[Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1032 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students.
Finding the Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies School for You
Where you study parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
University Of Florida tops our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $19,707. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $44,857. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Moorpark College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $17,075. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes California State University San Bernardino one of the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $29,143 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Citrus College one of the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Citrus College is a large public school located in the suburb of Glendora. In-state tuition and fees average $1,204, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,065 ten years after entry.
Shasta College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,197, while out-of-state students pay about $8,853. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $12,275 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $50,330. Set against $12,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pima Community College placed #6 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,655 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $40,977. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #7 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,629 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $50,584. Set against $13,629 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
South Texas College came in at #8 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $4,500. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $22,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Los Angeles earned the #9 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $13,750. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $28,687. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Lehman College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $10,861. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $29,583. Set against $10,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
College Of San Mateo came in at #11 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Florida Online earned the #12 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Students borrow a median of $19,707 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $39,834. Set against $19,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
Skyline College placed #13 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
Santiago Canyon College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Santiago Canyon College is a very large public school located in the city of Orange. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $5,500. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Pasadena City College earned the #15 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Miramar College landed the #16 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $8,098. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
Santa Ana College placed #17 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Middlesex County College came in at #18 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,764, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $37,975. That is a strong return on a $9,514 median debt.
Santa Monica College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
College Of The Canyons ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fresno came in at #21 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $14,307 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $26,943. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Cypress College came in at #22 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
California State University Bakersfield ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Cerritos College landed the #24 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $11,306. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oxnard College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 1032 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1,032 ranked schools only.
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).
[Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
