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2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in Alabama

[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.

College Factual analyzed 2 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools.

What’s on this page:

• Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in Alabama

2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in Alabama

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

1

Jacksonville State University
Jacksonville, AL

$12,894 In-State Tuition & Fees

$21,500 Avg Student Debt

$45,235 Median Earnings (10yr)

Leading the list is Jacksonville State University, our #1 best value for parks, recreation & leisure studies in Alabama. Jacksonville State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $12,894, while out-of-state students pay about $23,334. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $21,500. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $31,303. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of South Alabama
Mobile, AL

$10,116 In-State Tuition & Fees

$26,750 Avg Student Debt

$49,379 Median Earnings (10yr)

A rank of #2 makes University Of South Alabama one of the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Set in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,116, with out-of-state students paying around $19,092. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of University Of South Alabama earn a median of $33,557 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. University Of South Alabama admits about 71% of applicants.

View All Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 2 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.