2026 Best Value Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/other-parks-recreation-fitness/parks-recreation-leisure-and-fitness-studies-other/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong other parks, recreation & leisure studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 28 schools to find the best return on investment for other parks, recreation & leisure studies students.
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2026 Best Value Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the other parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools
Utah Valley University earned the #1 spot for value among other parks, recreation & leisure studies schools in the United States. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,242. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northwestern Oklahoma State University earned it the #2 place for other parks, recreation & leisure studies. Set in the town of Alva, Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,970, with out-of-state students paying around $11,664. Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $20,335 in student loans. Early-career other parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $26,809. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Students looking for strong value in other parks, recreation & leisure studies will find it at Chadron State College, which ranked #3. Chadron State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Chadron. In-state tuition and fees average $8,294. Students borrow a median of $26,117 to complete the other parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Chadron State College earn a median of $27,129 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,117 median debt.
Plymouth State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value other parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Plymouth. In-state tuition and fees average $14,626, with out-of-state students paying around $25,566. Typical student debt for other parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $26,972. Early-career other parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $45,528. Set against $26,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
A rank of #5 makes Howard University one of the best values for other parks, recreation & leisure studies. Located in the city of Washington, Howard University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,810. Students borrow a median of $25,498 to complete the other parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Soon after graduation, other parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Howard University generally make around $58,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.
Other Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies rankings across degree levels:
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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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
