2026 Best Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools in California
Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their respiratory care therapy/therapist programs.
College Factual analyzed 35 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best respiratory care therapy/therapist schools.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist in California
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist
Our analysis ranked Mt San Antonio College the best school in the country for a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Mt San Antonio College awarded about 16 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the respiratory care therapy/therapist program make about $88,132 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,000.
Read more about the respiratory care therapy/therapist program at Mt San Antonio College
Foothill College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist, ranking #2. Foothill College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills. About 27 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Foothill College in the most recent year. Graduates of the respiratory care therapy/therapist program make about $107,048 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000.
More information about a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist from Foothill College
A rank of #3 makes Loma Linda University one of the top schools for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Located in the suburb of Loma Linda, Loma Linda University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 18 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Loma Linda University in the most recent year. Students who receive their respiratory care therapy/therapist degree from Loma Linda University earn around $95,150 in the first couple years of their career. Loma Linda University graduates carry a median of $25,171 in student loans.
See the full respiratory care therapy/therapist program report for Loma Linda University
Fresno City College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Fresno City College awarded about 25 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their respiratory care therapy/therapist degree from Fresno City College earn around $37,470 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete this degree.
See the full respiratory care therapy/therapist program report for Fresno City College
A rank of #5 makes Orange Coast College one of the top schools for respiratory care therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 32 respiratory care therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Orange Coast College in the most recent data year. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $68,484 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist from Orange Coast College
San Joaquin Valley College Visalia came in at #6 for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. San Joaquin Valley College Visalia is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Visalia. San Joaquin Valley College Visalia awarded about 163 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the respiratory care therapy/therapist program make about $81,315 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,616.
Read more about the respiratory care therapy/therapist program at San Joaquin Valley College Visalia
San Joaquin Valley College Ontario landed the #7 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Ontario, San Joaquin Valley College Ontario is a small private for-profit university. There were roughly 66 respiratory care therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at San Joaquin Valley College Ontario in the most recent data year. Students who receive their respiratory care therapy/therapist degree from San Joaquin Valley College Ontario earn around $69,391 in the first couple years of their career. San Joaquin Valley College Ontario graduates carry a median of $24,931 in student loans.
More information about a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist from San Joaquin Valley College Ontario
Skyline College earned the #8 position for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of San Bruno. Skyline College awarded about 27 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist from Skyline College
Grossmont College placed #9 among the best respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. About 24 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Grossmont College in the most recent year.
More information about a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist from Grossmont College
San Joaquin Valley College Temecula landed the #10 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. This small private for-profit university is located in the city of Temecula. San Joaquin Valley College Temecula awarded about 41 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the respiratory care therapy/therapist program make about $69,391 in their early career. San Joaquin Valley College Temecula graduates carry a median of $24,931 in student loans.
See the full respiratory care therapy/therapist program report for San Joaquin Valley College Temecula
San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield came in at #11 for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. This small private for-profit university is located in the city of Bakersfield. San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield awarded about 55 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield earn a median of $69,391 early in their careers. San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield graduates carry a median of $24,931 in student loans.
See the full respiratory care therapy/therapist program report for San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield
East Los Angeles College earned the #12 position for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Monterey Park. East Los Angeles College awarded about 28 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of East Los Angeles College earn a median of $33,595 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $8,180 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist from East Los Angeles College
Napa Valley College earned the #13 position for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Napa Valley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Napa. Napa Valley College awarded about 18 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist from Napa Valley College
American River College placed #14 among the best respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. American River College awarded about 21 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their respiratory care therapy/therapist degree from American River College earn around $100,258 in the first couple years of their career. American River College graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans.
Get the full respiratory care therapy/therapist details for American River College
San Joaquin Valley College Rancho Cordova came in at #15 for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. San Joaquin Valley College Rancho Cordova is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Rancho Cordova. San Joaquin Valley College Rancho Cordova awarded about 87 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their respiratory care therapy/therapist degree from San Joaquin Valley College Rancho Cordova earn around $69,391 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,931.
Get the full respiratory care therapy/therapist details for San Joaquin Valley College Rancho Cordova
Butte College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. This large public university is located in the rural area of Oroville. There were roughly 13 respiratory care therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Butte College in the most recent data year. Respiratory Care Therapy/therapist graduates of Butte College earn a median of $65,853 early in their careers. Butte College graduates carry a median of $13,302 in student loans.
More information about a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist from Butte College
Antelope Valley College landed the #17 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Lancaster. There were roughly 18 respiratory care therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Antelope Valley College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their respiratory care therapy/therapist degree from Antelope Valley College earn around $64,230 in the first couple years of their career. Antelope Valley College graduates carry a median of $12,729 in student loans.
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Crafton Hills College landed the #18 spot for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Crafton Hills College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Yucaipa. Crafton Hills College awarded about 17 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the respiratory care therapy/therapist program make about $97,976 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000.
Read more about the respiratory care therapy/therapist program at Crafton Hills College
Victor Valley College placed #19 among the best respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Victorville. Victor Valley College awarded about 31 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Victor Valley College generally make around $37,755. Typical student debt for the program is $7,995.
Read more about the respiratory care therapy/therapist program at Victor Valley College
Ohlone Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. This large public university is located in the city of Fremont. Ohlone Community College awarded about 18 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their respiratory care therapy/therapist degree from Ohlone Community College earn around $22,545 in the first couple years of their career. Ohlone Community College graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in respiratory care therapy/therapist from Ohlone Community College
Los Angeles Valley College earned the #21 position for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Valley Glen, Los Angeles Valley College is a very large public university. Los Angeles Valley College awarded about 31 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their respiratory care therapy/therapist degree from Los Angeles Valley College earn around $81,601 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,254 to complete this degree.
Get the full respiratory care therapy/therapist details for Los Angeles Valley College
Modesto Junior College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best respiratory care therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public university. There were roughly 32 respiratory care therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Modesto Junior College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, respiratory care therapy/therapist degree recipients from Modesto Junior College generally make around $45,865. Modesto Junior College graduates carry a median of $8,575 in student loans.
Get the full respiratory care therapy/therapist details for Modesto Junior College
Santa Monica College earned the #23 position for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. There were roughly 11 respiratory care therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Santa Monica College in the most recent data year.
Read more about the respiratory care therapy/therapist program at Santa Monica College
Hartnell College came in at #24 for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. Hartnell College is a large public school located in the city of Salinas. About 14 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Hartnell College in the most recent year. Graduates of the respiratory care therapy/therapist program make about $35,080 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full respiratory care therapy/therapist details for Hartnell College
El Camino Community College District earned the #25 position for respiratory care therapy/therapist this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Torrance. El Camino Community College District awarded about 18 respiratory care therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year.
Get the full respiratory care therapy/therapist details for El Camino Community College District
Rest of the Top 33 Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong respiratory care therapy/therapist education:
More Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 35 schools evaluated.
- 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.
