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2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

15 Ranked Colleges
506 Degrees Awarded
$29,750 Avg Salary
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor's in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

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 Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” 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.

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 $48-$75k” ranking looked at 15 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in parks, recreation and leisure studies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great parks, recreation and leisure studies programs and cost less that 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

The parks & rec school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k”.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. 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 Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 15 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies (Income $48-$75k) 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 $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 26 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k list, UMN Twin Cities has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UMN Twin Cities is $12,556 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Full University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Missouri - Columbia. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k. This large school is located in Columbia, Missouri, and it awarded 126 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Mizzou, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Missouri - Columbia is $13,145 for plains states region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at University of Missouri - Columbia

#3

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa

Out of the 15 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Northern Iowa landed the #3 spot on the list. UNI is a medium-sized school located in Cedar Falls, Iowa that handed out 48 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNI, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $15,729 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UNI.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at UNI

#4

Winona State University

Winona, Minnesota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Winona State University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Winona, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school awarded 38 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Winona State, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Winona State University is $15,140 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Winona State Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report

#10 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwest Missouri State University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Maryville, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to 43 students in 2019-2020.

Northwest not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Northwest is $11,988 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

University of Minnesota - Duluth did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #6. 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMN Duluth, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Duluth is $12,438 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

University of Nebraska at Kearney landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Kearney, Nebraska is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to 57 students 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 UNK is $15,343 for plains states region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

#8

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #8. Located in Iowa City, Iowa, this large public school awarded 67 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

Iowa also took 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 University of Iowa is $18,272 for plains states region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Iowa Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report

#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, University of Nebraska at Omaha did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Omaha, Nebraska is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

UNOMAHA also took the #12 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $13,833 for plains states region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UNOMAHA.

Full University of Nebraska at Omaha Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report

#10

Southeast Missouri State University

Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Southeast Missouri State University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Southeast Missouri State University is a public institution located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 13 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Southeast Missouri State University also took the #15 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Southeast Missouri State University is $12,882 for plains states region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

#11

Pittsburg State University

Pittsburg, Kansas

Pittsburg State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #11. Pittsburg State University is located in Pittsburg, Kansas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 23 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Pitt State, the school also landed 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 Pittsburg State University is $15,056 for plains states region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Pitt State

#12

Emporia State University

Emporia, Kansas

Emporia State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #12. Emporia State University is a medium-sized school located in Emporia, Kansas that handed out 7 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k list, ESU has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for ESU is $14,465 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

Missouri State University - Springfield ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Springfield, Missouri, this large public school handed out 30 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Missouri State, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,204 for plains states region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Missouri State University - Springfield.

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

#14

Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, Missouri

Lindenwood University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This medium-sized school is located in Saint Charles, Missouri, and it awarded 7 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Lindenwood University, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Lindenwood University is $16,340 for plains states region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Lindenwood University Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report

#15

Baker University

Baldwin City, Kansas
#13 in overall quality

Baker University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #15. Located in Baldwin City, Kansas, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 2 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Baker, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Baker University is $21,800 for plains states region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

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.

Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Baker University

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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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