2023 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools
Identifying Quality Schools at More Affordable Prices
Finding the Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies School for You
In 2020-2021, 73,813 people earned a degree or certificate in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies, making the major the #15 most popular in the United States.
With all the programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Or you may find the programs at a trade school to be a better alternative for you.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools ranking. This report analyzed 579 schools in the United States to see which ones offered the best value programs for parks and rec students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.
Our ranking of value is based on the quality of a program as defined in our per sticker price dollar. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.
In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.
Top 25 Best Schools for Affordable Quality in Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness
Our analysis found American Public University System to be the best value school for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students who want to pursue a degree in the United States. American Military University is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at American Military University are $7,360 per year. While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at American Military University accumulate an average of around $21,148 in student debt.
American Military University excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools list.
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A rank of #2 on this year’s list means International Sports Sciences Association is a great value for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. ISSA is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Carpinteria.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at ISSA are $10,107 per year. Parks & Rec majors at ISSA take out an average of $17,163 in student loans while working on their egree.
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A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Brigham Young University - Idaho is a great value for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. Located in the distant town of Rexburg, BYU - I is a private not-for-profit college with a very large student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at BYU - I are $4,416 per year. Parks & Rec majors at BYU - I take out an average of $12,276 in student loans while working on their egree.
Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Brigham Young University - Idaho Report
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The excellent programs at Brigham Young University - Provo helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies schools in the United States. Located in the medium-sized city of Provo, BYU is a private not-for-profit school with a very large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at BYU are $6,120 a year. While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at BYU accumulate an average of around $11,225 in student debt.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, BYU also is in the top 20% of our Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools ranking.
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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Dickinson State University. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools list. DSU is a small public school located in the remote town of Dickinson.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at DSU are $9,942 per year.
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Wayne State College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools ranking. WSC is a small public school located in the distant town of Wayne.
WSC undergraduate students pay an average of $7,458 in tuition and fees each year. The average amount in student loans that parks and rec majors at WSC take out is $25,000.
In addition to its great value ranking, WSC is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools list.
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Concordia University, Irvine came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools ranking. Located in the city of Irvine, Concordia University, Irvine is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Concordia University, Irvine are $38,740 a year. On average, parks and rec graduates from Concordia University, Irvine take out $26,000 in student loans while working on their degree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $602.
In addition to its great value ranking, Concordia University, Irvine is in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools list.
Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Concordia University, Irvine Report
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Chadron State College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. It came in at #8 on the list. Chadron State College is a small public school located in the remote town of Chadron.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Chadron State College are $7,206 a year. The average amount in student loans that parks and rec majors at Chadron State College take out is $24,637.
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Oklahoma Panhandle State University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools ranking. OPSU is a small public school located in the rural area of Goodwell.
OPSU undergraduate students pay an average of $8,234 in tuition and fees each year. While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at OPSU accumulate an average of around $25,985 in student debt.
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South Dakota State University landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs. Located in the remote town of Brookings, South Dakota State is a public college with a fairly large student population.
South Dakota State undergraduate students pay an average of $12,809 in tuition and fees each year. After completing their degree, parks and rec graduates from South Dakota State carry an average student debtload of $24,907.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, South Dakota State also did well on our Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
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Minot State University landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs. Located in the town of Minot, MSU is a public college with a small student population.
MSU undergraduate students pay an average of $8,163 in tuition and fees each year. The average amount in student loans that parks and rec majors at MSU take out is $27,000.
In addition to its great value ranking, MSU is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools list.
Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Minot State University Report
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University of North Carolina at Pembroke came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools ranking. UNC Pembroke is a moderately-sized public school located in the distant town of Pembroke.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UNC Pembroke are $7,495 per year. Parks & Rec majors at UNC Pembroke take out an average of $26,000 in student loans while working on their egree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $129, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Southwest Minnesota State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools list. Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marshall.
Southwest Minnesota State University undergraduate students pay an average of $9,482 in tuition and fees each year. Parks & Rec majors at Southwest Minnesota State University take out an average of $27,000 in student loans while working on their egree.
