[Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/) 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 1489 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools.
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Finding the Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies School for You
The parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies in the United States. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,707 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $44,798. That is a strong return on a $19,707 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Moorpark College one of the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at South Texas College, which ranked #3. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Students borrow a median of $4,500 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $22,699. Set against $4,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $5,252 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,132 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $7,858 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Cuny Kingsborough Community College generally make around $35,562. Set against $7,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $13,629 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $50,584. That is a strong return on a $13,629 median debt. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Pima Community College placed #6 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $10,655 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $40,977. Set against $10,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shasta College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Shasta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redding. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,197, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $12,275 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Shasta College earn a median of $50,330 early in their careers. Set against $12,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College earned the #8 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
San Diego Miramar College landed the #9 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $8,098. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Los Angeles earned the #10 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $13,750. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $28,687 early in their careers. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Skyline College came in at #11 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
Citrus College placed #12 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Citrus College is a large public school located in the suburb of Glendora. In-state tuition and fees average $1,204, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,065 ten years after entry.
College Of The Canyons earned the #13 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Florida Online landed the #14 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,876 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $19,982. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $39,717. That is a strong return on a $19,982 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Oxnard College landed the #15 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
Fresno City College earned the #16 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
San Diego Mesa College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $29,852. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.
De Anza College placed #18 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,571, compared with $12,596 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,271 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,596. Set against $7,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of San Mateo came in at #19 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
California State University Fullerton ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,481 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $28,342 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Saddleback College came in at #21 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cerritos College came in at #22 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University San Bernardino ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $29,143. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Dominguez Hills ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $17,318 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $25,349. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #25 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value ranking:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 1489 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 517 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 & Fitness Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
