2027 Best Value Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy Schools
[Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy](/majors/health-care-professions/rehab-and-therapeutic-professions/therapeutic-recreation-recreational-therapy/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 40 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy schools.
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Finding the Best Value Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy School for You
The right therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Read more about our methodology
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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2027 Best Value Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy Schools
Cuny Lehman College tops our 2027 list of the best value therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy schools in the United States. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Students borrow a median of $7,404 to complete the therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy program here. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $36,811 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,404 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy will find it at Brigham Young University Idaho, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Typical student debt for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates is $13,287. Early-career therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates make about $43,853. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy will find it at Indiana State University, which ranked #3. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates is $25,582. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $73,947 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,582 median debt. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Northern Arizona University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy, landing the #4 spot this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Typical student debt for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates is $21,645. Soon after graduation, therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $76,945. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kean University earned it the #5 place for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,299, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Typical student debt for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates is $26,703. Soon after graduation, therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $71,277. Set against $26,703 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Western Carolina University placed #6 among the best values for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,630, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Typical student debt for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates is $24,000. Soon after graduation, therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $54,814. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Eastern Washington University placed #7 among the best values for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy. Located in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,586 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,583. Typical student debt for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates is $25,326. Soon after graduation, therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree recipients from Eastern Washington University generally make around $65,040. That is a strong return on a $25,326 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Arizona State University landed the #8 spot for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy value this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates is $21,842. Soon after graduation, therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $44,359. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Chicago State University came in at #9 for value in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Chicago State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,754, compared with $12,757 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates is $43,322. Soon after graduation, therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree recipients from Chicago State University generally make around $47,477. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Utah ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy schools. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Typical student debt for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates is $20,798. Early-career therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates make about $63,793. Set against $20,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Maine came in at #11 for value in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy this year. Set in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,090, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Typical student debt for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates is $23,593. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates of University Of Southern Maine earn a median of $48,966 early in their careers. Set against $23,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants.
Winston Salem State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy schools. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,126 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,782. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy program here. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates of Winston Salem State University earn a median of $58,227 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse landed the #13 spot for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy value this year. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. Students from in state pay about $10,070 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,517. Students borrow a median of $21,374 to complete the therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy program here. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates of University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of $61,039 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse admits about 76% of applicants.
East Carolina University came in at #14 for value in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy this year. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Typical student debt for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $56,764. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #15 among the best values for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Typical student debt for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates is $26,750. Early-career therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates make about $55,121. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Eastern Michigan University came in at #16 for value in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy this year. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. Students borrow a median of $27,425 to complete the therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy program here. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $43,271 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,425 median debt. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University came in at #17 for value in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy this year. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy program here. Soon after graduation, therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $65,197. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
University Of Toledo placed #18 among the best values for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,157, with out-of-state students paying around $21,517. Typical student debt for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates is $24,875. Early-career therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates make about $55,685. Set against $24,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Texas State University San Marcos ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy schools. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,659 to complete the therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy program here. Soon after graduation, therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $58,664. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
Central Michigan University came in at #20 for value in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy this year. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $57,073 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee landed the #21 spot for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy value this year. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Students borrow a median of $22,859 to complete the therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy program here. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $49,826 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,859 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Alabama ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy schools. Located in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,116, while out-of-state students pay about $19,092. Students borrow a median of $26,513 to complete the therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy program here. Soon after graduation, therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree recipients from University Of South Alabama generally make around $73,705. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Aurora University earned the #23 position for value in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy this year. Located in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,170. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete the therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy program here. Soon after graduation, therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree recipients from Aurora University generally make around $41,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Aurora University admits about 81% of applicants.
Longwood University came in at #24 for value in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy this year. Longwood University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Farmville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,740, compared with $27,980 for out-of-state students. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates carry a median of $26,808 in student loans. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates of Longwood University earn a median of $41,700 early in their careers. Set against $26,808 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Utica College placed #25 among the best values for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy. Utica College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Utica. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,930. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy program here. Soon after graduation, therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree recipients from Utica College generally make around $47,065. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Rest of the Top 40 Best Value Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy value ranking:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 40 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
