2026 Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools in the Far Western Region
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
Fresno City College earned the #1 spot for value among respiratory care therapy/therapist schools in the Far Western Region. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $7,234. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in respiratory care therapy/therapist will find it at Skyline College, which ranked #2. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
Students looking for strong value in respiratory care therapy/therapist will find it at Mt San Antonio College, which ranked #3. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $88,132. 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 Grossmont College, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
Orange Coast College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $68,484. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Victor Valley College landed the #6 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Victor Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Victorville. In-state tuition and fees average $1,425, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $7,995. 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.
American River College earned the #7 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of American River College earn a median of $100,258 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt.
Hartnell College came in at #8 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,404 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,398 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $35,080. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Butte College landed the #9 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,356 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,276. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $13,302. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Butte College earn a median of $65,853 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kapiolani Community College placed #10 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Honolulu, Kapiolani Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,284, with out-of-state students paying around $8,420. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $15,709. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Kapiolani Community College generally make around $83,170. Set against $15,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College placed #11 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
College Of Southern Nevada earned the #12 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. In-state tuition and fees average $4,358, compared with $13,024 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $11,600. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $64,976. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Foothill College landed the #13 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,565, with out-of-state students paying around $12,590. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $12,000. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Foothill College earn a median of $107,048 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Camino Community College District landed the #14 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,144, compared with $7,630 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,589 ten years after entry.
Mt Hood Community College earned the #15 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the suburb of Gresham, Mt Hood Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,247, compared with $9,819 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $21,431 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Mt Hood Community College generally make around $60,687. Set against $21,431 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Los Angeles College came in at #16 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the suburb of Monterey Park, East Los Angeles College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,238, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $8,180 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $33,595. Set against $8,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Antelope Valley College landed the #17 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the suburb of Lancaster, Antelope Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,124, while out-of-state students pay about $9,548. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $12,729 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $64,230. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Modesto Junior College came in at #18 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Modesto Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Modesto. In-state tuition and fees average $1,282, while out-of-state students pay about $9,264. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $8,575 in student loans. 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.
Los Angeles Valley College placed #19 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Los Angeles Valley College is a very large public school located in the city of Valley Glen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,238, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $10,254 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Los Angeles Valley College earn a median of $81,601 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Crafton Hills College landed the #20 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the suburb of Yucaipa, Crafton Hills College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,188 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,556. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $97,976. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Napa Valley College came in at #21 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Napa, Napa Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,908. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,517 ten years after entry.
Oregon Institute Of Technology ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Set in the town of Klamath Falls, Oregon Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,260, with out-of-state students paying around $37,196. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $29,500 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Oregon Institute Of Technology earn a median of $83,906 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,500 median debt. Oregon Institute Of Technology admits about 95% of applicants.
Ohlone Community College landed the #23 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the city of Fremont, Ohlone Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,202, compared with $8,714 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Ohlone Community College generally make around $22,545. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield placed #24 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Bakersfield, San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $24,931. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield earn a median of $69,391 early in their careers. Set against $24,931 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Concorde Career College Garden Grove came in at #25 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the suburb of Garden Grove, Concorde Career College Garden Grove is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $24,375 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Concorde Career College Garden Grove earn a median of $69,188 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,375 median debt. Concorde Career College Garden Grove admits about 97% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 41 Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in respiratory care therapy/therapist:
Narrow Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools by State
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
