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2026 Best Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools in the Great Lakes Region

47 Colleges in the United States
735 Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Degrees Awarded
$55,300 Avg Early-Career Salary

Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their respiratory care therapy/therapist programs.

College Factual analyzed 62 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 Great Lakes 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

Ohio State University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 13 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $60,834 early in their careers. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $24,179 in student loans. More information about a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist from Ohio State University Main Campus

2

Madison Area Technical College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public institution. Madison Area Technical College awarded about 19 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their respiratory care therapy/therapist degree from Madison Area Technical College earn around $59,826 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,946 to complete this degree. See the full respiratory care therapy/therapist program report for Madison Area Technical College

3

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. About 13 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in the most recent year. Students who receive their respiratory care therapy/therapist degree from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earn around $53,522 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,318 to complete this degree. See the full respiratory care therapy/therapist program report for Northeast Wisconsin Technical College

4

A rank of #4 makes Cuyahoga Community College District one of the top schools for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. About 11 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Cuyahoga Community College District in the most recent year. Students who receive their respiratory care therapy/therapist degree from Cuyahoga Community College District earn around $52,018 in the first couple years of their career. Cuyahoga Community College District graduates carry a median of $14,870 in student loans. Get the full respiratory care therapy/therapist details for Cuyahoga Community College District

5
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN

A rank of #5 makes Ivy Tech Community College one of the top schools for respiratory care therapy/therapist. This very large public university is located in the city of Indianapolis. About 113 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Ivy Tech Community College in the most recent year. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $64,476 early in their careers. Ivy Tech Community College graduates carry a median of $11,696 in student loans. More information about a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist from Ivy Tech Community College

6

Western Technical College La Cross ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College La Cross is a moderately-sized public university. Western Technical College La Cross awarded about 11 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the respiratory care therapy/therapist program make about $53,085 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,201. Read more about the respiratory care therapy/therapist program at Western Technical College La Cross

7

University Of Southern Indiana ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. About 28 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at University Of Southern Indiana in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $69,965. Typical student debt for the program is $25,169. See the full respiratory care therapy/therapist program report for University Of Southern Indiana

8

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #8 for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 39 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $66,000. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates carry a median of $22,424 in student loans. Get the full respiratory care therapy/therapist details for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

9

Chippewa Valley Technical College earned the #9 position for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. This large public university is located in the city of Eau Claire. Chippewa Valley Technical College awarded about 15 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Chippewa Valley Technical College earn a median of $53,972 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,935 to complete this degree. See the full respiratory care therapy/therapist program report for Chippewa Valley Technical College

10
Rush University crest
Rush University
Chicago, IL

Rush University earned the #10 position for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 22 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Rush University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Rush University generally make around $97,356. Students borrow a median of $35,578 to complete this degree. Read more about the respiratory care therapy/therapist program at Rush University

11

Sinclair Community College earned the #11 position for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Sinclair Community College awarded about 21 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $46,633 early in their careers. Sinclair Community College graduates carry a median of $15,593 in student loans. More information about a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist from Sinclair Community College

12
College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage landed the #12 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. College Of Dupage awarded about 19 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the respiratory care therapy/therapist program make about $58,004 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,349 to complete this degree. See the full respiratory care therapy/therapist program report for College Of Dupage

13

Milwaukee Area Technical College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Milwaukee. Milwaukee Area Technical College awarded about 21 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the respiratory care therapy/therapist program make about $54,937 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,038. Get the full respiratory care therapy/therapist details for Milwaukee Area Technical College

14

Cincinnati State Technical And Community College came in at #14 for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College awarded about 11 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the respiratory care therapy/therapist program make about $56,689 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,668 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College

15

University Of Toledo earned the #15 position for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 21 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at University Of Toledo in the most recent year. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $88,451 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Read more about the respiratory care therapy/therapist program at University Of Toledo

16

City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College came in at #16 for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. There were roughly 17 respiratory care therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College in the most recent data year. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College earn a median of $46,222 early in their careers. City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College graduates carry a median of $12,924 in student loans. Read more about the respiratory care therapy/therapist program at City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College

17

Moraine Park Technical College landed the #17 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Fond du Lac. There were roughly 13 respiratory care therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Moraine Park Technical College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Moraine Park Technical College generally make around $46,439. Moraine Park Technical College graduates carry a median of $11,067 in student loans. More information about a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist from Moraine Park Technical College

18
Illinois Central College crest
Illinois Central College
East Peoria, IL

Illinois Central College earned the #18 position for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the suburb of East Peoria, Illinois Central College is a large public institution. About 13 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Illinois Central College in the most recent year. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Illinois Central College earn a median of $56,637 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,750. See the full respiratory care therapy/therapist program report for Illinois Central College

19

Macomb Community College earned the #19 position for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Warren. About 12 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Macomb Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their respiratory care therapy/therapist degree from Macomb Community College earn around $57,326 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,350. Get the full respiratory care therapy/therapist details for Macomb Community College

20

University Of Michigan Flint came in at #20 for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Flint. The six-year graduation rate is 40%. University Of Michigan Flint awarded about 18 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Michigan Flint generally make around $64,434. Typical student debt for the program is $31,016. Get the full respiratory care therapy/therapist details for University Of Michigan Flint

21
Stark State College crest
Stark State College
North Canton, OH

Stark State College landed the #21 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. There were roughly 14 respiratory care therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Stark State College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Stark State College generally make around $51,690. Stark State College graduates carry a median of $17,860 in student loans. Get the full respiratory care therapy/therapist details for Stark State College

22
Kaskaskia College crest
Kaskaskia College
Centralia, IL

Kaskaskia College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Centralia. There were roughly 10 respiratory care therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Kaskaskia College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Kaskaskia College generally make around $45,658. Kaskaskia College graduates carry a median of $7,875 in student loans. Get the full respiratory care therapy/therapist details for Kaskaskia College

23
Delta College crest
Delta College
University Center, MI

Delta College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public university. About 10 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Delta College in the most recent year. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Delta College earn a median of $52,791 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,601. Read more about the respiratory care therapy/therapist program at Delta College

24

Monroe County Community College landed the #24 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the rural area of Monroe, Monroe County Community College is a mid-sized public university. About 11 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Monroe County Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the respiratory care therapy/therapist program make about $63,378 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,881 to complete this degree. Get the full respiratory care therapy/therapist details for Monroe County Community College

25

University Of Akron Main Campus placed #25 among the best respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. University Of Akron Main Campus graduates 52% of students within six years. There were roughly 19 respiratory care therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at University Of Akron Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $51,608. University Of Akron Main Campus graduates carry a median of $21,963 in student loans. Read more about the respiratory care therapy/therapist program at University Of Akron Main Campus

Rest of the Top 39 Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong respiratory care therapy/therapist education:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
Rock Valley College crest
Rock Valley College
Rockford, IL
34
35
36
37
38
39

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 62 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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