2023 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region
67
Ranked Colleges
5,811
Degrees Awarded
$11,500
Avg Net Price*
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 in the Plains States 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 73,813 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $31,423 and had an average of $24,388 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Plains States region, there were 5,811 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $31,332 and $25,331 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 67 colleges that offer a degree 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 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 in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
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 the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k
The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region
Out of the 67 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #1 spot on the list. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 124 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
UMN Twin Cities not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $8,609 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
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 in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Iowa State is located in Ames, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 251 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
Iowa State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Iowa State is $11,427 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Iowa State
Out of the 67 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Dickinson State University landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Dickinson, North Dakota, this small public school awarded 22 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Dickinson State University is $10,484 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at DSU
Out of the 67 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Iowa landed the #4 spot on the list. Iowa City, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 675 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, Iowa has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $15,508 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Iowa.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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 88%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Iowa
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Minot State University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Minot State University is a small school located in Minot, North Dakota that handed out 37 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Minot State University is $9,060 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Minot State University
Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. Mankato, Minnesota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 175 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, Minnesota State Mankato has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Minnesota State Mankato is $12,263 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Minnesota State Mankato Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
St Olaf College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Northfield, 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 23 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, St. Olaf has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend St. Olaf is $11,138 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, 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 more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at St Olaf College
University of Northern Iowa ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UNI is a public institution located in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 131 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UNI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Northern Iowa is $13,175 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UNI
With a ranking of #9, University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Missouri - Columbia is a large school located in Columbia, Missouri that handed out 120 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Mizzou also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #18. It costs about $11,386 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Missouri - Columbia.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The low undergrad 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 more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Missouri - Columbia
Northwest Missouri State University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Maryville, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 52 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Northwest is $10,608 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Northwest Missouri State University
Gustavus Adolphus College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Peter, Minnesota. It awarded 29 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, Gustavus Adolphus has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Gustavus Adolphus College is $16,445 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 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.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Gustavus Adolphus College
North Dakota State University - Main Campus came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Fargo, North Dakota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 87 students in 2020-2021.
North Dakota State University also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #13. The yearly cost to attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus is $12,735 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at North Dakota State University
University of North Dakota came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Grand Forks, North Dakota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 29 students in 2020-2021.
UND also took the #19 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $13,151 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of North Dakota.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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 UND Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
University of Minnesota - Crookston did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. This small school is located in Crookston, Minnesota, and it awarded 17 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Crookston is $7,808 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UMN Crookston
University of Minnesota - Duluth did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. Located in Duluth, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school awarded 74 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth is $8,697 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full UMN Duluth Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Truman State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #16. Truman State is located in Kirksville, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 92 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for Truman State is $8,898 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Truman State Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
University of Nebraska at Omaha landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UNOMAHA is a fairly large public school situated in Omaha, Nebraska. It awarded 91 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
UNOMAHA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $11,294 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UNOMAHA.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Nebraska at Omaha Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Saint Cloud State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, and it awarded 21 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Saint Cloud State University is $10,825 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% 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 Saint Cloud State University
With a ranking of #19, Winona State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Winona, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 97 students in 2020-2021.
Winona State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Winona State is $12,963 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad 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%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Winona State
With a ranking of #20, Concordia University, Saint Paul did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 198 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Concordia University, Saint Paul also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #16. The estimated yearly cost for Concordia University, Saint Paul is $13,031 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Concordia University, Saint Paul
Southeast Missouri State University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Southeast Missouri State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. It awarded 46 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $11,406 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Southeast Missouri State University.
Full Southeast Missouri State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
With a ranking of #22, Minnesota State University - Moorhead did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Moorhead, Minnesota, and it awarded 41 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at MSU Moorhead, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for MSU Moorhead is $14,194 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at MSU Moorhead
University of Central Missouri did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. Warrensburg, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 108 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, UCM has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UCM is $12,120 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UCM
Missouri Southern State University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Missouri Southern State University is located in Joplin, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 40 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $7,731 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Missouri Southern State University.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Missouri Southern State University
Lindenwood University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #25. Lindenwood University is located in Saint Charles, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 128 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Lindenwood University, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lindenwood University is $13,008 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Lindenwood University
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