by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 77 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in respiratory care therapy/therapist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Skyline College tops our 2027 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Modesto Junior College earned it the #2 place for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Modesto Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Modesto. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,282, 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. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Modesto Junior College generally make around $45,865. Set against $8,575 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Southern Nevada is a great value for students pursuing a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,358, with out-of-state students paying around $13,024. Students borrow a median of $11,600 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of College Of Southern Nevada earn a median of $64,976 early in their careers. Set against $11,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Utah Valley University came in at #4 on our 2027 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, 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. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. 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 Marshall University, which ranked #5. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $22,789. 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%.
University Of Michigan Flint landed the #6 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,236, compared with $27,790 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $31,016 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of $64,434 early in their careers. Set against $31,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Edison State College earned the #7 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Edison State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,401, compared with $12,979 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Edison State College earn a median of $52,597 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt.
Atenas College placed #8 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Located in the suburb of Manati, Atenas College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,954. Students borrow a median of $4,750 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Atenas College earn a median of $16,526 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ozarks Technical Community College came in at #9 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,256 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Students borrow a median of $20,096 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $48,313. That is a strong return on a $20,096 median debt.
Ferris State University placed #10 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $28,000. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $54,608. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Universidad Metropolitana placed #11 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Set in the city of San Juan, Universidad Metropolitana is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,750. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $12,150. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $15,907. Set against $12,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Kentucky University landed the #12 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $30,103. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $52,094. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Weber State University earned the #13 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Students borrow a median of $20,226 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $67,333 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
National University College Bayamon landed the #14 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the city of Bayamon, National University College Bayamon is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,723, with out-of-state students paying around $13,886. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $9,147 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of National University College Bayamon earn a median of $12,216 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,147 median debt.
Morehead State University landed the #15 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,024 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,980. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Morehead State University earn a median of $64,504 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Morehead State University admits about 77% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. 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. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $71,505 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
Midwestern State University earned the #17 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $9,950, compared with $11,770 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Valencia College earned the #18 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Valencia College is a very large public school located in the city of Orlando. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, compared with $9,576 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $17,281. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Valencia College earn a median of $68,564 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pueblo Community College placed #19 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Pueblo, Pueblo Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,049, compared with $17,649 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,725 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $42,135. That is a strong return on a $14,725 median debt.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $24,470. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $46,566 early in their careers. Set against $24,470 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Baptist Memorial College Of Health Sciences ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Memphis, Baptist Memorial College Of Health Sciences is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $13,796 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $31,176. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Baptist Memorial College Of Health Sciences earn a median of $57,633 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Baptist Memorial College Of Health Sciences admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Southern Indiana placed #22 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,066, compared with $22,907 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $25,169. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $69,965. Set against $25,169 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Idaho State University came in at #23 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,610, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $30,361. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Idaho State University earn a median of $51,446 early in their careers. Set against $30,361 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Augusta University landed the #24 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the city of Augusta, Augusta University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,414, with out-of-state students paying around $24,734. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. 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. Augusta University admits about 86% of applicants.
Middle Georgia State University came in at #25 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Macon, Middle Georgia State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,038, compared with $16,390 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,976 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Middle Georgia State University earn a median of $48,207 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,976 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year:
Explore the best-value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools at other degree levels:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 77 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 77 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
