2027 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/) 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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 52 schools to find the best return on investment for respiratory care therapy/therapist students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools in the United States
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
Leading the list is Utah Valley University, our #1 best value for respiratory care therapy/therapist in the United States. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $16,478. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Flint earned it the #2 place for respiratory care therapy/therapist. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. In-state tuition and fees average $14,236, while out-of-state students pay about $27,790. Students borrow a median of $31,016 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Michigan Flint generally make around $64,434. That is a strong return on a $31,016 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Marshall University one of the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $22,789. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $59,017. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
Northern Kentucky University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist, landing the #4 spot this year. 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. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $30,103 in student loans. 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.
A rank of #5 makes Weber State University one of the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,926 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $48,433 early in their careers. Set against $17,926 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #6 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $24,150 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $123,213 early in their careers. Set against $24,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Idaho State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Idaho State University is a large public school located in the city of Pocatello. In-state tuition and fees average $8,610, 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. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Idaho State University earn a median of $115,568 early in their careers. Set against $29,173 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #8 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. 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. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $20,985. 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%.
Northeastern State University landed the #9 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,810, with out-of-state students paying around $17,290. Students borrow a median of $23,465 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Northeastern State University generally make around $49,353. That is a strong return on a $23,465 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Augusta University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Augusta, Augusta University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,414 in tuition and fees, 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 $108,924 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Augusta University admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio landed the #11 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,991, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $16,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Youngstown State University placed #12 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,926, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $52,212. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #13 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,239, 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. Set against $21,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
Radford University came in at #14 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,548, while out-of-state students pay about $25,633. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Radford University generally make around $107,982. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Grand Valley State University landed the #15 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $113,240. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Georgia Southern University landed the #16 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. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $28,000. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $58,026. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania came in at #17 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,046, with out-of-state students paying around $22,870. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $27,516. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $106,303. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania admits about 93% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #18 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. 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. Set against $24,179 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Stony Brook University earned the #19 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Toledo ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,157 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Texas State University San Marcos came in at #21 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. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $57,600. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Ursuline College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the suburb of Pepper Pike, Ursuline College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,990. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $35,000 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Ursuline College earn a median of $80,267 early in their careers. Set against $35,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Missouri State University Springfield earned the #23 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist 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, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $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 #24 on our 2027 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. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $42,672. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Canisius College admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Mary placed #25 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Located in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $22,356 in tuition and fees. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Mary earn a median of $55,153 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s respiratory care therapy/therapist value ranking:
Other Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist rankings across degree levels:
View All Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 52 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 52 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.
