2026 Best Value Parks Recreation Fitness Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Parks Recreation Fitness certificate degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 1489 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor evaluated schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Parks Recreation Fitness Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Our analysis found Dickinson State University to be the best-value Parks Recreation Fitness school in the United States. This public school is set in Dickinson, ND. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,118. Dickinson State University Parks Recreation Fitness students take on a median of $27,266 in debt. Dickinson State University alumni report median earnings of $50,720 a decade after entry. Set against $27,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 37% of those who apply are admitted. More on Dickinson State University
A rank of #2 makes Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania one of the best values in the United States. Located in Slippery Rock, PA, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,568, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Graduates carry a median of $26,800 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $53,032. Set against $26,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania has an acceptance rate of 72%. More on Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pittsburg State University earned it the #3 place in the United States. Located in Pittsburg, KS, Pittsburg State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400, with out-of-state students paying around $19,744. Typical Parks Recreation Fitness student debt is $24,758. Median earnings reach $50,579 ten years out. Set against $24,758 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Pittsburg State University
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point came in at #4 on this year's best-value Parks Recreation Fitness ranking in the United States. Set in Stevens Point, WI, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $18,248. The median Parks Recreation Fitness program debt is $25,200. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,021. That is a strong return on a $25,200 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point has an acceptance rate of 92%. See the full University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point profile
University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #5 on this year's best-value Parks Recreation Fitness ranking in the United States. This public school is set in Akron, OH. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete their Parks Recreation Fitness program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,600 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on University Of Akron Main Campus
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. Based in Shippensburg, PA, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,570, while out-of-state students pay about $15,824. Graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,351. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%. Read the full report on Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania
Black Hills State University landed the #7 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Spearfish, SD, Black Hills State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,916, while out-of-state students pay about $12,018. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete their Parks Recreation Fitness program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $46,674. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted. See the full Black Hills State University profile
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Parks Recreation Fitness schools. Located in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Students borrow a median of $20,414 to complete their Parks Recreation Fitness program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $72,097 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $20,414 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Texas A And M University College Station
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #9 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Athens, OH, Ohio University Main Campus is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Ohio University Main Campus Parks Recreation Fitness students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. Median earnings reach $52,581 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants. Read more about Ohio University Main Campus
Grand Valley State University came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. Grand Valley State University is a public school based in Allendale, MI. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Typical Parks Recreation Fitness student debt is $26,300. Grand Valley State University alumni report median earnings of $56,118 a decade after entry. Set against $26,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%. More on Grand Valley State University
South Texas College placed #11 among the best-value Parks Recreation Fitness schools in the United States. South Texas College is a public school based in McAllen, TX. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Typical Parks Recreation Fitness student debt is $4,500. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,788 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $4,500 median debt. Read more about South Texas College
University Of Florida came in at #12 in this year's value ranking. Based in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Graduates carry a median of $19,707 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $71,588. That is a strong return on a $19,707 median debt. About 24% of those who apply are admitted. More on University Of Florida
Northern Arizona University landed the #13 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Flagstaff, AZ, Northern Arizona University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. The median Parks Recreation Fitness program debt is $19,700. Northern Arizona University alumni report median earnings of $54,384 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%. Read the full report on Northern Arizona University
Mt San Antonio College landed the #14 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Walnut, CA, Mt San Antonio College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. The median Parks Recreation Fitness program debt is $6,865. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $46,283. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Mt San Antonio College profile
Lewis Clark State College came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Lewiston, ID. In-state tuition and fees average $7,610, with out-of-state students paying around $22,028. Students borrow a median of $21,475 to complete their Parks Recreation Fitness program here. Lewis Clark State College alumni report median earnings of $46,001 a decade after entry. Set against $21,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%. Get the full Lewis Clark State College report
Temple University landed the #16 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Philadelphia, PA, Temple University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete their Parks Recreation Fitness program here. Temple University alumni report median earnings of $63,727 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. About 80% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Temple University
Indiana University Bloomington offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. Based in Bloomington, IN, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Indiana University Bloomington Parks Recreation Fitness students take on a median of $19,660 in debt. Median earnings reach $63,742 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%. Get the full Indiana University Bloomington report
