2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 59 schools to find the best return on investment for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
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
For return on investment in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, no school beat Salt Lake Community College this year. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,426, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $10,855. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $42,031. That is a strong return on a $10,855 median debt.
Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $12,567 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $27,961 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Utah Valley University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #3 spot 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, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Red Rocks Community College one of the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,859, compared with $17,459 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,471 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Red Rocks Community College generally make around $76,340. Set against $14,471 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Weber State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $19,588. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $39,059. Set against $19,588 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Utah University landed the #6 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. Students from in state pay about $6,962 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,352 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $30,092. That is a strong return on a $14,352 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wyoming placed #7 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $22,101 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $31,326. That is a strong return on a $22,101 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Utah State University came in at #8 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $16,191. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $50,348. Set against $16,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Lewis Clark State College came in at #9 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Lewiston, Lewis Clark State College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,610, compared with $22,028 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $21,475. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Lewis Clark State College generally make around $33,176. That is a strong return on a $21,475 median debt. Lewis Clark State College admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Utah ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $19,594. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $37,628. That is a strong return on a $19,594 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado State University Pueblo came in at #11 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public school located in the city of Pueblo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,720, compared with $17,944 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,117 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $34,865. Set against $26,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Colorado State University Pueblo admits about 95% of applicants.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver placed #12 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. In-state tuition and fees average $11,124, compared with $30,684 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $22,292 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Metropolitan State College Of Denver generally make around $41,162. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Metropolitan State College Of Denver admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Idaho placed #13 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,084, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Idaho generally make around $27,484. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Adams State College landed the #14 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the town of Alamosa, Adams State College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,824 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,944 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $21,451. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Adams State College earn a median of $30,045 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brigham Young University Provo came in at #15 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $9,354 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $25,779. Set against $9,354 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Dixie State College Of Utah ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Saint George, Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,306, compared with $18,246 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,437 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Dixie State College Of Utah generally make around $30,912. Set against $18,437 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montana State University Billings came in at #17 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Billings, Montana State University Billings is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,280, compared with $22,897 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $25,465 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Montana State University Billings earn a median of $48,764 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,465 median debt.
Mesa State College came in at #18 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,927, compared with $25,124 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $25,900. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Mesa State College generally make around $31,253. Set against $25,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mesa State College admits about 82% of applicants.
The University Of Montana Western ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the town of Dillon, The University Of Montana Western is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,669, compared with $20,130 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $22,484. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of The University Of Montana Western earn a median of $36,924 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Western State College Of Colorado placed #20 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the town of Gunnison, Western State College Of Colorado is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,318, while out-of-state students pay about $24,434. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $24,900. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Western State College Of Colorado generally make around $21,136. Set against $24,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of Northern Colorado came in at #21 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. University Of Northern Colorado is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,901, with out-of-state students paying around $26,979. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $24,450. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $40,463. That is a strong return on a $24,450 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Fort Lewis College landed the #22 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Durango. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,958, with out-of-state students paying around $21,526. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $24,431. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Fort Lewis College admits about 77% of applicants.
Colorado State University Fort Collins placed #23 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Students borrow a median of $21,526 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Colorado State University Fort Collins generally make around $35,171. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Boise State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Boise State University is a very large public school located in the city of Boise. Students from in state pay about $9,048 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $22,524. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Boise State University earn a median of $35,617 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Rocky Mountain College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Billings, Rocky Mountain College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,582. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Rocky Mountain College generally make around $30,025. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Rocky Mountain College admits about 70% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 30 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:
Narrow Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools by State
More Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Rankings
View All Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 59 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.
