[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.
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.
Finding the Best Value Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies School for You
Where you study other parks, recreation & leisure studies affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
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.
Utah Valley University earned the #1 spot for value among other parks, recreation & leisure studies schools in the United States. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the other parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Early-career other parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $51,242. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in other parks, recreation & leisure studies will find it at The Community College Of Baltimore County, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,110 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,182 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $18,038. Soon after graduation, other parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from The Community College Of Baltimore County generally make around $52,440. Set against $18,038 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other parks, recreation & leisure studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Alva, Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,970, compared with $11,664 for out-of-state students. Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $20,418 in student loans. Early-career other parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $29,807. Set against $20,418 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. 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 #4. Located in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,294. Students borrow a median of $26,117 to complete the other parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Early-career other parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $27,129. That is a strong return on a $26,117 median debt.
Plymouth State University came in at #5 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,626, while out-of-state students pay about $25,566. Students borrow a median of $26,972 to complete the other parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Soon after graduation, other parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Plymouth State University generally make around $45,528. Set against $26,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
National Personal Training Institute Winter Park earned the #6 position for value in other parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. National Personal Training Institute Winter Park is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Orlando. Typical student debt for other parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $6,333. Early-career other parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $18,641.
Howard University placed #7 among the best values for other parks, recreation & leisure studies. Howard University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. 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. Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Howard University earn a median of $58,495 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Howard University admits about 41% of applicants.
Narrow Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools by Region
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 28 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).
[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.
