Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies

Find Schools Near

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

26 Ranked Colleges
603 Degrees Awarded
$16,600 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master's in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking.

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 master’s degree level specifically, there were 603 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,438 and $39,783 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 26 colleges that offer 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.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

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. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

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

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

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

#1

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #1 spot on the list. UMN Twin Cities is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 33 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMN Twin Cities, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities are $28,845, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

#2

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa
#5 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Northern Iowa. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid. This medium-sized school is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and it awarded 21 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree parks & rec students with aid list, UNI has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Northern Iowa are $22,648, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

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 Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid. Iowa State is a public institution located in Ames, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree parks & rec students with aid list, Iowa State has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Iowa State are $25,948, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#4

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Iowa. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Iowa City, Iowa, and it awarded 22 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Iowa also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #2. Average graduate tuition and fees at Iowa are $27,613, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#5

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota
#11 in overall quality

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Dakota landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, this fairly large public school awarded 11 diplomas to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

UND not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UND are $18,326.

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

#6

University of Mary

Bismarck, North Dakota
#3 in overall quality

University of Mary came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Bismarck, North Dakota, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 15 degrees to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree parks & rec students with aid list, UMary has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMary are $17,861, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#7

University of Central Missouri

Warrensburg, Missouri
#12 in overall quality

University of Central Missouri ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. This medium-sized school is located in Warrensburg, Missouri, and it awarded 38 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UCM not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCM are $16,394, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Central Missouri

#6 in overall quality

Minnesota State University - Mankato came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Minnesota State Mankato is located in Mankato, Minnesota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 41 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree parks & rec students with aid list, Minnesota State Mankato has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Minnesota State Mankato are $8,788, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Minnesota State Mankato

#17 in overall quality

University of Nebraska at Omaha ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. University of Nebraska at Omaha is a public institution located in Omaha, Nebraska. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 29 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UNOMAHA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNOMAHA are $16,374, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#13 in overall quality

University of Missouri - Columbia ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Mizzou is a public institution located in Columbia, Missouri. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Mizzou did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Missouri - Columbia are $27,193, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#11

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, this fairly large public school awarded 3 diplomas to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree parks & rec students with aid list, St. Cloud State University has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at St. Cloud State University are $12,904.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at St. Cloud State University

#12

South Dakota State University

Brookings, South Dakota
#7 in overall quality

South Dakota State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. South Dakota State is located in Brookings, South Dakota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree parks & rec students with aid list, South Dakota State has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at South Dakota State University are $16,743.

Full South Dakota State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#22 in overall quality

Northwest Missouri State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #13. Northwest Missouri State University is a medium-sized school located in Maryville, Missouri that handed out 22 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwest also took the #22 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwest are $6,673, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#14

Wichita State University

Wichita, Kansas
#24 in overall quality

Wichita State University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Wichita, Kansas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 34 students in 2019-2020.

WSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wichita State University are $15,112, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#15

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, South Dakota
#15 in overall quality

University of South Dakota landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Vermillion, South Dakota, this medium-sized public school awarded 31 degrees to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

USD also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #15. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of South Dakota are $12,637, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#16

Northern State University

Aberdeen, South Dakota
#21 in overall quality

Northern State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #16. This small school is located in Aberdeen, South Dakota, and it awarded 13 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at NSU, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northern State University are $11,814.

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

#17

Concordia University, Saint Paul

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#9 in overall quality

Concordia University, Saint Paul came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 53 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree parks & rec students with aid list, Concordia University, Saint Paul has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Concordia University, Saint Paul are $8,550, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Concordia University, Saint Paul Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#23 in overall quality

Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #18. Missouri State University - Springfield is located in Springfield, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

Missouri State 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 Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Missouri State University - Springfield are $12,042, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#19

Augustana University

Sioux Falls, South Dakota
#4 in overall quality

Augustana University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #19. Augustana University is located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree parks & rec students with aid list, Augustana Sioux Falls has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Augustana Sioux Falls are $36,480.

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

#20

Grand View University

Des Moines, Iowa
#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, Grand View University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Grand View University is a small school located in Des Moines, Iowa that handed out 13 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Grand View University also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #10. Average graduate tuition and fees at Grand View University are $9,170, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Grand View University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#21

Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, Missouri
#8 in overall quality

Lindenwood University landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Lindenwood University is a medium-sized school located in Saint Charles, Missouri that handed out 23 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Lindenwood University also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #8. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Lindenwood University are $9,550.

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

#22

Avila University

Kansas City, Missouri
#19 in overall quality

Avila University landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Avila University is a small school located in Kansas City, Missouri that handed out 9 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Avila did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Avila University are $7,798, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#23

Baker University

Baldwin City, Kansas
#14 in overall quality

Baker University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #23. This small school is located in Baldwin City, Kansas, and it awarded 13 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree parks & rec students with aid list, Baker has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Baker are $11,844, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Baker University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #24, Concordia University, Nebraska did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Seward, Nebraska is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 14 students in 2019-2020.

Concordia University, Nebraska 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 Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Concordia University, Nebraska are $8,650, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Concordia University, Nebraska Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#25

Upper Iowa University

Fayette, Iowa
#16 in overall quality

Upper Iowa University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. UIU is located in Fayette, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 17 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

UIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Upper Iowa University are $19,152, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

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

Featured Athletic Training Schools

Find Schools Near You