2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools
[Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/parks-recreation-leisure-studies/parks-recreation-and-leisure-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong parks, recreation & leisure studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 152 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools.
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Finding the Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies School for You
Where you study parks, recreation & leisure studies affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Read more about our methodology
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
See how we build our rankings
2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in parks, recreation & leisure studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools
Cuny Kingsborough Community College earned the #1 spot for value among parks, recreation & leisure studies schools in the United States. Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,252, while out-of-state students pay about $8,132. Students borrow a median of $7,858 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Cuny Kingsborough Community College generally make around $35,562. Set against $7,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Fresno one of the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $14,061. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $32,697. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
A rank of #3 makes South Georgia Technical College one of the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Located in the town of Americus, South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,992 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,202 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $10,423 in student loans. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of South Georgia Technical College earn a median of $40,497 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,423 median debt.
Allan Hancock College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,892. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,786.
California State University Long Beach came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $14,500. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $35,532. That is a strong return on a $14,500 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento earned the #6 position for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $20,024 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $40,338. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University East Bay landed the #7 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies value this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,583, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $20,306 in student loans. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $43,700 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,306 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University came in at #8 for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $26,000. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $31,561 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College landed the #10 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,850. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $11,653. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $34,214. Set against $11,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arizona State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $22,396. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $43,149. That is a strong return on a $22,396 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Southern Utah University came in at #12 for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,962, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,886 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $44,998. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Brigham Young University Provo ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $47,596. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
Shepherd University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Set in the rural area of Shepherdstown, Shepherd University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,056, compared with $19,082 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,950 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $34,287. That is a strong return on a $24,950 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Chico landed the #15 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies value this year. Located in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,472 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,072 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $18,179 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from California State University Chico generally make around $33,920. That is a strong return on a $18,179 median debt. California State University Chico admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Utah earned the #16 position for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $22,982. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $37,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $23,447 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $41,234. That is a strong return on a $23,447 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Iowa placed #18 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $23,907 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $37,233. That is a strong return on a $23,907 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #19 for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $16,369 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $39,157. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 31%.
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $39,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest Missouri State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,611, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $25,250. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $42,389. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Arizona University came in at #22 for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $31,672. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
San Diego State University earned the #23 position for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $14,999 in student loans. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $33,692 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus placed #24 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $21,313. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $37,393. Set against $21,313 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Emporia State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Located in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,106 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,419 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $23,131 in student loans. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Emporia State University earn a median of $46,440 early in their careers. Set against $23,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 48 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 152 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 50 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
