2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/parks-recreation-leisure-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong parks, recreation & leisure studies education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 46 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for parks, recreation & leisure studies students.
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2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in parks, recreation & leisure studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked California State University Fresno the best value for a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies in the United States. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $14,061 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Sacramento earned it the #2 place for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,024 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $40,338 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation & leisure studies will find it at California State University East Bay, which ranked #3. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Students from in state pay about $7,583 in tuition and fees, 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. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $43,700 early in their careers. Set against $20,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Long Beach earned it the #4 place for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $14,500 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $35,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes San Francisco State University one of the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Students borrow a median of $16,797 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $28,427 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,797 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
San Jose State University earned the #6 position for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Southern Utah University landed the #7 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies value this year. Located in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,962, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,886 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $44,998 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,886 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public school located in the city of Greensboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $31,561 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #9 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,447 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $34,742. 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 earned the #10 position for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
California State University Chico earned the #11 position for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Located in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,472, while out-of-state students pay about $21,072. Students borrow a median of $18,179 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of California State University Chico earn a median of $33,920 early in their careers. Set against $18,179 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Humboldt State University came in at #12 for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Arcata. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,397, compared with $20,997 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $19,129. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Humboldt State University generally make around $26,224. Set against $19,129 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Shepherd University landed the #13 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Shepherdstown, Shepherd University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,056, with out-of-state students paying around $19,082. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $24,950 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Shepherd University generally make around $34,287. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Students borrow a median of $14,999 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $33,692. That is a strong return on a $14,999 median debt. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University landed the #15 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies value this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,396 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $43,149 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Brigham Young University Provo landed the #16 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies value this year. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $47,596 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Northern Michigan University came in at #17 for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,322, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $23,855 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $28,890. Set against $23,855 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Michigan University admits about 84% of applicants.
Utah State University came in at #18 for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $16,191 in student loans. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $35,079 early in their careers. Set against $16,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Jacksonville State University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Jacksonville State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $12,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $23,334 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $21,500. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Jacksonville State University earn a median of $31,303 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Pittsburg State University placed #20 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pittsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400, with out-of-state students paying around $19,744. Students borrow a median of $19,661 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $35,587. Set against $19,661 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Southern University landed the #21 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies value this year. Set in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,022 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,734. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $24,936 in student loans. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Georgia Southern University earn a median of $31,086 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Radford University earned the #22 position for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Located in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,548 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,633. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Radford University generally make around $30,145. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Radford University admits about 90% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #23 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies value this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $35,429. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Iowa placed #24 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,907 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $37,233 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,907 median debt. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
East Carolina University landed the #25 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies value this year. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Students borrow a median of $19,587 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 46 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s parks, recreation & leisure studies value ranking:
Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies rankings across degree levels:
View All Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 46 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 46 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
