2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/recreation-administration/parks-recreation-facilities-management/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 15 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value parks, recreation & leisure facilities management schools.
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2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the parks, recreation & leisure facilities management degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management Schools
Missouri Western State University earned the #1 spot for value among parks, recreation & leisure facilities management schools in the The Plains States Region. Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Saint Joseph. Students from in state pay about $9,545 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,455 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates carry a median of $24,362 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure facilities management degree recipients from Missouri Western State University generally make around $41,107. That is a strong return on a $24,362 median debt.
Kansas State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation & leisure facilities management, landing the #2 spot this year. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure facilities management program here. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates make about $37,083. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
South Dakota State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure facilities management schools. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,299, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates is $25,093. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $38,076 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Minnesota State University Mankato earned it the #4 place for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates is $27,000. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates make about $36,220. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
