2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Montana
[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 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students.
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2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Montana
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools
Leading the list is Montana State University Northern, our #1 best value for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies in Montana. Located in the town of Havre, Montana State University Northern is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $6,982 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,875 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $23,855 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $50,896. Set against $23,855 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at Montana State University Billings, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Billings, Montana State University Billings is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,280, with out-of-state students paying around $22,897. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $25,465. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $48,764. That is a strong return on a $25,465 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at The University Of Montana Western, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Dillon, The University Of Montana Western is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,669, compared with $20,130 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $22,484. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from The University Of Montana Western generally make around $36,924. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Montana Western admits about 100% of applicants.
University Of Great Falls came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Great Falls, University Of Great Falls is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $30,448 in tuition and fees. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $23,847 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Great Falls generally make around $104,670. Set against $23,847 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Great Falls admits about 50% of applicants.
Rocky Mountain College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Billings, Rocky Mountain College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,582. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $30,025. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Montana State University placed #6 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Montana State University is a large public school located in the city of Bozeman. Students from in state pay about $8,460 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,287. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $23,635. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Montana State University earn a median of $47,703 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,635 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
