Respiratory Therapy Degree in Akron, OH — Salary & ROI 2026
Respiratory Therapy degree analysis for Akron, OH. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$53K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$71K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.1 yrs
in Akron
Cost of Living
105
index (100 = avg)
Respiratory Therapy in Akron, OH Overview
While Akron has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Respiratory Therapy students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $8,745/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Respiratory Therapy has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Ventilator Management and Airway Management skills. The adjusted starting salary in Akron is approximately $52,500.
Category
Healthcare
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$11,330/yr
Private Tuition
$45,325/yr
Room & Board
$8,745/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,336/yr
Unemployment
3.3%
Graduation Rate
72%
Respiratory Therapy Salary in Akron (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Akron's cost of living index of 105 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Respiratory Therapy salary: $50,000 starting, $68,000 mid-career, $78,000 senior level.Akron adjustment factor: 1.05x based on the local cost of living index.
Respiratory Therapy ROI Calculator for Akron
Estimate your return on investment for a Respiratory Therapy degree using local Akron tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,330 | Private avg: $45,325
Akron avg aid: $8,336/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$80,300
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,750
vs HS diploma in Akron
ROI Payback Period
5.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Akron
$392,200
Lifetime earnings premium ($472,500) minus total education cost ($80,300)
Student Loan Payoff for Respiratory Therapy in Akron
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Akron for Respiratory Therapy
University of Akron
public
$11,330/yr
$45,320 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Stark State College
$4,344/yr
Top Employers for Respiratory Therapy in Akron
Akron offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Respiratory Therapy graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Akron Hiring Sectors for Healthcare
Hospitals
Medical centers
Private practices
Health systems
Pharma companies
Common Respiratory Therapy Job Titles
Respiratory Therapy in Nearby Ohio Cities
Columbus, OH
$52K starting · COL 103
31 colleges
Cleveland, OH
$48K starting · COL 96
20 colleges
Cincinnati, OH
$51K starting · COL 102
28 colleges
Toledo, OH
$54K starting · COL 108
16 colleges
Dayton, OH
$52K starting · COL 104
9 colleges
Parma, OH
$45K starting · COL 90
4 colleges
Canton, OH
$42K starting · COL 84
4 colleges
Lorain, OH
$43K starting · COL 85.2
3 colleges
Other Healthcare Majors in Akron
Pharmacy
$53K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Health Informatics
$53K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Nursing
$71K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Healthcare Administration
$53K starting · 4 yr ROI
Occupational Therapy
$53K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Dental Hygiene
$53K starting · 3 yr ROI
Speech-Language Pathology
$53K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Public Health
$53K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Respiratory Therapy Degree in Akron — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Respiratory Therapy ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Akron.