2027 Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools in Pennsylvania
[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.
College Factual analyzed 19 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools.
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2027 Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools in Pennsylvania
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 Delaware County Community College, our #1 best value for respiratory care therapy/therapist in Pennsylvania. Located in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,930, with out-of-state students paying around $15,540. Students borrow a median of $21,136 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Delaware County Community College earn a median of $40,102 early in their careers. Set against $21,136 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Philadelphia is a great value for students pursuing a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,632, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Luzerne County Community College earned it the #3 place for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Luzerne County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Nanticoke. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,600, with out-of-state students paying around $16,260. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $17,741. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Luzerne County Community College generally make around $51,058. That is a strong return on a $17,741 median debt.
Community College Of Allegheny County came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,956 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earned it the #5 place for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,975, while out-of-state students pay about $12,472. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $24,150 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earn a median of $62,227 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,150 median debt.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania placed #6 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,046, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $27,516. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $74,757 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus landed the #7 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,380, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus generally make around $54,823. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Laurel Business Institute ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Laurel Business Institute is a small private for-profit school located in the town of Uniontown. In-state tuition and fees average $13,713. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $21,946 in student loans. 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. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania Western University earned the #9 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,436, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Pennsylvania Western University generally make around $45,448. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.
York College Pennsylvania came in at #10 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,588. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from York College Pennsylvania generally make around $67,814. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Carlow University earned the #11 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carlow University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $35,874. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $36,875. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Carlow University generally make around $100,671. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania came in at #12 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Millersville. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $22,952. Students borrow a median of $26,486 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $47,049 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,486 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Gannon University earned the #13 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Erie, Gannon University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,656. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,934 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Gannon University generally make around $101,913. That is a strong return on a $26,934 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Marywood University earned the #14 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Scranton, Marywood University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $41,420 in tuition and fees. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $27,744 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $114,737. Set against $27,744 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Yti Career Institute Altoona earned the #15 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the suburb of Altoona, Yti Career Institute Altoona is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $17,825. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $32,944. That is a strong return on a $17,825 median debt.
Gwynedd Mercy College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the suburb of Gwynedd Valley, Gwynedd Mercy College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,838. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $28,399. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Gwynedd Mercy College generally make around $76,087. Set against $28,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Gwynedd Mercy College admits about 90% of applicants.
Thomas Jefferson University earned the #17 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $47,355 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $25,000. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $102,913. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Saint Josephs University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,260. Students borrow a median of $26,426 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $65,421. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Lancaster General College Of Nursing And Health Sciences placed #19 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Set in the rural area of Lancaster, Lancaster General College Of Nursing And Health Sciences is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $32,933. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $26,402. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Lancaster General College Of Nursing And Health Sciences earn a median of $47,496 early in their careers. Set against $26,402 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lancaster General College Of Nursing And Health Sciences admits about 41% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.
