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Respiratory therapy programs in Tennessee

9 respiratory therapy programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

8 schools offer these respiratory therapy programs, and Tennessee has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.

Respiratory therapists care for patients who have trouble breathing, for example from a chronic condition such as asthma. Most need at least an associate degree in respiratory therapy from an accredited program, with supervised practice treating patients, and some employers prefer a bachelor's degree.1 All 49 states that license respiratory therapists base the license on the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) or Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).2

In Tennessee, 3 of the 9 programs take students without a high school diploma, 4 ask for a diploma or equivalent and 2 ask for earlier courses first.

By kind, the 9 programs here are respiratory therapy (associate degree, 7 programs) and respiratory therapy (bachelor's degree, 2 programs).

See the 9 programs

How much do respiratory therapy programs cost in Tennessee?

Two-year degrees (7 programs)
$12,248 to $14,293most of them, usually 70 to 78 weeks long
Bachelor's degrees (2 programs)
$47,230all 2 with a price

What you pay yourself for the whole program, as the schools report it. "Most" is the middle half of the programs with a price.

In the typical program

Finished the program
78%
Working 6 months later
91%
Earned a year, estimated
about $59,600
Length
65 to 88 weeks

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in Tennessee may also offer respiratory therapy programs. How these figures are made

Are there free respiratory therapy programs in Tennessee?

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: financial aid, grants and the GI Bill

All 9 respiratory therapy programs in Tennessee approved for WIOA funding

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9 programs

  • Respiratory therapy (associate degree)HybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Respiratory Therapy

    Concorde Career College

    Memphis

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Concorde Career College, MemphisRespiratory therapy (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$35,600
    Price if you pay yourself$43,710

    4 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Respiratory Therapy at Concorde Career College
    More details about Respiratory Therapy at Concorde Career College
    Finished
    26%
    Working at 6 months
    83%
    Earned in a quarter
    $8,906
    Length
    70 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,780
    Students counted
    398
    Earned a year, estimated
    $35,600
    Price if you pay yourself
    $43,710
    students trained with WIOA funding
    4
    Program website, Respiratory Therapy at Concorde Career College

  • Respiratory therapy (bachelor's degree)HybridNo diploma needed

    Cardiopulmonary Science (Respiratory Therapy)

    East Tennessee State University

    Johnson City

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    East Tennessee State University, Johnson CityRespiratory therapy (bachelor's degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$73,100
    Price if you pay yourself$47,230
    Program website, Cardiopulmonary Science (Respiratory Therapy) at East Tennessee State University
    More details about Cardiopulmonary Science (Respiratory Therapy) at East Tennessee State University
    Finished
    79%
    Working at 6 months
    89%
    Earned in a quarter
    $18,279
    Length
    120 weeks, 50 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,100
    Students counted
    127
    Earned a year, estimated
    $73,100
    Price if you pay yourself
    $47,230
    Program website, Cardiopulmonary Science (Respiratory Therapy) at East Tennessee State University

  • Respiratory therapy (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Respiratory Care Technology - AAS

    Volunteer State Community College

    Gallatin

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Volunteer State Community College, GallatinRespiratory therapy (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$75,400
    Price if you pay yourself$14,600

    3 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Respiratory Care Technology - AAS at Volunteer State Community College
    More details about Respiratory Care Technology - AAS at Volunteer State Community College
    Finished
    78%
    Working at 6 months
    93%
    Earned in a quarter
    $18,838
    Length
    60 weeks, 15 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,300
    Students counted
    115
    Earned a year, estimated
    $75,400
    Price if you pay yourself
    $14,600
    students trained with WIOA funding
    3
    Program website, Respiratory Care Technology - AAS at Volunteer State Community College

  • Respiratory therapy (associate degree)In personEducation and courses

    Respiratory Care.

    Jackson State Community College

    Jackson

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Jackson State Community College, JacksonRespiratory therapy (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimated$76,000
    Price if you pay yourself$11,060
    Program website, Respiratory Care. at Jackson State Community College
    More details about Respiratory Care. at Jackson State Community College
    Finished
    91%
    Working at 6 months
    97%
    Earned in a quarter
    $19,007
    Length
    70 weeks, 15 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $4,203
    Students counted
    93
    Earned a year, estimated
    $76,000
    Price if you pay yourself
    $11,060
    Program website, Respiratory Care. at Jackson State Community College

  • Respiratory therapy (associate degree)In personNo diploma needed

    Respiratory Care

    WSCC Morristown Campus

    Morristown

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    WSCC Morristown Campus, MorristownRespiratory therapy (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$50,700
    Price if you pay yourself$10,643

