2026 Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Associate’s Degree Schools
[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.
College Factual analyzed 424 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools
Mt San Antonio College earned the #1 spot for value among respiratory care therapy/therapist schools in the United States. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $88,132 early in their careers. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City 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 Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in respiratory care therapy/therapist will find it at St Petersburg College, which ranked #3. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. Students from in state pay about $2,682 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,000 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $62,187. That is a strong return on a $16,000 median debt.
Skyline College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
Students looking for strong value in respiratory care therapy/therapist will find it at South Texas College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $5,062 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $68,727 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College earned the #6 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rome. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $5,868. Students borrow a median of $11,699 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Georgia Northwestern Technical College earn a median of $60,744 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College came in at #7 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
Pima Community College placed #8 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Students borrow a median of $9,996 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $57,131. That is a strong return on a $9,996 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College landed the #9 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Students borrow a median of $12,169 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College earn a median of $63,963 early in their careers. Set against $12,169 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Centro College placed #10 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Students borrow a median of $17,352 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $62,647. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central New Mexico Community College earned the #11 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,833 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $57,486 early in their careers. Set against $10,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Frederick Community College earned the #12 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Frederick. In-state tuition and fees average $3,849, while out-of-state students pay about $10,042. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $16,348 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $59,579. Set against $16,348 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Regional Technical College earned the #13 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Thomasville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,007, with out-of-state students paying around $5,575. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $9,086 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Southern Regional Technical College earn a median of $55,734 early in their careers. Set against $9,086 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Seminole State College Of Florida ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,122 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,447. Students borrow a median of $13,563 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Seminole State College Of Florida earn a median of $65,841 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oconee Fall Line Technical College earned the #15 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the rural area of Sandersville, Oconee Fall Line Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,380, compared with $5,948 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $12,718 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $60,210. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moraine Valley Community College came in at #16 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,822, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $55,739. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Durham Technical Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,240, compared with $7,531 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $20,408. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Durham Technical Community College generally make around $46,293. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coastal Pines Technical College earned the #18 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the town of Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,268 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,836. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $5,812 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $45,656. That is a strong return on a $5,812 median debt.
Central Piedmont Community College landed the #19 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $16,422 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $61,455 early in their careers. Set against $16,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gulf Coast State College placed #20 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Panama City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,370, while out-of-state students pay about $8,635. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $11,345 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $58,019. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida State College At Jacksonville ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,657, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $18,500. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $52,497. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt.
Orange Coast College placed #22 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $11,000. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $68,484. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Alvin Community College landed the #23 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,906, compared with $4,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $8,876. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Alvin Community College earn a median of $59,760 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,876 median debt.
Northern Essex Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Set in the suburb of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,732, compared with $12,516 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,697 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Northern Essex Community College generally make around $67,610. That is a strong return on a $14,697 median debt.
Victor Valley College came in at #25 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,425 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,125. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $7,995 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Victor Valley College earn a median of $37,755 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in respiratory care therapy/therapist:
Other Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist rankings across degree levels:
View All Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 424 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 223 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
