2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in District of Columbia
[Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in District of Columbia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools
George Washington University earned the #1 spot for value among parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools in District of Columbia. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,710. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $22,910 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $73,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 47%.
Gallaudet University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Washington, Gallaudet University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,654. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $24,123. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Gallaudet University earn a median of $38,090 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Georgetown University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Students from in state pay about $68,089 in tuition and fees. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $16,483 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $54,668. Set against $16,483 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 13%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at American University earned it the #4 place for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. American University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. In-state tuition and fees average $58,771. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $24,139 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of American University earn a median of $58,019 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,139 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.
A rank of #5 makes Howard University one of the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the city of Washington, Howard University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,810. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Howard University earn a median of $30,733 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 5 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.
