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2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k

18 Ranked Colleges
889 Degrees Awarded
$12,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor's in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2019-2020, 72,122 people earned their degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies, making the major the 15th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $29,823 and had an average of $24,576 in loans still to pay off.

Across Minnesota, there were 1,085 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $30,884 and $24,327 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 889 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $40,526 and $26,035 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 18 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 18 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $0-$30k) in Minnesota

#1

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a large school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 104 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Twin Cities also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota” list, coming in at #1. The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $7,266 for Minnesota Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UMN Twin Cities Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#15 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Morris. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k. UMN Morris is a small school located in Morris, Minnesota that handed out 9 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Morris also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota” list, coming in at #15. The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Morris is $4,230 for minnesota bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Minnesota - Morris

#10 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Crookston. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k list. UMN Crookston is a small school located in Crookston, Minnesota that handed out 15 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Crookston also took the #10 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota” ranking. It costs about $5,832 for Minnesota Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UMN Crookston.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Minnesota - Crookston

#5 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k list. Duluth, Minnesota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to 55 students in 2019-2020.

UMN Duluth also took the #5 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UMN Duluth is $7,443 for Minnesota Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Minnesota - Duluth

#5

Winona State University

Winona, Minnesota
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Winona State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k. Winona State is a medium-sized public school situated in Winona, Minnesota. It awarded 107 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Winona State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota” list. The yearly cost to attend Winona State University is $12,381 for Minnesota Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Winona State University

#6

St Olaf College

Northfield, Minnesota
#4 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, St Olaf College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Northfield, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 32 degrees to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

St. Olaf not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota” list. The yearly cost to attend St. Olaf is $12,459 for Minnesota Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at St Olaf College

#3 in overall quality

Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. Minnesota State Mankato is a public institution located in Mankato, Minnesota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 151 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our minnesota bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, Minnesota State Mankato has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota” ranking. It costs about $11,057 for minnesota bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Minnesota State Mankato.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Minnesota State University - Mankato

#11 in overall quality

Southwest Minnesota State University landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Marshall, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to 58 students in 2019-2020.

Southwest Minnesota State University also took the #11 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Southwest Minnesota State University is $10,801 for Minnesota Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Southwest Minnesota State University

#9

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, Minnesota
#14 in overall quality

Saint Cloud State University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, this fairly large public school handed out 17 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

St. Cloud State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota” list. The estimated yearly cost for Saint Cloud State University is $10,688 for minnesota bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Saint Cloud State University

#10

Bemidji State University

Bemidji, Minnesota
#17 in overall quality

Bemidji State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Bemidji State University is located in Bemidji, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 30 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

Bemidji State University also took the #17 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Bemidji State University is $10,632 for Minnesota Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Bemidji State University

#12 in overall quality

Minnesota State University - Moorhead landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. MSU Moorhead is a medium-sized public school situated in Moorhead, Minnesota. It awarded 37 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

MSU Moorhead not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota” list. The estimated yearly cost for MSU Moorhead is $12,484 for minnesota bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at MSU Moorhead

#12

Concordia University, Saint Paul

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#13 in overall quality

Concordia University, Saint Paul came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Concordia University, Saint Paul is a medium-sized school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota that handed out 99 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our minnesota bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, Concordia University, Saint Paul has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Concordia University, Saint Paul is $13,423 for minnesota bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Concordia University, Saint Paul

#13

St Catherine University

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#18 in overall quality

St Catherine University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. St Catherine University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It awarded 23 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

St. Kate’s also took the #18 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota” ranking. The yearly cost to attend St. Kate’s is $15,102 for minnesota bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at St Catherine University

#14

Hamline University

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#16 in overall quality

Hamline University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 13 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Hamline, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota” ranking. It costs about $17,038 for minnesota bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Hamline University.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Hamline

#15

University of Northwestern - St Paul

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#8 in overall quality

University of Northwestern - St Paul came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Northwestern is a small school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota that handed out 20 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota” list, coming in at #8. The yearly cost to attend University of Northwestern - St Paul is $19,785 for minnesota bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Northwestern Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#16

Concordia College at Moorhead

Moorhead, Minnesota
#9 in overall quality

Concordia College at Moorhead did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. Moorhead, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.

Concordia College Moorhead not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota” list. The yearly cost to attend Concordia College at Moorhead is $17,881 for Minnesota Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Concordia College Moorhead

#17

Augsburg University

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#7 in overall quality

Augsburg University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Augsburg is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 32 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Augsburg not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota” list. The estimated yearly cost for Augsburg is $21,179 for minnesota bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Augsburg Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#18

Bethel University Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#6 in overall quality

Bethel University Minnesota landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Bethel University Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 19 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Bethel University Minnesota, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Bethel University Minnesota is $18,396 for minnesota bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Bethel University Minnesota

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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