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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools in the Far Western Region

36 Colleges in the United States
1,439 Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Degrees Awarded
$63,154 Avg Early-Career Salary

Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 42 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best respiratory care therapy/therapist schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist in the Far Western Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist

1

No school ranked higher than Mt San Antonio College this year for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. Mt San Antonio College awarded about 16 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $88,132. Mt San Antonio College graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Get the full respiratory care therapy/therapist details for Mt San Antonio College

2
Foothill College crest
Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, CA

Foothill College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist, ranking #2. Set in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public institution. Foothill College awarded about 27 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the respiratory care therapy/therapist program make about $107,048 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree. See the full respiratory care therapy/therapist program report for Foothill College

3
Loma Linda University crest
Loma Linda University
Loma Linda, CA

Loma Linda University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Loma Linda, Loma Linda University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Loma Linda University awarded about 18 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data 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. Loma Linda University graduates carry a median of $25,171 in student loans. Get the full respiratory care therapy/therapist details for Loma Linda University

4

Fresno City College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Fresno City College awarded about 25 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees 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. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete this degree. See the full respiratory care therapy/therapist program report for Fresno City College

5
Orange Coast College crest
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA

Orange Coast College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist, ranking #5. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. There were roughly 32 respiratory care therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Orange Coast College in the most recent data year. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $68,484 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,000. Read more about the respiratory care therapy/therapist program at Orange Coast College

6

Kapiolani Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of Honolulu, Kapiolani Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Kapiolani Community College awarded about 13 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data 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. Kapiolani Community College graduates carry a median of $15,709 in student loans. Get the full respiratory care therapy/therapist details for Kapiolani Community College

7

College Of Southern Nevada placed #7 among the best respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public university. About 15 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at College Of Southern Nevada in the most recent year. Graduates of the respiratory care therapy/therapist program make about $64,976 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,600 to complete this degree. Read more about the respiratory care therapy/therapist program at College Of Southern Nevada

8

San Joaquin Valley College Visalia came in at #8 for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. This mid-sized private for-profit university is located in the city of Visalia. There were roughly 163 respiratory care therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at San Joaquin Valley College Visalia in the most recent data year. Graduates of the respiratory care therapy/therapist program make about $81,315 in their early career. San Joaquin Valley College Visalia graduates carry a median of $26,616 in student loans. Read more about the respiratory care therapy/therapist program at San Joaquin Valley College Visalia

9

San Joaquin Valley College Ontario came in at #9 for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Ontario, San Joaquin Valley College Ontario is a small private for-profit institution. San Joaquin Valley College Ontario awarded about 66 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the respiratory care therapy/therapist program make about $69,391 in their early career. San Joaquin Valley College Ontario graduates carry a median of $24,931 in student loans. Read more about the respiratory care therapy/therapist program at San Joaquin Valley College Ontario

10
Skyline College crest
Skyline College
San Bruno, CA

Skyline College earned the #10 position for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. There were roughly 27 respiratory care therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Skyline College in the most recent data year. Get the full respiratory care therapy/therapist details for Skyline College

11

Oregon Institute Of Technology earned the #11 position for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Klamath Falls. Oregon Institute Of Technology graduates 54% of students within six years. Oregon Institute Of Technology awarded about 12 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their respiratory care therapy/therapist degree from Oregon Institute Of Technology earn around $83,906 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $29,500 to complete this degree. Get the full respiratory care therapy/therapist details for Oregon Institute Of Technology

12
Grossmont College crest
Grossmont College
El Cajon, CA

Grossmont College placed #12 among the best respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. About 24 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Grossmont College in the most recent year. Get the full respiratory care therapy/therapist details for Grossmont College

13

San Joaquin Valley College Temecula earned the #13 position for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Temecula, San Joaquin Valley College Temecula is a small private for-profit university. There were roughly 41 respiratory care therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at San Joaquin Valley College Temecula in the most recent data year. Students who receive their respiratory care therapy/therapist degree from San Joaquin Valley College Temecula earn around $69,391 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,931 to complete this degree. Get the full respiratory care therapy/therapist details for San Joaquin Valley College Temecula

14

San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Bakersfield. San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield awarded about 55 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the respiratory care therapy/therapist program make about $69,391 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,931. See the full respiratory care therapy/therapist program report for San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield

15
East Los Angeles College crest
East Los Angeles College
Monterey Park, CA

East Los Angeles College placed #15 among the best respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the suburb of Monterey Park, East Los Angeles College is a very large public university. There were roughly 28 respiratory care therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at East Los Angeles College in the most recent data year. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of East Los Angeles College earn a median of $33,595 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $8,180 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist from East Los Angeles College

16

Napa Valley College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Napa. Napa Valley College awarded about 18 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. See the full respiratory care therapy/therapist program report for Napa Valley College

17
American River College crest
American River College
Sacramento, CA

American River College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. There were roughly 21 respiratory care therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at American River College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their respiratory care therapy/therapist degree from American River College earn around $100,258 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,105. More information about a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist from American River College

18

San Joaquin Valley College Rancho Cordova landed the #18 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. This small private for-profit university is located in the city of Rancho Cordova. San Joaquin Valley College Rancho Cordova awarded about 87 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from San Joaquin Valley College Rancho Cordova generally make around $69,391. Students borrow a median of $24,931 to complete this degree. See the full respiratory care therapy/therapist program report for San Joaquin Valley College Rancho Cordova

19
Butte College crest
Butte College
Oroville, CA

Butte College landed the #19 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public institution. Butte College awarded about 13 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Butte College generally make around $65,853. Butte College graduates carry a median of $13,302 in student loans. Read more about the respiratory care therapy/therapist program at Butte College

20

Antelope Valley College earned the #20 position for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Antelope Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lancaster. Antelope Valley College awarded about 18 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their respiratory care therapy/therapist degree from Antelope Valley College earn around $64,230 in the first couple years of their career. Antelope Valley College graduates carry a median of $12,729 in student loans. More information about a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist from Antelope Valley College

21

Crafton Hills College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Yucaipa. About 17 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Crafton Hills College in the most recent year. Graduates of the respiratory care therapy/therapist program make about $97,976 in their early career. Crafton Hills College graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist from Crafton Hills College

22
Victor Valley College crest
Victor Valley College
Victorville, CA

Victor Valley College landed the #22 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Victor Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Victorville. About 31 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Victor Valley College in the most recent year. Students who receive their respiratory care therapy/therapist degree from Victor Valley College earn around $37,755 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,995. More information about a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist from Victor Valley College

23

Ohlone Community College came in at #23 for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. This large public university is located in the city of Fremont. About 18 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Ohlone Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the respiratory care therapy/therapist program make about $22,545 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $5,500. More information about a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist from Ohlone Community College

24

Los Angeles Valley College came in at #24 for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Valley Glen. There were roughly 31 respiratory care therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Los Angeles Valley College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Los Angeles Valley College generally make around $81,601. Typical student debt for the program is $10,254. See the full respiratory care therapy/therapist program report for Los Angeles Valley College

25

Modesto Junior College placed #25 among the best respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public university. About 32 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Modesto Junior College in the most recent year. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Modesto Junior College earn a median of $45,865 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $8,575 to complete this degree. Read more about the respiratory care therapy/therapist program at Modesto Junior College

Rest of the Top 40 Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s respiratory care therapy/therapist ranking:

26
27
Santa Monica College crest
Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA
28
Hartnell College crest
Hartnell College
Salinas, CA
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40

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Notes and References

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 · 42 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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