[Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/parks-recreation-leisure-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 152 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools.
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Finding the Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies School for You
The parks, recreation & leisure studies program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Leading the list is Cuny Kingsborough Community College, our #1 best value for parks, recreation & leisure studies in the United States. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,252, compared with $8,132 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $7,858. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Cuny Kingsborough Community College earn a median of $35,562 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fresno earned it the #2 place for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $14,061. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $32,697. Set against $14,061 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
South Georgia Technical College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Americus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,992, compared with $7,202 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $10,423. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of South Georgia Technical College earn a median of $40,497 early in their careers. Set against $10,423 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Allan Hancock College earned it the #4 place for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Set in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $9,892 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,786 ten years out.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation & leisure studies will find it at California State University Long Beach, which ranked #5. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $14,500. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $35,532 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento came in at #6 for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $20,024. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $40,338 early in their careers. Set against $20,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University East Bay earned the #7 position for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,583, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $20,306 in student loans. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $43,700 early in their careers. Set against $20,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
San Jose State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #9 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies value this year. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $31,561. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College placed #10 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Set in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,250, compared with $7,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $11,653. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earn a median of $34,214 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,653 median debt.
Arizona State University came in at #11 for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $22,396 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Southern Utah University placed #12 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $12,886 in student loans. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $44,998 early in their careers. Set against $12,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Brigham Young University Provo ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $47,596. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Shepherd University came in at #14 for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Set in the rural area of Shepherdstown, Shepherd University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,056, while out-of-state students pay about $19,082. Students borrow a median of $24,950 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Shepherd University generally make around $34,287. That is a strong return on a $24,950 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
California State University Chico ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,472, with out-of-state students paying around $21,072. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $18,179. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of California State University Chico earn a median of $33,920 early in their careers. Set against $18,179 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Utah earned the #16 position for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $22,982 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $37,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #17 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $23,447. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $41,234. Set against $23,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Northern Iowa earned the #18 position for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $23,907 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $37,233. That is a strong return on a $23,907 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $16,369 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $39,157. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington earned the #20 position for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $39,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Northwest Missouri State University landed the #21 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies value this year. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,611, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $25,250. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of $42,389 early in their careers. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Northern Arizona University came in at #22 for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $31,672. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
San Diego State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $14,999. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $33,692. Set against $14,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #24 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies value this year. 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, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $21,313 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $37,393. That is a strong return on a $21,313 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Emporia State University placed #25 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. 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. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $23,131. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Emporia State University earn a median of $46,440 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,131 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 48 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in parks, recreation & leisure studies:
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 · 152 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 50 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).
[Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/parks-recreation-leisure-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
