2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/parks-recreation-leisure-studies/parks-recreation-and-leisure-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong parks, recreation & leisure studies education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for parks, recreation & leisure studies students.
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2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
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
Our analysis ranked Southern Utah University the best value for a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies in the Rocky Mountains Region. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,962, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,886 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $44,998. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation & leisure studies will find it at Utah State University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $16,191. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $35,079. That is a strong return on a $16,191 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Brigham Young University Provo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies, landing the #3 spot this year. 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. The acceptance rate is 68%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Utah earned it the #4 place for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $22,982. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $37,009 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
Western State College Of Colorado is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Gunnison, Western State College Of Colorado is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,318, with out-of-state students paying around $24,434. Students borrow a median of $19,507 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $25,903. Set against $19,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public school located in the city of Boulder. Students from in state pay about $15,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. Students borrow a median of $20,373 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $55,861 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
