2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Washington

1

Bellevue College
Bellevue, WA

Our analysis ranked Bellevue College the best value for a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies in Washington. Bellevue College is a large public school located in the city of Bellevue. Students from in state pay about $4,436 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,502. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $18,839. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Bellevue College generally make around $67,771. Set against $18,839 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom
Lakewood, WA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom earned it the #2 place for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom is a large public school located in the city of Lakewood. In-state tuition and fees average $5,418, while out-of-state students pay about $5,976. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $17,154 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom earn a median of $39,975 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,154 median debt.

3

Green River Community College
Auburn, WA

Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at Green River Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Auburn, Green River Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,711, while out-of-state students pay about $5,263. Median earnings reach $50,712 ten years out.

4

Eastern Washington University
Cheney, WA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern Washington University earned it the #4 place for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,586, compared with $26,583 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,384 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $47,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.

5

Washington State University
Pullman, WA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Washington State University earned it the #5 place for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,391 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $20,981. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $30,815. That is a strong return on a $20,981 median debt. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants.

6

Central Washington University
Ellensburg, WA

Central Washington University landed the #6 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Central Washington University is a very large public school located in the town of Ellensburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,417, with out-of-state students paying around $27,526. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $18,945. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Central Washington University earn a median of $48,410 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.

7

Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA

Western Washington University came in at #7 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,582, while out-of-state students pay about $28,707. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $19,444. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Western Washington University earn a median of $29,238 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Washington University admits about 93% of applicants.

8

Pacific Lutheran University
Tacoma, WA

Pacific Lutheran University landed the #8 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $50,916. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $25,536. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $33,449. Set against $25,536 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pacific Lutheran University admits about 78% of applicants.

9

Saint Martins University
Lacey, WA

Saint Martins University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Lacey, Saint Martins University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $45,510 in tuition and fees. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $22,818 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Saint Martins University earn a median of $60,864 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,818 median debt. Saint Martins University admits about 90% of applicants.

10

Walla Walla University
College Place, WA

Walla Walla University earned the #10 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the suburb of College Place, Walla Walla University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,227. Students borrow a median of $27,635 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Walla Walla University generally make around $56,616. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

Whitworth University
Spokane, WA

Whitworth University earned the #11 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Whitworth University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Spokane. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,880. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $25,000. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $47,998. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

12

Gonzaga University
Spokane, WA

Gonzaga University came in at #12 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Spokane, Gonzaga University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $55,480. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $25,188 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $40,897. Set against $25,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.

13

University Of Puget Sound
Tacoma, WA

University Of Puget Sound ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. University Of Puget Sound is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tacoma. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,898. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $21,646 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $22,260. That is a strong return on a $21,646 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.