2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 179 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 the The Plains States Region
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 Northeast Community College the best value for a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies in the The Plains States Region. Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Norfolk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $5,130. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $11,937 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $40,568. Set against $11,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Ozarks came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Point Lookout. Students from in state pay about $22,360 in tuition and fees. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from College Of The Ozarks generally make around $37,944. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Kirkwood Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,176, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $15,779. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Kirkwood Community College earn a median of $41,681 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Truman State University earned it the #4 place for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,838, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $26,865 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College earned it the #5 place for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,022. Students borrow a median of $17,029 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College earn a median of $44,387 early in their careers. Set against $17,029 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Des Moines Area Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,790, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $14,956 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $43,121. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Missouri St Louis earned the #7 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $25,943 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $53,079 early in their careers. Set against $25,943 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha placed #8 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $25,661. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $42,812. Set against $25,661 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.
Missouri Southern State University placed #9 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,600 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $24,947 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Missouri Southern State University earn a median of $34,465 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,947 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Minot State University placed #10 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Minot State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Minot. Students from in state pay about $8,702 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $25,788. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $50,645. That is a strong return on a $25,788 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Peru State College placed #11 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Peru State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Peru. In-state tuition and fees average $8,433. Students borrow a median of $26,254 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $40,993. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Barton County Community College came in at #12 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the rural area of Great Bend, Barton County Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,680, while out-of-state students pay about $4,960. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $14,792 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Barton County Community College generally make around $44,536. That is a strong return on a $14,792 median debt.
Alexandria Technical And Community College earned the #13 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the town of Alexandria, Alexandria Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,236. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $14,054 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Alexandria Technical And Community College earn a median of $45,368 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Missouri Western State University came in at #14 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,545 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,455 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $24,815 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Missouri Western State University earn a median of $36,557 early in their careers. Set against $24,815 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wichita State University landed the #15 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $34,774. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Northern Iowa earned the #16 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,538 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $37,946. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Central Christian College Of Kansas earned the #17 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the town of McPherson, Central Christian College Of Kansas is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,000. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $25,295. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Central Christian College Of Kansas earn a median of $49,979 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,295 median debt. The acceptance rate is 53%.
College Of Saint Mary earned the #18 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. College Of Saint Mary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Omaha. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $24,510. Students borrow a median of $25,539 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of College Of Saint Mary earn a median of $66,015 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Southeast Missouri State University earned the #19 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,903. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $22,572 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $34,638. That is a strong return on a $22,572 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Washburn University landed the #20 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Washburn University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Topeka. In-state tuition and fees average $9,945, with out-of-state students paying around $20,949. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $27,717 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $25,679. That is a strong return on a $27,717 median debt.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,064 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $36,050 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,064 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
North Dakota State University Main Campus placed #22 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $36,646. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest Missouri State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,611, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,103 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $43,467. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kansas came in at #24 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $22,125 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $33,891 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Dickinson State University earned the #25 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the town of Dickinson, Dickinson State University is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,118. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,266. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Dickinson State University generally make around $51,049. That is a strong return on a $27,266 median debt. Dickinson State University admits about 37% of applicants.
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:
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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 · 179 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 65 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.
