2026 Best Value Recreation Administration Master’s Degree Schools

1

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

For return on investment in recreation administration, no school beat University Of Florida this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,606 to complete the recreation administration program here. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $41,046. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.

2

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a great value for students pursuing a degree in recreation administration, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. 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. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

3

Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Kentucky University earned it the #3 place for recreation administration. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career recreation administration graduates make about $43,655. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.

4

University Of North Texas
Denton, TX

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Texas earned it the #4 place for recreation administration. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Typical student debt for recreation administration graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $43,081. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.

5

University Of Idaho
Moscow, ID

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Idaho earned it the #5 place for recreation administration. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,084, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. Students borrow a median of $23,844 to complete the recreation administration program here. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from University Of Idaho generally make around $43,246. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Idaho admits about 76% of applicants.

6

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse
La Crosse, WI

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earned the #6 position for value in recreation administration this year. Set in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,070, compared with $19,517 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $22,005 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse admits about 76% of applicants.

7

Frostburg State University
Frostburg, MD

Frostburg State University landed the #7 spot for recreation administration value this year. Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Frostburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,220, compared with $25,814 for out-of-state students. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career recreation administration graduates make about $25,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Frostburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.

8

North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Raleigh, NC

North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value recreation administration schools. 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, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for recreation administration graduates is $20,500. Recreation Administration graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $45,117 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.

9

University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

University Of Arkansas placed #9 among the best values for recreation administration. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $24,019 in student loans. Early-career recreation administration graduates make about $47,041. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arkansas admits about 74% of applicants.

10

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock, PA

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earned the #10 position for value in recreation administration this year. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. In-state tuition and fees average $10,568, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Typical student debt for recreation administration graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $46,457. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

11

Southern Connecticut State University
New Haven, CT

Southern Connecticut State University came in at #11 for value in recreation administration this year. Southern Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the city of New Haven. In-state tuition and fees average $13,442, with out-of-state students paying around $16,942. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from Southern Connecticut State University generally make around $46,274. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Southern Connecticut State University admits about 92% of applicants.

12

Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value recreation administration schools. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,554, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,592 to complete the recreation administration program here. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from Clemson University generally make around $43,626. That is a strong return on a $22,592 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.