2026 Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools in Ohio
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 21 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 Ohio
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
Cuyahoga Community College District earned the #1 spot for value among respiratory care therapy/therapist schools in Ohio. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $14,870 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $52,018. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Sinclair Community College one of the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $15,593 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $46,633. 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 North Central State College, which ranked #3. Set in the rural area of Mansfield, North Central State College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,786, compared with $11,374 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $12,475 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of North Central State College earn a median of $47,262 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,475 median debt.
Stark State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,790 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,886. 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.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist, landing the #5 spot this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $10,044. Students borrow a median of $16,668 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $56,689. Set against $16,668 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbus State Community College earned the #6 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Columbus State Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,488, while out-of-state students pay about $11,224. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $9,041 in student loans. Median earnings reach $39,435 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $9,041 median debt.
Lakeland Community College came in at #7 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the suburb of Kirtland, Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,872 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,235 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $20,307 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Lakeland Community College earn a median of $57,844 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,307 median debt.
James A Rhodes State College came in at #8 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. James A Rhodes State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Lima. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $9,120. Students borrow a median of $16,949 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from James A Rhodes State College generally make around $48,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Cincinnati Clermont College earned the #9 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public school located in the suburb of Batavia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,639, with out-of-state students paying around $13,871. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $17,848. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Cincinnati Clermont College earn a median of $56,683 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,848 median debt.
Washington State Community College landed the #10 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the town of Marietta, Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,128, while out-of-state students pay about $4,152. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Washington State Community College generally make around $46,879. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kent State University At Ashtabula earned the #11 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the town of Ashtabula, Kent State University At Ashtabula is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,211, with out-of-state students paying around $17,969. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Kent State University At Ashtabula generally make around $53,173. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Gateway Community College landed the #12 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the city of Steubenville, Eastern Gateway Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,225, while out-of-state students pay about $6,071. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $10,642 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Eastern Gateway Community College earn a median of $37,052 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Youngstown State University placed #13 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $52,212 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
O C Collins Career Center earned the #14 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. O C Collins Career Center is a small public school located in the rural area of Chesapeake. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $18,165. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from O C Collins Career Center generally make around $48,457. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Akron Main Campus landed the #15 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $21,963. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $51,608. That is a strong return on a $21,963 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Shawnee State University earned the #16 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the town of Portsmouth, Shawnee State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,448 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,032. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $18,875 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Shawnee State University earn a median of $52,271 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,875 median debt.
University Of Toledo ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,157, with out-of-state students paying around $21,517. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $88,451. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $24,179 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $60,834 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Bowling Green State University Firelands came in at #19 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the rural area of Huron, Bowling Green State University Firelands is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,131, compared with $14,119 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $24,000. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Firelands generally make around $46,772. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #20 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $22,424. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $66,000. Set against $22,424 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Rio Grande earned the #21 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. University Of Rio Grande is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Rio Grande. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,560. Students borrow a median of $19,864 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Rio Grande earn a median of $54,141 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
