2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Minnesota
[Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 41 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 Minnesota
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
Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools in Minnesota. Set in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,022. Students borrow a median of $17,029 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $44,387. Set against $17,029 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Alexandria Technical And Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Alexandria, Alexandria Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,236. Students borrow a median of $14,054 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Alexandria Technical And Community College generally make around $45,368. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $23,064 in student loans. 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. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at Southwest Minnesota State University, which ranked #4. Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marshall. Students from in state pay about $10,361 in tuition and fees. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Southwest Minnesota State University earn a median of $32,802 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southwest Minnesota State University admits about 62% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bemidji State University earned it the #5 place for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,237. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $24,898 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $32,388. That is a strong return on a $24,898 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Winona State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,576, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $25,431 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Winona State University earn a median of $41,708 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,431 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Moorhead ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Moorhead. Students from in state pay about $10,428 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $22,500. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Minnesota State University Moorhead earn a median of $38,088 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Minnesota State University Moorhead admits about 59% of applicants.
Concordia University Saint Paul landed the #8 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $25,600. Students borrow a median of $29,156 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $39,033. That is a strong return on a $29,156 median debt. Concordia University Saint Paul admits about 79% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Duluth earned the #9 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,608, compared with $20,134 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $23,629 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $33,055. Set against $23,629 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Duluth admits about 89% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Mankato earned the #10 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $24,936. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $42,277. That is a strong return on a $24,936 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Hamline University earned the #11 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Students from in state pay about $50,004 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,530 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $48,679. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Hamline University admits about 88% of applicants.
St Catherine University came in at #12 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,428. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $28,000. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $60,427. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
St Olaf College earned the #13 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,760. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of St Olaf College earn a median of $33,577 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Augsburg College placed #14 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Augsburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,452. 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 Augsburg College generally make around $37,473. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern College Minnesota earned the #15 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Northwestern College Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,920. Students borrow a median of $23,562 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Northwestern College Minnesota generally make around $30,176. That is a strong return on a $23,562 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Gustavus Adolphus College placed #16 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Saint Peter. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,076. 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 $38,796. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Crown College placed #17 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the rural area of Saint Bonifacius, Crown College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,410. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $29,537. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Crown College earn a median of $42,695 early in their careers. Set against $29,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 23%.
Bethel University Minnesota earned the #18 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $44,226. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Bethel University Minnesota earn a median of $31,919 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota landed the #19 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $54,398. Students borrow a median of $23,923 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $65,183. Set against $23,923 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
More Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Rankings
View All Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
