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

1

Holmes Community College
Goodman, MS

Leading the list is Holmes Community College, our #1 best value for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies in Mississippi. Located in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,710, while out-of-state students pay about $6,610. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $13,191 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Holmes Community College earn a median of $32,145 early in their careers. Set against $13,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
Perkinston, MS

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Perkinston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,850. Students borrow a median of $11,653 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earn a median of $34,214 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Northwest Mississippi Community College
Senatobia, MS

Northwest Mississippi Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Northwest Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Senatobia. Students from in state pay about $3,740 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $9,990. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $35,001. Set against $9,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

University Of Mississippi Main Campus
University, MS

Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at University Of Mississippi Main Campus, which ranked #4. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $22,870 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $23,029. That is a strong return on a $22,870 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

5

Mississippi University For Women
Columbus, MS

Mississippi University For Women is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Columbus, Mississippi University For Women is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,492 in tuition and fees. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $20,825 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $42,756. That is a strong return on a $20,825 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

6

Mississippi Valley State University
Itta Bena, MS

Mississippi Valley State University earned the #6 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the rural area of Itta Bena, Mississippi Valley State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,692 in tuition and fees. Median earnings reach $31,919 ten years out. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, MS

University Of Southern Mississippi landed the #7 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,998, with out-of-state students paying around $11,998. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $23,924 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $41,034. Set against $23,924 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern Mississippi admits about 99% of applicants.

8

Alcorn State University
Alcorn State, MS

Alcorn State University earned the #8 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the rural area of Alcorn State, Alcorn State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,785. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Alcorn State University earn a median of $37,028 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.

9

Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS

Mississippi State University landed the #9 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,202, while out-of-state students pay about $27,637. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $34,181. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.

10

Tougaloo College
Tougaloo, MS

Tougaloo College placed #10 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the city of Tougaloo, Tougaloo College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,407. Students borrow a median of $42,875 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.

11

Blue Mountain College
Blue Mountain, MS

Blue Mountain College landed the #11 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Blue Mountain, Blue Mountain College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,180. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $22,542. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Blue Mountain College earn a median of $36,823 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Blue Mountain College admits about 89% of applicants.

12

Jackson State University
Jackson, MS

Jackson State University came in at #12 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Jackson State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jackson. Students from in state pay about $8,965 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,965. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $32,944 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $36,104. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

13

Mississippi College
Clinton, MS

Mississippi College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the suburb of Clinton, Mississippi College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,500. Students borrow a median of $24,625 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Mississippi College earn a median of $30,193 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 29%.

14

Belhaven University
Jackson, MS

Belhaven University earned the #14 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Jackson, Belhaven University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,250. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $38,338. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.