2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Mississippi

[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.
College Factual analyzed 15 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools.
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2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Mississippi
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
Leading the list is East Mississippi Community College, our #1 best value for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies in Mississippi. East Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Scooba. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,095, compared with $7,445 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,422 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from East Mississippi Community College generally make around $34,012. That is a strong return on a $9,422 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at Holmes Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,710, while out-of-state students pay about $6,610. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $13,191. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Holmes Community College generally make around $32,145. That is a strong return on a $13,191 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College one of the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,250, with out-of-state students paying around $7,850. Students borrow a median of $11,653 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College generally make around $34,214. That is a strong return on a $11,653 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at Northwest Mississippi Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Senatobia, Northwest Mississippi Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,740 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $9,990 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Northwest Mississippi Community College earn a median of $35,001 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,990 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at Mississippi Valley State University, which ranked #5. Mississippi Valley State University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Itta Bena. Students from in state pay about $7,692 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $31,919 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Mississippi University For Women earned the #6 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the town of Columbus, Mississippi University For Women is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,492. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $20,825. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Mississippi University For Women generally make around $42,756. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mississippi University For Women admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #7 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $22,870. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $23,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
Alcorn State University came in at #8 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Alcorn State University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alcorn State. In-state tuition and fees average $8,785. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $29,000. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Alcorn State University generally make around $37,028. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
William Carey University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. William Carey University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Hattiesburg. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $22,916. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $24,182. Set against $22,916 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Belhaven University came in at #10 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Jackson, Belhaven University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $30,250. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $26,750. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Belhaven University earn a median of $38,338 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,202 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,637. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Mississippi State University earn a median of $34,181 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Southern Mississippi placed #12 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public school located in the city of Hattiesburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,998, while out-of-state students pay about $11,998. Students borrow a median of $23,924 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Southern Mississippi earn a median of $41,034 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,924 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Jackson State University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Jackson, Jackson State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,965, with out-of-state students paying around $11,965. Students borrow a median of $32,944 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $36,104. That is a strong return on a $32,944 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Blue Mountain College landed the #14 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Blue Mountain, Blue Mountain College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,180. Students borrow a median of $22,542 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $36,823. Set against $22,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi College landed the #15 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Clinton, Mississippi College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,500. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $24,625 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Mississippi College earn a median of $30,193 early in their careers. Set against $24,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mississippi College admits about 29% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.