[Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/parks-recreation-leisure-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 53 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools.
Finding the Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies School for You
The right parks, recreation & leisure studies school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
California State University Fresno tops our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools in the United States. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $14,061 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $32,697. Set against $14,061 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
South Georgia Technical College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Located in the town of Americus, South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,992 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,202 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $10,423. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of South Georgia Technical College earn a median of $40,497 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,423 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Kingsborough Community College earned it the #3 place for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,252, while out-of-state students pay about $8,132. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $7,858 in student loans. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Cuny Kingsborough Community College earn a median of $35,562 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Allan Hancock College earned it the #4 place for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Allan Hancock College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Maria. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $9,892 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,786.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Sacramento earned it the #5 place for parks, recreation & leisure studies. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $20,024 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $40,338. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University East Bay came in at #6 for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. In-state tuition and fees average $7,583, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. Students borrow a median of $20,306 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $43,700. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $14,500 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $35,532. That is a strong return on a $14,500 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Sierra College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Sierra College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rocklin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,446. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $12,733 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Sierra College generally make around $29,214. Set against $12,733 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earned the #9 position for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Set in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,250 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,850. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $11,653 in student loans. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earn a median of $34,214 early in their careers. Set against $11,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Francisco State University placed #10 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $16,797 in student loans. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $28,427 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
San Jose State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Southern Utah University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $12,886 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #13 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $31,561. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #14 for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $23,447 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $41,234. Set against $23,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Northern Arizona University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $31,672. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
California State University Chico placed #16 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Located in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,472, while out-of-state students pay about $21,072. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $18,179 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $33,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Humboldt State University earned the #17 position for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Set in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,397 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,997 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,129 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Humboldt State University earn a median of $26,224 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,129 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Shepherd University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Located in the rural area of Shepherdstown, Shepherd University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,056 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,082 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $24,950 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $34,287. That is a strong return on a $24,950 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
San Diego State University placed #19 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $14,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $33,692. That is a strong return on a $14,999 median debt. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
Arizona State University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $22,396 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $43,149. That is a strong return on a $22,396 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #21 position for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $47,596. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
Northern Michigan University placed #22 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marquette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,322, compared with $19,944 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,855 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $28,890 early in their careers. Set against $23,855 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Michigan University admits about 84% of applicants.
Utah State University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $16,191. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $35,079. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Jacksonville State University came in at #24 for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Located in the suburb of Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $23,334 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $31,303. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Jacksonville State University admits about 78% of applicants.
Pittsburg State University came in at #25 for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pittsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400, with out-of-state students paying around $19,744. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $19,661 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Pittsburg State University generally make around $35,587. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pittsburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in parks, recreation & leisure studies:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 53 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 53 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).
[Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/parks-recreation-leisure-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
