2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Missouri
[Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 34 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 Missouri
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 Truman State University this year. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,838, while out-of-state students pay about $18,566. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $26,865. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Missouri St Louis one of the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $25,943. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $53,079. That is a strong return on a $25,943 median debt. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
College Of The Ozarks is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #3 spot this year. College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Point Lookout. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,360. 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%.
A rank of #4 makes Missouri Southern State University one of the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Joplin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,600, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Students borrow a median of $24,947 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Missouri Southern State University generally make around $34,465. Set against $24,947 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri Southern State University admits about 97% of applicants.
Missouri Western State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Saint Joseph. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,545, with out-of-state students paying around $18,455. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $24,815. 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.
Southeast Missouri State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,903. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $22,572 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $34,638. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.
Northwest Missouri State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,611, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. 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. Set against $26,103 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Central Missouri came in at #8 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $39,975. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Park University earned the #9 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,116. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,576. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $28,945. Set against $27,576 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #10 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $29,757. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
Avila University came in at #11 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, Avila University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,200 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Avila University earn a median of $51,234 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. Avila University admits about 88% of applicants.
Logan University earned the #12 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the suburb of Chesterfield, Logan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $9,000 in tuition and fees. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Logan University generally make around $48,504. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Fontbonne University earned the #13 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Fontbonne University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,976. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $33,503 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Fontbonne University generally make around $46,039. That is a strong return on a $33,503 median debt.
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #14 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $38,725. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Lindenwood University landed the #15 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,600. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Lindenwood University earn a median of $35,314 early in their careers. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lindenwood University admits about 57% of applicants.
Missouri Valley College placed #16 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the town of Marshall, Missouri Valley College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,700. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $28,708. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Missouri Valley College earn a median of $33,892 early in their careers. Set against $28,708 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Evangel University placed #17 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the city of Springfield, Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,548. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $24,876. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Evangel University generally make around $42,039. Set against $24,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Evangel University admits about 72% of applicants.
Southwest Baptist University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the town of Bolivar, Southwest Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $30,566. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $19,550 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Southwest Baptist University generally make around $30,837. Set against $19,550 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Culver Stockton College came in at #19 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the rural area of Canton, Culver Stockton College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $30,875. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $27,252 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $38,725. Set against $27,252 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Culver Stockton College admits about 99% of applicants.
Rockhurst University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Rockhurst University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kansas City. Students from in state pay about $44,966 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 $70,849. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
William Woods University earned the #21 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the town of Fulton, William Woods University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,340. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $25,545 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of William Woods University earn a median of $24,329 early in their careers. Set against $25,545 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. William Woods University admits about 71% of applicants.
Columbia College Missouri placed #22 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the city of Columbia, Columbia College Missouri is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,276. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $29,213. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Columbia College Missouri earn a median of $47,962 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,213 median debt.
Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $28,620. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $24,633. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences generally make around $47,538. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri Baptist University came in at #24 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Missouri Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Students from in state pay about $33,122 in tuition and fees. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,001 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Missouri Baptist University earn a median of $39,737 early in their careers. Set against $26,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis landed the #25 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $27,166. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $23,250. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $32,480. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 27 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:
More Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Rankings
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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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
