2027 Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong respiratory care therapy/therapist education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 62 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools in the Great Lakes 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
Joliet Junior College tops our 2027 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $12,355 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $57,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Macomb Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist, landing the #2 spot this year. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Students borrow a median of $8,350 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $57,326. Set against $8,350 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuyahoga Community College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist, landing the #3 spot this year. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $14,870 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $52,018 early in their careers. Set against $14,870 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Moraine Valley Community College one of the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $55,739. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Henry Ford Community College one of the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. Students from in state pay about $3,568 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $20,828. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $58,792. Set against $20,828 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lincoln Land Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Set in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,744 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Students borrow a median of $14,897 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Lincoln Land Community College generally make around $52,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College placed #7 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,044. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $16,668. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $56,689. Set against $16,668 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College placed #8 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Kalamazoo. Students from in state pay about $4,144 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,094. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $20,985. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Kalamazoo Valley Community College generally make around $54,134. That is a strong return on a $20,985 median debt.
Kankakee Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,220, while out-of-state students pay about $25,830. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $10,418 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Kankakee Community College earn a median of $54,757 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,418 median debt.
Monroe County Community College landed the #10 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Monroe County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Monroe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,759, compared with $8,267 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $13,881 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $63,378. Set against $13,881 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Delta College placed #11 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Located in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,820, while out-of-state students pay about $7,880. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $14,601. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $52,791. Set against $14,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sinclair Community College earned the #12 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Students borrow a median of $15,593 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $46,633. Set against $15,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stark State College landed the #13 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,790, compared with $7,886 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $17,860 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $51,690. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Central State College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the rural area of Mansfield, North Central State College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,786, while out-of-state students pay about $11,374. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $12,475 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from North Central State College generally make around $47,262. That is a strong return on a $12,475 median debt.
Rock Valley College earned the #15 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,334 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,379 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $9,236. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Rock Valley College generally make around $41,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Students borrow a median of $12,924 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $46,222. Set against $12,924 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Clair County Community College came in at #17 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the suburb of Port Huron, St Clair County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,212 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,150. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $16,379. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from St Clair County Community College generally make around $45,735. That is a strong return on a $16,379 median debt.
Oakland Community College landed the #18 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Oakland Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Auburn Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $16,339. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Oakland Community College earn a median of $46,485 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #19 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $11,696. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $64,476. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Dupage placed #20 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Students borrow a median of $14,349 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $58,004. That is a strong return on a $14,349 median debt.
University Of Michigan Flint came in at #21 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. In-state tuition and fees average $14,236, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $31,016. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of $64,434 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Kaskaskia College earned the #22 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800, compared with $12,570 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $7,875 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $45,658. That is a strong return on a $7,875 median debt.
Mott Community College came in at #23 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,845, compared with $11,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,284 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $53,532. That is a strong return on a $30,284 median debt.
Columbus State Community College came in at #24 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,488, compared with $11,224 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $9,041. Median earnings reach $39,435 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lakeland Community College placed #25 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Kirtland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,872, compared with $9,235 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $20,307. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Lakeland Community College generally make around $57,844. Set against $20,307 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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:
Narrow Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools by State
More Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Rankings
View All Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 62 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 62 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.
