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

[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.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 2 schools to find the best return on investment for parks, recreation & leisure studies students.

What’s on this page:

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

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

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

1

University Of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA

$9,936 In-State Tuition & Fees

$23,907 Avg Student Debt

$55,177 Median Earnings (10yr)

University Of Northern Iowa tops our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools in Iowa. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Students borrow a median of $23,907 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $37,233 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.

2

University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

$11,283 In-State Tuition & Fees

$25,691 Avg Student Debt

$64,762 Median Earnings (10yr)

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Iowa earned it the #2 place for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Students borrow a median of $25,691 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $37,103. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.

View All Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, 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.