2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Kansas
[Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. 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 29 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 Kansas
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
Our analysis ranked Barton County Community College the best value for a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies in Kansas. Located in the rural area of Great Bend, Barton County Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,680, compared with $4,960 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $14,792 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $44,536. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Wichita State University one of the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $34,774 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at Central Christian College Of Kansas, which ranked #3. Located in the town of McPherson, Central Christian College Of Kansas is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,000. Students borrow a median of $25,295 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $49,979. That is a strong return on a $25,295 median debt. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Kansas one of the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $22,125. 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. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Washburn University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,945, compared with $20,949 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,717. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Washburn University generally make around $25,679. Set against $27,717 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Emporia State University earned the #6 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Emporia. In-state tuition and fees average $7,106, while out-of-state students pay about $15,419. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $23,131 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Emporia State University earn a median of $46,440 early in their careers. Set against $23,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Emporia State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Kansas State University landed the #7 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $26,000. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $37,083 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Pittsburg State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pittsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400, while out-of-state students pay about $19,744. Students borrow a median of $24,758 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $36,361. Set against $24,758 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pittsburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Tabor College placed #9 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Tabor College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Hillsboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,200. Median earnings reach $54,058 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Baker University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Baker University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Baldwin City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,200. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $29,554. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $62,916. Set against $29,554 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Sterling College Kansas ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the rural area of Sterling, Sterling College Kansas is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,700. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $27,250 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $30,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
University Of Saint Mary earned the #12 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the town of Leavenworth, University Of Saint Mary is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,380. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,946. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Saint Mary earn a median of $29,151 early in their careers. Set against $27,946 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Kansas Wesleyan University placed #13 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the town of Salina, Kansas Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,630 in tuition and fees. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,076 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Kansas Wesleyan University earn a median of $42,094 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Mcpherson College landed the #14 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the town of McPherson, Mcpherson College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,146. 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 $42,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Friends University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Friends University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Wichita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,192. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Friends University earn a median of $24,870 early in their careers. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Southwestern College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the town of Winfield, Southwestern College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,822. Students borrow a median of $31,875 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $58,036. Set against $31,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southwestern College admits about 76% of applicants.
Benedictine College earned the #17 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the town of Atchison, Benedictine College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $36,350. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $26,798. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Benedictine College earn a median of $46,255 early in their careers. Set against $26,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Ottawa University Ottawa landed the #18 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Ottawa University Ottawa is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Ottawa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,880. 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 Ottawa University Ottawa generally make around $30,426. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Bethany College Kansas placed #19 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Bethany College Kansas is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Lindsborg. Students from in state pay about $33,000 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $25,000. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $28,881. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bethany College Kansas admits about 56% of applicants.
Midamerica Nazarene University landed the #20 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Midamerica Nazarene University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Olathe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,174. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $25,740 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Midamerica Nazarene University generally make around $63,799. Set against $25,740 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Midamerica Nazarene University admits about 79% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
