2027 Best Value Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy Schools in the Southeast Region

1

Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC

For return on investment in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy, no school beat Western Carolina University this year. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.

2

East Carolina University
Greenville, NC

Students looking for strong value in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy will find it at East Carolina University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates make about $56,764. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

3

Winston Salem State University
Winston-Salem, NC

Students looking for strong value in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy will find it at Winston Salem State University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,126, compared with $16,782 for out-of-state students. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree recipients from Winston Salem State University generally make around $58,227. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.

4

University Of South Alabama
Mobile, AL

A rank of #4 makes University Of South Alabama one of the best values for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy. University Of South Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Mobile. Students from in state pay about $10,116 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,092 for out-of-state students. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates carry a median of $26,513 in student loans. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates of University Of South Alabama earn a median of $73,705 early in their careers. Set against $26,513 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

5

The University Of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN

The University Of Tennessee came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy schools. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates carry a median of $22,859 in student loans. Soon after graduation, therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $49,826. Set against $22,859 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

6

Longwood University
Farmville, VA

Longwood University landed the #6 spot for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy value this year. Longwood University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Farmville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,740, compared with $27,980 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates is $26,808. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates of Longwood University earn a median of $41,700 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Longwood University admits about 90% of applicants.

7

Virginia Wesleyan College
Virginia Beach, VA

Virginia Wesleyan College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy schools. Virginia Wesleyan College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $37,500. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates carry a median of $27,925 in student loans. Soon after graduation, therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree recipients from Virginia Wesleyan College generally make around $45,517. That is a strong return on a $27,925 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.

8

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington
Wilmington, NC

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington placed #8 among the best values for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,277, while out-of-state students pay about $24,152. Typical student debt for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates is $21,500. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates of University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn a median of $39,366 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington admits about 64% of applicants.

9

Southern University And A And M College
Baton Rouge, LA

Southern University And A And M College placed #9 among the best values for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy. Located in the city of Baton Rouge, Southern University And A And M College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,922, while out-of-state students pay about $17,272. Typical student debt for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates is $38,000. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates of Southern University And A And M College earn a median of $30,636 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $38,000 median debt. Southern University And A And M College admits about 35% of applicants.

10

University Of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, MS

University Of Southern Mississippi came in at #10 for value in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy this year. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,998, while out-of-state students pay about $11,998. Typical student debt for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates is $25,415. Soon after graduation, therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree recipients from University Of Southern Mississippi generally make around $52,338. That is a strong return on a $25,415 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.

11

Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Nova Southeastern University came in at #11 for value in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,700. Typical student debt for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates is $25,021. Soon after graduation, therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree recipients from Nova Southeastern University generally make around $70,595. Set against $25,021 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.