2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Plains States Region
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
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 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.
This year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region” ranking analyzed 24 colleges that offered a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
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More Ways to Rank Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools
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 Master’s in the Plains States Region” list to help you make the college decision.
We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most 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
The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region master’s degree parks & rec students.
Top 24 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Plains States Region
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region list. Minnesota State University - Mankato is a fairly large public school situated in Mankato, Minnesota. It awarded 41 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
Minnesota State Mankato not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Minnesota State University - Mankato are $8,788, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Full Minnesota State University - Mankato Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Concordia University, Saint Paul landed the #2 spot on the list. 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 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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Full Concordia University, Saint Paul Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Lindenwood University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region list. 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.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Lindenwood University, the school also landed the #8 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 Lindenwood University are $9,550.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Lindenwood University
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Mary. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region. University of Mary is located in Bismarck, North Dakota and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 15 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
UMary also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #3. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMary are $17,861, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UMary
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Grand View University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region list. Grand View University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Des Moines, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 13 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Grand View University, the school also landed the #10 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 Grand View University are $9,170, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Grand View University
Concordia University, Nebraska did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #6. Concordia University, Nebraska is located in Seward, Nebraska and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 14 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
Concordia University, Nebraska also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #18. Average graduate tuition and fees at Concordia University, Nebraska are $8,650, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Concordia University, Nebraska
Baker University landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking. Baker is a private not-for-profit institution located in Baldwin City, Kansas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 13 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Baker also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #14. Average graduate tuition and fees at Baker University are $11,844, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Baker
With a ranking of #8, University of South Dakota did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region list. This medium-sized school is located in Vermillion, South Dakota, and it awarded 31 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
USD did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 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 USD are $12,637.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at USD
South Dakota State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #9. South Dakota State is a fairly large school located in Brookings, South Dakota that handed out 10 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at South Dakota State, the school also landed the #7 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 South Dakota State are $16,743.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at South Dakota State
With a ranking of #10, Avila University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region list. Avila is a small school located in Kansas City, Missouri that handed out 9 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Avila, the school also landed the #19 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 Avila University are $7,798, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Avila
Northwest Missouri State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #11. Located in Maryville, Missouri, this medium-sized public school handed out 22 degrees to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.
Northwest did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwest are $6,673, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Northwest Missouri State University
University of Central Missouri did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #12. UCM is a medium-sized public school situated in Warrensburg, Missouri. 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UCM are $16,394.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UCM
Northern State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking. Aberdeen, South Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 13 students in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree parks & rec students list, NSU has also earned the #21 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 Northern State University are $11,814.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Northern State University
Missouri Baptist University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region list. MBU is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 14 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at MBU, the school also landed the #20 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 Missouri Baptist University are $10,256.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Missouri Baptist University
University of Northern Iowa came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking. 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 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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Northern Iowa
University of North Dakota landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking. This fairly large school is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and it awarded 11 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
UND also took the #11 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 UND are $18,326.
Full UND Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Missouri State University - Springfield ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region list. Springfield, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.
Missouri State also took the #23 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 Missouri State are $12,042, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Full Missouri State Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
With a ranking of #18, University of Nebraska at Omaha did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region list. University of Nebraska at Omaha is a fairly large public school situated in Omaha, Nebraska. It awarded 29 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
UNOMAHA also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #17. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNOMAHA are $16,374, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Full UNOMAHA Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #19. UMN Twin Cities is a large school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 33 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
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 UMN Twin Cities are $28,845, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Upper Iowa University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking. 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.
In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree parks & rec students list, UIU has also earned the #16 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 Upper Iowa University are $19,152, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UIU
University of Iowa ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region list. University of Iowa is a public institution located in Iowa City, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 22 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Iowa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 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 Iowa are $27,613.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Iowa
Wichita State University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region list. This fairly large school is located in Wichita, Kansas, and it awarded 34 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
WSU also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #24. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at WSU are $15,112.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at WSU
University of Missouri - Columbia landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking. University of Missouri - Columbia 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 also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #13. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Mizzou are $27,193.
Augustana University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking. Augustana Sioux Falls is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It awarded 10 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
Augustana Sioux Falls also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #4. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Augustana University are $36,480.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Augustana Sioux Falls
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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.
Credits
- Credit for the banner image above goes to NPS Photo/Zurbuch.
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