2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/parks-recreation-leisure-studies/parks-recreation-and-leisure-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 46 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in parks, recreation & leisure studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools
Leading the list is California State University Fresno, our #1 best value for parks, recreation & leisure studies in the United States. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $14,061 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $32,697. Set against $14,061 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Sacramento one of the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $20,024 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $40,338. Set against $20,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University East Bay earned it the #3 place for parks, recreation & leisure studies. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,583, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. Students borrow a median of $20,306 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $43,700. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $14,500 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $35,532. That is a strong return on a $14,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
A rank of #5 makes San Francisco State University one of the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Students borrow a median of $16,797 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $28,427. That is a strong return on a $16,797 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Utah University landed the #7 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies value this year. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. Students from in state pay about $6,962 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $12,886. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $44,998. Set against $12,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #8 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $31,561 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #9 position for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $23,447 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $34,742 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,447 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Northern Arizona University earned the #10 position for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $21,500. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $31,672 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
California State University Chico came in at #11 for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. California State University Chico is a large public school located in the city of Chico. In-state tuition and fees average $8,472, with out-of-state students paying around $21,072. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $18,179 in student loans. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of California State University Chico earn a median of $33,920 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,179 median debt. California State University Chico admits about 93% of applicants.
Humboldt State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Located in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,397 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,997 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $19,129. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Humboldt State University generally make around $26,224. That is a strong return on a $19,129 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Shepherd University came in at #13 for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Shepherd University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Shepherdstown. In-state tuition and fees average $9,056, with out-of-state students paying around $19,082. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $24,950. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Shepherd University earn a median of $34,287 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Shepherd University admits about 97% of applicants.
San Diego State University came in at #14 for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $14,999. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $33,692. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University came in at #15 for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,396 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $43,149. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Provo ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $47,596. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Michigan University came in at #17 for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,322, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $23,855 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Northern Michigan University generally make around $28,890. That is a strong return on a $23,855 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Utah State University landed the #18 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies value this year. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Students borrow a median of $16,191 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $35,079 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,191 median debt. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
Jacksonville State University earned the #19 position for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Jacksonville State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,894, with out-of-state students paying around $23,334. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $31,303. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Jacksonville State University admits about 78% of applicants.
Pittsburg State University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Set in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400, while out-of-state students pay about $19,744. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $19,661. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Pittsburg State University generally make around $35,587. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pittsburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Georgia Southern University earned the #21 position for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Located in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,022, while out-of-state students pay about $17,734. Students borrow a median of $24,936 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $31,086. That is a strong return on a $24,936 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Radford University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Radford University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Radford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,548, compared with $25,633 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Radford University generally make around $30,145. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Radford University admits about 90% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington earned the #23 position for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $19,750. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $35,429. That is a strong return on a $19,750 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $23,907. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $37,233 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,907 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
East Carolina University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $19,587 in student loans. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,587 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 46 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year:
Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies rankings across degree levels:
View All Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 46 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 46 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.
