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2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Missouri

20 Ranked Colleges
1,181 Degrees Awarded
$17,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor's in Missouri

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 Bachelor’s in Missouri” ranking.

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 Missouri, there were 1,408 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $27,719 and $26,675 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,181 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $37,837 and $25,380 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Missouri” ranking, we looked at 20 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.

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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Missouri” list to help you make the college decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Missouri

The colleges and universities below are the best for missouri bachelor’s degree parks & rec students.

Top 20 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in Missouri

#1

Truman State University

Kirksville, Missouri
#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Truman State University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Missouri. Truman State is a small public school situated in Kirksville, Missouri. It awarded 104 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Truman State, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Missouri” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Truman State is $12,462 for Missouri Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.

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

#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Missouri - Columbia. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Missouri. Columbia, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to 126 students in 2019-2020.

Mizzou also took the #2 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Missouri” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Mizzou is $16,001 for Missouri Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low student loan default rate of 3.6% 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%.

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

#8 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Missouri State University - Springfield. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Missouri list. Springfield, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to 141 students in 2019-2020.

Missouri State also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Missouri” list, coming in at #8. The estimated yearly cost for Missouri State is $16,725 for Missouri Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students.

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

#7 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwest Missouri State University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Missouri. Northwest is a public institution located in Maryville, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 43 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our missouri bachelor’s degree parks & rec students list, Northwest has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Missouri” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northwest Missouri State University is $12,354 for missouri bachelor’s degree parks & rec students.

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

#5

Southeast Missouri State University

Cape Girardeau, Missouri
#9 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Southeast Missouri State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Missouri. Southeast Missouri State University is a fairly large school located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri that handed out 54 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Southeast Missouri State University, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Missouri” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Southeast Missouri State University is $12,774 for missouri bachelor’s degree parks & rec students.

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

#6

University of Central Missouri

Warrensburg, Missouri
#12 in overall quality

University of Central Missouri landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Missouri ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Warrensburg, Missouri, and it awarded 44 bachelors’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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Missouri” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Central Missouri is $13,677 for missouri bachelor’s degree parks & rec students.

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

#18 in overall quality

Missouri Southern State University landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Missouri ranking. Missouri Southern is a medium-sized school located in Joplin, Missouri that handed out 37 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Missouri Southern also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Missouri” list, coming in at #18. It costs about $9,625 for Missouri Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students per year to attend Missouri Southern.

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

#8

Missouri Western State University

Saint Joseph, Missouri
#16 in overall quality

Missouri Western State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Missouri list. This small school is located in Saint Joseph, Missouri, and it awarded 51 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our missouri bachelor’s degree parks & rec students list, Missouri Western has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Missouri” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Missouri Western is $10,958 for Missouri Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students.

Full Missouri Western Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#9

Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, Missouri
#5 in overall quality

Lindenwood University landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Missouri ranking. Lindenwood University is located in Saint Charles, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 150 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Lindenwood University, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Missouri” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lindenwood University is $17,491 for Missouri Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students.

The low student loan default rate of 4.8% 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%.

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

#10

Columbia College

Columbia, Missouri
#17 in overall quality

Columbia College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Missouri ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Columbia, Missouri, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 19 degrees to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our missouri bachelor’s degree parks & rec students list, Columbia College Missouri has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Missouri” ranking. It costs about $26,730 for Missouri Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students per year to attend Columbia College Missouri.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Columbia College Missouri

#11

Avila University

Kansas City, Missouri
#11 in overall quality

Avila University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Missouri ranking, coming in at #11. Avila is a small school located in Kansas City, Missouri that handed out 20 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our missouri bachelor’s degree parks & rec students list, Avila has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Missouri” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Avila is $17,048 for missouri bachelor’s degree parks & rec students.

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

#12

William Woods University

Fulton, Missouri
#4 in overall quality

William Woods University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Missouri ranking. Located in Fulton, Missouri, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 23 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

William Woods also took the #4 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Missouri” ranking. The yearly cost to attend William Woods is $24,593 for Missouri Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at William Woods

#13

Maryville University of Saint Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
#3 in overall quality

Maryville University of Saint Louis landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Missouri ranking. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to 33 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our missouri bachelor’s degree parks & rec students list, Maryville U has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Missouri” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Maryville University of Saint Louis is $29,064 for Missouri Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students.

The 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 full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Maryville University of Saint Louis

#14

Southwest Baptist University

Bolivar, Missouri
#13 in overall quality

Southwest Baptist University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Missouri ranking. Southwest Baptist University is a small school located in Bolivar, Missouri that handed out 36 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Southwest Baptist University also took the #13 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Missouri” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Southwest Baptist University is $17,682 for Missouri Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students.

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

#15

Missouri Valley College

Marshall, Missouri
#19 in overall quality

Missouri Valley College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Missouri ranking. Missouri Valley College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Marshall, Missouri. It awarded 32 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Missouri Valley College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Missouri” list. The yearly cost to attend Missouri Valley College is $19,396 for Missouri Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students.

Full Missouri Valley College Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#16

Fontbonne University

Saint Louis, Missouri
#10 in overall quality

Fontbonne University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Missouri ranking. This small school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 9 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Fontbonne University also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Missouri” list, coming in at #10. It costs about $15,961 for missouri bachelor’s degree parks & rec students per year to attend Fontbonne University.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

#17

Culver - Stockton College

Canton, Missouri
#20 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, Culver - Stockton College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Missouri list. Culver - Stockton is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Canton, Missouri. It awarded 11 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our missouri bachelor’s degree parks & rec students list, Culver - Stockton has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Missouri” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Culver - Stockton is $20,919 for missouri bachelor’s degree parks & rec students.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Culver - Stockton College

#18

Missouri Baptist University

Saint Louis, Missouri
#15 in overall quality

Missouri Baptist University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Missouri list. Missouri Baptist University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 26 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our missouri bachelor’s degree parks & rec students list, MBU has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Missouri” ranking. It costs about $20,444 for Missouri Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students per year to attend Missouri Baptist University.

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

#19

Westminster College Missouri

Fulton, Missouri
#14 in overall quality

Westminster College Missouri did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Missouri ranking, coming in at #19. Westminster College Missouri is a private not-for-profit institution located in Fulton, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 20 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Westminster Fulton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Missouri” list. It costs about $22,160 for missouri bachelor’s degree parks & rec students per year to attend Westminster College Missouri.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Westminster College Missouri Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#20

Rockhurst University

Kansas City, Missouri
#6 in overall quality

Rockhurst University landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Missouri ranking. Rockhurst University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Kansas City, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 26 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our missouri bachelor’s degree parks & rec students list, Rockhurst has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Missouri” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Rockhurst University is $21,116 for missouri bachelor’s degree parks & rec students.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 4.3% 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 Rockhurst

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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.

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