by our College Data Analytics Team
[Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/parks-recreation-leisure-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 32 schools to find the best return on investment for parks, recreation & leisure studies students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in parks, recreation & leisure studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Allan Hancock College tops our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools in the Far Western Region. Located in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $9,892. Median earnings reach $42,786 ten years out.
California State University Fresno came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $32,697. Set against $14,061 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies, landing the #3 spot this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $14,500. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $35,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation & leisure studies will find it at California State University Sacramento, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $20,024. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $40,338. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University East Bay came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,583, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $20,306 in student loans. 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.
San Jose State University came in at #6 for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
California State University Chico ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from California State University Chico generally make around $33,920. That is a strong return on a $18,179 median debt. California State University Chico admits about 93% of applicants.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned the #8 position for value in parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $16,369. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $39,157 early in their careers. Set against $16,369 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 31%.
San Diego State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $14,999. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $33,692. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 36%.
Southern Oregon University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Set in the suburb of Ashland, Southern Oregon University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,762, compared with $31,887 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $24,951 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Southern Oregon University generally make around $19,139. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Oregon University admits about 89% of applicants.
Western Washington University placed #11 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Set in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,582, compared with $28,707 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,897 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Western Washington University generally make around $27,558. That is a strong return on a $17,897 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Oregon State University placed #12 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400, with out-of-state students paying around $38,190. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $34,451. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oregon State University admits about 77% of applicants.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.