Best institutions to study 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.
49 U.S. institutions graduated 640 Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.2309, a specialization of Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (CIP 51.23), and leads most directly to the Recreational Therapists occupation (BLS SOC 29-1125).
About Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy programs
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.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy program prepares individuals to design and implement recreational activities that promote health and well-being for patients with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities. This program is ideal for those interested in helping others through therapeutic recreation, providing essential support in rehabilitation settings.
Students in this program will gain knowledge in therapeutic recreation foundations, leisure education, program planning, and therapeutic modalities. Coursework also covers psychology, basic anatomy, patient observation, and professional ethics, equipping graduates with the skills needed to effectively support diverse populations.
Credentials awarded
What Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree539 graduates / yr · 37 institutions84%
- Master's degree44 graduates / yr · 7 institutions6.9%
- Associate's degree31 graduates / yr · 8 institutions4.8%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate13 graduates / yr · 2 institutions2.0%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years6 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.9%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year5 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.8%
- Post-master's certificate2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.3%
Graduates over time
Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 690 |
| 2013 | 775 |
| 2014 | 819 |
| 2015 | 946 |
| 2016 | 1,017 |
| 2017 | 1,006 |
| 2018 | 1,102 |
| 2019 | 1,074 |
| 2020 | 962 |
| 2021 | 866 |
| 2022 | 874 |
| 2023 | 819 |
| 2024 | 715 |
| 2025 | 640 |
Top 49 institutions for Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brigham Young University - Idaho Rexburg, IDPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 45 | 55% | $6,760 | — |
| 2 | University of Iowa Iowa City, IAPublicBachelor's | 35 | 75% | — | — |
| 3 | East Carolina University Greenville, NCPublicBachelor's | 35 | 63% | — | $32,371 |
| 4 | Grand Valley State University Allendale, MIPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 34 | 67% | — | $43,631 |
| 5 | Temple University Philadelphia, PAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 34 | 75% | — | $40,085 |
| 6 | University of Wisconsin - La Crosse La Crosse, WIPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 30 | 71% | — | $41,370 |
| 7 | Southern University and A & M College Baton Rouge, LAPublicBachelor's | 29 | 27% | — | $30,636 |
| 8 | University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington, NCPublicBachelor's | 29 | 71% | — | $39,366 |
| 9 | CUNY Lehman College Bronx, NYPublicBachelor's | 27 | 51% | — | $36,811 |
| 10 | Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Slippery Rock, PAPublicBachelor's | 26 | 66% | — | $41,797 |
| 11 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UTPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 22 | 65% | — | $43,684 |
| 12 | Winston - Salem State University Winston-Salem, NCPublicBachelor's | 21 | 47% | — | $31,421 |
| 13 | University of South Alabama Mobile, ALPublicBachelor's | 19 | 53% | — | — |
| 14 | State University of New York at Cortland Cortland, NYPublicPost-degree cert.Bachelor's | 18 | 68% | — | $40,853 |
| 15 | Western Carolina University Cullowhee, NCPublicBachelor's | 18 | 60% | — | $37,608 |
| 16 | University of Toledo Toledo, OHPublicBachelor's | 15 | 57% | — | $37,554 |
| 17 | Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MIPublicBachelor's | 14 | 59% | — | $39,008 |
| 18 | Aurora University Aurora, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 13 | 60% | $18,431 | $41,856 |
| 19 | University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MSPublicBachelor's | 13 | 49% | — | — |
| 20 | Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, MIPublicBachelor's | 12 | 46% | — | $33,926 |
| 21 | Lindenwood University Saint Charles, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 11 | 49% | $17,436 | — |
| 22 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 10 | 68% | — | — |
| 23 | Kean University Union, NJPublicBachelor's | 10 | 47% | — | — |
| 24 | Longwood University Farmville, VAPublicBachelor's | 10 | 61% | — | $41,700 |
| 25 | Virginia Wesleyan University Virginia Beach, VAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 10 | 42% | $20,171 | — |
| 26 | Connecticut State Community College New Britain, CTPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 8 | 24% | — | — |
| 27 | Indiana Institute of Technology Fort Wayne, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 8 | 48% | $20,661 | — |
| 28 | Calvin University Grand Rapids, MIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 8 | 74% | $22,391 | — |
| 29 | York College of Pennsylvania York, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 8 | 64% | $18,682 | — |
| 30 | CUNY Bronx Community College Bronx, NYPublicAssociate's | 7 | 16% | — | $27,790 |
| 31 | St. Thomas Aquinas College Sparkill, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 54% | $21,139 | — |
| 32 | Texas State University San Marcos, TXPublicMaster's | 7 | 55% | — | — |
| 33 | Fremont University Cerritos, CAPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 6 | 39% | $32,428 | $17,956 |
| 34 | Moraine Valley Community College Palos Hills, ILPublicAssociate's | 5 | 40% | — | — |
| 35 | Ridgewater College Willmar, MNPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 50% | — | — |
| 36 | Oklahoma State University - Main Campus Stillwater, OKPublicBachelor's | 5 | 68% | — | — |
| 37 | Prescott College Prescott, AZPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 4 | 56% | $23,166 | — |
| 38 | Indiana State University Terre Haute, INPublicBachelor's | 3 | 43% | — | — |
| 39 | CUNY LaGuardia Community College Long Island City, NYPublicAssociate's | 3 | 24% | — | — |
