2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Nebraska

1

Northeast Community College
Norfolk, NE

Leading the list is Northeast Community College, our #1 best value for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies in Nebraska. Located in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $11,937 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Northeast Community College generally make around $40,568. Set against $11,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

University Of Nebraska At Omaha
Omaha, NE

University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Students borrow a median of $25,661 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $42,812. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.

3

Peru State College
Peru, NE

Peru State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Peru, Peru State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. That is a strong return on a $26,254 median debt.

4

College Of Saint Mary
Omaha, NE

A rank of #4 makes College Of Saint Mary one of the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the city of Omaha, College Of Saint Mary is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $24,510 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $25,539. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $66,015. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

5

Chadron State College
Chadron, NE

Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at Chadron State College, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,294 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,117 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Chadron State College earn a median of $27,129 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,117 median debt.

6

Wayne State College
Wayne, NE

Wayne State College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,171. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $25,043 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $35,343. Set against $25,043 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

University Of Nebraska At Kearney
Kearney, NE

University Of Nebraska At Kearney came in at #7 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,564 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,484 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $26,419. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Nebraska At Kearney earn a median of $34,091 early in their careers. Set against $26,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

8

Hastings College
Hastings, NE

Hastings College came in at #8 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the town of Hastings, Hastings College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,770. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $24,125 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Hastings College earn a median of $42,417 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Hastings College admits about 72% of applicants.

9

Nebraska Wesleyan University
Lincoln, NE

Nebraska Wesleyan University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Lincoln, Nebraska Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $43,572 in tuition and fees. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Nebraska Wesleyan University earn a median of $28,791 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Nebraska Wesleyan University admits about 80% of applicants.

10

Concordia University Seward
Seward, NE

Concordia University Seward came in at #10 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Concordia University Seward is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Seward. Students from in state pay about $40,640 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 $58,863. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

11

Midland University
Fremont, NE

Midland University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the town of Fremont, Midland University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,050. 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 $31,475. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Midland University admits about 66% of applicants.

12

Doane College Crete
Crete, NE

Doane College Crete landed the #12 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the town of Crete, Doane College Crete is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $41,985. Students borrow a median of $28,802 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $53,500. Set against $28,802 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.

13

Bellevue University
Bellevue, NE

Bellevue University placed #13 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,873. Students borrow a median of $27,852 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Bellevue University earn a median of $33,229 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.