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

1

Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, AR

Arkansas Tech University tops our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools in Arkansas. Arkansas Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Russellville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,674, while out-of-state students pay about $14,668. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $23,726. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Arkansas Tech University generally make around $35,073. Set against $23,726 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

2

Arkansas State University Main Campus
Jonesboro, AR

Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at Arkansas State University Main Campus, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,090, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $26,000. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Arkansas State University Main Campus earn a median of $43,319 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.

3

University Of Arkansas At Monticello
Monticello, AR

A rank of #3 makes University Of Arkansas At Monticello one of the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. University Of Arkansas At Monticello is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Monticello. Students from in state pay about $9,292 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,857 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Arkansas At Monticello earn a median of $29,213 early in their careers. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Williams Baptist College
Walnut Ridge, AR

Williams Baptist College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Walnut Ridge, Williams Baptist College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,070. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $18,933 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $31,309. That is a strong return on a $18,933 median debt. Williams Baptist College admits about 83% of applicants.

5

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
Magnolia, AR

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus earned it the #5 place for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Magnolia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,960, with out-of-state students paying around $15,690. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $20,169 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $38,612. Set against $20,169 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.

6

University Of Central Arkansas
Conway, AR

University Of Central Arkansas ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Conway, University Of Central Arkansas is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,523, with out-of-state students paying around $18,023. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Central Arkansas generally make around $38,372. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

7

Central Baptist College
Conway, AR

Central Baptist College earned the #7 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Conway, Central Baptist College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,330. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $46,694. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Central Baptist College earn a median of $44,780 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $46,694 median debt. Central Baptist College admits about 64% of applicants.

8

Henderson State University
Arkadelphia, AR

Henderson State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Henderson State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Arkadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,244, while out-of-state students pay about $10,620. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Henderson State University earn a median of $37,992 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt.

9

University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

University Of Arkansas earned the #9 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,966. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $24,516. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $36,080. Set against $24,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

10

Harding University
Searcy, AR

Harding University placed #10 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the town of Searcy, Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $25,962 in tuition and fees. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,054 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Harding University earn a median of $29,178 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,054 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

11

John Brown University
Siloam Springs, AR

John Brown University earned the #11 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the town of Siloam Springs, John Brown University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,756. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $25,216 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from John Brown University generally make around $50,420. That is a strong return on a $25,216 median debt. John Brown University admits about 76% of applicants.

12

Ouachita Baptist University
Arkadelphia, AR

Ouachita Baptist University earned the #12 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Ouachita Baptist University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Arkadelphia. Students from in state pay about $34,500 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,672 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Ouachita Baptist University generally make around $31,385. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ouachita Baptist University admits about 68% of applicants.

13

Lyon College
Batesville, AR

Lyon College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the town of Batesville, Lyon College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $31,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,232. Lyon College admits about 63% of applicants.