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2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k

48 Ranked Colleges
7,340 Degrees Awarded
$8,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

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 Texas, there were 7,340 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 48 colleges that offer 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.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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

The parks & rec school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k”.

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 in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for texas parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $0-$30k) in Texas

#1

Rice University

Houston, Texas

Out of the 48 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Rice University landed the #1 spot on the list. Houston, Texas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 102 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Rice, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Texas” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Rice University is $3,437 for Texas 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 97%. The low student loan default rate of 1.0% 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 impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

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

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Edinburg, Texas, this large public school awarded 319 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

UT Rio Grande Valley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Texas” list. The yearly cost to attend UT Rio Grande Valley is $2,993 for Texas 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 The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#3

South Texas College

McAllen, Texas

Out of the 48 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, South Texas College landed the #3 spot on the list. This large school is located in McAllen, Texas, and it awarded 67 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for South Texas College is $904 for Texas Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full South Texas College Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

Out of the 48 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Texas landed the #4 spot on the list. UNT is located in Denton, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 352 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNT, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Texas” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of North Texas is $8,521 for Texas Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of North Texas

Out of the 48 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Texas A&M University - College Station landed the #5 spot on the list. Texas A&M College Station is a public institution located in College Station, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 683 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M College Station also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Texas” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend Texas A&M College Station is $11,454 for Texas Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 2.9% 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 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Texas A&M University - College Station Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#6

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

Texas Tech University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Texas Tech is a large school located in Lubbock, Texas that handed out 388 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas Tech also took the #5 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Texas” ranking. It costs about $12,317 for texas parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Texas Tech.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

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

Texas A&M International University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Laredo, Texas, this medium-sized public school handed out 62 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Texas A&M International University is $2,261 for texas parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Texas A&M International University

Texas Woman’s University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. TWU is a public institution located in Denton, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 168 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at TWU, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Texas” ranking. The yearly cost to attend TWU is $6,706 for Texas Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

The University of Texas at San Antonio did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. UTSA is a public institution located in San Antonio, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 390 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our texas parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, UTSA has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Texas” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UTSA is $10,516 for texas parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

The University of Texas at Austin came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Austin, Texas, this large public school handed out 263 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our texas parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, UT Austin has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Texas” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UT Austin is $12,203 for texas parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low student loan default rate of 2.7% 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 UT Austin Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

University of Houston - Clear Lake did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. Houston, Texas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 63 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our texas parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, UH Clear Lake has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Texas” ranking. It costs about $4,517 for texas parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Houston - Clear Lake.

Full UH Clear Lake Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

The University of Texas at Tyler ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k list. UT Tyler is a public institution located in Tyler, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 103 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Tyler did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Texas” list. The estimated yearly cost for UT Tyler is $6,797 for Texas Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at The University of Texas at Tyler

The University of Texas of the Permian Basin did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. UT Permian Basin is a public institution located in Odessa, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 48 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Permian Basin not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Texas” list. The yearly cost to attend UT Permian Basin is $7,889 for Texas Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full UT Permian Basin Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#14

University of Houston

Houston, Texas

University of Houston ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k list. UH is located in Houston, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 458 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

UH not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Texas” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Houston is $10,203 for texas parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

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

Stephen F Austin State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Stephen F Austin State University is located in Nacogdoches, Texas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 166 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

SFASU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Texas” list. The yearly cost to attend SFASU is $8,650 for Texas Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

#16

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas

Texas State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. This large school is located in San Marcos, Texas, and it awarded 590 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Texas” list. It costs about $11,125 for Texas Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Texas State University.

Full Texas State Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#17

MSU Texas

Wichita Falls, Texas

With a ranking of #17, MSU Texas did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k list. MSU Texas is a medium-sized public school situated in Wichita Falls, Texas. It awarded 57 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for MSU Texas is $7,703 for Texas Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

With a ranking of #18, The University of Texas at El Paso did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in El Paso, Texas, this large public school awarded 177 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend The University of Texas at El Paso is $7,092 for Texas Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

#19

Lamar University

Beaumont, Texas

Lamar University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k list. Lamar University is located in Beaumont, Texas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 52 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Lamar University is $9,200 for Texas Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

#20

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas

With a ranking of #20, Sam Houston State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k list. Sam Houston State University is located in Huntsville, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 163 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

SHSU also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Texas” list, coming in at #15. The yearly cost to attend SHSU is $10,561 for texas parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

#21

Angelo State University

San Angelo, Texas

Angelo State University landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in San Angelo, Texas, and it awarded 126 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Angelo State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Texas” list. It costs about $9,799 for Texas Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Angelo State.

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

The University of Texas at Arlington did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. UT Arlington is a large public school situated in Arlington, Texas. It awarded 261 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UT Arlington, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Texas” ranking. It costs about $11,811 for Texas Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UT Arlington.

Full The University of Texas at Arlington Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

Texas A&M University - San Antonio ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k list. Texas A&M San Antonio is a medium-sized school located in San Antonio, Texas that handed out 76 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Texas A&M San Antonio is $9,372 for Texas Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Texas A&M University - San Antonio

Texas A&M University - Kingsville came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Kingsville, Texas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 108 students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Texas A&M Kingsville is $11,105 for Texas Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Texas A&M Kingsville

Texas A&M University - Commerce ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k list. Commerce, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 110 students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Texas A&M University - Commerce is $10,013 for texas parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Texas A&M Commerce Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

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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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