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

[Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/parks-recreation-leisure-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in Colorado
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
Western State College Of Colorado earned the #1 spot for value among parks, recreation & leisure studies schools in Colorado. Set in the town of Gunnison, Western State College Of Colorado is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,318 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,434. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $19,507 in student loans. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Western State College Of Colorado earn a median of $25,903 early in their careers. Set against $19,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western State College Of Colorado admits about 100% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 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.