2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Iowa
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 36 schools to find the best return on investment for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students.
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2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Iowa
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
For return on investment in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, no school beat Kirkwood Community College this year. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,176, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Students borrow a median of $15,779 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $41,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at Des Moines Area Community College, which ranked #2. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. In-state tuition and fees average $5,790, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Students borrow a median of $14,956 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $43,121 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Students borrow a median of $22,538 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $37,946 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Iowa State University earned it the #4 place for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,425 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $36,492. Set against $25,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Buena Vista University one of the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Storm Lake. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,798. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Buena Vista University generally make around $38,356. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa came in at #6 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $23,863. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $32,739. Set against $23,863 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
Coe College landed the #7 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Coe College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $54,666. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Coe College earn a median of $44,511 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Clarke University landed the #8 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the city of Dubuque, Clarke University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $40,910 in tuition and fees. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,974 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $31,013. That is a strong return on a $26,974 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Loras College came in at #9 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Dubuque, Loras College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,824 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $31,493. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Grand View University landed the #10 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the city of Des Moines, Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,762 in tuition and fees. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,921 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Grand View University earn a median of $43,236 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,921 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Briar Cliff University came in at #11 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Briar Cliff University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sioux City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,642. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Briar Cliff University earn a median of $61,105 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Waldorf College placed #12 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Waldorf College is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the rural area of Forest City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,978. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $24,622 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Waldorf College earn a median of $63,346 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Simpson College earned the #13 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the town of Indianola, Simpson College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,656. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $38,158. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
William Penn University came in at #14 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. William Penn University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Oskaloosa. Students from in state pay about $29,750 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $30,314. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. William Penn University admits about 52% of applicants.
Wartburg College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the town of Waverly, Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,250. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $26,793. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $46,918. That is a strong return on a $26,793 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Ambrose University came in at #16 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,658. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Saint Ambrose University generally make around $26,608. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Upper Iowa University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Fayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,475. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $25,641. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Upper Iowa University generally make around $35,361. Set against $25,641 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Dubuque landed the #18 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the city of Dubuque, University Of Dubuque is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,095. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $27,560 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $37,528. That is a strong return on a $27,560 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern College Iowa came in at #19 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the town of Orange City, Northwestern College Iowa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $36,710. Students borrow a median of $25,415 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Northwestern College Iowa earn a median of $54,845 early in their careers. Set against $25,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Cornell College came in at #20 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Cornell College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Mount Vernon. In-state tuition and fees average $52,660. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Cornell College generally make around $35,439. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Dordt College came in at #21 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Dordt College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Sioux Center. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,050. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $21,812. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Dordt College generally make around $54,926. Set against $21,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Luther College earned the #22 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the town of Decorah, Luther College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $52,120. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Luther College earn a median of $42,426 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
