2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in Alabama
[Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/parks-recreation-leisure-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
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:
2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in Alabama
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
Jacksonville State University earned the #1 spot for value among parks, recreation & leisure studies schools in Alabama. 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, compared with $23,334 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $31,303. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Jacksonville State University admits about 78% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation & leisure studies will find it at University Of South Alabama, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,116, with out-of-state students paying around $19,092. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from University Of South Alabama generally make around $33,557. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Alabama admits about 71% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 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.