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Parks Recreation Fitness schools. This public school is set in Madison, WI. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. University Of Wisconsin Madison Parks Recreation Fitness students take on a median of $26,000 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $73,792. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. About 45% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Madison
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #19 among the best-value Parks Recreation Fitness schools in the United States. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a public school based in Indianapolis, IN. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis Parks Recreation Fitness students take on a median of $24,160 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,198. That is a strong return on a $24,160 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%. Get the full Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis report
University Of South Alabama placed #20 among the best-value Parks Recreation Fitness schools in the United States. Based in Mobile, AL, University Of South Alabama is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,116 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,092. The median Parks Recreation Fitness program debt is $26,750. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $49,379. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 71% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of South Alabama profile
University Of Idaho placed #21 among the best-value Parks Recreation Fitness schools in the United States. This public school is set in Moscow, ID. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,084, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Typical Parks Recreation Fitness student debt is $25,000. University Of Idaho alumni report median earnings of $54,670 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%. Read more about University Of Idaho
Boise State University offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. Boise State University is a public school based in Boise, ID. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,048, compared with $27,788 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $22,524 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,658 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $22,524 median debt. Boise State University has an acceptance rate of 87%. Read the full report on Boise State University
National Personal Training Institute Tampa landed the #23 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Tampa, FL, National Personal Training Institute Tampa is a private for-profit institution. The median Parks Recreation Fitness program debt is $6,333. Get the full National Personal Training Institute Tampa report
National Personal Training Institute Winter Park ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Parks Recreation Fitness schools. This private for-profit school is set in Orlando, FL. The median Parks Recreation Fitness program debt is $6,333. Read more about National Personal Training Institute Winter Park
Focus Personal Training Institute landed the #23 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in New York, NY, Focus Personal Training Institute is a private for-profit institution. Graduates carry a median of $6,333 in student loans. Get the full Focus Personal Training Institute report
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Parks Recreation Fitness Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Appalachian State University landed the #26 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Appalachian State University report
Buena Vista University placed #27 among the best-value Parks Recreation Fitness schools in the United States. Get the full Buena Vista University report
Century College
Century College offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. Get the full Century College report
Coastal Carolina University landed the #29 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Coastal Carolina University report
Gonzaga University offered strong value this year, earning the #30 position. More on Gonzaga University
Hastings College
Hastings College landed the #31 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Hastings College
Jackson Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. More on Jackson Community College
Minneapolis Community And Technical College ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best-value Parks Recreation Fitness schools. Get the full Minneapolis Community And Technical College report
Northern Michigan University landed the #34 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Northern Michigan University
Redlands Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. More on Redlands Community College
Rock Valley College offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. See the full Rock Valley College profile
San Diego Mesa College came in at #37 in this year's value ranking. More on San Diego Mesa College
University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #38 among the best-value Parks Recreation Fitness schools in the United States. Read more about University Of Mississippi Main Campus
University Of The Southwest placed #39 among the best-value Parks Recreation Fitness schools in the United States. See the full University Of The Southwest profile
Biola University
Biola University offered strong value this year, earning the #40 position. Get the full Biola University report
Butler University placed #41 among the best-value Parks Recreation Fitness schools in the United States. Get the full Butler University report
Concordia University Seward offered strong value this year, earning the #42 position. Get the full Concordia University Seward report
Emory University
Emory University placed #43 among the best-value Parks Recreation Fitness schools in the United States. More on Emory University
Everglades University came in at #44 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Everglades University report
Gettysburg College offered strong value this year, earning the #45 position. More on Gettysburg College
Mercy College
Mercy College placed #46 among the best-value Parks Recreation Fitness schools in the United States. More on Mercy College
Texas Southern University offered strong value this year, earning the #47 position. Get the full Texas Southern University report
University Of Delaware offered strong value this year, earning the #48 position. See the full University Of Delaware profile
Wagner College
Wagner College placed #49 among the best-value Parks Recreation Fitness schools in the United States. Read more about Wagner College
Auburn University At Montgomery placed #50 among the best-value Parks Recreation Fitness schools in the United States. Get the full Auburn University At Montgomery report
Related Parks Recreation Fitness Value Rankings
Compare value rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Value Parks Recreation Fitness Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Parks Recreation Fitness Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Parks Recreation Fitness Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Parks Recreation Fitness Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Parks Recreation Fitness Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Parks Recreation Fitness Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Parks Recreation Fitness Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 1489 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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.