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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

26 Ranked Colleges
603 Degrees Awarded
$16,200 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master's in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies is the 15th most popular major in the country with 72,122 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. 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 the Plains States region, there were 5,808 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $29,644 and $24,923 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 603 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,438 and $39,783 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 26 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.

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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

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 Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

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

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

#1

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 33 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

UMN Twin Cities did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities are $28,845.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UMN Twin Cities

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Iowa State University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Iowa State is a large school located in Ames, Iowa that handed out 3 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa State, the school also landed the #0 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Iowa State University are $25,948, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#3

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa
#5 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Northern Iowa. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. UNI is a medium-sized public school situated in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It awarded 21 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UNI also took the #5 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Northern Iowa are $22,648.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Northern Iowa

#13 in overall quality

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Missouri - Columbia landed the #4 spot on the list. Mizzou is a large public school situated in Columbia, Missouri. It awarded 7 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Mizzou also took the #13 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Mizzou are $27,193, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#5

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota
#11 in overall quality

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Dakota landed the #5 spot on the list. University of North Dakota is a fairly large public school situated in Grand Forks, North Dakota. It awarded 11 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UND did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UND are $18,326, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#6

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
#2 in overall quality

University of Iowa came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Iowa City, Iowa, this large public school handed out 22 diplomas to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Iowa are $27,613, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#6 in overall quality

Minnesota State University - Mankato landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Minnesota State Mankato is located in Mankato, Minnesota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 41 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, Minnesota State Mankato has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Minnesota State Mankato are $8,788, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#8

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Saint Cloud, Minnesota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at St. Cloud State University, the school also landed the #0 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at St. Cloud State University are $12,904.

Full Saint Cloud State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#17 in overall quality

University of Nebraska at Omaha came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UNOMAHA is a public institution located in Omaha, Nebraska. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 29 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UNOMAHA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Nebraska at Omaha are $16,374, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#10

University of Central Missouri

Warrensburg, Missouri
#12 in overall quality

University of Central Missouri came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Warrensburg, Missouri, and it awarded 38 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UCM also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #12. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCM are $16,394, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Central Missouri Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#22 in overall quality

Northwest Missouri State University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Maryville, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 22 students in 2019-2020.

Northwest also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #22. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northwest are $6,673.

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

#12

South Dakota State University

Brookings, South Dakota
#7 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, South Dakota State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Brookings, South Dakota, this fairly large public school handed out 10 degrees to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at South Dakota State, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at South Dakota State University are $16,743, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at South Dakota State University

#13

University of Mary

Bismarck, North Dakota
#3 in overall quality

University of Mary ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UMary is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Bismarck, North Dakota. It awarded 15 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UMary also took the #3 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMary are $17,861, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#14

Wichita State University

Wichita, Kansas
#24 in overall quality

Wichita State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. WSU is a fairly large public school situated in Wichita, Kansas. It awarded 34 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, WSU has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wichita State University are $15,112, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#15

Northern State University

Aberdeen, South Dakota
#21 in overall quality

Northern State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. Northern State University is a small public school situated in Aberdeen, South Dakota. It awarded 13 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

NSU also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #21. Average graduate tuition and fees at NSU are $11,814, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#23 in overall quality

Missouri State University - Springfield landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Missouri State is a large public school situated in Springfield, Missouri. It awarded 7 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Missouri State, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Missouri State University - Springfield are $12,042, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#17

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, South Dakota
#15 in overall quality

University of South Dakota landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Vermillion, South Dakota, this medium-sized public school handed out 31 degrees to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

USD did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at USD are $12,637, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#18

Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, Missouri
#8 in overall quality

Lindenwood University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Saint Charles, Missouri, and it awarded 23 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Lindenwood University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Lindenwood University are $9,550, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#19

Concordia University, Saint Paul

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#9 in overall quality

Concordia University, Saint Paul did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. Concordia University, Saint Paul is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 53 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Concordia University, Saint Paul not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Concordia University, Saint Paul are $8,550, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Concordia University, Saint Paul

#20

Augustana University

Sioux Falls, South Dakota
#4 in overall quality

Augustana University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. Sioux Falls, South Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 10 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, Augustana Sioux Falls has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Augustana University are $36,480, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Augustana Sioux Falls Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#21

Avila University

Kansas City, Missouri
#19 in overall quality

Avila University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. This small school is located in Kansas City, Missouri, and it awarded 9 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Avila did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Avila University are $7,798.

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

#22

Baker University

Baldwin City, Kansas
#14 in overall quality

Baker University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Baker is a small school located in Baldwin City, Kansas that handed out 13 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Baker not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Baker University are $11,844.

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

#23

Grand View University

Des Moines, Iowa
#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #23, Grand View University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Grand View University is located in Des Moines, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 13 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

Grand View University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Grand View University are $9,170, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #24, Concordia University, Nebraska did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Seward, Nebraska, and it awarded 14 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Concordia University, Nebraska, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Concordia University, Nebraska are $8,650.

Full Concordia University, Nebraska Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#25

Missouri Baptist University

Saint Louis, Missouri
#20 in overall quality

Missouri Baptist University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 14 degrees to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, MBU has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at MBU are $10,256, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

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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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