2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Tennessee
[Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 30 schools to find the best return on investment for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Tennessee
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
Leading the list is The University Of Tennessee Martin, our #1 best value for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies in Tennessee. The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Martin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,560, while out-of-state students pay about $16,600. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $23,938. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee Martin generally make around $30,587. Set against $23,938 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee Martin admits about 88% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earned it the #2 place for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,448, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga generally make around $29,772. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at Middle Tennessee State University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,509 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $35,950. That is a strong return on a $24,509 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Tennessee Technological University one of the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,376, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,653 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University generally make around $40,255. Set against $15,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,416 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $34,855. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
University Of Memphis ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,500. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $35,610 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
Trevecca Nazarene University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $31,300. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $24,962 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $52,004. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Austin Peay State University earned the #8 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,006, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $37,636 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Austin Peay State University admits about 96% of applicants.
East Tennessee State University came in at #9 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,216 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,726 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,036 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from East Tennessee State University generally make around $34,043. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Tennessee Wesleyan College placed #10 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Tennessee Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,814. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Tennessee Wesleyan College generally make around $58,859. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tennessee Wesleyan College admits about 69% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee placed #11 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $35,175. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Martin Methodist College came in at #12 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the town of Pulaski, Martin Methodist College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,924. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $23,125. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Martin Methodist College generally make around $28,069. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Martin Methodist College admits about 87% of applicants.
Lincoln Memorial University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Lincoln Memorial University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Harrogate. In-state tuition and fees average $26,938. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $19,187 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Lincoln Memorial University generally make around $26,830. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lincoln Memorial University admits about 63% of applicants.
Cumberland University earned the #14 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the town of Lebanon, Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $27,840 in tuition and fees. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $21,902 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $47,696. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cumberland University admits about 67% of applicants.
Bryan College Dayton landed the #15 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Bryan College Dayton is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Dayton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,800. Students borrow a median of $26,077 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Bryan College Dayton generally make around $27,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Carson Newman College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Carson Newman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Jefferson City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,700. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $25,625. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Carson Newman College earn a median of $25,972 early in their careers. Set against $25,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Carson Newman College admits about 90% of applicants.
Freed Hardeman University came in at #17 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the town of Henderson, Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,620. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $24,479. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Freed Hardeman University earn a median of $54,530 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Lee University came in at #18 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,790. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $24,750 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $22,135. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Milligan College placed #19 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the suburb of Milligan, Milligan College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,450. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $23,601 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Milligan College earn a median of $64,327 early in their careers. Set against $23,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Milligan College admits about 72% of applicants.
Bethel University Tennessee came in at #20 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the town of McKenzie, Bethel University Tennessee is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $18,712 in tuition and fees. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $29,677 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Bethel University Tennessee generally make around $31,638. That is a strong return on a $29,677 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
King College placed #21 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. King College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bristol. In-state tuition and fees average $20,397. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $25,579. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of King College earn a median of $49,297 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,579 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Tusculum College placed #22 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Tusculum College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Greeneville. In-state tuition and fees average $29,250. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Tusculum College earn a median of $22,825 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tusculum College admits about 72% of applicants.
Southern Adventist University landed the #23 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Collegedale, Southern Adventist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $27,300. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $25,975 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Southern Adventist University generally make around $61,366. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Lipscomb University placed #24 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,572. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $24,975. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $48,949. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lipscomb University admits about 68% of applicants.
Union University earned the #25 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Jackson, Union University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,398 in tuition and fees. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $28,605 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $68,508. Set against $28,605 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Union University admits about 60% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies:
More Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