| 40 | Western Piedmont Community College Morganton, NCPublicAssociate's | 3 | 49% | — | — |
| 41 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZPublicPost-degree cert. | 2 | 61% | — | — |
| 42 | Springfield College Springfield, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 74% | $26,290 | — |
| 43 | Catawba College Salisbury, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 47% | $17,916 | — |
| 44 | University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Milwaukee, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 49% | — | $30,561 |
| 45 | University of Southern Maine Portland, MEPublicBachelor's | 1 | 40% | — | — |
| 46 | Washington County Community College Calais, MEPublicAssociate's | 1 | 55% | — | — |
| 47 | Ithaca College Ithaca, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 76% | $28,970 | $7,071 |
| 48 | Utica University Utica, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 56% | $20,237 | $39,478 |
| 49 | Eastern Washington University Cheney, WAPublicBachelor's | 1 | 43% | — | $47,541 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions field (CIP 51.23) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 26 states
Where Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy graduates come from. Each state links to all Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 29-1125, Recreational Therapists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy program typically pursue careers as Recreational Therapists, with a median wage of $60,280. The job outlook is about as fast as average, with an expected growth of 3.3% and approximately 1,300 annual openings in the field, primarily requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.2309
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Recreational Therapistsprimary SOC 29-1125 | $61,960 | +3.3% About as fast as average | ~1,300 | Bachelor's degree |
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1071 | $107,310 | +17.3% Much faster than average | ~27,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Instruct patient in activities and techniques, such as sports, dance, music, art, or relaxation techniques, designed to meet their specific physical or psychological needs.
- Conduct therapy sessions to improve patients' mental and physical well-being.
- Plan, organize, direct, and participate in treatment programs and activities to facilitate patients' rehabilitation, help them integrate into the community, and prevent further medical problems.
- Observe, analyze, and record patients' participation, reactions, and progress during treatment sessions, modifying treatment programs as needed.
- Develop treatment plan to meet needs of patient, based on needs assessment, patient interests, and objectives of therapy.
- Obtain information from medical records, medical staff, family members and the patients, themselves, to assess patients' capabilities, needs and interests.
Tools and technology used
Other Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions specializations
The 16 other 6-digit CIP codes under Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (CIP 51.23).
- Physical Therapy/CIP 51.2308
Therapist 13,795 graduates / yr277 institutions - Occupational Therapy/CIP 51.2306
Therapist 9,796 graduates / yr250 institutions - Rehabilitation ScienceCIP 51.23141,023 graduates / yr47 institutions
- Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling/CIP 51.2310
Counselor 935 graduates / yr58 institutions - Art Therapy/CIP 51.2301
Therapist 675 graduates / yr62 institutions - Music Therapy/CIP 51.2305
Therapist 635 graduates / yr70 institutions - Rehabilitation and Therapeutic ProfessionsCIP 51.2399582 graduates / yr38 institutions
- Orthotist/CIP 51.2307
Prosthetist 302 graduates / yr17 institutions - Animal-Assisted TherapyCIP 51.2313108 graduates / yr13 institutions
- Kinesiotherapy/CIP 51.2311
Kinesiotherapist partial data96 graduates / yr6 institutions - Play Therapy/CIP 51.2317
Therapist partial data93 graduates / yr6 institutions - Assistive/CIP 51.2312
Augmentative Technology and Rehabilitation Engineering partial data52 graduates / yr8 institutions - Rehabilitation and Therapeutic ProfessionsCIP 51.2300partial data51 graduates / yr6 institutions
- Dance Therapy/CIP 51.2302
Therapist partial data39 graduates / yr5 institutions - Horticulture Therapy/CIP 51.2316
Therapist limited data11 graduates / yr1 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Drama Therapy/
Therapist51.2315
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
See all Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions programs →
Common questions
What degree do I need for a career in recreational therapy?+
A Bachelor's degree is typically required for a career in recreational therapy.
What skills are important for recreational therapists?+
Key skills include active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication.
What types of activities do recreational therapists use?+
They use activities like sports, music, art, and relaxation techniques tailored to patient needs.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are 49 colleges in the U.S. that offer the Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy program.
What is the CIP code for Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy?+
Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy is CIP 51.2309 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (CIP 51.23). NCES defines it as: 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.
How many institutions offer Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy programs?+
49 U.S. institutions reported Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 26 states, awarding 640 credentials in the year. That is 2.2% of all Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions graduates.
How much do Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Recreational Therapists occupation, which Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy most directly leads to, pays a median of $61,960 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions field report median earnings of $39,008 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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