2026 Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Master’s Degree Schools
[Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/respiratory-care-therapy-therapist/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 424 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for respiratory care therapy/therapist students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools
For return on investment in respiratory care therapy/therapist, no school beat Utah Valley University this year. 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, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,242. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Kentucky University earned it the #2 place for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. 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. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $52,094 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,103 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Marshall University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist, landing the #3 spot this year. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Students borrow a median of $22,789 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $59,017. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Students looking for strong value in respiratory care therapy/therapist will find it at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, which ranked #4. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $24,150. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $123,213. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in respiratory care therapy/therapist will find it at Weber State University, which ranked #5. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Students borrow a median of $17,926 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $48,433. That is a strong return on a $17,926 median debt.
Midwestern State University came in at #6 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,950 in tuition and fees, 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. Midwestern State University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Flint came in at #7 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. Students borrow a median of $31,016 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $64,434. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Northeastern State University landed the #8 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,810, compared with $17,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $23,465. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Northeastern State University earn a median of $49,353 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Youngstown State University placed #9 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,926, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $52,212 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio landed the #10 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,991 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,776. Students borrow a median of $16,627 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio earn a median of $106,348 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earned the #11 position 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. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $67,997. That is a strong return on a $21,537 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Augusta University landed the #12 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the city of Augusta, Augusta University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,414, while out-of-state students pay about $24,734. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $26,500. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Augusta University earn a median of $108,924 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #13 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $20,985 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $46,566. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Texas State University San Marcos earned the #14 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $26,500. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $57,600. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
Radford University landed the #15 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,548 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,633. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $25,250. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $107,982. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Stony Brook University placed #16 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,931, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Students borrow a median of $20,538 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $122,527 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,538 median debt. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
Idaho State University placed #17 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Idaho State University is a large public school located in the city of Pocatello. Students from in state pay about $8,610 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,173 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Idaho State University generally make around $115,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Georgia Southern University landed the #18 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,022, compared with $17,734 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $58,026. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Toledo ranked #19 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. In-state tuition and fees average $12,157, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $110,132. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Toledo admits about 92% of applicants.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania placed #20 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $52,416 ten years out. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Montana came in at #21 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. The University Of Montana is a large public school located in the city of Missoula. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,552, compared with $33,671 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $23,000. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $52,370. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. The University Of Montana admits about 96% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #22 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $27,000. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $99,606. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
Canisius College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Buffalo, Canisius College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,200. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $24,673 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Canisius College earn a median of $42,672 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Pennsylvania Western University came in at #24 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,436, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,295 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Boise State University landed the #25 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,048, with out-of-state students paying around $27,788. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $25,675. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Boise State University earn a median of $76,843 early in their careers. Set against $25,675 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 47 Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year:
Other Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Degree Levels
Explore the best-value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools at other degree levels:
View All Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 8 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.
