Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

15 Ranked Colleges
506 Degrees Awarded
$12,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor's in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies is the 152nd most popular major in the country with 3,224 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, parks, recreation and leisure studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $29,957 and had an average of $22,487 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 521 parks, recreation and leisure studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $29,750 and $23,096 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 506 parks, recreation and leisure studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,786 and $25,576 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 15 colleges that offered a degree in parks, recreation and leisure studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality parks, recreation and leisure studies programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the parks, recreation and leisure studies program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 15 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

#1

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UMN Twin Cities is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 26 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

UMN Twin Cities also took the #3 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UMN Twin Cities is $8,418 for plains states region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at UMN Twin Cities

Out of the 15 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Missouri - Columbia landed the #2 spot on the list. Columbia, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to 126 students in 2019-2020.

Mizzou also made our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #1. It costs about $11,595 for plains states region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Missouri - Columbia.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Mizzou

Out of the 15 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Duluth landed the #3 spot on the list. Duluth, Minnesota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to 10 students in 2019-2020.

UMN Duluth also took the #7 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UMN Duluth is $7,992 for plains states region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at UMN Duluth

#4

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Northern Iowa. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, this medium-sized public school handed out 48 degrees to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, UNI has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $12,495 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Northern Iowa.

The low student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Full UNI Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report

#5

Winona State University

Winona, Minnesota

Out of the 15 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Winona State University landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Winona, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school awarded 38 degrees to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

Winona State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Winona State University is $13,606 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Winona State University

#10 in overall quality

Northwest Missouri State University landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Maryville, Missouri, and it awarded 43 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwest did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Northwest Missouri State University is $9,863 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Northwest Missouri State University

#7

Pittsburg State University

Pittsburg, Kansas

Pittsburg State University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Pittsburg, Kansas, and it awarded 23 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Pitt State also took the #11 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Pitt State is $11,973 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Pittsburg State University

University of Nebraska at Kearney ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UNK is a public institution located in Kearney, Nebraska. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 57 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UNK did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Nebraska at Kearney is $13,417 for plains states region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at University of Nebraska at Kearney

#12 in overall quality

University of Nebraska at Omaha landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UNOMAHA is a public institution located in Omaha, Nebraska. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 8 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, UNOMAHA has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $11,460 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UNOMAHA.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at University of Nebraska at Omaha

#10

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Iowa is located in Iowa City, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 67 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa is $15,073 for plains states region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full University of Iowa Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report

#11

Southeast Missouri State University

Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Southeast Missouri State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, this fairly large public school awarded 13 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

Southeast Missouri State University also made our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #15. The yearly cost to attend Southeast Missouri State University is $10,217 for plains states region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Southeast Missouri State University Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report

#12

Emporia State University

Emporia, Kansas

With a ranking of #12, Emporia State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Emporia, Kansas, and it awarded 7 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

ESU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend ESU is $11,964 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at ESU

Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #13. Located in Springfield, Missouri, this large public school awarded 30 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

Missouri State also took the #9 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Missouri State University - Springfield is $13,488 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Missouri State University - Springfield

#14

Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, Missouri

Lindenwood University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Lindenwood University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Charles, Missouri. It awarded 7 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Lindenwood University also made our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #14. It costs about $13,918 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Lindenwood University.

The low student loan default rate of 4.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Lindenwood University

#15

Baker University

Baldwin City, Kansas
#13 in overall quality

Baker University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Baker is located in Baldwin City, Kansas and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

Baker also took the #13 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $19,042 for plains states region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Baker University.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Baker University Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Featured Athletic Training Schools

Find Schools Near You