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2026 Best Value Recreation Administration Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in recreation administration, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Recreation Administration Schools
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among recreation administration schools in the United States. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for recreation administration graduates is $18,606. Recreation Administration graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $41,046 early in their careers. Set against $18,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Florida Online one of the best values for recreation administration. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $17,779 in student loans. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $43,822. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for recreation administration graduates is $19,000. Recreation Administration graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $29,862 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value recreation administration schools. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Students borrow a median of $12,567 to complete the recreation administration program here. Early-career recreation administration graduates make about $27,961. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
Florida State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in recreation administration, landing the #5 spot this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. 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. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
ADBLOCK #101
Western Kentucky University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value recreation administration schools. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. 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 $32,267. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Kean University came in at #7 for value in recreation administration this year. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,299, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Students borrow a median of $27,625 to complete the recreation administration program here. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $37,884. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Kentucky University came in at #8 for value in recreation administration this year. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,616 to complete the recreation administration program here. Early-career recreation administration graduates make about $30,330. Set against $25,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #9 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for recreation administration graduates is $22,213. Early-career recreation administration graduates make about $35,318. Set against $22,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Western Carolina University landed the #10 spot for recreation administration value this year. 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, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $22,252 in student loans. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $30,485. Set against $22,252 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Tennessee State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value recreation administration schools. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $28,545 in student loans. Recreation Administration graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $30,350 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,545 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Western Illinois University came in at #12 for value in recreation administration this year. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the recreation administration program here. Recreation Administration graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $28,978 early in their careers. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas landed the #13 spot for recreation administration value 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. Recreation Administration graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $36,857 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Missouri Western State University landed the #14 spot for recreation administration value this year. Located in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,545, while out-of-state students pay about $18,455. Typical student debt for recreation administration graduates is $24,362. Early-career recreation administration graduates make about $41,107. That is a strong return on a $24,362 median debt.
West Virginia University placed #15 among the best values for recreation administration. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete the recreation administration program here. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $51,750. Set against $23,772 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University came in at #16 for value in recreation administration this year. Located in the town of Weatherford, Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,469, while out-of-state students pay about $8,499. Students borrow a median of $19,757 to complete the recreation administration program here. Recreation Administration graduates of Southwestern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $38,506 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,757 median debt.
Old Dominion University earned the #17 position for value in recreation administration 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. Typical student debt for recreation administration graduates is $25,000. Recreation Administration graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $34,040 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Idaho placed #18 among the best values for recreation administration. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. In-state tuition and fees average $9,084, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. Typical student debt for recreation administration graduates is $23,844. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from University Of Idaho generally make around $43,246. Set against $23,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earned the #19 position for value in recreation administration this year. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,070, with out-of-state students paying around $19,517. Typical student debt for recreation administration graduates is $22,005. Recreation Administration graduates of University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of $34,490 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,005 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Dixie State College Of Utah landed the #20 spot for recreation administration value this year. Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public school located in the city of Saint George. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,306, compared with $18,246 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,666 to complete the recreation administration program here. Recreation Administration graduates of Dixie State College Of Utah earn a median of $42,266 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #21 position for value in recreation administration this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the recreation administration program here. Early-career recreation administration graduates make about $38,116. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
Mesa State College placed #22 among the best values for recreation administration. Set in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,927, with out-of-state students paying around $25,124. Students borrow a median of $22,310 to complete the recreation administration program here. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from Mesa State College generally make around $43,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Brockport landed the #23 spot for recreation administration value this year. Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Brockport. Students from in state pay about $8,752 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,822. Typical student debt for recreation administration graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from Suny College At Brockport generally make around $30,388. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Frostburg State University earned the #24 position for value in recreation administration this year. Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Frostburg. In-state tuition and fees average $10,220, with out-of-state students paying around $25,814. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the recreation administration program here. Early-career recreation administration graduates make about $25,345. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Frostburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of West Georgia placed #25 among the best values for recreation administration. University Of West Georgia is a large public school located in the town of Carrollton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,088, with out-of-state students paying around $17,800. Students borrow a median of $28,750 to complete the recreation administration program here. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from University Of West Georgia generally make around $31,492. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Recreation Administration Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s recreation administration value ranking:
Other Recreation Administration Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Recreation Administration rankings across degree levels:
[Recreation Administration](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/recreation-administration/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
