2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k
67
Ranked Colleges
5,811
Degrees Awarded
When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
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.
This year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 67 colleges that offered 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.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
One Size Does Not Fit All
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 the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k”.
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 in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $48-$75k) in the Plains States Region
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a large public school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 124 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
UMN Twin Cities also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #2. The yearly cost to attend UMN Twin Cities is $12,911 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k.
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 full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Iowa State University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Ames, Iowa, this large public school awarded 251 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
Iowa State also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #3. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa State is $14,641 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Iowa State
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Dickinson State University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Dickinson, North Dakota, this small public school handed out 22 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Dickinson State University is $13,283 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k.
Full Dickinson State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Iowa. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k. 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.
Iowa did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Iowa is $18,026 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Iowa
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Missouri - Columbia. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Columbia, Missouri, this large public school awarded 120 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
Mizzou not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Missouri - Columbia is $13,715 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k.
With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Full University of Missouri - Columbia Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
With a ranking of #6, Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Mankato, Minnesota, this fairly large public school awarded 175 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
Minnesota State Mankato not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $14,995 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato.
The school has an impressive undergrad 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 Minnesota State Mankato
University of Minnesota - Crookston did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #7. UMN Crookston is located in Crookston, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 17 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Crookston is $9,084 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k.
Full UMN Crookston Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Concordia University, Saint Paul came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. 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 198 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Concordia University, Saint Paul also took the #16 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Concordia University, Saint Paul is $14,980 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Concordia University, Saint Paul
Minot State University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. 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 estimated yearly cost for MSU is $11,911 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at MSU
Northwest Missouri State University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Maryville, Missouri, this medium-sized public school handed out 52 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Northwest Missouri State University is $12,127 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k.
Full Northwest Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
With a ranking of #11, Winona State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Winona State University is located in Winona, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 97 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
Winona State also took the #12 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Winona State University is $15,289 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Winona State University
University of Northern Iowa did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #12. UNI is a medium-sized public school situated in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It awarded 131 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNI, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Northern Iowa is $15,287 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Northern Iowa
Simpson College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Simpson College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Indianola, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 13 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Simpson College, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Simpson College is $16,829 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Simpson College
Gustavus Adolphus College landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Saint Peter, 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 29 students in 2020-2021.
Gustavus Adolphus did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Gustavus Adolphus College is $20,188 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Gustavus Adolphus
North Dakota State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #15. Located in Fargo, North Dakota, this fairly large public school handed out 87 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
North Dakota State University also took the #13 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for North Dakota State University is $16,071 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k.
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 - Main Campus
Saint Cloud State University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Saint Cloud State University is a fairly large public school situated in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. It awarded 21 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $13,140 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Saint Cloud State University.
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%.
Full Saint Cloud State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
University of Nebraska at Omaha came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UNOMAHA is a fairly large public school situated in Omaha, Nebraska. It awarded 91 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
UNOMAHA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UNOMAHA is $13,574 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Nebraska at Omaha
University of North Dakota came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of North Dakota is a fairly large public school situated in Grand Forks, North Dakota. It awarded 29 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
UND did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of North Dakota is $15,818 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k.
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 UND
University of Central Missouri landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Warrensburg, Missouri, this fairly large public school handed out 108 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k list, UCM has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $14,267 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Central Missouri.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Central Missouri
With a ranking of #20, Missouri Southern State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Missouri Southern State University is a small school located in Joplin, Missouri that handed out 40 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $10,215 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Missouri Southern.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Missouri Southern
University of Kansas ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. KU is located in Lawrence, Kansas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 214 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at KU, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $18,586 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend KU.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full KU Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
With a ranking of #22, Lindenwood University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Saint Charles, Missouri 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 128 students in 2020-2021.
Lindenwood University also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #15. The yearly cost to attend Lindenwood University is $15,749 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Lindenwood University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Southeast Missouri State University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. 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.
The estimated yearly cost for Southeast Missouri State University is $13,157 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Southeast Missouri State University
Minnesota State University - Moorhead did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #24. MSU Moorhead is a public institution located in Moorhead, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 41 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k list, MSU Moorhead has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $15,809 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Minnesota State University - Moorhead.
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%.
Full Minnesota State University - Moorhead Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
St Olaf College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #25. St Olaf College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Northfield, Minnesota. It awarded 23 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
St. Olaf not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for St. Olaf is $15,453 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.8% 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%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at St Olaf College
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