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2023 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k

66 Ranked Colleges
5,811 Degrees Awarded
$18,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k” ranking.

In 2020-2021, 73,813 people earned their degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies, making the major the 15th most popular in the United States. 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 Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k” ranking analyzed 66 colleges that offered 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.

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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons 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.

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Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income Over $110k) in the Plains States Region

1

Out of the 66 schools in the Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Iowa State University landed the #1 spot on the list. Ames, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 251 students in 2020-2021.

Iowa State also took the #3 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa State is $16,002 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

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

2
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Iowa. The school came in at #2 for the Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k. Iowa is a public institution located in Iowa City, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 675 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Iowa is $19,401 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

3
UNI crest
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa

Out of the 66 schools in the Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Northern Iowa landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Northern Iowa is a medium-sized public school situated in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It awarded 131 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

UNI did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Northern Iowa is $16,438 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 University of Northern Iowa

4
DSU crest
Dickinson State University
Dickinson, North Dakota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Dickinson State University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k 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 DSU is $12,673 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k.

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

5
MSU crest
Minot State University
Minot, North Dakota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Minot State University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Located in Minot, North Dakota, this small public school handed out 37 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,205 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend MSU.

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

6
South Dakota State crest
South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota

With a ranking of #6, South Dakota State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. South Dakota State University is a fairly large public school situated in Brookings, South Dakota. It awarded 50 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

South Dakota State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for South Dakota State is $18,578 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k.

The undergrad 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 South Dakota State University

7

Minnesota State University - Mankato ranked #7 on this year’s Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Minnesota State University - Mankato is a public institution located in Mankato, Minnesota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 175 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k 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 $17,159 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 Minnesota State University - Mankato Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

8
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

With a ranking of #8, University of North Dakota did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. This fairly large school is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and 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 more than $110k list, UND has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of North Dakota is $16,966 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k.

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%.

Full University of North Dakota Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

9

North Dakota State University - Main Campus landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k 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 did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $16,998 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend North Dakota State University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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 more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at North Dakota State University - Main Campus

10
UCM crest
University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, Missouri

University of Central Missouri landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. UCM is a public institution located in Warrensburg, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 108 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UCM also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #25. The yearly cost to attend University of Central Missouri is $14,058 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k.

Full University of Central Missouri Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

11

Northwest Missouri State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Maryville, Missouri, and it awarded 52 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,925 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Northwest Missouri State University.

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

12

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this large public school awarded 124 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $17,878 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

13
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, Missouri

Lindenwood University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Lindenwood University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Charles, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 128 ’s degrees 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 $17,366 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k.

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 full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Lindenwood University

14
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #14. 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 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 is $17,634 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k.

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%.

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

15

Central Christian College of Kansas came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Central Christian College of Kansas is a small school located in McPherson, Kansas that handed out 12 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Central Christian College of Kansas is $13,256 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Central Christian College of Kansas

16

Missouri Southern State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #16. Missouri Southern is a public institution located in Joplin, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 40 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Missouri Southern State University is $9,526 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k.

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

17
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #17. Saint Cloud State University is a public institution located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 21 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Saint Cloud State University is $14,581 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k.

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 more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at St. Cloud State University

18

Missouri State University - Springfield ranked #18 on this year’s Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Missouri State University - Springfield is a large public school situated in Springfield, Missouri. It awarded 149 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Missouri State University - Springfield is $16,718 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Missouri State University - Springfield

19

University of Nebraska at Omaha came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. University of Nebraska at Omaha is located in Omaha, Nebraska and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 91 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

UNOMAHA also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #22. The estimated yearly cost for University of Nebraska at Omaha is $13,914 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k.

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%.

Full University of Nebraska at Omaha Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

20
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Located in Lawrence, Kansas, this large public school awarded 214 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

KU also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #7. The yearly cost to attend University of Kansas is $20,257 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

21
Southeast Missouri State University crest
Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Southeast Missouri State University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Cape Girardeau, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 46 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Southeast Missouri State University is $13,568 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k.

Full Southeast Missouri State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

22
Concordia University, Saint Paul crest
Concordia University, Saint Paul
Saint Paul, Minnesota

With a ranking of #22, Concordia University, Saint Paul did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Concordia University, Saint Paul is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It awarded 198 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Concordia University, Saint Paul did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Concordia University, Saint Paul is $15,880 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% 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 University, Saint Paul

23

With a ranking of #23, Minnesota State University - Moorhead did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. This medium-sized school is located in Moorhead, Minnesota, and it awarded 41 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

MSU Moorhead also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #22. The estimated yearly cost for Minnesota State University - Moorhead is $17,680 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k.

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 full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Minnesota State University - Moorhead

24
WSC crest
Wayne State College
Wayne, Nebraska

With a ranking of #24, Wayne State College did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Wayne State College is a small school located in Wayne, Nebraska that handed out 32 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,141 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend WSC.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Wayne State College

25
Pitt State crest
Pittsburg State University
Pittsburg, Kansas

With a ranking of #25, Pittsburg State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Pittsburg State University is located in Pittsburg, Kansas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 42 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $14,575 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Pittsburg State University.

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

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