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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies (Income $48-$75k)

16 Ranked Colleges
158 Degrees Awarded
$23,400 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master's For Those Making $48-$75k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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 $48-$75k” ranking, we looked at 16 colleges that offer a degree 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.

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 Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k” 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. 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 Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k

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

Top 16 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies (Income $48-$75k)

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school handed out 29 diplomas to qualified masters’s parks and rec students 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.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

#2

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indiana University - Bloomington. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k list. IU 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 took the #2 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at IU Bloomington are $33,338, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Indiana University - Bloomington

#6 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Long Beach. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k. CSULB is a large school located in Long Beach, California that handed out 4 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

CSULB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 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 CSULB are $17,784.

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

#4

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa
#3 in overall quality

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Northern Iowa landed the #4 spot on the list. UNI is a medium-sized public school situated in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It awarded 7 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k list, UNI has also earned the #3 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 Northern Iowa are $22,648.

Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at UNI

#11 in overall quality

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Sacramento landed the #5 spot on the list. Sac State is a public institution located in Sacramento, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Sac State also made our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #11. 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 full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at California State University - Sacramento

#6

University of Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah
#7 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, University of Utah did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k list. U of U is a large school located in Salt Lake City, Utah that handed out 3 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k list, U of U has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Utah are $24,695, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Utah Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report

#9 in overall quality

Oklahoma State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #7. Oklahoma State University - Main Campus is a large public school situated in Stillwater, Oklahoma. It awarded 7 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

OSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 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 OSU are $23,963.

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

#8

SUNY Cortland

Cortland, New York

SUNY Cortland ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Cortland, New York, this medium-sized public school awarded 17 degrees to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

SUNY Cortland also made our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #4. Average graduate tuition and fees at SUNY Cortland are $24,707, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at SUNY Cortland

#10 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Carbondale, Illinois, and it awarded 8 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUC also made our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #10. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SIUC are $32,928.

Full SIUC Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report

#10

Southern Oregon University

Ashland, Oregon
#14 in overall quality

Southern Oregon University landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Southern Oregon University is a medium-sized public school situated in Ashland, Oregon. It awarded 8 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Southern Oregon University also made our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #14. Average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Oregon University are $23,445, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#11

East Carolina University

Greenville, North Carolina
#8 in overall quality

East Carolina University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #11. ECU is a large school located in Greenville, North Carolina that handed out 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at ECU are $20,685, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#12

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #12. This large school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 2 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SFSU, the school also landed the #0 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Francisco State University are $17,944, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at SFSU

#13

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona
#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, Northern Arizona University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k list. Flagstaff, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

NAU also made our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #12. Average graduate tuition and fees at NAU are $19,489, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at NAU

California State University - Chico came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Chico, California, and it awarded 2 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Chico State also took the #0 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Chico State are $18,802, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full California State University - Chico Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report

#5 in overall quality

Ohio University - Athens Campus came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. OHIO Athens is a large school located in Athens, Ohio that handed out 10 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

OHIO Athens did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at OHIO Athens are $17,712, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on 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 $48-$75k 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.

University of Toledo also made our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #13. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Toledo are $27,067, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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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