2026 Best Value Parks Recreation Leisure Studies Doctoral Degree Schools

#1

University Of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, IA

University Of Northern Iowa earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in the United States. University Of Northern Iowa is a public school based in Cedar Falls, IA. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. University Of Northern Iowa Parks Recreation Leisure Studies students take on a median of $23,907 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,177 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%. Read the full report on University Of Northern Iowa

#2

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

Champaign, IL

You'll get strong value at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #2 this year. Located in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. The median Parks Recreation Leisure Studies program debt is $23,447. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign alumni report median earnings of $81,054 a decade after entry. Set against $23,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign has an acceptance rate of 42%. Read more about University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

#3

University Of Utah

Salt Lake City, UT

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Utah earned it the #3 place in the United States. Set in Salt Lake City, UT, University Of Utah is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. University Of Utah Parks Recreation Leisure Studies students take on a median of $22,982 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $67,170. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of Utah profile

#4

Jacksonville State University

You'll get strong value at Jacksonville State University, which ranked #4 this year. See the full Jacksonville State University profile

#5

San Francisco State University

You'll get strong value at San Francisco State University, which ranked #5 this year. Read more about San Francisco State University

#6

Central Wyoming College

Central Wyoming College placed #6 among the best-value Parks Recreation Leisure Studies schools in the United States. Read the full report on Central Wyoming College

#7

Radford University

Radford University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best-value Parks Recreation Leisure Studies schools. More on Radford University

#8

Western Michigan University

Western Michigan University landed the #8 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Western Michigan University report

#9

East Carolina University

East Carolina University offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. Read more about East Carolina University

#10

Ohio University Eastern Campus

Ohio University Eastern Campus landed the #10 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Ohio University Eastern Campus

#11

Southern Utah University

Southern Utah University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best-value Parks Recreation Leisure Studies schools. Read more about Southern Utah University

#12

Georgia College And State University

Georgia College And State University placed #12 among the best-value Parks Recreation Leisure Studies schools in the United States. Get the full Georgia College And State University report

#13

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best-value Parks Recreation Leisure Studies schools. Get the full Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College report

#14

Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins

Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins landed the #14 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins profile

#15

North Greenville University

North Greenville University placed #15 among the best-value Parks Recreation Leisure Studies schools in the United States. More on North Greenville University

#16

Gallaudet University

Gallaudet University landed the #16 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Gallaudet University

#17

Missouri State University Springfield

Missouri State University Springfield placed #17 among the best-value Parks Recreation Leisure Studies schools in the United States. See the full Missouri State University Springfield profile

#18

University Of Baltimore

University Of Baltimore landed the #18 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on University Of Baltimore

#19

Brigham Young University Provo

Brigham Young University Provo offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. Read the full report on Brigham Young University Provo

#20

Central State University

Central State University came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. More on Central State University

#21

Lake Tahoe Community College

Lake Tahoe Community College placed #21 among the best-value Parks Recreation Leisure Studies schools in the United States. Get the full Lake Tahoe Community College report

#22

Shepherd University

Shepherd University placed #22 among the best-value Parks Recreation Leisure Studies schools in the United States. Get the full Shepherd University report

#23

Baker University

Baker University came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. See the full Baker University profile

#24

Garrett College

Garrett College landed the #24 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Garrett College

#25

Palomar College

Palomar College placed #25 among the best-value Parks Recreation Leisure Studies schools in the United States. See the full Palomar College profile

#26

Paul Smiths College Of Arts And Science

Paul Smiths College Of Arts And Science placed #26 among the best-value Parks Recreation Leisure Studies schools in the United States. Read the full report on Paul Smiths College Of Arts And Science

#27

Northwest College

Northwest College offered strong value this year, earning the #27 position. Get the full Northwest College report

#28

Northeast Community College

Northeast Community College placed #28 among the best-value Parks Recreation Leisure Studies schools in the United States. Get the full Northeast Community College report

#29

East Mississippi Community College

East Mississippi Community College placed #29 among the best-value Parks Recreation Leisure Studies schools in the United States. More on East Mississippi Community College

#30

Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #30 among the best-value Parks Recreation Leisure Studies schools in the United States. Read the full report on Southern Illinois University Carbondale

#31

Alaska Pacific University

Alaska Pacific University placed #31 among the best-value Parks Recreation Leisure Studies schools in the United States. Get the full Alaska Pacific University report

#32

Holmes Community College

Holmes Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. See the full Holmes Community College profile

#33

Ohio University Southern Campus

Ohio University Southern Campus placed #33 among the best-value Parks Recreation Leisure Studies schools in the United States. Get the full Ohio University Southern Campus report

#34

Cuesta College

Cuesta College offered strong value this year, earning the #34 position. More on Cuesta College

#35

California State University Long Beach

California State University Long Beach offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. Read the full report on California State University Long Beach

#36

California State University Sacramento

California State University Sacramento came in at #36 in this year's value ranking. More on California State University Sacramento

#37

University Of Nebraska At Omaha

University Of Nebraska At Omaha ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Parks Recreation Leisure Studies schools. Read more about University Of Nebraska At Omaha

#38

Indiana University Bloomington

Indiana University Bloomington offered strong value this year, earning the #38 position. Read more about Indiana University Bloomington

#39

El Camino Community College District

El Camino Community College District placed #39 among the best-value Parks Recreation Leisure Studies schools in the United States. Read the full report on El Camino Community College District

#40

Spring Arbor University

Spring Arbor University ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best-value Parks Recreation Leisure Studies schools. Get the full Spring Arbor University report

#41

Bethune Cookman University

Bethune Cookman University ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best-value Parks Recreation Leisure Studies schools. More on Bethune Cookman University

#42

Messiah College

Messiah College came in at #42 in this year's value ranking. More on Messiah College

#43

Oregon State University

Oregon State University ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best-value Parks Recreation Leisure Studies schools. Get the full Oregon State University report

#44

University Of Minnesota Duluth

University Of Minnesota Duluth landed the #44 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full University Of Minnesota Duluth report

#45

University Of South Alabama

University Of South Alabama landed the #45 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on University Of South Alabama

#46

Olivet Nazarene University

Olivet Nazarene University offered strong value this year, earning the #46 position. Get the full Olivet Nazarene University report

#47

Northern Arizona University

Northern Arizona University came in at #47 in this year's value ranking. See the full Northern Arizona University profile

#48

Dakota College At Bottineau

Dakota College At Bottineau ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best-value Parks Recreation Leisure Studies schools. Read the full report on Dakota College At Bottineau

#49

Houghton College

Houghton College offered strong value this year, earning the #49 position. Read more about Houghton College

#50

Cuny Lehman College

Cuny Lehman College ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best-value Parks Recreation Leisure Studies schools. See the full Cuny Lehman College profile