2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in South Dakota
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students.
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2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in South Dakota
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 Black Hills State University this year. Black Hills State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Spearfish. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,916, while out-of-state students pay about $12,018. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Black Hills State University earn a median of $34,142 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
South Dakota State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #2 spot this year. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. In-state tuition and fees average $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $25,419. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $41,328. That is a strong return on a $25,419 median debt. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Northern State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the town of Aberdeen, Northern State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,845 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,947. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Northern State University earn a median of $40,424 early in their careers. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Dakota earned it the #4 place for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. University Of South Dakota is a large public school located in the town of Vermillion. In-state tuition and fees average $9,432, while out-of-state students pay about $12,942. Students borrow a median of $26,322 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of South Dakota generally make around $51,566. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Dakota admits about 99% of applicants.
Dakota State 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 town of Madison, Dakota State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,654, while out-of-state students pay about $12,756. Students borrow a median of $28,724 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $51,970. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Sioux Falls earned the #6 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Sioux Falls, University Of Sioux Falls is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,750. Students borrow a median of $24,146 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Sioux Falls earn a median of $34,839 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Sioux Falls admits about 83% of applicants.
Mount Marty College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Mount Marty College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Yankton. Students from in state pay about $34,600 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Mount Marty College generally make around $108,425. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Augustana College South Dakota earned the #8 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Sioux Falls, Augustana College South Dakota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,160. Students borrow a median of $24,625 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $50,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
