2027 Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools in the Southeast Region
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong respiratory care therapy/therapist education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 129 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 Southeast 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
Leading the list is St Petersburg College, our #1 best value for respiratory care therapy/therapist in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,682 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $62,187 early in their careers. Set against $16,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Coastal Pines Technical College one of the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Waycross. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,268, with out-of-state students paying around $5,836. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $5,812 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Coastal Pines Technical College generally make around $45,656. Set against $5,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Regional Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,007, while out-of-state students pay about $5,575. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $9,086 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Southern Regional Technical College earn a median of $50,076 early in their careers. Set against $9,086 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Edgecombe Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Tarboro, Edgecombe Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,640, while out-of-state students pay about $8,784. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $16,690 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Edgecombe Community College generally make around $60,003. Set against $16,690 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in respiratory care therapy/therapist will find it at Central Piedmont Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $16,422. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $61,455 early in their careers. Set against $16,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hillsborough Community College came in at #6 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Hillsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,491, while out-of-state students pay about $9,088. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $15,000. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $54,140. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
Spartanburg Community College placed #7 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Set in the suburb of Spartanburg, Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,071, while out-of-state students pay about $10,135. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $9,187. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $53,923. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wilkes Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Set in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,572 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,716 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,125 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $36,341. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian River State College landed the #9 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,764, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,493 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $41,229. Set against $9,493 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Durham Technical Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,240, with out-of-state students paying around $7,531. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $20,408 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Durham Technical Community College earn a median of $46,293 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan placed #11 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Dothan, George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,980, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,942 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of George C Wallace State Community College Dothan earn a median of $42,801 early in their careers. Set against $9,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Trident Technical College came in at #12 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Trident Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Charleston. In-state tuition and fees average $4,546, with out-of-state students paying around $8,620. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $18,116. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $50,166. Set against $18,116 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Robeson Community College placed #13 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Located in the town of Lumberton, Robeson Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,604, compared with $8,748 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,949 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Robeson Community College earn a median of $54,305 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,949 median debt.
Coahoma Community College placed #14 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Coahoma Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Clarksdale. Students from in state pay about $3,490 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,745 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $29,600. That is a strong return on a $11,745 median debt.
Fayetteville Technical Community College placed #15 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Students borrow a median of $14,486 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $50,872 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida State College At Jacksonville landed the #16 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,657, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $16,949. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $44,916. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College came in at #17 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the rural area of Cumberland, Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $40,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Roane State Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Harriman. Students from in state pay about $4,998 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,855 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $41,121. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rockingham Community College landed the #19 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Rockingham Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Wentworth. In-state tuition and fees average $1,966, compared with $6,574 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Rockingham Community College earn a median of $55,849 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hinds Community College landed the #20 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,250, compared with $7,300 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $18,752 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Hinds Community College earn a median of $56,165 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbus Technical College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Columbus Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,052, with out-of-state students paying around $7,262. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $15,845 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $37,936. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florence Darlington Technical College landed the #22 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Florence Darlington Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Florence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,636, compared with $6,772 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,230 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $34,948. Set against $7,230 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Albany Technical College landed the #23 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the city of Albany, Albany Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,932 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $16,321 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Albany Technical College generally make around $35,895. That is a strong return on a $16,321 median debt.
Sandhills Community College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Sandhills Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Pinehurst. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,648. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $9,238. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Sandhills Community College earn a median of $51,685 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,238 median debt.
Bridgevalley Community And Technical College placed #25 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Bridgevalley Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of South Charleston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,800, compared with $12,428 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,781 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Bridgevalley Community And Technical College earn a median of $55,112 early in their careers. Set against $7,781 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 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
This ranking is produced 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 · 129 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 129 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.
