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2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southwest Region
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
South Texas College tops our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $4,500. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $22,699. Set against $4,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pima Community College earned it the #2 place for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $10,655 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $40,977. That is a strong return on a $10,655 median debt.
El Paso Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $21,750. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Texas A And M International University one of the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $19,327 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $24,867. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central New Mexico Community College earned it the #5 place for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
ADBLOCK #101
Southeastern Oklahoma State University landed the #6 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Durant. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $18,660. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Southeastern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $53,961 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,660 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #7 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,110 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $44,258. Set against $15,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Western Texas College landed the #8 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Western Texas College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Snyder. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $6,150. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $8,691. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $68,077. That is a strong return on a $8,691 median debt.
Austin Community College District placed #9 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $14,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Texas College came in at #10 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Central Texas College is a large public school located in the suburb of Killeen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,750, compared with $7,500 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $11,290. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Central Texas College earn a median of $53,086 early in their careers. Set against $11,290 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grayson College earned the #11 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Grayson College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Denison. Students from in state pay about $3,000 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,300. Students borrow a median of $11,627 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Grayson College generally make around $42,487. That is a strong return on a $11,627 median debt.
Tulsa Community College came in at #12 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Tulsa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tulsa. In-state tuition and fees average $3,792, while out-of-state students pay about $9,720. Students borrow a median of $15,789 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Tulsa Community College earn a median of $41,718 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,789 median debt.
Yavapai College earned the #13 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,948, compared with $9,486 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $14,087. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $52,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #14 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $20,500. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $23,701. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Paris Junior College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Paris. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,700, compared with $5,700 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,846 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $38,811. That is a strong return on a $8,846 median debt.
Lee College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,520, compared with $5,045 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $10,941 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Lee College generally make around $53,448. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Houston Victoria earned the #17 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. Students from in state pay about $7,149 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $24,081. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Houston Victoria earn a median of $47,345 early in their careers. Set against $24,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Western New Mexico University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Silver City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,855, compared with $14,341 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,425. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $48,366. Set against $27,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Oklahoma State College came in at #19 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the town of Altus, Western Oklahoma State College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,390, compared with $9,758 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,654 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Western Oklahoma State College earn a median of $39,122 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,654 median debt.
Texas Womans University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $20,167. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $43,770. That is a strong return on a $20,167 median debt. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin landed the #21 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Odessa. Students from in state pay about $9,607 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $20,052. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $60,503 early in their careers. Set against $20,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin admits about 95% of applicants.
Oklahoma Panhandle State University placed #22 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Oklahoma Panhandle State University is a small public school located in the rural area of Goodwell. In-state tuition and fees average $8,092, while out-of-state students pay about $8,675. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $24,249. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Oklahoma Panhandle State University generally make around $53,151. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Angelina College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Angelina College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Lufkin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,430, while out-of-state students pay about $6,490. Students borrow a median of $7,828 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Angelina College earn a median of $50,767 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #24 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $21,049. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $23,010. Set against $21,049 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
University Of Houston Clear Lake placed #25 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,346 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,290. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $35,107. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value ranking:
Narrow Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools by State
[Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies education at a price that pays off.
