2027 Best Value Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy Master’s Degree 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 23 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy schools.
What’s on this page:
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
Indiana State University earned the #1 spot for value among therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy schools in the United States. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. In-state tuition and fees average $10,258, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Typical student debt for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates is $25,582. Soon after graduation, therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $71,232. Set against $25,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy will find it at Kean University, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,299, while out-of-state students pay about $22,446. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates carry a median of $26,703 in student loans. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates of Kean University earn a median of $73,099 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy will find it at Eastern Washington University, which ranked #3. Eastern Washington University is a very large public school located in the town of Cheney. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,586, compared with $26,583 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,326 to complete the therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy program here. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates of Eastern Washington University earn a median of $70,652 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,326 median debt. Eastern Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Chicago State University one of the best values for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy. Chicago State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,754, with out-of-state students paying around $12,757. Students borrow a median of $43,322 to complete the therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy program here. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates of Chicago State University earn a median of $47,477 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Utah earned it the #5 place for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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 $72,357. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Southern Maine landed the #6 spot for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy value this year. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,090, compared with $29,940 for out-of-state students. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates carry a median of $23,593 in student loans. Soon after graduation, therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree recipients from University Of Southern Maine generally make around $48,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Winston Salem State University earned the #7 position for value in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy this year. 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. Early-career therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates make about $67,097. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
East Carolina University earned the #8 position for value in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy program here. Soon after graduation, therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $67,264. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #9 position for value in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy program here. Early-career therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates make about $59,906. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy schools. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. In-state tuition and fees average $10,070, while out-of-state students pay about $19,517. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates carry a median of $21,374 in student loans. Soon after graduation, therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse generally make around $64,132. Set against $21,374 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Eastern Michigan University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy schools. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. Students from in state pay about $16,990 in tuition and fees. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates carry a median of $27,425 in student loans. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $52,615 early in their careers. Set against $27,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy schools. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Typical student debt for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates is $27,000. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $66,523 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
University Of South Alabama ranked #13 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,116, with out-of-state students paying around $19,092. Typical student debt for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates is $26,513. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates of University Of South Alabama earn a median of $69,115 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Utica College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy schools. Set in the city of Utica, Utica College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,930. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates make about $54,651. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Utica College admits about 92% of applicants.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy schools. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,568, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $42,447 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Western Washington University placed #16 among the best values for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy. Set in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,582 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,707. Typical student debt for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates is $20,361. Soon after graduation, therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree recipients from Western Washington University generally make around $41,118. That is a strong return on a $20,361 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Southern University And A And M College came in at #17 for value in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy this year. Located in the city of Baton Rouge, Southern University And A And M College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,922, compared with $17,272 for out-of-state students. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates carry a median of $38,000 in student loans. Early-career therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates make about $30,636. Set against $38,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 35%.
University Of Iowa ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy schools. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Students borrow a median of $24,463 to complete the therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy program here. Early-career therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates make about $71,754. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Prescott College earned the #19 position for value in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy this year. Prescott College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Prescott. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,490. Typical student debt for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates is $27,230. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates of Prescott College earn a median of $42,966 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Prescott College admits about 94% of applicants.
Regis College landed the #20 spot for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy value this year. Set in the suburb of Weston, Regis College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $49,680 in tuition and fees. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates carry a median of $27,441 in student loans. Soon after graduation, therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree recipients from Regis College generally make around $69,483. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Temple University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates is $27,000. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates of Temple University earn a median of $64,509 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Springfield College placed #22 among the best values for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy. Set in the city of Springfield, Springfield College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,974. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy program here. Early-career therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates make about $49,880. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Ithaca College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy schools. Located in the suburb of Ithaca, Ithaca College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $52,616 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,959 to complete the therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy program here. Soon after graduation, therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree recipients from Ithaca College generally make around $67,037. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Other Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy Degree Levels
Explore the best-value therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy schools at other degree levels:
View All Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
