2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in Missouri
[Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/parks-recreation-leisure-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 3 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 Missouri
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
Leading the list is Northwest Missouri State University, our #1 best value for parks, recreation & leisure studies in Missouri. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $42,389. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Missouri State University Springfield is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $27,457 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $28,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Missouri Columbia earned it the #3 place for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $38,725 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
