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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $0-$30k) in Missouri

20 Ranked Colleges
1,181 Degrees Awarded
$14,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor's in Missouri For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Missouri For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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 Missouri, there were 1,408 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $27,719 and $26,675 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,181 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $37,837 and $25,380 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Missouri For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 20 colleges that offered a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Missouri For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

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

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

Top 20 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $0-$30k) in Missouri

#1

Truman State University

Kirksville, Missouri
#1 in overall quality

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

Truman State also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Missouri” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend Truman State is $7,564 for Missouri Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.5% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Truman State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Missouri - Columbia. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Missouri For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Columbia, Missouri, and it awarded 126 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Mizzou also took the #2 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Missouri” ranking. It costs about $10,940 for Missouri Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Missouri - Columbia.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Missouri - Columbia

#7 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwest Missouri State University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Missouri For Those Making $0-$30k list. Northwest is a medium-sized school located in Maryville, Missouri that handed out 43 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our missouri bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, Northwest has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Missouri” ranking. It costs about $9,990 for Missouri Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Northwest.

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

#18 in overall quality

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Missouri For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Missouri Southern State University landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Joplin, Missouri, this medium-sized public school handed out 37 degrees to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our missouri bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, Missouri Southern has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Missouri” ranking. It costs about $7,882 for Missouri Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Missouri Southern.

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

#5

Missouri Western State University

Saint Joseph, Missouri
#16 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Missouri Western State University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Missouri For Those Making $0-$30k list. Missouri Western is a small public school situated in Saint Joseph, Missouri. It awarded 51 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Missouri Western also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Missouri” list, coming in at #16. It costs about $8,762 for missouri bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Missouri Western.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Missouri Western

#6

Southeast Missouri State University

Cape Girardeau, Missouri
#9 in overall quality

Southeast Missouri State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Missouri For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. Located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, this fairly large public school handed out 54 degrees to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

Southeast Missouri State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Missouri” list. The estimated yearly cost for Southeast Missouri State University is $9,092 for Missouri Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Southeast Missouri State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#7

Fontbonne University

Saint Louis, Missouri
#10 in overall quality

Fontbonne University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Missouri For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 9 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

Fontbonne University also took the #10 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Missouri” ranking. It costs about $12,913 for missouri bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Fontbonne University.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

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

#8

Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, Missouri
#5 in overall quality

Lindenwood University landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Missouri For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Saint Charles, Missouri, and it awarded 150 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Lindenwood University also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Missouri” list, coming in at #5. The estimated yearly cost for Lindenwood University is $14,388 for Missouri Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.8% 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%.

Full Lindenwood University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#9

University of Central Missouri

Warrensburg, Missouri
#12 in overall quality

University of Central Missouri came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Missouri For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Warrensburg, Missouri, and it awarded 44 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UCM not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Missouri” list. It costs about $10,608 for missouri bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UCM.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UCM

#8 in overall quality

Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Missouri For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. Missouri State is a large school located in Springfield, Missouri that handed out 141 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Missouri State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Missouri” list. The yearly cost to attend Missouri State is $12,527 for missouri bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

#11

Rockhurst University

Kansas City, Missouri
#6 in overall quality

Rockhurst University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Missouri For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Kansas City, Missouri, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 26 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

Rockhurst did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Missouri” list. It costs about $14,869 for missouri bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Rockhurst University.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

#12

Avila University

Kansas City, Missouri
#11 in overall quality

Avila University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Missouri For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. Located in Kansas City, Missouri, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 20 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

Avila not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Missouri” list. The estimated yearly cost for Avila University is $13,672 for missouri bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Avila

#13

Southwest Baptist University

Bolivar, Missouri
#13 in overall quality

Southwest Baptist University landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Missouri For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Southwest Baptist University is located in Bolivar, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 36 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

Southwest Baptist University also took the #13 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Missouri” ranking. It costs about $15,909 for missouri bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Southwest Baptist University.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Southwest Baptist University

#14

Missouri Baptist University

Saint Louis, Missouri
#15 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, Missouri Baptist University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Missouri For Those Making $0-$30k list. Missouri Baptist University is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 26 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

MBU also took the #15 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Missouri” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for MBU is $15,754 for missouri bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at MBU

#15

Maryville University of Saint Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
#3 in overall quality

Maryville University of Saint Louis did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Missouri For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. Maryville U is a fairly large school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 33 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Maryville U also took the #3 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Missouri” ranking. It costs about $23,479 for Missouri Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Maryville University of Saint Louis.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Maryville U Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#16

Culver - Stockton College

Canton, Missouri
#20 in overall quality

Culver - Stockton College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Missouri For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. Canton, Missouri 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 11 students in 2019-2020.

Culver - Stockton also took the #20 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Missouri” ranking. It costs about $17,175 for Missouri Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Culver - Stockton.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Culver - Stockton College

#17

Missouri Valley College

Marshall, Missouri
#19 in overall quality

Missouri Valley College landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Missouri For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Missouri Valley College is a small school located in Marshall, Missouri that handed out 32 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Missouri Valley College also took the #19 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Missouri” ranking. It costs about $18,150 for missouri bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Missouri Valley College.

Full Missouri Valley College Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#18

William Woods University

Fulton, Missouri
#4 in overall quality

William Woods University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Missouri For Those Making $0-$30k list. William Woods is a small school located in Fulton, Missouri that handed out 23 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at William Woods, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Missouri” ranking. It costs about $21,691 for Missouri Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend William Woods University.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full William Woods University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#19

Westminster College Missouri

Fulton, Missouri
#14 in overall quality

Westminster College Missouri ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Missouri For Those Making $0-$30k list. Westminster College Missouri is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Fulton, Missouri. It awarded 20 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Westminster Fulton also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Missouri” list, coming in at #14. The yearly cost to attend Westminster Fulton is $17,670 for missouri bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

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

#20

Columbia College

Columbia, Missouri
#17 in overall quality

Columbia College landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Missouri For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Columbia, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to 19 students in 2019-2020.

Columbia College Missouri also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Missouri” list, coming in at #17. The estimated yearly cost for Columbia College is $29,149 for missouri bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Columbia College Missouri

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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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