2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Master’s Degree Schools
[Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/parks-recreation-leisure-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for parks, recreation & leisure studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign the best value for a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies in the United States. 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 $47,726. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. 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 $42,647. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest Missouri State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,611, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of $42,389 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Colorado Boulder one of the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,214, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. Students borrow a median of $20,373 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $55,861. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Degree Levels
Explore the best-value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools at other 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
