[Outdoor Education](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/outdoor-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 55 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for outdoor education students.
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Finding the Best Value Outdoor Education School for You
The right outdoor education school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Outdoor Education Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Outdoor Education Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Leading the list is Greenfield Community College, our #1 best value for outdoor education in the United States. Located in the town of Greenfield, Greenfield Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,810, while out-of-state students pay about $11,930. Typical student debt for outdoor education graduates is $12,269. Early-career outdoor education graduates make about $58,356. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College one of the best values for outdoor education. Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hibbing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,022. Outdoor Education graduates carry a median of $17,029 in student loans. Early-career outdoor education graduates make about $44,387. That is a strong return on a $17,029 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Adirondack Community College one of the best values for outdoor education. Set in the suburb of Queensbury, Adirondack Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,844 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,616. Students borrow a median of $12,358 to complete the outdoor education program here. Early-career outdoor education graduates make about $31,590. Set against $12,358 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Carolina University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value outdoor education schools. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,630, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Outdoor Education graduates carry a median of $24,174 in student loans. Soon after graduation, outdoor education degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $44,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Salisbury University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in outdoor education, landing the #5 spot this year. Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salisbury. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,084, with out-of-state students paying around $22,174. Typical student debt for outdoor education graduates is $23,545. Outdoor Education graduates of Salisbury University earn a median of $45,476 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Salisbury University admits about 88% of applicants.
Central Michigan University landed the #6 spot for outdoor education value this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Typical student debt for outdoor education graduates is $27,857. Early-career outdoor education graduates make about $50,688. That is a strong return on a $27,857 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Fort Lewis College landed the #7 spot for outdoor education value this year. Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Durango. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,958, with out-of-state students paying around $21,526. Students borrow a median of $18,888 to complete the outdoor education program here. Early-career outdoor education graduates make about $25,514. Set against $18,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fort Lewis College admits about 77% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Mankato placed #8 among the best values for outdoor education. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,260 to complete the outdoor education program here. Early-career outdoor education graduates make about $53,088. Set against $25,260 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
Vermont Technical College came in at #9 for value in outdoor education this year. Vermont Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Randolph. In-state tuition and fees average $11,952, with out-of-state students paying around $22,296. Typical student debt for outdoor education graduates is $24,208. Outdoor Education graduates of Vermont Technical College earn a median of $41,822 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,208 median debt. Vermont Technical College admits about 82% of applicants.
Prescott College came in at #10 for value in outdoor education this year. Prescott College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Prescott. In-state tuition and fees average $34,490. Students borrow a median of $27,230 to complete the outdoor education program here. Soon after graduation, outdoor education degree recipients from Prescott College generally make around $42,966. Set against $27,230 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Warren Wilson College placed #11 among the best values for outdoor education. Warren Wilson College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Swannanoa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,500. Median earnings reach $36,260 ten years out. Warren Wilson College admits about 71% of applicants.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 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 · 55 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked 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 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).
[Outdoor Education](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/outdoor-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
