough Community College
El Centro College earned the #15 position for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. About 11 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at El Centro College in the most recent year. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $62,647 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,352 to complete this degree.
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The Community College Of Baltimore County ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public university. About 16 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at The Community College Of Baltimore County in the most recent year. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of The Community College Of Baltimore County earn a median of $69,898 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,200.
More information about a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist from The Community College Of Baltimore County
Houston Community College landed the #17 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 13 respiratory care therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Houston Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their respiratory care therapy/therapist degree from Houston Community College earn around $67,098 in the first couple years of their career. Houston Community College graduates carry a median of $16,975 in student loans.
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Gateway Community College Phoenix landed the #18 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Phoenix. There were roughly 32 respiratory care therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Gateway Community College Phoenix in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Gateway Community College Phoenix generally make around $57,315. Typical student debt for the program is $12,500.
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City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. This large public university is located in the city of Chicago. City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College awarded about 17 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their respiratory care therapy/therapist degree from City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College earn around $63,963 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,169.
See the full respiratory care therapy/therapist program report for City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College
Tarrant County College District came in at #20 for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. There were roughly 14 respiratory care therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Tarrant County College District in the most recent data year. Students who receive their respiratory care therapy/therapist degree from Tarrant County College District earn around $57,721 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,249 to complete this degree.
Read more about the respiratory care therapy/therapist program at Tarrant County College District
Weber State University came in at #21 for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. Weber State University graduates 47% of students within six years. Weber State University awarded about 31 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $47,396. Weber State University graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans.
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St Petersburg College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. About 19 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at St Petersburg College in the most recent year. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $62,187 early in their careers. St Petersburg College graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans.
See the full respiratory care therapy/therapist program report for St Petersburg College
Madison Area Technical College came in at #23 for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. This large public university is located in the city of Madison. Madison Area Technical College awarded about 19 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the respiratory care therapy/therapist program make about $62,646 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,892.
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Bergen Community College came in at #24 for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Bergen Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Paramus. There were roughly 15 respiratory care therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Bergen Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Bergen Community College generally make around $72,486. Typical student debt for the program is $20,000.
Get the full respiratory care therapy/therapist details for Bergen Community College
Pima Community College came in at #25 for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tucson. About 24 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Pima Community College in the most recent year. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $57,131 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,996.
Read more about the respiratory care therapy/therapist program at Pima Community College
Rest of the Top 50 Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools
These schools also placed among the best for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year:
This list is compiled 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).
