by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy explores Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Plan, Organize, And Direct Recreational Activities Designed To Promote Health And Well-Being For Patients Who Are Physically, Mentally, Or Emotionally Disabled. Includes Instruction In The Foundations Of Therapeutic Recreation, Leisure Education And Counseling, Program Planning, Therapeutic Recreational Modalities, Basic Anatomy And Physiology, Psychology, Medical Terminology, Human Growth And Development, Patient Observation And Evaluation, Special Needs Populations, And Professional Standards And Ethics. Continue reading for the important information every therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy programs.
In the U.S., therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy is a widely-pursued major, with 722 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy Schools ranking analyzes these 52 schools to determine the best overall colleges for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy programs later in this article.
Programs in Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 11 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 48 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 587 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 76 |
People currently working in careers related to therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 65.9% |
| Master’s degree | 13.6% |
| Doctoral degree | 8.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 6.3% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.5% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.9% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy opens doors to numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Recreational Therapists | 2,577,436 | 3.7% |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $67,332 |
| 4 years | $70,102 |
| 5 years | $75,167 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Recreational Therapists | $150,116 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
With 52 different therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapy/Therapist | 13,424 |
| Occupational Therapy/Therapist | 10,460 |
| Rehabilitation Science | 1,107 |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling/Counselor | 941 |
| Art Therapy/Therapist | 768 |
| Music Therapy/Therapist | 651 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions, Other | 621 |
| Orthotist/Prosthetist | 408 |
| Kinesiotherapy/Kinesiotherapist | 121 |
| Assistive/Augmentative Technology and Rehabilitation Engineering | 108 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
