2027 Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools in the Southwest 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 43 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 the Southwest 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
Our analysis ranked El Centro College the best value for a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Students borrow a median of $15,926 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $73,102. Set against $15,926 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Texas College 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 McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Students borrow a median of $7,548 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $55,553. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes El Paso Community College one of the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $11,875 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $58,814. That is a strong return on a $11,875 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Victoria College one of the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Victoria, Victoria College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,976, compared with $5,328 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $10,910 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Victoria College generally make around $50,201. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pima Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $9,993 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $47,906. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Del Mar College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,500, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,000 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $52,431 early in their careers. Set against $7,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville placed #7 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,148, compared with $4,948 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,349 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $61,406. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tarrant County College District came in at #8 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,863, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $12,812. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $57,721. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Philips College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $11,950. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of St Philips College earn a median of $49,898 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,950 median debt.
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus placed #10 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Set in the town of Roswell, Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,256 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,616. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $11,110 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus earn a median of $21,129 early in their careers. Set against $11,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central New Mexico Community College landed the #11 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $10,833 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $57,486. That is a strong return on a $10,833 median debt.
Amarillo College placed #12 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Amarillo College is a large public school located in the city of Amarillo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,136, with out-of-state students paying around $4,704. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $15,750. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $53,099 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Midland College earned the #13 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,180, compared with $6,180 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Midland College earn a median of $43,454 early in their careers. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oklahoma City Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,059, while out-of-state students pay about $9,810. Students borrow a median of $16,193 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $49,282. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Houston Community College came in at #15 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $15,612. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $65,873. That is a strong return on a $15,612 median debt.
Mclennan Community College landed the #16 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $5,910. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $12,858 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Mclennan Community College earn a median of $50,839 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Juan College came in at #17 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. San Juan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Farmington. In-state tuition and fees average $1,910, with out-of-state students paying around $5,393. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $16,150 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $48,862. Set against $16,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana came in at #18 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Las Cruces. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,322, with out-of-state students paying around $6,360. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $9,995. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $56,196. That is a strong return on a $9,995 median debt.
Tulsa Community College landed the #19 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Tulsa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tulsa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,792, compared with $9,720 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $19,137. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Tulsa Community College earn a median of $54,621 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,137 median debt.
Howard College came in at #20 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Howard College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Big Spring. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,766, while out-of-state students pay about $6,716. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $14,866. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Howard College earn a median of $53,815 early in their careers. Set against $14,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Alvin Community College came in at #21 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,906, with out-of-state students paying around $4,402. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $8,876 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Alvin Community College generally make around $59,760. That is a strong return on a $8,876 median debt.
Angelina College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Angelina College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Lufkin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,430, compared with $6,490 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,828 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $54,570. Set against $7,828 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Plains College landed the #23 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. South Plains College is a large public school located in the town of Levelland. In-state tuition and fees average $2,733, compared with $5,157 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $13,788. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of South Plains College earn a median of $30,949 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,788 median debt.
Cochise College came in at #24 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Cochise College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sierra Vista. Students from in state pay about $2,280 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $12,013 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Cochise College earn a median of $40,712 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,013 median debt.
Collin County Community College District ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Set in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,014, while out-of-state students pay about $6,064. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $13,519. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Collin County Community College District earn a median of $52,904 early in their careers. Set against $13,519 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 43 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 list is compiled 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 · 43 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 43 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.
