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2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k

40 Ranked Colleges
882 Degrees Awarded
$15,900 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master's in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. 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 Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k” 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 Southwest region, there were 9,967 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $30,090 and $22,308 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 882 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,078 and $37,227 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 40 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. 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 Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for southwest region master’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the Southwest Region

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Edinburg, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 14 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley are $15,151, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UT Rio Grande Valley Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#12 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Texas. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of North Texas is a large school located in Denton, Texas that handed out 44 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UNT did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Texas are $15,618, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#9 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas Woman’s University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Texas Woman’s University is a public institution located in Denton, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 31 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

TWU also took the #9 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Texas Woman’s University are $14,962.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Texas Woman’s University

#17 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Southeastern Oklahoma State University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k. This medium-sized school is located in Durant, Oklahoma, and it awarded 52 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Southeastern Oklahoma State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Southeastern Oklahoma State University are $11,178.

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

#1 in overall quality

Out of the 40 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k 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 located in College Station, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 73 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

Texas A&M College Station also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #1. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M University - College Station are $22,743, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#6

MSU Texas

Wichita Falls, Texas
#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, MSU Texas did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. MSU Texas is a medium-sized school located in Wichita Falls, Texas that handed out 29 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at MSU Texas, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at MSU Texas are $7,935, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#7

East Central University

Ada, Oklahoma
#23 in overall quality

East Central University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Ada, Oklahoma, this small public school handed out 35 diplomas to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

ECU also took the #23 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at ECU are $11,568, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

The University of Texas of the Permian Basin did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. This medium-sized school is located in Odessa, Texas, and it awarded 2 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Permian Basin also took the #0 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas of the Permian Basin are $6,900.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UT Permian Basin

#7 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, Oklahoma State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Stillwater, Oklahoma, this large public school awarded 15 diplomas to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, OSU has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at OSU are $23,963, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Oklahoma State University - Main Campus Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

The University of Texas at San Antonio came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. San Antonio, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 35 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UTSA are $25,807.

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

#11

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas
#6 in overall quality

Texas Tech University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. Texas Tech University is a large public school situated in Lubbock, Texas. It awarded 39 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, Texas Tech has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas Tech University are $17,530, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#12

University of Houston

Houston, Texas
#8 in overall quality

University of Houston landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Houston, Texas, and it awarded 11 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UH, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UH are $18,689, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

With a ranking of #13, The University of Texas at Tyler did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Tyler, Texas, and it awarded 12 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at Tyler are $16,308, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#25 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, Stephen F Austin State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Stephen F Austin State University is located in Nacogdoches, Texas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 20 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

SFASU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stephen F Austin State University are $15,695, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Stephen F Austin State University

#2 in overall quality

The University of Texas at Austin landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UT Austin is a public institution located in Austin, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 12 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Austin not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at Austin are $22,886.

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

#16

Lamar University

Beaumont, Texas

With a ranking of #16, Lamar University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Lamar University is a public institution located in Beaumont, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 6 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Lamar University are $15,699.

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

#17

Northeastern State University

Tahlequah, Oklahoma

Northeastern State University landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. NSU is a public institution located in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 13 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Northeastern State University are $10,600, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#18

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas
#13 in overall quality

Texas State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in San Marcos, Texas, this large public school handed out 39 diplomas to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, Texas State has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas State University are $17,040, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, Texas A&M University - Commerce did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Commerce, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 35 students in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M Commerce also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #16. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M Commerce are $14,549, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

The University of Texas at El Paso landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. El Paso, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at El Paso are $16,180.

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

#21

Angelo State University

San Angelo, Texas

Angelo State University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Angelo State is a fairly large school located in San Angelo, Texas that handed out 27 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Angelo State are $14,396, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#22

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas
#18 in overall quality

Sam Houston State University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Huntsville, Texas, and it awarded 22 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

SHSU also took the #18 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Sam Houston State University are $15,704, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

Texas A&M University - Kingsville came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Texas A&M University - Kingsville is a medium-sized public school situated in Kingsville, Texas. It awarded 13 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M University - Kingsville are $14,066, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#24

West Texas A&M University

Canyon, Texas

West Texas A&M University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. West Texas A&M University is a fairly large public school situated in Canyon, Texas. It awarded 8 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at West Texas A&M University are $8,013, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #25, The University of Texas at Arlington did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. The University of Texas at Arlington is a large school located in Arlington, Texas that handed out 20 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Arlington did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UT Arlington are $23,376.

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

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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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