2027 Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools in the Middle Atlantic 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 46 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 Middle Atlantic 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
Our analysis ranked Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College the best value for a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $13,900 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $100,611 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,900 median debt.
Middlesex County College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Middlesex County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Edison. In-state tuition and fees average $4,764, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $11,500. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $37,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Nassau Community College earned it the #3 place for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,330, with out-of-state students paying around $12,130. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $18,500. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $81,810. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Burlington County College one of the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Set in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,990, compared with $9,495 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $12,488. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $52,240. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Delaware County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist, landing the #5 spot this year. Delaware County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Media. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,930, compared with $15,540 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $21,136. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $40,102. Set against $21,136 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Erie Community College landed the #6 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $17,268. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $58,695 early in their careers. Set against $17,268 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hudson Valley Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,796, compared with $11,852 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $20,197. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Hudson Valley Community College generally make around $63,744. That is a strong return on a $20,197 median debt.
Union County College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Set in the suburb of Cranford, Union County College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, compared with $9,500 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $22,755 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $38,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Prince Georges Community College earned the #9 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the suburb of Largo, Prince Georges Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,034, with out-of-state students paying around $8,762. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $14,172 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Prince Georges Community College earn a median of $68,506 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,172 median debt.
Atlantic Cape Community College placed #10 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Set in the rural area of Mays Landing, Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,594, while out-of-state students pay about $8,350. Students borrow a median of $12,002 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $37,141. That is a strong return on a $12,002 median debt.
County College Of Morris earned the #11 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,210, compared with $14,310 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,480 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of County College Of Morris earn a median of $66,060 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,480 median debt.
Suny Westchester Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the suburb of Valhalla, Suny Westchester Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,948, while out-of-state students pay about $12,486. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $8,764. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Suny Westchester Community College earn a median of $84,624 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,764 median debt.
Onondaga Community College landed the #13 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Onondaga Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Syracuse. In-state tuition and fees average $6,102, with out-of-state students paying around $11,392. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $12,623 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $35,781. Set against $12,623 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mohawk Valley Community College came in at #14 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Utica. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,851. Students borrow a median of $18,614 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Mohawk Valley Community College generally make around $52,722. Set against $18,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sullivan County Community College placed #15 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Located in the rural area of Loch Sheldrake, Sullivan County Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,468, while out-of-state students pay about $12,132. Students borrow a median of $15,950 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Sullivan County Community College generally make around $36,736. That is a strong return on a $15,950 median debt.
Allegany College Of Maryland landed the #16 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the town of Cumberland, Allegany College Of Maryland is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,940, with out-of-state students paying around $12,620. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Allegany College Of Maryland generally make around $53,706. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The Community College Of Baltimore County earned the #17 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. In-state tuition and fees average $4,110, compared with $10,182 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $16,200 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $69,015. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Frederick Community College earned the #18 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Frederick Community College is a large public school located in the city of Frederick. Students from in state pay about $3,849 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,042. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $16,348. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Frederick Community College earn a median of $59,579 early in their careers. Set against $16,348 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bergen Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the suburb of Paramus, Bergen Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,913, while out-of-state students pay about $9,294. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $16,345 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Bergen Community College generally make around $64,743. Set against $16,345 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Luzerne County Community College landed the #20 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the suburb of Nanticoke, Luzerne County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,600, compared with $16,260 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,741 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Luzerne County Community College earn a median of $51,058 early in their careers. Set against $17,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cumberland County College landed the #21 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the city of Vineland, Cumberland County College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,160, while out-of-state students pay about $6,000. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $15,437. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Cumberland County College earn a median of $39,469 early in their careers. Set against $15,437 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brookdale Community College placed #22 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Brookdale Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lincroft. Students from in state pay about $6,270 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,933 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $65,905. That is a strong return on a $23,933 median debt.
Community College Of Philadelphia landed the #23 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,632, while out-of-state students pay about $12,744. Students borrow a median of $22,760 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Community College Of Philadelphia earn a median of $59,791 early in their careers. Set against $22,760 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Laurel Business Institute came in at #24 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the town of Uniontown, Laurel Business Institute is a small private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,713. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $21,946. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Laurel Business Institute earn a median of $58,364 early in their careers. Set against $21,946 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Laurel Business Institute admits about 77% of applicants.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg came in at #25 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,975 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,472. Students borrow a median of $24,150 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg generally make around $62,227. Set against $24,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 46 Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year:
Narrow Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools by State
More Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 46 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 46 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.
