Respiratory Therapy Degree in Topeka, KS — Salary & ROI 2026
Respiratory Therapy degree analysis for Topeka, KS. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$42K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$57K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.3 yrs
in Topeka
Cost of Living
84
index (100 = avg)
Respiratory Therapy in Topeka, KS Overview
Topeka, Kansas (pop. 126,587) has 14 colleges offering Respiratory Therapy programs. The local cost of living index of 84 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $1,052/month. Respiratory Therapy has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Ventilator Management and Airway Management skills. The adjusted starting salary in Topeka is approximately $42,000.
Category
Healthcare
Local Colleges
14
Public Tuition
$8,640/yr
Private Tuition
$44,161/yr
Room & Board
$11,239/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,855/yr
Unemployment
3.4%
Graduation Rate
75%
Respiratory Therapy Salary in Topeka (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Topeka's cost of living index of 84 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Respiratory Therapy salary: $50,000 starting, $68,000 mid-career, $78,000 senior level.Topeka adjustment factor: 0.84x based on the local cost of living index.
Respiratory Therapy ROI Calculator for Topeka
Estimate your return on investment for a Respiratory Therapy degree using local Topeka tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,640 | Private avg: $44,161
Topeka avg aid: $13,855/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$79,516
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$12,600
vs HS diploma in Topeka
ROI Payback Period
6.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Topeka
$298,484
Lifetime earnings premium ($378,000) minus total education cost ($79,516)
Student Loan Payoff for Respiratory Therapy in Topeka
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Topeka for Respiratory Therapy
Washburn University
public
$8,640/yr
$34,560 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Washburn Institute of Technology
$3,564/yr
Top Employers for Respiratory Therapy in Topeka
Topeka offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Respiratory Therapy graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Topeka Hiring Sectors for Healthcare
Hospitals
Medical centers
Private practices
Health systems
Pharma companies
Common Respiratory Therapy Job Titles
Respiratory Therapy in Nearby Kansas Cities
Wichita, KS
$52K starting · COL 104
20 colleges
Overland Park, KS
$52K starting · COL 103
13 colleges
Kansas City, KS
$41K starting · COL 82.5
6 colleges
Olathe, KS
$48K starting · COL 96.8
6 colleges
Lawrence, KS
$54K starting · COL 108
5 colleges
Shawnee, KS
$43K starting · COL 86.5
3 colleges
Lenexa, KS
$48K starting · COL 96.2
3 colleges
Manhattan, KS
$48K starting · COL 95
6 colleges
Other Healthcare Majors in Topeka
Pharmacy
$42K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Health Informatics
$42K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Nursing
$57K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Healthcare Administration
$42K starting · 4 yr ROI
Occupational Therapy
$42K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Dental Hygiene
$42K starting · 3 yr ROI
Speech-Language Pathology
$42K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Public Health
$42K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Respiratory Therapy Degree in Topeka — 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 Topeka.