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2026 Best Value Recreation Administration Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in recreation administration, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Recreation Administration Schools
Missouri Western State University earned the #1 spot for value among recreation administration schools in the The Plains States Region. Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Saint Joseph. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,545, compared with $18,455 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,362 to complete the recreation administration program here. Early-career recreation administration graduates make about $41,107. That is a strong return on a $24,362 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Kansas State University one of the best values for recreation administration. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for recreation administration graduates is $26,000. Recreation Administration graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $37,083 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Dakota State University earned it the #3 place for recreation administration. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,299 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $25,093 in student loans. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from South Dakota State University generally make around $38,076. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in recreation administration will find it at Minnesota State University Mankato, which ranked #4. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the recreation administration program here. Early-career recreation administration graduates make about $36,220. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
Narrow Recreation Administration Schools by State
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 17 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.
ADBLOCK #116
[Recreation Administration](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/recreation-administration/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong recreation administration education at a price that pays off.
