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2022 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $0-$30k) in Minnesota

18 Ranked Colleges
1,085 Degrees Awarded
$12,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools 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. 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 Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

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.

For this year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 18 colleges that offer a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs, but they also 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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 in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important 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 in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k

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

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

#1

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota

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 in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k. UMN Twin Cities is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 137 ’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 Schools in Minnesota” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $7,266 for minnesota parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, 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 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Morris landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Morris, Minnesota, this small public school handed out 9 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our minnesota parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, UMN Morris has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Minnesota” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UMN Morris is $4,230 for Minnesota Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UMN Morris Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Crookston. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Minnesota - Crookston is a public institution located in Crookston, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 15 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMN Crookston, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Minnesota” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UMN Crookston is $5,832 for Minnesota Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Duluth. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k. UMN Duluth is a public institution located in Duluth, Minnesota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 55 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Duluth also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Minnesota” list, coming in at #5. The estimated yearly cost for UMN Duluth is $7,443 for Minnesota Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

#5

Winona State University

Winona, Minnesota

Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Winona State University landed the #5 spot on the list. Winona State is a medium-sized public school situated in Winona, Minnesota. It awarded 107 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Winona State also took the #2 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Minnesota” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Winona State University is $12,381 for Minnesota Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.4% 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 full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Winona State

#6

St Olaf College

Northfield, Minnesota

St Olaf College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. Located in Northfield, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 32 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

St. Olaf did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Minnesota” list. The yearly cost to attend St Olaf College is $12,459 for Minnesota Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at St. Olaf

Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Mankato, Minnesota, this fairly large public school awarded 192 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our minnesota parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, Minnesota State Mankato has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Minnesota” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato is $11,057 for Minnesota Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%.

Full Minnesota State Mankato Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

Southwest Minnesota State University landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Marshall, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school awarded 58 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our minnesota parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, Southwest Minnesota State University has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Minnesota” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Southwest Minnesota State University is $10,801 for Minnesota Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

#9

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Saint Cloud, Minnesota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 20 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at St. Cloud State University, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Minnesota” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Saint Cloud State University is $10,688 for Minnesota Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

#10

Bemidji State University

Bemidji, Minnesota

Bemidji State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Bemidji, Minnesota, and it awarded 30 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Bemidji State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Minnesota” list. It costs about $10,632 for Minnesota Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Bemidji State University.

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

Minnesota State University - Moorhead landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Minnesota State University - Moorhead is a public institution located in Moorhead, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 37 ’s 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 Schools in Minnesota” list. It costs about $12,484 for Minnesota Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend MSU Moorhead.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

#12

Concordia University, Saint Paul

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Concordia University, Saint Paul landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 152 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

Concordia University, Saint Paul also took the #13 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Minnesota” ranking. It costs about $13,423 for minnesota parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Concordia University, Saint Paul.

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

#13

St Catherine University

Saint Paul, Minnesota

St Catherine University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 23 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

St. Kate’s also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Minnesota” list, coming in at #18. The yearly cost to attend St Catherine University is $15,102 for minnesota 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. Kate’s

#14

Hamline University

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Hamline University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Hamline University is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 13 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

Hamline also took the #16 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Minnesota” ranking. It costs about $17,038 for Minnesota Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Hamline.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

#15

University of Northwestern - St Paul

Saint Paul, Minnesota

With a ranking of #15, University of Northwestern - St Paul did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Northwestern - St Paul is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 20 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Minnesota” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Northwestern - St Paul is $19,785 for Minnesota 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%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Northwestern - St Paul

#16

Concordia College at Moorhead

Moorhead, Minnesota

Concordia College at Moorhead did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools 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 ’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 Schools in Minnesota” list. The yearly cost to attend Concordia College Moorhead is $17,881 for minnesota parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 2.5% 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 full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Concordia College at Moorhead

#17

Augsburg University

Minneapolis, Minnesota

With a ranking of #17, Augsburg University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k list. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 32 students in 2019-2020.

Augsburg also took the #7 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Minnesota” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Augsburg is $21,179 for minnesota parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

#18

Bethel University Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Bethel University Minnesota ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 19 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

Bethel University Minnesota also took the #6 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Minnesota” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Bethel University Minnesota is $18,396 for minnesota parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.0% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read full report on 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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