2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/parks-recreation-leisure-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong parks, recreation & leisure studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 18 schools to find the best return on investment for parks, recreation & leisure studies students.
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2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in parks, recreation & leisure studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools
Leading the list is University Of Northern Iowa, our #1 best value for parks, recreation & leisure studies in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. 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. Set against $23,907 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
A rank of #2 makes Northwest Missouri State University one of the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,611, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation & leisure studies will find it at Emporia State University, which ranked #3. Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Emporia. In-state tuition and fees average $7,106, while out-of-state students pay about $15,419. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $23,131. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $46,440. Set against $23,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Emporia State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation & leisure studies will find it at University Of Nebraska At Kearney, which ranked #4. University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kearney. In-state tuition and fees average $8,564, with out-of-state students paying around $16,484. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of University Of Nebraska At Kearney earn a median of $28,241 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,457 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $28,345 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,457 median debt. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
Winona State University came in at #6 for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Set in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,576, while out-of-state students pay about $17,308. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $21,148 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $35,062. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Winona State University admits about 76% of applicants.
Pittsburg State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pittsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400, while out-of-state students pay about $19,744. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $19,661. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Pittsburg State University generally make around $35,587. That is a strong return on a $19,661 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #8 position for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $38,725. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Iowa landed the #9 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies value this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Students borrow a median of $25,691 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $37,103 early in their careers. Set against $25,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
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Notes and References
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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
