2026 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong respiratory care therapy/therapist education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 52 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 Middle Atlantic Region
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
Nassau Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $81,810. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in respiratory care therapy/therapist will find it at Frederick Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,849, while out-of-state students pay about $10,042. Students borrow a median of $16,348 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Frederick Community College earn a median of $59,579 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,348 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned it the #3 place for respiratory care therapy/therapist. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $13,900. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $100,611 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Middlesex County College earned it the #4 place for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Middlesex County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Edison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,764, while out-of-state students pay about $7,356. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Middlesex County College earn a median of $37,975 early in their careers. 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 The Community College Of Baltimore County, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,110 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $16,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Erie Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,100 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $17,268 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $58,695 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,268 median debt.
Burlington County College landed the #7 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,990, while out-of-state students pay about $9,495. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $12,488 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $52,240. That is a strong return on a $12,488 median debt.
Hudson Valley Community College landed the #8 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,796, while out-of-state students pay about $11,852. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $20,197 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Hudson Valley Community College earn a median of $63,744 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Union County College came in at #9 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Union County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Cranford. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $9,500. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $22,755. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Union County College earn a median of $38,168 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Delaware County Community College placed #10 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Located in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,930 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,540. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $21,136 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Delaware County Community College earn a median of $65,167 early in their careers. Set against $21,136 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Onondaga Community College earned the #11 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,102 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,392 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $12,623 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Onondaga Community College generally make around $35,781. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Community College Of Allegheny County landed the #12 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,956, while out-of-state students pay about $12,583. Students borrow a median of $23,623 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $57,189. Set against $23,623 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
County College Of Morris placed #13 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Randolph. Students from in state pay about $6,210 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,310. 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.
Mohawk Valley Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Utica, Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,218 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,851. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $18,614 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Mohawk Valley Community College earn a median of $52,722 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,614 median debt.
Suny Westchester Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 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. Students from in state pay about $5,948 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,486 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $8,764 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Suny Westchester Community College earn a median of $84,624 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brookdale Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $10,140. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $23,933 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Brookdale Community College generally make around $65,905. Set against $23,933 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Atlantic Cape Community College came in at #17 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mays Landing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,594, compared with $8,350 for out-of-state students. 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.
Bergen Community College came in at #18 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the suburb of Paramus, Bergen Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,913, compared with $9,294 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,345 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Bergen Community College earn a median of $64,743 early in their careers. Set against $16,345 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Baltimore City Community College landed the #19 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Baltimore City Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,314 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,394. Students borrow a median of $11,202 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Baltimore City Community College earn a median of $51,023 early in their careers. Set against $11,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sullivan County Community College earned the #20 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the rural area of Loch Sheldrake, Sullivan County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,468 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,132. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $15,950 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $36,736. Set against $15,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Prince Georges Community College earned the #21 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Prince Georges Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Largo. In-state tuition and fees average $4,034, compared with $8,762 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,172 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Prince Georges Community College generally make around $68,506. That is a strong return on a $14,172 median debt.
Gloucester County College came in at #22 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the suburb of Sewell, Gloucester County College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,160, while out-of-state students pay about $6,000. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $15,437. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $38,274. That is a strong return on a $15,437 median debt.
Allegany College Of Maryland earned the #23 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Allegany College Of Maryland is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Cumberland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,940, while out-of-state students pay about $12,620. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $53,706. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Luzerne County Community College came in at #24 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist 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, while out-of-state students pay about $16,260. Students borrow a median of $17,741 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Luzerne County Community College generally make around $51,058. Set against $17,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg came in at #25 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,975, with out-of-state students paying around $12,472. Students borrow a median of $24,150 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earn a median of $62,227 early in their careers. Set against $24,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 46 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
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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 · 52 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.
