2026 Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/respiratory-care-therapy-therapist/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong respiratory care therapy/therapist education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 424 schools to find the best return on investment for respiratory care therapy/therapist students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in respiratory care therapy/therapist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools
For return on investment in respiratory care therapy/therapist, no school beat College Of Southern Nevada this year. College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,358, while out-of-state students pay about $13,024. Students borrow a median of $11,600 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from College Of Southern Nevada generally make around $64,976. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Kentucky University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $30,103 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $52,094 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Atenas College earned it the #3 place for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Atenas College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Manati. In-state tuition and fees average $8,954. Students borrow a median of $4,750 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $11,861. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Marshall University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $22,789 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $59,017. Set against $22,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Edison State College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Edison State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,401, while out-of-state students pay about $12,979. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Edison State College generally make around $52,597. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Utah Valley University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $51,242. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Universidad Metropolitana earned the #7 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of San Juan, Universidad Metropolitana is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,750. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $12,150. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Universidad Metropolitana earn a median of $15,907 early in their careers. Set against $12,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Valencia College landed the #8 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the city of Orlando, Valencia College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, compared with $9,576 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $17,281 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $68,564. That is a strong return on a $17,281 median debt.
Weber State University landed the #9 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $20,226. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $67,333 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,226 median debt.
Morehead State University landed the #10 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,024, while out-of-state students pay about $14,980. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $64,504. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #11 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $71,505. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Modesto Junior College landed the #12 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Modesto Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Modesto. Students from in state pay about $1,282 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,264. Students borrow a median of $8,575 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Modesto Junior College earn a median of $45,865 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tennessee State University placed #13 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,416 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $29,489 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $48,894. Set against $29,489 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Pueblo Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of Pueblo, Pueblo Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,049 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,649. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $14,725 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Pueblo Community College generally make around $42,135. That is a strong return on a $14,725 median debt.
Midwestern State University placed #15 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,950, with out-of-state students paying around $11,770. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $67,953. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Midwestern State University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Southern Indiana earned the #16 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. Students from in state pay about $10,066 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. Students borrow a median of $25,169 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $69,965. Set against $25,169 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Ferris State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $28,000. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $67,423. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Youngstown State University landed the #18 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $52,212. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Flint came in at #19 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,236, compared with $27,790 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $31,016. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $64,434. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Washburn University came in at #20 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,945 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,949 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $71,318. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Augusta University placed #21 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Augusta, Augusta University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,414 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,734. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Augusta University earn a median of $58,249 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #22 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $21,537. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $67,997 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Georgia State University placed #23 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,664 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Students borrow a median of $25,336 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Georgia State University generally make around $78,175. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #24 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $24,470. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $46,566. That is a strong return on a $24,470 median debt. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
East Tennessee State University landed the #25 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,216, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $24,568 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $48,671. Set against $24,568 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s respiratory care therapy/therapist value ranking:
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. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, 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 57 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.
