Respiratory Therapy Degree in Ann Arbor, MI — Salary & ROI 2026
Respiratory Therapy degree analysis for Ann Arbor, MI. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$43K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$58K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
8.1 yrs
in Ann Arbor
Cost of Living
85
index (100 = avg)
Respiratory Therapy in Ann Arbor, MI Overview
Ann Arbor, Michigan (pop. 123,851) has 14 colleges offering Respiratory Therapy programs. The local cost of living index of 85 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $1,014/month. Respiratory Therapy has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Ventilator Management and Airway Management skills. The adjusted starting salary in Ann Arbor is approximately $42,500.
Category
Healthcare
Local Colleges
14
Public Tuition
$16,736/yr
Private Tuition
$33,100/yr
Room & Board
$9,067/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$16,913/yr
Unemployment
5.3%
Graduation Rate
65%
Respiratory Therapy Salary in Ann Arbor (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Ann Arbor's cost of living index of 85 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Respiratory Therapy salary: $50,000 starting, $68,000 mid-career, $78,000 senior level.Ann Arbor adjustment factor: 0.85x based on the local cost of living index.
Respiratory Therapy ROI Calculator for Ann Arbor
Estimate your return on investment for a Respiratory Therapy degree using local Ann Arbor tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $16,736 | Private avg: $33,100
Ann Arbor avg aid: $16,913/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$103,212
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$12,750
vs HS diploma in Ann Arbor
ROI Payback Period
8.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Ann Arbor
$279,288
Lifetime earnings premium ($382,500) minus total education cost ($103,212)
Student Loan Payoff for Respiratory Therapy in Ann Arbor
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Ann Arbor for Respiratory Therapy
University of Michigan
public
$16,736/yr
$66,944 total
Concordia University Ann Arbor
private
$33,100/yr
$132,400 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Washtenaw Community College
$3,600/yr
Top Employers for Respiratory Therapy in Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Respiratory Therapy graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Ann Arbor Hiring Sectors for Healthcare
Hospitals
Medical centers
Private practices
Health systems
Pharma companies
Common Respiratory Therapy Job Titles
Respiratory Therapy in Nearby Michigan Cities
Detroit, MI
$44K starting · COL 87
43 colleges
Grand Rapids, MI
$44K starting · COL 88
10 colleges
Warren, MI
$44K starting · COL 88.5
6 colleges
Sterling Heights, MI
$46K starting · COL 92.8
5 colleges
Lansing, MI
$43K starting · COL 85
6 colleges
Dearborn, MI
$45K starting · COL 90.5
5 colleges
Clinton Township, MI
$48K starting · COL 96.2
4 colleges
Canton Township, MI
$47K starting · COL 93.5
4 colleges
Other Healthcare Majors in Ann Arbor
Pharmacy
$43K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Health Informatics
$43K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Nursing
$58K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Healthcare Administration
$43K starting · 4 yr ROI
Occupational Therapy
$43K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Dental Hygiene
$43K starting · 3 yr ROI
Speech-Language Pathology
$43K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Public Health
$43K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Respiratory Therapy Degree in Ann Arbor — 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 Ann Arbor.