2027 Best Value Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy schools.
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2027 Best Value Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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
Our analysis ranked Cuny Lehman College the best value for a degree in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $7,404 to complete the therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy program here. Early-career therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates make about $36,811. Set against $7,404 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy will find it at Kean University, which ranked #2. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, while out-of-state students pay about $22,446. Students borrow a median of $26,703 to complete the therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy program here. Early-career therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates make about $71,277. Set against $26,703 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Utica College earned it the #3 place for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy. Set in the city of Utica, Utica College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $26,930 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy program here. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates of Utica College earn a median of $47,065 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a great value for students pursuing a degree in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,568 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Typical student debt for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates is $27,000. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $51,364 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Cortland is a great value for students pursuing a degree in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Cortland, Suny College At Cortland is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,874, compared with $18,784 for out-of-state students. 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 $40,853. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Temple University came in at #6 for value in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. 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 $59,914. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Ithaca College landed the #7 spot for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy value this year. 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 $51,231. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
