2026 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/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 67 schools to find the best return on investment for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy Schools
University Of Utah tops our 2026 list of the best value therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy schools in the United States. 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, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete the therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy program here. Soon after graduation, therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $72,357. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
A rank of #2 makes Kean University one of the best values for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates carry a median of $26,703 in student loans. Early-career therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates make about $73,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Washington University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy, landing the #3 spot this year. Eastern Washington University is a large public school located in the town of Cheney. In-state tuition and fees average $8,586, while out-of-state students pay about $26,583. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates carry a median of $25,326 in student loans. Early-career therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates make about $70,652. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Chicago State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Chicago State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,754 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,757. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates carry a median of $43,322 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Indiana State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy schools. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,258, while out-of-state students pay about $22,322. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates carry a median of $25,582 in student loans. Soon after graduation, therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $71,232. That is a strong return on a $25,582 median debt. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Southern Maine ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy schools. University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Portland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,090, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Students borrow a median of $23,593 to complete the therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy program here. 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. 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,126, 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 $67,097 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse placed #8 among the best values for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Early-career therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates make about $64,132. That is a strong return on a $21,374 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Alabama ranked #9 on our 2026 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. Students borrow a median of $26,513 to complete the therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy program here. Early-career therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates make about $69,115. Set against $26,513 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #10 position for value in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $59,906. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
East Carolina University came in at #11 for value in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University landed the #12 spot for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy value this year. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates make about $66,523. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Texas State University San Marcos earned the #13 position for value in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy this year. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates carry a median of $23,659 in student loans. Soon after graduation, therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $40,947. Set against $23,659 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Eastern Michigan University earned the #14 position 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. Typical student debt for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates is $27,425. Soon after graduation, therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $52,615. Set against $27,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania came in at #15 for value in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy this year. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,568, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $42,447. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Southern University And A And M College came in at #16 for value in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy this year. Set in the city of Baton Rouge, Southern University And A And M College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,922, while out-of-state students pay about $17,272. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates carry a median of $38,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree recipients from Southern University And A And M College generally make around $45,304. That is a strong return on a $38,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 35%.
University Of Iowa came in at #17 for value in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates carry a median of $24,463 in student loans. Soon after graduation, therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $71,754. That is a strong return on a $24,463 median debt. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
Utica College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy schools. Located in the city of Utica, Utica College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $26,930. Typical student debt for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree recipients from Utica College generally make around $54,651. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Regis College landed the #19 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,680. Typical student debt for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates is $27,441. Early-career therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates make about $69,483. That is a strong return on a $27,441 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Springfield College earned the #20 position for value in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy this year. Springfield College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,974. Typical student debt for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates is $27,000. Early-career therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates make about $49,880. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Temple University came in at #21 for value in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. 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 $64,509. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.
Nova Southeastern University came in at #22 for value in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy this year. Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale. Students from in state pay about $38,700 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates is $25,021. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates of Nova Southeastern University earn a median of $70,595 early in their careers. Set against $25,021 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Ithaca College came in at #23 for value in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy this year. Set in the suburb of Ithaca, Ithaca College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,616. 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. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Other Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy rankings across degree levels:
View All Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 67 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
