2026 Best Value Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

1

Cuny Lehman College
Bronx, NY

For return on investment in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy, no school beat Cuny Lehman College this year. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $7,404 to complete the therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy program here. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $36,811 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,404 median debt. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.

2

Kean University
Union, NJ

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kean University earned it the #2 place for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates is $26,703. Soon after graduation, therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $71,277. Set against $26,703 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

3

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock, PA

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy schools. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,568, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy program here. Early-career therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates make about $51,364. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

4

Utica College
Utica, NY

A rank of #4 makes Utica College one of the best values for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy. Set in the city of Utica, Utica College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $26,930. Typical student debt for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates is $27,000. Early-career therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy graduates make about $47,065. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.

5

Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Students looking for strong value in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy will find it at Temple University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy program here. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates of Temple University earn a median of $59,914 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.

6

Ithaca College
Ithaca, NY

Ithaca College landed the #6 spot for therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy value this year. Set in the suburb of Ithaca, Ithaca College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,616. Students borrow a median of $25,959 to complete the therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy program here. Therapeutic Recreation/recreational Therapy graduates of Ithaca College earn a median of $51,231 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.