[Recreation Administration](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/recreation-administration/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 171 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for recreation administration students.
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Finding the Best Value Recreation Administration School for You
Where you study recreation administration affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Recreation Administration Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Recreation Administration Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among recreation administration schools in the United States. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $18,606 in student loans. Early-career recreation administration graduates make about $41,046. Set against $18,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida Online earned it the #2 place for recreation administration. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $17,779 in student loans. Early-career recreation administration graduates make about $43,822. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Students looking for strong value in recreation administration will find it at Florida International University, which ranked #3. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career recreation administration graduates make about $34,860. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value recreation administration schools. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $12,567 in student loans. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $27,961. That is a strong return on a $12,567 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Red Rocks Community College earned it the #5 place for recreation administration. Located in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,859, with out-of-state students paying around $17,459. Typical student debt for recreation administration graduates is $14,471. Recreation Administration graduates of Red Rocks Community College earn a median of $76,340 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,471 median debt.
Augusta Technical College came in at #6 for value in recreation administration this year. Located in the city of Augusta, Augusta Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,282, with out-of-state students paying around $7,492. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $11,400 in student loans. Early-career recreation administration graduates make about $41,892. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #7 position for value in recreation administration this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $24,977 in student loans. Recreation Administration graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $42,595 early in their careers. Set against $24,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value recreation administration schools. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $37,961. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Green River Community College came in at #9 for value in recreation administration this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Green River Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,711, with out-of-state students paying around $5,263. Median earnings reach $50,712 ten years out.
Florida State University earned the #10 position for value in recreation administration this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for recreation administration graduates is $20,488. Recreation Administration graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $51,884 early in their careers. Set against $20,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Kean University earned the #11 position for value in recreation administration this year. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,299, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $27,625 in student loans. Recreation Administration graduates of Kean University earn a median of $37,884 early in their careers. Set against $27,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Kentucky University came in at #12 for value in recreation administration this year. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $25,616 in student loans. Recreation Administration graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $30,330 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,616 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value recreation administration schools. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $22,213 in student loans. Recreation Administration graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $35,318 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,213 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Herkimer County Community College placed #14 among the best values for recreation administration. Located in the town of Herkimer, Herkimer County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776. Students borrow a median of $16,400 to complete the recreation administration program here. Early-career recreation administration graduates make about $31,468. That is a strong return on a $16,400 median debt.
Western Carolina University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value recreation administration schools. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $22,252 in student loans. Early-career recreation administration graduates make about $30,485. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Carolina University admits about 82% of applicants.
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #16 for value in recreation administration this year. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Students borrow a median of $28,545 to complete the recreation administration program here. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $30,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Western Illinois University earned the #17 position for value in recreation administration this year. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the recreation administration program here. Early-career recreation administration graduates make about $34,131. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
Missouri Western State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value recreation administration schools. Set in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,545 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,455. Students borrow a median of $24,362 to complete the recreation administration program here. Recreation Administration graduates of Missouri Western State University earn a median of $41,107 early in their careers. Set against $24,362 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Texas came in at #19 for value in recreation administration this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career recreation administration graduates make about $39,969. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University placed #20 among the best values for recreation administration. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for recreation administration graduates is $23,772. Recreation Administration graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $51,750 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,772 median debt. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University placed #21 among the best values for recreation administration. Set in the town of Weatherford, Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,469, with out-of-state students paying around $8,499. Students borrow a median of $19,757 to complete the recreation administration program here. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from Southwestern Oklahoma State University generally make around $38,506. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Old Dominion University landed the #22 spot for recreation administration value this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the recreation administration program here. Recreation Administration graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $34,040 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Idaho landed the #23 spot for recreation administration value this year. Set in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,084 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $23,844 in student loans. Recreation Administration graduates of University Of Idaho earn a median of $43,246 early in their careers. Set against $23,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Idaho admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse came in at #24 for value in recreation administration this year. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,070, while out-of-state students pay about $19,517. Typical student debt for recreation administration graduates is $22,005. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse generally make around $34,490. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse admits about 76% of applicants.
Dixie State College Of Utah placed #25 among the best values for recreation administration. Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public school located in the city of Saint George. Students from in state pay about $6,306 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,246. Typical student debt for recreation administration graduates is $18,666. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from Dixie State College Of Utah generally make around $42,266. That is a strong return on a $18,666 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Recreation Administration Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for recreation administration this year:
This ranking is produced 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 · 171 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 51 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).
[Recreation Administration](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/recreation-administration/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
