2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Southwest 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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find the best return on investment for parks, recreation & leisure studies students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Southwest Region
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
Arizona State University tops our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools in the Southwest Region. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $22,396 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $43,149. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Northern Arizona University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $31,672 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oklahoma State University Main Campus earned it the #3 place for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, 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. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $37,393. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Texas A And M University College Station is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $20,031. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $64,891 early in their careers. Set against $20,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