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Ashland University landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs. Located in the town of Ashland, Ashland is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Ashland are $23,090 a year. Parks & Rec majors at Ashland take out an average of $27,000 in student loans while working on their egree.
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West Texas A&M University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools list. Located in the fringe town of Canyon, West Texas A&M University is a public school with a medium-sized student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at West Texas A&M University are $11,208 a year. Parks & Rec majors at West Texas A&M University take out an average of $22,950 in student loans while working on their egree.
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Grace College and Theological Seminary ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools list. Grace College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona Lake.
Grace College undergraduate students pay an average of $25,044 in tuition and fees each year. On average, parks and rec graduates from Grace College take out $25,750 in student loans while working on their degree.
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Northwestern Oklahoma State University landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs. NWOSU is a small public school located in the remote town of Alva.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at NWOSU are $15,001 per year. The average amount in student loans that parks and rec majors at NWOSU take out is $20,125.
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University of North Dakota did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. It came in at #18 on the list. Located in the small city of Grand Forks, UND is a public school with a large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at UND are $15,037 a year.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, UND also did well on our Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
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Arizona State University - Skysong came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools ranking. Located in the midsize city of Scottsdale, ASU - Skysong is a public school with a very large student population.
ASU - Skysong undergraduate students pay an average of $13,092 in tuition and fees each year. The average amount in student loans that parks and rec majors at ASU - Skysong take out is $23,467. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $453, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, ASU - Skysong also did well on our Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
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With a ranking of #21, Northwest Missouri State University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. Located in the remote town of Maryville, Northwest is a public college with a medium-sized student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Northwest are $14,919 per year. After completing their degree, parks and rec graduates from Northwest carry an average student debtload of $25,421. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $218.
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Saint Cloud State University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools ranking. Located in the small city of Saint Cloud, St. Cloud State University is a public college with a fairly large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at St. Cloud State University are $18,010 a year. After completing their degree, parks and rec graduates from St. Cloud State University carry an average student debtload of $27,000.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, St. Cloud State University also is in the top 20% of our Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools ranking.
Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Saint Cloud State University Report
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North Dakota State University - Main Campus came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools ranking. North Dakota State University is a large public school located in the midsize city of Fargo.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at North Dakota State University are $14,876 a year. While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at North Dakota State University accumulate an average of around $23,990 in student debt.
North Dakota State University also claimed a spot on our Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category.
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Concordia University, Chicago did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. It came in at #24 on the list. Concordia University, Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of River Forest.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Concordia University, Chicago are $34,310 a year. On average, parks and rec graduates from Concordia University, Chicago take out $26,250 in student loans while working on their degree.
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Johnson & Wales University - Online came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools ranking. Located in the city of Providence, JWU Online is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at JWU Online are $13,365 a year. The average amount in student loans that parks and rec majors at JWU Online take out is $27,000. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $430.
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Remaining Award Winners
This list shows the remainder of the schools awarded a Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools badge. Showing in this list means the school was ranked in the top 15% of the 579 different United States parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies schools we analyzed.
Additional Noteworthy Schools
Here are some additional great value schools for Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness students seeking value that almost earned our Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools award.
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies by Region
View the Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools for a specific region near you.
| Region |
|---|
| Southeast |
| New England |
| Rocky Mountains |
| Plains States |
| Middle Atlantic |
| Far Western US |
| Southwest |
| Great Lakes |
More Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Rankings
Majors Related to Parks & Rec
Parks & Rec Majors to Study
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Health & Physical Education | 67,146 |
| Recreation Administration | 3,122 |
| Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies | 3,106 |
| Outdoor Education | 265 |
| Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies | 174 |
Majors Similar to Parks & Rec
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting | 142,610 |
| Public Administration & Social Service | 98,583 |
| Legal Professions | 61,055 |
| Military Technologies & Applied Sciences | 4,477 |
Notes and References
*These averages are for the top 25 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 the rest 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).
- Credit for the banner image above goes to NPS Photo/Zurbuch.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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