2026 Best Value Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy Schools in the Great Lakes 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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 15 schools to find the best return on investment for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy students.
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2026 Best Value Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy Schools in the Great Lakes 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
Leading the list is Chicago State University, our #1 best value for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy in the Great Lakes Region. Chicago State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,754, while out-of-state students pay about $12,757. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates carry a median of $43,322 in student loans. Early-career therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates make about $47,477. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Chicago State University admits about 43% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy will find it at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse, which ranked #2. Set in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,070, with out-of-state students paying around $19,517. Typical student debt for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates is $21,374. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates of University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of $61,039 early in their careers. Set against $21,374 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates carry a median of $25,582 in student loans. Soon after graduation, therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $73,947. Set against $25,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Central Michigan University one of the best values for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy program here. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $57,073 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee one of the best values for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy program here. Soon after graduation, therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $55,121. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University came in at #6 for value in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy this year. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Typical student debt for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates is $27,425. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $43,271 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Grand Valley State University earned the #7 position for value in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy this year. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Typical student debt for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $65,197. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Toledo earned the #8 position for value in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy this year. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,157, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. Students borrow a median of $24,875 to complete the therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy program here. Soon after graduation, therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $55,685. That is a strong return on a $24,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Aurora University earned the #9 position for value in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy this year. Located in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $29,170 in tuition and fees. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Early-career therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates make about $41,856. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
