2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno earned the #1 spot for value among parks, recreation & leisure studies schools in the United States. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $14,061 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $32,697. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.

2

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. 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. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $35,532. That is a strong return on a $14,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.

3

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $20,024 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 94%.

4

California State University East Bay
Hayward, CA

California State University East Bay came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,583, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Students borrow a median of $20,306 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. 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. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.

5

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

A rank of #5 makes San Jose State University one of the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 85%.

6

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #6 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies value this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $31,561. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

7

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University earned the #7 position for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $22,396 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $43,149. That is a strong return on a $22,396 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.

8

Southern Utah University
Cedar City, UT

Southern Utah University placed #8 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,962 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $12,886 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $44,998. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.

9

Brigham Young University Provo
Provo, UT

Brigham Young University Provo came in at #9 for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $47,596 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

10

Shepherd University
Shepherdstown, WV

Shepherd University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Located in the rural area of Shepherdstown, Shepherd University is a mid-sized public university. 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. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $34,287. That is a strong return on a $24,950 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.

11

California State University Chico
Chico, CA

California State University Chico placed #11 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. California State University Chico is a large public school located in the city of Chico. In-state tuition and fees average $8,472, while out-of-state students pay about $21,072. Students borrow a median of $18,179 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from California State University Chico generally make around $33,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Chico admits about 93% of applicants.

12

University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah placed #12 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,982 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $37,009. That is a strong return on a $22,982 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $23,447 in student loans. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $34,742 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

14

Northwest Missouri State University
Maryville, MO

Northwest Missouri State University placed #14 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,611 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $42,389. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

15

University Of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA

University Of Northern Iowa came in at #15 for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $23,907. 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.

16

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #16 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $39,157 early in their careers. Set against $16,369 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.

17

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington came in at #17 for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $35,429. Set against $19,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

18

Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ

Northern Arizona University placed #18 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. 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. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $31,672. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

19

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University came in at #19 for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,999 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. 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.

20

Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Stillwater, OK

Oklahoma State University Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $21,313 in student loans. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $37,393 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.

21

Emporia State University
Emporia, KS

Emporia State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Set in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,106, compared with $15,419 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $23,131 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $46,440. That is a strong return on a $23,131 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

22

Jacksonville State University
Jacksonville, AL

Jacksonville State University landed the #22 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,894 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,334. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $21,500. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Jacksonville State University earn a median of $31,303 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Jacksonville State University admits about 78% of applicants.

23

University Of Nebraska At Kearney
Kearney, NE

University Of Nebraska At Kearney came in at #23 for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Located in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,564, while out-of-state students pay about $16,484. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $23,500. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of University Of Nebraska At Kearney earn a median of $28,241 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

24

East Carolina University
Greenville, NC

East Carolina University placed #24 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $19,587. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $34,751. That is a strong return on a $19,587 median debt. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.

25

Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, GA

Georgia Southern University came in at #25 for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Set in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,022, while out-of-state students pay about $17,734. Students borrow a median of $24,936 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Georgia Southern University earn a median of $31,086 early in their careers. Set against $24,936 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.