2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for parks, recreation & leisure studies students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
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
Leading the list is Southern Utah University, our #1 best value for parks, recreation & leisure studies in the Rocky Mountains Region. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $12,886 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $44,998. That is a strong return on a $12,886 median debt. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Utah is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $22,982 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Provo came in at #3 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $47,596 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Western State College Of Colorado is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Gunnison, Western State College Of Colorado is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,318, with out-of-state students paying around $24,434. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $19,507. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $25,903. That is a strong return on a $19,507 median debt. Western State College Of Colorado admits about 100% of applicants.
Narrow Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools by State
More Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Rankings
View All Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 10 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
