2026 Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools in the The Plains States 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 42 schools to find the best return on investment for respiratory care therapy/therapist students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools in the The Plains States 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
Hutchinson Community College earned the #1 spot for value among respiratory care therapy/therapist schools in the The Plains States Region. Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Hutchinson. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540, compared with $4,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $21,917. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $54,878. 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 Saint Louis Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $6,990. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $53,829. 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 Metropolitan Community College Area, which ranked #3. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,375, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,246 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Area generally make around $56,569. Set against $19,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in respiratory care therapy/therapist will find it at Seward County Community College And Area Technical School, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Liberal, Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,032, compared with $5,408 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,175 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Seward County Community College And Area Technical School generally make around $53,375. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southeast Community College Area earned it the #5 place for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,444, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $17,713 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $48,917. That is a strong return on a $17,713 median debt.
Labette Community College landed the #6 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Labette Community College is a small public school located in the town of Parsons. Students from in state pay about $4,064 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,864. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $53,696. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ozarks Technical Community College placed #7 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,256 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,040 for out-of-state students. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $20,096 in student loans. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $48,313. That is a strong return on a $20,096 median debt.
Northeast Community College came in at #8 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Norfolk. Students from in state pay about $3,840 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,130. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Northeast Community College generally make around $40,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kirkwood Community College earned the #9 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,176, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Students borrow a median of $21,945 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Kirkwood Community College earn a median of $52,364 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hawkeye Community College placed #10 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waterloo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,525, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Students borrow a median of $17,001 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $55,987. Set against $17,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Iowa Community College District came in at #11 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,456 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $17,943. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Eastern Iowa Community College District generally make around $41,510. Set against $17,943 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Des Moines Area Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,790, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $20,600. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $51,185 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar placed #13 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Set in the rural area of Calmar, Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,780 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,770. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $17,000. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $51,206. Set against $17,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mineral Area College came in at #14 for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the town of Park Hills, Mineral Area College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,660, compared with $8,570 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,175 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Mineral Area College earn a median of $46,535 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Missouri Southern State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Joplin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,600, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,375 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Missouri Southern State University generally make around $53,927. That is a strong return on a $13,375 median debt. Missouri Southern State University admits about 97% of applicants.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College earned the #16 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,326. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $57,464. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt.
Southeastern Community College West Burlington earned the #17 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the town of West Burlington, Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,420, while out-of-state students pay about $6,570. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $16,126 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Southeastern Community College West Burlington earn a median of $60,712 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,126 median debt.
Washburn University placed #18 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,945 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,949 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates is $22,083. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $62,106. Set against $22,083 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Johnson County Community College landed the #19 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Johnson County Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Overland Park. Students from in state pay about $2,424 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,688. Students borrow a median of $12,627 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $55,584. Set against $12,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Lukes College earned the #20 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Sioux City, St Lukes College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,335. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of St Lukes College earn a median of $50,556 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas City Kansas Community College landed the #21 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Kansas City Kansas Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Kansas City. Students from in state pay about $2,996 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,482. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $19,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Kansas City Kansas Community College generally make around $61,810. Set against $19,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northland Community And Technical College earned the #22 position for value in respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Northland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Thief River Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,289. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $29,001 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Northland Community And Technical College earn a median of $51,189 early in their careers. Set against $29,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lake Superior College placed #23 among the best values for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Lake Superior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Duluth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,785. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Lake Superior College earn a median of $53,192 early in their careers. Set against $19,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Kansas landed the #24 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,847 to complete the respiratory care therapy/therapist program here. Early-career respiratory care therapy/therapist graduates make about $43,930. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
North Dakota State University Main Campus ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,910, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $28,039 in student loans. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $55,321 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 33 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
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
