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.
Featured schools near , edit
2023 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the United States
The colleges and universities below are the best value schools for parks and rec majors pursuing a .
Top 25 Best Schools for Affordable Quality in Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness
Our 2023 rankings named American Public University System the best value school in the United States for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. American Military University is a fairly 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.
Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at American Public University System Report
Out of the 579 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, International Sports Sciences Association landed the # 2 spot on the list. ISSA is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the medium-sized suburb of Carpinteria.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at ISSA are $10,107 a year. Parks & Rec majors at ISSA take out an average of $17,163 in student loans while working on their egree.
Out of the 579 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Brigham Young University - Idaho landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in the 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.
Out of the 579 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Brigham Young University - Provo landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in the midsize city of Provo, BYU is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly 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.
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.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at DSU are $9,942 a year.
Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Dickinson State University Report
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 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.
WSC excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools list.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Wayne State College
With a ranking of #7, Concordia University, Irvine did quite well on this year’s best value schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. Located in the city of Irvine, Concordia University, Irvine is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Concordia University, Irvine are $38,740 per 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.
Concordia University, Irvine excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked 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
Chadron State College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools 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.
Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Chadron State College Report
With a ranking of #9, Oklahoma Panhandle State University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. OPSU is a small public school located in the rural area of Goodwell.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at OPSU are $8,234 per year. While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at OPSU accumulate an average of around $25,985 in student debt.
Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Oklahoma Panhandle State University Report
South Dakota State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools ranking. Located in the remote town of Brookings, South Dakota State is a public college with a 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.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, South Dakota State also is in the top 15% of our Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools ranking.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at South Dakota State University
Minot State University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools list. Located in the remote town of Minot, MSU is a public college with a small student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at MSU are $8,163 a 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.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Minot State University
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.
Southwest Minnesota State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools ranking. Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the remote 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.
With a ranking of #14, Ashland University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. Located in the fringe town of Ashland, Ashland is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Ashland are $23,090 per year. Parks & Rec majors at Ashland take out an average of $27,000 in student loans while working on their egree.
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 college with a medium-sized student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at West Texas A&M University are $11,208 per 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.
Grace College and Theological Seminary came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools ranking. 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.
Northwestern Oklahoma State University 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 #17 on the list. NWOSU is a small public school located in the town of Alva.
NWOSU undergraduate students pay an average of $15,001 in tuition and fees each year. The average amount in student loans that parks and rec majors at NWOSU take out is $20,125.
University of North Dakota landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs. Located in the city of Grand Forks, UND is a public school with a fairly large student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UND are $15,037 per year.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UND also is in the top 15% of our Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools ranking.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of North Dakota
Arizona State University - Skysong 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 #20 on the list. Located in the city of Scottsdale, ASU - Skysong is a public college with a fairly large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at ASU - Skysong are $13,092 a 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.
ASU - Skysong excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools list.
Northwest Missouri State University 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 #21 on the list. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.
Northwest undergraduate students pay an average of $14,919 in tuition and fees each 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.
With a ranking of #22, Saint Cloud State University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. Located in the small city of Saint Cloud, St. Cloud State University is a public college with a fairly large student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at St. Cloud State University are $18,010 per year. After completing their degree, parks and rec graduates from St. Cloud State University carry an average student debtload of $27,000.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, St. Cloud State University also did well on our Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Saint Cloud State University
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 fairly large public school located in the midsize city of Fargo.
North Dakota State University undergraduate students pay an average of $14,876 in tuition and fees each 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 excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools list.
With a ranking of #24, Concordia University, Chicago did quite well on this year’s best value schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. Concordia University, Chicago is a medium-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.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Concordia University, Chicago
Johnson & Wales University - Online ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools list. Located in the city of Providence, JWU Online is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at JWU Online are $13,365 per 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.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools
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 college 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.
Featured Schools
Request Info
|
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.