2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Florida
[Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 30 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Florida
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
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools in Florida. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $19,707. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $44,857. Set against $19,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of Florida Online came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,707 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $39,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at Northwest Florida State College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Niceville, Northwest Florida State College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,583 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,612. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $11,566 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Northwest Florida State College generally make around $48,463. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida Atlantic University earned it the #4 place for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $20,659. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $40,682 early in their careers. Set against $20,659 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida International University earned it the #5 place for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $34,860 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #6 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $34,249. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of West Florida earned the #7 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. 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. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $28,643. Set against $22,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of Central Florida ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. 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. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $46,398 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Florida landed the #9 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
Florida State University placed #10 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $34,630. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Gulf Coast University earned the #11 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $36,002. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Bethune Cookman University came in at #12 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Daytona Beach, Bethune Cookman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,794. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $31,000. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Bethune Cookman University earn a median of $25,459 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bethune Cookman University admits about 88% of applicants.
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University earned the #13 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,785, compared with $17,725 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $30,494. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University generally make around $36,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Leo University earned the #14 position 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,000. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Saint Leo University generally make around $36,962. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Leo University admits about 78% of applicants.
Florida College earned the #15 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Florida College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Temple Terrace. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,360. Students borrow a median of $16,134 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $40,888. Set against $16,134 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida College admits about 70% of applicants.
Warner University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Warner University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Lake Wales. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,992. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $26,995. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Warner University earn a median of $28,512 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Barry University landed the #17 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Barry University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Miami. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,350. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $31,180 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Barry University earn a median of $40,439 early in their careers. Set against $31,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
National Personal Training Institute Tampa earned the #18 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. National Personal Training Institute Tampa is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Tampa. 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 Tampa generally make around $18,641.
Jacksonville University landed the #19 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Jacksonville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. 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. The acceptance rate is 57%.
National Personal Training Institute Winter Park placed #20 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the suburb of Orlando, National Personal Training Institute Winter Park 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 Winter Park earn a median of $18,641 early in their careers.
Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach placed #21 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the city of West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,650. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $54,317. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach admits about 82% of applicants.
Florida Southern College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Lakeland, Florida Southern College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,040. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $25,357 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Florida Southern College earn a median of $48,665 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Nova Southeastern University came in at #23 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,700. Students borrow a median of $24,560 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Nova Southeastern University earn a median of $23,136 early in their careers. Set against $24,560 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Nova Southeastern University admits about 73% of applicants.
Webber International University landed the #24 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. 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. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Webber International University generally make around $34,494. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Keiser University Ft Lauderdale earned the #25 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Keiser University Ft Lauderdale is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,056. Students borrow a median of $26,888 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $29,436. Set against $26,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Keiser University Ft Lauderdale admits about 97% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 30 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), 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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 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.
