[Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/other-parks-recreation-fitness/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for other parks, recreation & leisure studies students.
Finding the Best Value Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies School for You
The right other parks, recreation & leisure studies school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies 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 Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this 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.
Leading the list is The Community College Of Baltimore County, our #1 best value for other parks, recreation & leisure studies in the United States. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,110, compared with $10,182 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,038 to complete the other parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of The Community College Of Baltimore County earn a median of $52,440 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,038 median debt.
Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other parks, recreation & leisure studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Alva, Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Set against $20,335 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
A rank of #3 makes Dickinson State University one of the best values for other parks, recreation & leisure studies. Set in the town of Dickinson, Dickinson State University is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,118. Typical student debt for other parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $27,266. Early-career other parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $51,049. That is a strong return on a $27,266 median debt. The acceptance rate is 37%.
Students looking for strong value in other parks, recreation & leisure studies will find it at Chadron State College, which ranked #4. Chadron State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Chadron. Students from in state pay about $8,294 in tuition and fees. Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $26,117 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Chadron State College generally make around $27,129. Set against $26,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in other parks, recreation & leisure studies will find it at Plymouth State University, which ranked #5. Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Plymouth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,626, compared with $25,566 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $26,972. Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Plymouth State University earn a median of $44,487 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Plymouth State University admits about 88% of applicants.
National Personal Training Institute Winter Park placed #6 among the best values for other parks, recreation & leisure studies. Located in the suburb of Orlando, National Personal Training Institute Winter Park is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $6,333 to complete the other parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Early-career other parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $18,641.
Narrow Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools by Region
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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).