2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Florida
[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 38 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 Florida
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 University Of Florida this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $19,707 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $44,798. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at University Of Florida Online, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,876 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $19,982. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $39,717. Set against $19,982 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $20,659. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $40,682. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at Northwest Florida State College, which ranked #4. Northwest Florida State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Niceville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,583, while out-of-state students pay about $10,612. Students borrow a median of $11,566 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Northwest Florida State College earn a median of $48,463 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of West Florida came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $22,188. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $28,643. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
Florida International University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $34,860. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $21,829. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $34,249 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Gulf Coast University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,118, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. 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 $36,002. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida landed the #9 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $46,398. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
University Of North Florida came in at #10 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $33,364 early in their careers. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
Florida State University came in at #11 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $34,630. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Leo University came in at #12 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the town of Saint Leo, Saint Leo University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $30,000 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $36,962. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Bethune Cookman University landed the #13 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the city of Daytona Beach, Bethune Cookman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,794. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Bethune Cookman University earn a median of $25,459 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University landed the #14 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,785, compared with $17,725 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $30,494 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $36,850. That is a strong return on a $30,494 median debt. The acceptance rate is 21%.
Warner University came in at #15 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Warner University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Lake Wales. In-state tuition and fees average $29,992. Students borrow a median of $26,995 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $28,512. Set against $26,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
National Personal Training Institute Winter Park landed the #16 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. National Personal Training Institute Winter Park is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Orlando. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $6,333. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from National Personal Training Institute Winter Park generally make around $18,641.
National Personal Training Institute Tampa earned the #17 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the suburb of Tampa, National Personal Training Institute Tampa is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $6,333 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of National Personal Training Institute Tampa earn a median of $18,641 early in their careers.
Barry University earned the #18 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Barry University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,350. Students borrow a median of $31,180 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $40,439. Set against $31,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Jacksonville University landed the #19 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Jacksonville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $48,150. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Jacksonville University earn a median of $40,369 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Southern College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Lakeland, Florida Southern College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $44,040. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $25,357 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Florida Southern College generally make around $48,665. That is a strong return on a $25,357 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Flagler College St Augustine landed the #21 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Augustine, Flagler College St Augustine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,900. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $25,547 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $29,600. Set against $25,547 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Webber International University placed #22 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the rural area of Babson Park, Webber International University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $33,770. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $34,494. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Webber International University admits about 69% of applicants.
Southeastern University landed the #23 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the city of Lakeland, Southeastern University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,950. Students borrow a median of $25,343 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $25,994. That is a strong return on a $25,343 median debt. Southeastern University admits about 53% of applicants.
Nova Southeastern University earned the #24 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,700 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,560 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Nova Southeastern University generally make around $23,136. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Nova Southeastern University admits about 73% of applicants.
Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach landed the #25 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the city of West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,650 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $54,317. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year:
More Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 38 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
