2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Associate’s Degree Schools
[Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 168 schools to find the best return on investment for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked Moorpark College the best value for a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies in the United States. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. 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. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at Citrus College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,204, compared with $10,636 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,065 ten years after entry.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at Shasta College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,197 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $12,275 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $50,330. Set against $12,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at South Texas College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $4,500 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $22,699 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $4,500 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes College Of San Mateo one of the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $12,831. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
Skyline College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
Santiago Canyon College earned the #7 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,164, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College came in at #8 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $9,191. 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 placed #9 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College came in at #10 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Middlesex County College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,764, with out-of-state students paying around $7,356. Students borrow a median of $9,514 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Middlesex County College earn a median of $37,975 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,514 median debt.
Santa Monica College earned the #12 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
College Of The Canyons ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cypress College earned the #14 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,533.
Cerritos College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
Oxnard College placed #16 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
West Valley College earned the #17 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $14,308. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $25,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Antelope Valley College placed #18 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the suburb of Lancaster, Antelope Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,124, while out-of-state students pay about $9,548. Students borrow a median of $10,729 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Antelope Valley College earn a median of $50,744 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias earned the #19 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Utah Valley University landed the #20 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $15,252. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $31,905 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,252 median debt.
Canada College landed the #21 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,384 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Canada College generally make around $106,691. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
Hartnell College placed #22 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Hartnell College is a large public school located in the city of Salinas. Students from in state pay about $1,404 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,398 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Hartnell College earn a median of $35,080 early in their careers. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Paso Community College landed the #23 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $5,500. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $21,750 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College came in at #24 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ventura College earned the #25 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $20,250. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value ranking:
Other Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Degree Levels
Explore the best-value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools at other degree levels:
View All Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 168 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 168 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
