2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid
67
Ranked Colleges
5,811
Degrees Awarded
$15,400
Avg Net Price*
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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 in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking is part of that endeavor.
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.
For this year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 67 colleges that offer a degree 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
More Ways to Rank Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools
The parks & rec school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those 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 in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Plains States Region (With Aid)
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Iowa. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Iowa City, Iowa, this large public school awarded 675 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region parks & rec students with aid list, Iowa has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Iowa is $19,401 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students with aid.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The 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 more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Iowa
Out of the 67 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Iowa State University landed the #2 spot on the list. This large school is located in Ames, Iowa, and it awarded 251 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Iowa State also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #3. The yearly cost to attend Iowa State is $16,002 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students with aid.
With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Iowa State University
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this large public school handed out 124 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region parks & rec students with aid list, UMN Twin Cities has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UMN Twin Cities is $17,878 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students with aid.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UMN Twin Cities
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 in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid. Located in Dickinson, North Dakota, this small public school awarded 22 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $12,673 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend Dickinson State University.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Dickinson State University
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Minnesota State University - Mankato. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid. Minnesota State University - Mankato is a fairly large school located in Mankato, Minnesota that handed out 175 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Minnesota State Mankato not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato is $17,159 for plains states region parks & rec students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Minnesota State Mankato
University of Northern Iowa did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #6. UNI is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 131 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
UNI also took the #9 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UNI is $16,438 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students with aid.
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%. 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 UNI
University of Nebraska at Omaha landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Nebraska at Omaha is a public institution located in Omaha, Nebraska. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 91 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UNOMAHA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Nebraska at Omaha is $13,914 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Nebraska at Omaha
Minot State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #8. Minot State University is a small school located in Minot, North Dakota that handed out 37 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Minot State University is $12,205 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students with aid.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Minot State University
With a ranking of #9, University of Central Missouri did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Warrensburg, Missouri, and it awarded 108 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
UCM did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UCM is $14,058 for plains states region parks & rec students with aid.
Full UCM Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Northwest Missouri State University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Northwest Missouri State University is a medium-sized school located in Maryville, Missouri that handed out 52 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Northwest is $12,925 for plains states region parks & rec students with aid.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Northwest
South Dakota State University landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. South Dakota State University is a fairly large school located in Brookings, South Dakota that handed out 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. It costs about $18,578 for plains states region parks & rec students with aid per year to attend South Dakota State University.
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 full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at South Dakota State University
With a ranking of #12, North Dakota State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Fargo, North Dakota, this fairly large public school awarded 87 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
North Dakota State University also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #13. The yearly cost to attend North Dakota State University is $16,998 for plains states region parks & rec students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full North Dakota State University - Main Campus Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Saint Cloud State University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Saint Cloud, Minnesota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 21 students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Saint Cloud State University is $14,581 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Saint Cloud State University
Winona State University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. 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 did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $17,634 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend Winona State.
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%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Winona State University
University of North Dakota came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Grand Forks, North Dakota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 29 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UND, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UND is $16,966 for plains states region parks & rec students with aid.
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 full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UND
With a ranking of #16, University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. University of Missouri - Columbia is located in Columbia, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 120 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
Mizzou also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #18. The yearly cost to attend University of Missouri - Columbia is $16,559 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Mizzou Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Southeast Missouri State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and it awarded 46 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Southeast Missouri State University is $13,568 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students with aid.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Southeast Missouri State University
Missouri Southern State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Missouri Southern State University is a public institution located in Joplin, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 40 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $9,526 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend Missouri Southern State University.
Full Missouri Southern State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
University of Minnesota - Crookston came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Minnesota - Crookston is a small public school situated in Crookston, Minnesota. It awarded 17 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $11,593 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend UMN Crookston.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Minnesota - Crookston
Lindenwood University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools 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 128 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Lindenwood University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Lindenwood University is $17,366 for plains states region parks & rec students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Lindenwood University
University of Kansas landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Lawrence, Kansas, this large public school handed out 214 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
KU also took the #7 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $20,257 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend University of Kansas.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. 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 more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at KU
Minnesota State University - Moorhead did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #22. This medium-sized school is located in Moorhead, Minnesota, and it awarded 41 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at MSU Moorhead, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for MSU Moorhead is $17,680 for plains states region parks & rec students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% 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 Minnesota State University - Moorhead
Missouri Western State University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Saint Joseph, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 72 students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $10,897 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend Missouri Western.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Missouri Western
With a ranking of #24, Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Springfield, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 149 students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $16,718 for plains states region parks & rec students with aid per year to attend Missouri State University - Springfield.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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 Missouri State
Pittsburg State University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Pittsburg, Kansas, and it awarded 42 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Pittsburg State University is $14,575 for plains states region parks & rec students with aid.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Pittsburg State University
college factual
