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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies (Income $30-$48k)

16 Ranked Colleges
158 Degrees Awarded
$23,400 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master's For Those Making $30-$48k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 158 parks, recreation and leisure studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 16 colleges that offer 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.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the parks, recreation and leisure studies program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools

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 Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for master’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 16 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies (Income $30-$48k)

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #1 spot on the list. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a large public school situated in Champaign, Illinois. It awarded 29 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are $30,083, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report

#2

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Indiana University - Bloomington. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k. Indiana University - Bloomington is a large public school situated in Bloomington, Indiana. It awarded 23 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington also made our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #2. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Bloomington are $33,338.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Indiana University - Bloomington

#6 in overall quality

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Long Beach landed the #3 spot on the list. CSULB is a large public school situated in Long Beach, California. It awarded 4 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

CSULB also took the #6 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Long Beach are $17,784, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#9 in overall quality

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Oklahoma State University - Main Campus landed the #4 spot on the list. OSU is a public institution located in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, OSU has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at OSU are $23,963.

Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at OSU

#11 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Sacramento. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k. This large school is located in Sacramento, California, and it awarded 4 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Sac State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Sacramento are $18,356.

Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at California State University - Sacramento

#6

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa
#3 in overall quality

University of Northern Iowa came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Northern Iowa is a medium-sized school located in Cedar Falls, Iowa that handed out 7 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNI, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Northern Iowa are $22,648, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Northern Iowa Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report

#7

SUNY Cortland

Cortland, New York

SUNY Cortland landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. SUNY Cortland is a public institution located in Cortland, New York. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 17 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

SUNY Cortland also took the #4 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SUNY Cortland are $24,707.

Full SUNY Cortland Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report

#8

Southern Oregon University

Ashland, Oregon
#14 in overall quality

Southern Oregon University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Southern Oregon University is a medium-sized school located in Ashland, Oregon that handed out 8 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Southern Oregon University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Oregon University are $23,445, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#9

University of Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah
#7 in overall quality

University of Utah ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Utah is located in Salt Lake City, Utah and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

U of U not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at U of U are $24,695, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full U of U Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report

#10

East Carolina University

Greenville, North Carolina
#8 in overall quality

East Carolina University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. ECU is a large public school situated in Greenville, North Carolina. It awarded 9 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at ECU, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at East Carolina University are $20,685.

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

#11

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 2 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

SFSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at SFSU are $17,944, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full San Francisco State University Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report

#10 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Carbondale, Illinois, and it awarded 8 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, SIUC has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are $32,928, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

With a ranking of #13, California State University - Chico did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - Chico is a public institution located in Chico, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, Chico State has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Chico are $18,802, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Chico State

#14

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona
#12 in overall quality

Northern Arizona University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. NAU is a public institution located in Flagstaff, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, NAU has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northern Arizona University are $19,489.

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

#5 in overall quality

Ohio University - Athens Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. Located in Athens, Ohio, this large public school handed out 10 degrees to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, OHIO Athens has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio University - Athens Campus are $17,712, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at OHIO Athens

#16

University of Toledo

Toledo, Ohio

With a ranking of #16, University of Toledo did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Toledo is a public institution located in Toledo, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 19 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, University of Toledo has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Toledo are $27,067.

Full University of Toledo Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report

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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.

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