Respiratory Therapy Degree in Lincoln, NE — Salary & ROI 2026
Respiratory Therapy degree analysis for Lincoln, NE. 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
6.2 yrs
in Lincoln
Cost of Living
85
index (100 = avg)
Respiratory Therapy in Lincoln, NE Overview
Lincoln, Nebraska (pop. 291,082) has 9 colleges offering Respiratory Therapy programs. The local cost of living index of 85 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $867/month. Respiratory Therapy has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Ventilator Management and Airway Management skills. The adjusted starting salary in Lincoln is approximately $42,500.
Category
Healthcare
Local Colleges
9
Public Tuition
$9,242/yr
Private Tuition
$36,730/yr
Room & Board
$10,611/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,317/yr
Unemployment
5.9%
Graduation Rate
57%
Respiratory Therapy Salary in Lincoln (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Lincoln'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.Lincoln adjustment factor: 0.85x based on the local cost of living index.
Respiratory Therapy ROI Calculator for Lincoln
Estimate your return on investment for a Respiratory Therapy degree using local Lincoln tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,242 | Private avg: $36,730
Lincoln avg aid: $13,317/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$79,412
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$12,750
vs HS diploma in Lincoln
ROI Payback Period
6.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Lincoln
$303,088
Lifetime earnings premium ($382,500) minus total education cost ($79,412)
Student Loan Payoff for Respiratory Therapy in Lincoln
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Lincoln for Respiratory Therapy
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
public
$9,242/yr
$36,968 total
Nebraska Wesleyan University
private
$36,730/yr
$146,920 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Southeast Community College
$3,540/yr
Top Employers for Respiratory Therapy in Lincoln
Lincoln offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Respiratory Therapy graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Lincoln Hiring Sectors for Healthcare
Hospitals
Medical centers
Private practices
Health systems
Pharma companies
Common Respiratory Therapy Job Titles
Respiratory Therapy in Nearby Nebraska Cities
Other Healthcare Majors in Lincoln
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 Lincoln — 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 Lincoln.