by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 49 U.S. colleges awarded 640 degrees and certificates in Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 84% of graduates. College Factual ranks 25 schools in its 2027 Best Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $66,380 one year after completing, rising to $75,072 after four years.
Studying Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy explores Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Plan, Organize, And Direct Recreational Activities Designed To Promote Health And Well-Being For Patients Who Are Physically, Mentally, Or Emotionally Disabled. Includes Instruction In The Foundations Of Therapeutic Recreation, Leisure Education And Counseling, Program Planning, Therapeutic Recreational Modalities, Basic Anatomy And Physiology, Psychology, Medical Terminology, Human Growth And Development, Patient Observation And Evaluation, Special Needs Populations, And Professional Standards And Ethics.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy is a widely-pursued major, with 640 degrees awarded annually. 49 colleges award therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degrees, an average of 13 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 45.
By level, the 640 awards include 6 certificates, 31 associate degrees, 539 bachelor’s degrees and 64 master’s degrees.
Women earned 88% of therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degrees and certificates in the latest year (562 of 640). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (403) and Black or African American (109), and international students earned 7.
College Factual ranks 25 schools in its 2027 Best Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy Schools ranking, including 23 for bachelor’s degrees and 9 for master’s degrees. It also ranks therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy schools within 14 states. In all, 49 colleges offer therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy credential is the bachelor’s degree: 539 of the 640 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy call most for Speaking, Active Listening and Instructing, and for knowledge of Education and Training, Psychology and English Language, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Speech Clarity and Oral Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 6 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 31 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 539 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 64 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy, at 65.9%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 65.9% |
| Master’s degree | 13.6% |
| Doctoral degree | 8.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 6.3% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.5% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.9% |
Source: O*NET Online.
2 occupations are related to Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy, with an average median salary of $98,390; the strongest outlook belongs to Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, at 10.7% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Activities Therapist, Certified Recreational Therapist, Activities Coordinator and Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS).
The occupation related to therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy with the most projected jobs is Recreational Therapists, at 2,577,436.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Recreational Therapists | 2,577,436 | 3.7% |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy graduates earn a median $66,380 one year after completing their program, $75,072 after four years and $74,465 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $66,380 |
| 4 years | $75,072 |
| 5 years | $74,465 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy, with a median salary of $150,116.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Recreational Therapists | $150,116 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy has 15 similar majors in the Health Professions field, which together award 28,266 degrees a year; the largest are Physical Therapy/Therapist (13,798), Occupational Therapy/Therapist (9,835) and Rehabilitation Science (1,028). Browse all Health Professions majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapy/Therapist | 13,798 |
| Occupational Therapy/Therapist | 9,835 |
| Rehabilitation Science | 1,028 |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling/Counselor | 939 |
| Art Therapy/Therapist | 686 |
| Music Therapy/Therapist | 639 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions, Other | 582 |
| Orthotist/Prosthetist | 302 |
| Animal-Assisted Therapy | 115 |
| Kinesiotherapy/Kinesiotherapist | 96 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
