2027 Best Value Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy Schools in the Southwest Region
[Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy](/majors/health-care-professions/rehab-and-therapeutic-professions/therapeutic-recreation-recreational-therapy/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 4 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 Southwest Region
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
Our analysis ranked Northern Arizona University the best value for a degree in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $21,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Arizona State University earned it the #2 place for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates carry a median of $21,842 in student loans. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $44,359 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos is a great value for students pursuing a degree in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy, landing the #3 spot this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. 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. Set against $23,659 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Prescott College one of the best values for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy. Located in the city of Prescott, Prescott College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,490. Typical student debt for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates is $27,230. Early-career therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates make about $42,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Prescott College admits about 94% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
