2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Kentucky
[Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 22 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools.
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2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Kentucky
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked Northern Kentucky University the best value for a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies in Kentucky. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $42,725. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Berea College earned it the #2 place for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Berea College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berea. Students from in state pay about $51,658 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $5,801 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $31,428. Set against $5,801 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Berea College admits about 19% of applicants.
Kentucky State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Kentucky State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Frankfort. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,387, while out-of-state students pay about $13,578. Students borrow a median of $29,774 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Kentucky State University generally make around $28,497. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern Kentucky University earned it the #4 place for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $26,723. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $33,599. That is a strong return on a $26,723 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Morehead State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Morehead. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,024, with out-of-state students paying around $14,980. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $25,946 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Morehead State University generally make around $30,696. That is a strong return on a $25,946 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Western Kentucky University landed the #6 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $24,874. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $27,015. Set against $24,874 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of The Cumberlands earned the #7 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,875. Students borrow a median of $22,630 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of The Cumberlands generally make around $31,401. That is a strong return on a $22,630 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Georgetown College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the town of Georgetown, Georgetown College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,840. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $37,620. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Kentucky earned the #9 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $24,094 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $43,994. Set against $24,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Louisville earned the #10 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. University Of Louisville is a very large public school located in the city of Louisville. In-state tuition and fees average $13,136, with out-of-state students paying around $29,482. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $22,053 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Louisville generally make around $36,995. Set against $22,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Campbellsville University came in at #11 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Campbellsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,998. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Campbellsville University generally make around $43,474. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Thomas More College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Thomas More College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Crestview Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,025. Students borrow a median of $31,608 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Thomas More College generally make around $57,440. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Asbury University landed the #13 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Asbury University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Wilmore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,640. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $26,250. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $50,086. That is a strong return on a $26,250 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Transylvania University came in at #14 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Lexington, Transylvania University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,870. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $45,208. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Bellarmine University placed #15 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Bellarmine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Louisville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,770. Students borrow a median of $25,944 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Bellarmine University earn a median of $30,236 early in their careers. Set against $25,944 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Midway College landed the #16 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Midway, Midway College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $19,110 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,125 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $42,586. That is a strong return on a $23,125 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Union College Kentucky earned the #17 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the town of Barbourville, Union College Kentucky is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $30,946. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,852. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Union College Kentucky earn a median of $54,587 early in their careers. Set against $27,852 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Union College Kentucky admits about 63% of applicants.
Kentucky Wesleyan College earned the #18 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Owensboro, Kentucky Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,673. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Kentucky Wesleyan College earn a median of $32,568 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 22 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.
