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

[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 3 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 Kansas

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

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

Emporia State University
Emporia, KS

$7,106 In-State Tuition & Fees

$23,131 Avg Student Debt

$47,601 Median Earnings (10yr)

Emporia State University earned the #1 spot for value among parks, recreation & leisure studies schools in Kansas. Located in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,106 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,419. Students borrow a median of $23,131 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $46,440. That is a strong return on a $23,131 median debt. Emporia State University admits about 98% of applicants.

2

Pittsburg State University
Pittsburg, KS

$8,400 In-State Tuition & Fees

$19,661 Avg Student Debt

$50,579 Median Earnings (10yr)

Pittsburg State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Set in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400, while out-of-state students pay about $19,744. Students borrow a median of $19,661 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $35,587. Set against $19,661 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.

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 · 3 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.