2023 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Master's Degree Schools
Identifying Quality Schools at More Affordable Prices
Finding the Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master's Degree 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.
The Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Master's Degree Schools ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 294 schools in the United States to see which ones offered the best value master's degree 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.
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2023 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
The following schools top our list of the Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master's Degree Colleges.
Top 25 Best Schools for Affordable Quality for a Master's 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 master’s 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 graduate students at American Military University are $7,050 per year.
Out of the 294 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Ashland University landed the # 2 spot on the list. 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 graduate students at Ashland are $6,972 a year.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Grace College and Theological Seminary is a great value for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students working on their master’s degree. Grace College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the distant town of Winona Lake.
Grace College graduate students pay an average of $8,054 in tuition and fees each year.
Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Grace College and Theological Seminary Report
The excellent master’s degree programs at Concordia University, Irvine helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best value parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies schools in the United States. Located in the city of Irvine, Concordia University, Irvine is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Concordia University, Irvine are $8,564 a year.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, Concordia University, Irvine also did well on our Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Master’s Degree Schools list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
The excellent master’s degree programs at Concordia University, Nebraska helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best value parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies schools in the United States. Concordia University, Nebraska is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Seward.
Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Concordia University, Nebraska are $8,650 per year.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Concordia University, Nebraska
West Texas A&M University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Master’s Degree Schools ranking. Located in the town of Canyon, West Texas A&M University is a public school with a medium-sized student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at West Texas A&M University are $8,574 per year.
Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at West Texas A&M University Report
With a ranking of #7, Saint Cloud State University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students working on their master’s degree. Located in the small city of Saint Cloud, St. Cloud State University is a public school with a fairly large student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at St. Cloud State University are $13,412 per year.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Saint Cloud State University
Minnesota State University - Mankato came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Master’s Degree Schools ranking. Located in the small city of Mankato, Minnesota State Mankato is a public school with a fairly large student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Minnesota State Mankato are $9,308 per year.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Minnesota State Mankato also is in the top 20% of our Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Master’s Degree Schools ranking.
Northwest Missouri State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #9 on the list. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.
Northwest graduate students pay an average of $7,064 in tuition and fees each year.
Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Northwest Missouri State University Report
With a ranking of #10, Brigham Young University - Provo did quite well on this year’s best value schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students working on their master’s degree. Located in the city of Provo, BYU is a private not-for-profit college with a very large student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at BYU are $7,700 per year.
BYU excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Master’s Degree Schools list.
Minot State University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Master’s Degree Schools list. Located in the remote town of Minot, MSU is a public college with a small student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at MSU are $10,263 per year.
Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Minot State University Report
Concordia University, Chicago came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Master’s Degree Schools ranking. Concordia University, Chicago is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of River Forest.
Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Concordia University, Chicago are $9,378 per year.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Concordia University, Chicago
South Dakota State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Master’s Degree Schools ranking. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State is a public school with a large student population.
South Dakota State graduate students pay an average of $16,917 in tuition and fees each year.
South Dakota State excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Master’s Degree Schools list.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at South Dakota State University
With a ranking of #14, Valparaiso University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students working on their master’s degree. Valpo is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Valparaiso.
Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Valpo are $12,220 per year.
Grand View University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Master’s Degree Schools list. Located in the city of Des Moines, Grand View University is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.
Grand View University graduate students pay an average of $9,440 in tuition and fees each year.
Point Loma Nazarene University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #16 on the list. Located in the large city of San Diego, PLNU is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at PLNU are $11,880 a year.
PLNU also claimed a spot on our Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Master’s Degree Schools list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.
Concordia University, Saint Paul landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value master’s degree parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs. Concordia University, Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul.
Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Concordia University, Saint Paul are $8,550 per year.
Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Concordia University, Saint Paul Report
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Master’s Degree Schools list. Located in the distant town of Slippery Rock, SRU is a public school with a medium-sized student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at SRU are $18,216 a year.
MSU Texas ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Master’s Degree Schools list. Located in the city of Wichita Falls, MSU Texas is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.
MSU Texas graduate students pay an average of $8,056 in tuition and fees each year.
Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at MSU Texas Report
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Master’s Degree Schools ranking. SIUE is a fairly large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville.
SIUE graduate students pay an average of $9,316 in tuition and fees each year.
Illinois State University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Master’s Degree Schools list. Illinois State is a fairly large public school located in the medium-sized suburb of Normal.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Illinois State are $11,773 a year.
Illinois State also claimed a spot on our Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Master’s Degree Schools list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Illinois State University
Mount St Mary’s University landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value master’s degree parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs. The Mount is a small private not-for-profit school located in the fringe town of Emmitsburg.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at The Mount are $13,676 a year.
With a ranking of #23, Concordia University, Wisconsin did quite well on this year’s best value schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students working on their master’s degree. Located in the suburb of Mequon, Concordia University, Wisconsin is a private not-for-profit school with a medium-sized student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Concordia University, Wisconsin are $11,760 per year.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Concordia University, Wisconsin
Missouri Western State University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Master’s Degree Schools ranking. Located in the small city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western is a public school with a small student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Missouri Western are $12,318 per year.
Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Missouri Western State University Report
Lindenwood University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Master’s Degree Schools list. Located in the small city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a private not-for-profit college with a moderately-sized student population.
Lindenwood University graduate students pay an average of $9,784 in tuition and fees each year.
Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Lindenwood University Report
Rest of the Top Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Master's Degree Schools
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 Master's Degree Schools award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 45 | California Baptist University | Riverside, CA |
| 46 | University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR |
| 47 | Southern Nazarene University | Bethany, OK |
| 48 | Liberty University | Lynchburg, VA |
| 48 | Avila University | Kansas City, MO |
| 50 | Ohio University - Athens Campus | Athens, OH |
| 51 | Arkansas State University - Main Campus | Jonesboro, AR |
| 52 | William Penn University | Oskaloosa, IA |
| 52 | North Central College | Naperville, IL |
| 54 | Mississippi College | Clinton, MS |
| 55 | Texas Woman’s University | Denton, TX |
| 56 | Aurora University | Aurora, IL |
| 57 | Johnson & Wales University - Providence | Providence, RI |
| 58 | University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR |
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies by Region
View the Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Master's Degree 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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