    4 students trained with WIOA funding

    School website, Respiratory Care at WSCC Morristown Campus
    More details about Respiratory Care at WSCC Morristown Campus
    Finished
    77%
    Working at 6 months
    85%
    Earned in a quarter
    $12,686
    Length
    78 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $15,025
    Students counted
    87
    Earned a year, estimated
    $50,700
    Price if you pay yourself
    $10,643
    students trained with WIOA funding
    4
    School website, Respiratory Care at WSCC Morristown Campus

  • Respiratory therapy (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Respiratory Care

    Columbia State Community College

    Columbia

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Columbia State Community College, ColumbiaRespiratory therapy (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$59,600
    Price if you pay yourself$13,973
    Program website, Respiratory Care at Columbia State Community College
    More details about Respiratory Care at Columbia State Community College
    Finished
    74%
    Working at 6 months
    94%
    Earned in a quarter
    $14,891
    Length
    Left out
    Cost of supplies
    $2,270
    Students counted
    83
    Earned a year, estimated
    $59,600
    Price if you pay yourself
    $13,973
    Program website, Respiratory Care at Columbia State Community College

  • Respiratory therapy (bachelor's degree)HybridNo diploma needed

    Cardiopulmonary Science

    East Tennessee State University

    Johnson City

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    East Tennessee State University, Johnson CityRespiratory therapy (bachelor's degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$93,500
    Price if you pay yourself$47,230
    Program website, Cardiopulmonary Science at East Tennessee State University
    More details about Cardiopulmonary Science at East Tennessee State University
    Finished
    82%
    Working at 6 months
    91%
    Earned in a quarter
    $23,382
    Length
    40 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,100
    Students counted
    76
    Earned a year, estimated
    $93,500
    Price if you pay yourself
    $47,230
    Program website, Cardiopulmonary Science at East Tennessee State University

  • Respiratory therapy (associate degree)In personEducation and courses

    Respiratory Care

    Chattanooga State Community College

    Chattanooga

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Chattanooga State Community College, ChattanoogaRespiratory therapy (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimated$48,400
    Price if you pay yourself$13,437
    Program website, Respiratory Care at Chattanooga State Community College
    More details about Respiratory Care at Chattanooga State Community College
    Finished
    69%
    Working at 6 months
    91%
    Earned in a quarter
    $12,100
    Length
    Left out
    Cost of supplies
    $2,396
    Students counted
    67
    Earned a year, estimated
    $48,400
    Price if you pay yourself
    $13,437
    Program website, Respiratory Care at Chattanooga State Community College

  • Respiratory therapy (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Respiratory Care

    Roane State Community College

    Harriman

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Roane State Community College, HarrimanRespiratory therapy (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$56,000
    Price if you pay yourself$13,987

    5 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Respiratory Care at Roane State Community College
    More details about Respiratory Care at Roane State Community College
    Finished
    86%
    Working at 6 months
    100%
    Earned in a quarter
    $13,994
    Length
    98 weeks, 36 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $5,000
    Students counted
    33
    Earned a year, estimated
    $56,000
    Price if you pay yourself
    $13,987
    students trained with WIOA funding
    5
    Program website, Respiratory Care at Roane State Community College

How to pay for respiratory therapy programs in Tennessee

WIOA funding can pay for respiratory therapy programs in Tennessee

Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?

Financial aid and grants for respiratory therapy programs

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.78

GI Bill for respiratory therapy programs

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.9

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Quick facts: Respiratory therapy programs in Tennessee

programs with a price cost under $15,000
6 of 9
lowest typical price among the states with enough programs to compare
10th of 16
other states where the typical program's graduates earned less
9 of 11
respiratory therapy programs here, against the typical state's 4
9 vs 4

State comparisons use the same figures as the respiratory therapy programs by state table: the middle program of each state, and only states with three or more schools for prices. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).

Respiratory therapy programs in Johnson City, Nashville, Memphis and other Tennessee cities

Choosing an area filters the program list above. 1 more program is in 1 other area.

Other training in Tennessee

How respiratory therapy programs compare with the rest of allied health: Allied health programs in Tennessee

Where the Tennessee respiratory therapy program numbers come from

Which Tennessee respiratory therapy programs are on this list?

These are the respiratory therapy programs Tennessee approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).10 The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what Tennessee offers.

How the prices and results of Tennessee respiratory therapy programs are measured

Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.

Sources for the facts about respiratory therapy programs in Tennessee

Show the 10 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Respiratory Therapists
  2. National Board for Respiratory Care: Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT)
  3. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
  4. US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
  5. Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
  6. US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
  7. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
  8. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
  9. US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
  10. US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List