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2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in Oregon

[Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/parks-recreation-leisure-studies/parks-recreation-and-leisure-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong parks, recreation & leisure studies education at a price that pays off.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 2 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for parks, recreation & leisure studies students.

What’s on this page:

• Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in Oregon

2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in Oregon

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools

1

Southern Oregon University
Ashland, OR

$12,762 In-State Tuition & Fees

$24,951 Avg Student Debt

$49,175 Median Earnings (10yr)

Southern Oregon University earned the #1 spot for value among parks, recreation & leisure studies schools in Oregon. Located in the suburb of Ashland, Southern Oregon University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,762, while out-of-state students pay about $31,887. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $24,951. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Southern Oregon University generally make around $19,139. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

2

Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR

$14,400 In-State Tuition & Fees

$22,500 Avg Student Debt

$64,010 Median Earnings (10yr)

Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation & leisure studies will find it at Oregon State University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400, compared with $38,190 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Oregon State University earn a median of $34,451 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

View All Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Rankings >

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 · 2 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.