2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Kentucky
[Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 18 schools to find the best return on investment for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students.
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2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Kentucky
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 Berea College, our #1 best value for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies in Kentucky. Located in the town of Berea, Berea College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $51,658. Students borrow a median of $5,801 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $31,428. That is a strong return on a $5,801 median debt. Berea College admits about 19% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Kentucky State University one of the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the town of Frankfort, Kentucky State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,387, with out-of-state students paying around $13,578. Students borrow a median of $29,774 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Kentucky State University earn a median of $28,497 early in their careers. Set against $29,774 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Western Kentucky 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 Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $24,874 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $26,651. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Morehead State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,024, with out-of-state students paying around $14,980. Students borrow a median of $25,946 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Morehead State University generally make around $30,696. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Morehead State University admits about 77% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at Eastern Kentucky University, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $26,723. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $33,503 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,723 median debt. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of The Cumberlands landed the #6 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,875. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $22,630 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $31,401. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of The Cumberlands admits about 99% of applicants.
Georgetown College came in at #7 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Georgetown College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Georgetown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,840. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $37,620. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Louisville came in at #8 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. University Of Louisville is a very large public school located in the city of Louisville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,136, compared with $29,482 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,053 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Louisville generally make around $36,995. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Louisville admits about 79% of applicants.
University Of Kentucky came in at #9 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Students borrow a median of $24,094 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $43,994 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,094 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Kentucky Wesleyan College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Kentucky Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Owensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $34,673. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $25,000. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $32,568. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Alice Lloyd College placed #11 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the rural area of Pippa Passes, Alice Lloyd College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,960. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,573 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Campbellsville University earned the #12 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the town of Campbellsville, Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $27,998. 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 $43,474. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Union College Kentucky earned the #13 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Union College Kentucky is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Barbourville. Students from in state pay about $30,946 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,852. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Union College Kentucky generally make around $54,587. Set against $27,852 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Asbury University earned the #14 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the town of Wilmore, Asbury University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $33,640 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,250 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Asbury University generally make around $50,086. That is a strong return on a $26,250 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Bellarmine University came in at #15 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Bellarmine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Louisville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,770. Students borrow a median of $25,944 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $30,236. That is a strong return on a $25,944 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Thomas More College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the suburb of Crestview Hills, Thomas More College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $39,025 in tuition and fees. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $31,608 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Thomas More College earn a median of $57,440 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Transylvania University came in at #17 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Lexington, Transylvania University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,870. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $45,208. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Midway College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the rural area of Midway, Midway College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,110. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Midway College earn a median of $42,586 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
