Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 25 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy schools.
Choosing a Great Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy School
The therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy Rankings by Degree Level
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy
University Of Utah is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. University Of Utah graduates 65% of students within six years. University Of Utah awarded about 22 therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy program make about $63,793 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,798.
Get the full therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy details for University Of Utah
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy schools. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. About 29 therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington in the most recent year. Graduates of the therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy program make about $39,366 in their early career. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans.
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A rank of #3 makes Temple University one of the top schools for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Temple University awarded about 34 therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree from Temple University earn around $59,914 in the first couple years of their career. Temple University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy from Temple University
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. There were roughly 30 therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse in the most recent data year. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates of University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of $61,039 early in their careers. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse graduates carry a median of $21,374 in student loans.
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A rank of #5 makes Arizona State University one of the top schools for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy. This very large public university is located in the city of Tempe. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degrees were awarded at Arizona State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $44,359. Arizona State University graduates carry a median of $21,842 in student loans.
See the full therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy program report for Arizona State University
University Of Iowa ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy schools. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 35 therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Graduates of the therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy program make about $71,754 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,463 to complete this degree.
See the full therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy program report for University Of Iowa
Cuny Lehman College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy schools. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. About 51% of students finish within six years. Cuny Lehman College awarded about 27 therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degrees in the most recent data year. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $36,811 early in their careers. Cuny Lehman College graduates carry a median of $7,404 in student loans.
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Suny College At Cortland ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy schools. Located in the town of Cortland, Suny College At Cortland is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 18 therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degrees were awarded at Suny College At Cortland in the most recent year. Students who receive their therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree from Suny College At Cortland earn around $40,853 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
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University Of Toledo earned the #9 position for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy this year. This large public university is located in the city of Toledo. About 58% of students finish within six years. University Of Toledo awarded about 15 therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy program make about $55,685 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,875 to complete this degree.
See the full therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy program report for University Of Toledo
Grand Valley State University came in at #10 for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy this year. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. Grand Valley State University graduates 67% of students within six years. Grand Valley State University awarded about 34 therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $65,197. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
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East Carolina University landed the #11 spot for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy this year. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. About 63% of students finish within six years. East Carolina University awarded about 35 therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $56,764. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy from East Carolina University
Aurora University landed the #12 spot for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy this year. Located in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Aurora University graduates 60% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy students who graduated with this degree at Aurora University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy program make about $41,856 in their early career. Aurora University graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans.
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Central Michigan University earned the #13 position for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. Central Michigan University awarded about 14 therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degrees in the most recent data year. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $57,073 early in their careers. Central Michigan University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Read more about the therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy program at Central Michigan University
Lindenwood University landed the #14 spot for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy this year. Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Charles. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy students who graduated with this degree at Lindenwood University in the most recent data year. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates of Lindenwood University earn a median of $48,197 early in their careers. Lindenwood University graduates carry a median of $28,663 in student loans.
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University Of South Alabama came in at #15 for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy this year. Set in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a large public institution. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 19 therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Alabama in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree recipients from University Of South Alabama generally make around $73,705. Students borrow a median of $26,513 to complete this degree.
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Kean University landed the #16 spot for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Union. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degrees were awarded at Kean University in the most recent year. Graduates of the therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy program make about $71,277 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,703.
See the full therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy program report for Kean University
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy schools. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. About 66% of students finish within six years. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 26 therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $51,364. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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Western Carolina University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy schools. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. About 60% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 18 therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy students who graduated with this degree at Western Carolina University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $54,814. Western Carolina University graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans.
See the full therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy program report for Western Carolina University
University Of Southern Mississippi ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy schools. University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public school located in the city of Hattiesburg. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Southern Mississippi awarded about 13 therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree from University Of Southern Mississippi earn around $52,338 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,415 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy from University Of Southern Mississippi
Brigham Young University Idaho placed #20 among the best therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy schools. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. About 45 therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degrees were awarded at Brigham Young University Idaho in the most recent year. Students who receive their therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree from Brigham Young University Idaho earn around $43,853 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,287.
More information about a degree in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy from Brigham Young University Idaho
Longwood University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy schools. Located in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a moderately-sized public university. Longwood University graduates 61% of students within six years. About 10 therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degrees were awarded at Longwood University in the most recent year. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates of Longwood University earn a median of $41,700 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,808 to complete this degree.
See the full therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy program report for Longwood University
Virginia Wesleyan College earned the #22 position for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Virginia Beach. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. About 10 therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degrees were awarded at Virginia Wesleyan College in the most recent year. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates of Virginia Wesleyan College earn a median of $45,517 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,925 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy from Virginia Wesleyan College
Eastern Michigan University landed the #23 spot for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy this year. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. Eastern Michigan University graduates 46% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy students who graduated with this degree at Eastern Michigan University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy program make about $43,271 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,425 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy from Eastern Michigan University
Winston Salem State University placed #24 among the best therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy schools. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 21 therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degrees were awarded at Winston Salem State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy program make about $58,227 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,000.
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Southern University And A And M College placed #25 among the best therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy schools. Southern University And A And M College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Baton Rouge. About 27% of students finish within six years. About 29 therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degrees were awarded at Southern University And A And M College in the most recent year. Students who receive their therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree from Southern University And A And M College earn around $30,636 in the first couple years of their career. Southern University And A And M College graduates carry a median of $38,000 in student loans.
See the full therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy program report for Southern University And A And M College
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 25 schools evaluated.
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).
