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2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools
For return on investment in parks, recreation & leisure studies, no school beat California State University Fresno this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $14,061 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Long Beach one of the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $14,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $35,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation & leisure studies will find it at California State University Sacramento, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $20,024. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $40,338. That is a strong return on a $20,024 median debt. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation & leisure studies will find it at California State University East Bay, which ranked #4. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. In-state tuition and fees average $7,583, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $20,306. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $43,700 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes San Jose State University one of the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
ADBLOCK #101
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $31,561. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
Arizona State University came in at #7 for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,396 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $43,149. Set against $22,396 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Southern Utah University earned the #8 position 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. Students from in state pay about $6,962 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $12,886. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $44,998. Set against $12,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Brigham Young University Provo placed #9 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $12,000. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $47,596 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Shepherd University landed the #10 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies value this year. 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. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Shepherd University earn a median of $34,287 early in their careers. Set against $24,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
California State University Chico placed #11 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,472, compared with $21,072 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,179 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $33,920. Set against $18,179 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Chico admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Utah came in at #12 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $22,982. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $37,009 early in their careers. Set against $22,982 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #13 position for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. 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, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,447 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $34,742. Set against $23,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest Missouri State University placed #14 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. Students from in state pay about $10,611 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $25,250. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $42,389. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Northern Iowa earned the #15 position for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $23,907. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $37,233. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned the #16 position 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,161, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $16,369 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $39,157. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #17 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies value this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $35,429. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Northern Arizona University placed #18 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $31,672. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
San Diego State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $14,999. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $33,692. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #20 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies value this year. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Students borrow a median of $21,313 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $37,393. That is a strong return on a $21,313 median debt. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
Emporia State University placed #21 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Emporia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,106, compared with $15,419 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,131 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Emporia State University generally make around $46,440. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Jacksonville State University placed #22 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Located in the suburb of Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,894, compared with $23,334 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $21,500. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Jacksonville State University earn a median of $31,303 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Jacksonville State University admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney placed #23 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Located in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,564 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,484. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $23,500. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of University Of Nebraska At Kearney earn a median of $28,241 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University earned the #24 position for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $19,587. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $34,751. Set against $19,587 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Southern University landed the #25 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies value this year. Set in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,022 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,734 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $24,936 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $31,086. That is a strong return on a $24,936 median debt. Georgia Southern University admits about 88% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 42 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year:
Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies rankings across degree levels:
[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.
