2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Utah
[Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 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 Utah
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 Utah Valley University the best value for a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies in Utah. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $15,252 in student loans. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Salt Lake Community College earned it the #2 place for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,426, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,855 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $42,031. That is a strong return on a $10,855 median debt.
Weber State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Students borrow a median of $19,588 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $39,059. 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 Southern Utah University, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,962 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Students borrow a median of $14,352 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $30,092 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,352 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Utah State University earned it the #5 place for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $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 $35,079. Set against $16,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Brigham Young University Provo placed #6 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $9,354 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $25,857. That is a strong return on a $9,354 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Dixie State College Of Utah earned the #7 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Saint George, Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,306, while out-of-state students pay about $18,246. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $18,437 in student loans. 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.
University Of Utah came in at #8 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $19,594 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $37,354. Set against $19,594 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
More Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Rankings
View All Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
