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

[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.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for parks, recreation & leisure studies students.

What’s on this page:

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

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

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

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

$12,223 In-State Tuition & Fees

$22,396 Avg Student Debt

$62,668 Median Earnings (10yr)

Our analysis ranked Arizona State University the best value for a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies in Arizona. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $22,396. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $43,149. That is a strong return on a $22,396 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

2

Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ

$12,619 In-State Tuition & Fees

$21,500 Avg Student Debt

$54,384 Median Earnings (10yr)

Northern Arizona University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

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 · 4 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.