Respiratory Therapy Degree in Minneapolis, MN — Salary & ROI 2026
Respiratory Therapy degree analysis for Minneapolis, MN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$49K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$66K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.6 yrs
in Minneapolis
Cost of Living
97
index (100 = avg)
Respiratory Therapy in Minneapolis, MN Overview
Minneapolis, Minnesota (pop. 429,954) has 15 colleges offering Respiratory Therapy programs. The local cost of living index of 97 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $805/month. Respiratory Therapy has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Ventilator Management and Airway Management skills. The adjusted starting salary in Minneapolis is approximately $48,500.
Category
Healthcare
Local Colleges
15
Public Tuition
$15,142/yr
Private Tuition
$45,823/yr
Room & Board
$12,394/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,033/yr
Unemployment
4.4%
Graduation Rate
61%
Respiratory Therapy Salary in Minneapolis (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Minneapolis's cost of living index of 97 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Respiratory Therapy salary: $50,000 starting, $68,000 mid-career, $78,000 senior level.Minneapolis adjustment factor: 0.97x based on the local cost of living index.
Respiratory Therapy ROI Calculator for Minneapolis
Estimate your return on investment for a Respiratory Therapy degree using local Minneapolis tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $15,142 | Private avg: $45,823
Minneapolis avg aid: $14,033/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$110,144
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$14,550
vs HS diploma in Minneapolis
ROI Payback Period
7.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Minneapolis
$326,356
Lifetime earnings premium ($436,500) minus total education cost ($110,144)
Student Loan Payoff for Respiratory Therapy in Minneapolis
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Minneapolis for Respiratory Therapy
University of Minnesota
public
$15,142/yr
$60,568 total
University of St. Thomas
private
$49,716/yr
$198,864 total
Augsburg University
private
$41,930/yr
$167,720 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Minneapolis College
$5,772/yr
Top Employers for Respiratory Therapy in Minneapolis
Minneapolis offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Respiratory Therapy graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Minneapolis Hiring Sectors for Healthcare
Hospitals
Medical centers
Private practices
Health systems
Pharma companies
Common Respiratory Therapy Job Titles
Respiratory Therapy in Nearby Minnesota Cities
Saint Paul, MN
$51K starting · COL 101.5
11 colleges
St. Paul, MN
$54K starting · COL 108
20 colleges
Rochester, MN
$53K starting · COL 105
8 colleges
Duluth, MN
$50K starting · COL 100
5 colleges
Bloomington, MN
$50K starting · COL 100.2
4 colleges
Brooklyn Park, MN
$49K starting · COL 98.8
4 colleges
Plymouth, MN
$54K starting · COL 107.3
4 colleges
Maple Grove, MN
$54K starting · COL 107.4
4 colleges
Other Healthcare Majors in Minneapolis
Pharmacy
$49K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Health Informatics
$49K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Nursing
$66K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Healthcare Administration
$49K starting · 4 yr ROI
Occupational Therapy
$49K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Dental Hygiene
$49K starting · 3 yr ROI
Speech-Language Pathology
$49K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Public Health
$49K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Respiratory Therapy Degree in Minneapolis — 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 Minneapolis.