2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Southwest Region (With Aid)
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking is part of that endeavor.
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies is the 15th most popular major in the country with 72,122 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $29,823 and had an average of $24,576 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Southwest region, there were 9,967 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $30,090 and $22,308 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 882 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,078 and $37,227 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking looked at 40 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
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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 Master’s in the Southwest 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 Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid.
Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Southwest Region (With Aid)
Out of the 40 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Edinburg, Texas, this large public school awarded 14 degrees to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Rio Grande Valley are $15,151, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Full The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The University of Texas of the Permian Basin. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid. UT Permian Basin is a medium-sized public school situated in Odessa, Texas. It awarded 2 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
UT Permian Basin not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #0 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Permian Basin are $6,900, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UT Permian Basin
Out of the 40 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Southeastern Oklahoma State University landed the #3 spot on the list. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a public institution located in Durant, Oklahoma. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 52 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #17. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Southeastern Oklahoma State University are $11,178.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas Woman’s University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Denton, Texas, and it awarded 31 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
TWU also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #9. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at TWU are $14,962.
Full Texas Woman’s University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Out of the 40 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, East Central University landed the #5 spot on the list. Ada, Oklahoma is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 35 students in 2019-2020.
ECU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at ECU are $11,568.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at East Central University
With a ranking of #6, MSU Texas did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Wichita Falls, Texas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 29 students in 2019-2020.
MSU Texas also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #11. Average graduate tuition and fees at MSU Texas are $7,935, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at MSU Texas
The University of Texas at Austin landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Austin, Texas, and it awarded 12 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
UT Austin also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #2. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at Austin are $22,886.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UT Austin
Lamar University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Lamar University is a fairly large school located in Beaumont, Texas that handed out 6 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Lamar University are $15,699.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Lamar University
The University of Texas at San Antonio ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. San Antonio, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 35 students in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at UTSA are $25,807, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Stephen F Austin State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Stephen F Austin State University is a fairly large public school situated in Nacogdoches, Texas. It awarded 20 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
SFASU also took the #25 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stephen F Austin State University are $15,695, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at SFASU
The University of Texas at El Paso landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. The University of Texas at El Paso is a large school located in El Paso, Texas that handed out 8 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at UTEP are $16,180, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UTEP
Texas A&M University - College Station did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #12. This large school is located in College Station, Texas, and it awarded 73 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Texas A&M College Station, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M University - College Station are $22,743, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Texas A&M College Station
Northeastern State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #13. NSU is a public institution located in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 13 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at NSU are $10,600.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at NSU
Texas A&M University - Commerce ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Texas A&M Commerce is a fairly large school located in Commerce, Texas that handed out 35 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
Texas A&M Commerce also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #16. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M University - Commerce are $14,549, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Texas A&M University - Commerce
University of Houston came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Houston is located in Houston, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
UH also took the #8 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UH are $18,689, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Full UH Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
With a ranking of #16, West Texas A&M University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. West Texas A&M University is located in Canyon, Texas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
Average graduate tuition and fees at West Texas A&M University are $8,013, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Full West Texas A&M University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. Texas A&M Corpus Christi is a fairly large school located in Corpus Christi, Texas that handed out 20 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
Texas A&M Corpus Christi not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi are $15,683, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Full Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Texas State University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Texas State is located in San Marcos, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 39 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
Texas State also took the #13 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Texas State are $17,040.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Texas State University
University of North Texas ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. University of North Texas is a large school located in Denton, Texas that handed out 44 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
UNT also took the #12 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Texas are $15,618, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UNT
Texas Tech University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Lubbock, Texas, this large public school handed out 39 diplomas to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Texas Tech, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Texas Tech University are $17,530.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Texas Tech
With a ranking of #21, The University of Texas at Tyler did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. The University of Texas at Tyler is located in Tyler, Texas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 12 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at Tyler are $16,308.
Oklahoma State University - Main Campus ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Oklahoma State University - Main Campus is a large school located in Stillwater, Oklahoma that handed out 15 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
OSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Oklahoma State University - Main Campus are $23,963.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at OSU
The University of Texas at Arlington did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #23. The University of Texas at Arlington is located in Arlington, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 20 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
UT Arlington did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at Arlington are $23,376, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
With a ranking of #24, Angelo State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Angelo State University is a public institution located in San Angelo, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 27 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Angelo State are $14,396.
Full Angelo State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Sam Houston State University landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. SHSU is located in Huntsville, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 22 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
SHSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Sam Houston State University are $15,704, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at SHSU
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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.
Credits
- Credit for the banner image above goes to NPS Photo/Zurbuch.
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