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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Plains States Region (With Aid)

88 Ranked Colleges
5,005 Degrees Awarded
$14,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor's in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2019-2020, 72,122 people earned their degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies, making the major the 15th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $29,823 and had an average of $24,576 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 5,808 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $29,644 and $24,923 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 5,005 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,786 and $25,576 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking looked at 88 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.

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.

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 for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid”.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students with aid.

Top 25 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Plains States Region (With Aid)

#1

Truman State University

Kirksville, Missouri
#5 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Truman State University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid. Truman State University is a small school located in Kirksville, Missouri that handed out 104 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Truman State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Truman State is $12,462 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students with aid.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

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

#2

Chadron State College

Chadron, Nebraska
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 88 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Chadron State College landed the #2 spot on the list. This small school is located in Chadron, Nebraska, and it awarded 17 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Chadron State College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Chadron State College is $14,268 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students with aid.

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

#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Iowa State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid. Iowa State is a large school located in Ames, Iowa that handed out 238 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Iowa State also took the #3 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa State is $15,496 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students with aid.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

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

#4

Dickinson State University

Dickinson, North Dakota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Dickinson State University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid. Located in Dickinson, North Dakota, this small public school handed out 8 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $10,855 for plains states region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students with aid per year to attend Dickinson State University.

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

#14 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Mankato, Minnesota, and it awarded 151 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students with aid list, Minnesota State Mankato has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,221 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

#6 in overall quality

University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #6. University of Missouri - Columbia is a large public school situated in Columbia, Missouri. It awarded 126 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Mizzou did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Missouri - Columbia is $16,001 for plains states region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students with aid.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

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

University of Minnesota - Crookston did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #7. UMN Crookston is a small school located in Crookston, Minnesota that handed out 15 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for UMN Crookston is $10,952 for plains states region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students with aid.

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

#7 in overall quality

North Dakota State University - Main Campus ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Fargo, North Dakota, this fairly large public school awarded 79 degrees to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

North Dakota State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $16,584 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at North Dakota State University - Main Campus

#9

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
#4 in overall quality

University of Iowa landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Iowa is a large school located in Iowa City, Iowa that handed out 652 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $19,145 for plains states region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students with aid per year to attend University of Iowa.

The low 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

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

University of Nebraska at Omaha landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. UNOMAHA is located in Omaha, Nebraska and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 68 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $14,040 for plains states region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students with aid per year to attend UNOMAHA.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Nebraska at Omaha

University of Minnesota - Morris did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #11. University of Minnesota - Morris is a public institution located in Morris, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 9 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for UMN Morris is $11,412 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students with aid.

The low student loan default rate of 2.9% 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 UMN Morris

Missouri Southern State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Joplin, Missouri, this medium-sized public school handed out 37 degrees to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Missouri Southern is $9,625 for plains states region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students with aid.

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

#13

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa
#15 in overall quality

University of Northern Iowa landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, this medium-sized public school awarded 113 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

UNI also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #15. The estimated yearly cost for University of Northern Iowa is $15,620 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students with aid.

The low 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

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

#14

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#8 in overall quality

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this large public school awarded 104 degrees to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

UMN Twin Cities did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UMN Twin Cities is $17,740 for plains states region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The low 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%.

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

#15

Winona State University

Winona, Minnesota
#11 in overall quality

Winona State University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Winona State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Winona, Minnesota. It awarded 107 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Winona State also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #11. It costs about $17,656 for plains states region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students with aid per year to attend Winona State University.

The low student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

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

#16

Missouri Western State University

Saint Joseph, Missouri

With a ranking of #16, Missouri Western State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in Saint Joseph, Missouri, and it awarded 51 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Missouri Western is $10,958 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students with aid.

Full Missouri Western Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

Northwest Missouri State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Northwest Missouri State University is a public institution located in Maryville, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 43 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Northwest is $12,354 for plains states region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students with aid.

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

#18

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota
#17 in overall quality

University of North Dakota did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #18. University of North Dakota is a fairly large public school situated in Grand Forks, North Dakota. It awarded 38 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UND also took the #17 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $15,738 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend UND.

The low student loan default rate of 2.9% 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

#19 in overall quality

University of Nebraska at Kearney landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Kearney, Nebraska, this medium-sized public school awarded 81 degrees to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students with aid list, UNK has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Nebraska at Kearney is $16,017 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students with aid.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

#20

University of Mary

Bismarck, North Dakota
#10 in overall quality

University of Mary came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. UMary is located in Bismarck, North Dakota and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 26 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

UMary did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UMary is $17,410 for plains states region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students with aid.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Mary Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#21

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. St. Cloud State University is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 17 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $14,267 for plains states region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students with aid per year to attend Saint Cloud State University.

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

Southwest Minnesota State University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Marshall, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to 58 students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Southwest Minnesota State University is $14,397 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students with aid.

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

#23

South Dakota State University

Brookings, South Dakota
#13 in overall quality

South Dakota State University landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Brookings, South Dakota, this fairly large public school handed out 50 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at South Dakota State, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend South Dakota State is $19,252 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students with aid.

The low student loan default rate of 3.8% 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 South Dakota State

#24

Emporia State University

Emporia, Kansas

Emporia State University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. ESU is a public institution located in Emporia, Kansas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 7 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $14,822 for plains states region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students with aid per year to attend Emporia State University.

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

#25

Southeast Missouri State University

Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Southeast Missouri State University landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Southeast Missouri State University is a fairly large school located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri that handed out 54 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Southeast Missouri State University is $12,774 for plains states region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students with aid.

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

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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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