College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

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

15 Colleges in the United States
$21,118 Avg Student Debt
$40,914 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Badge [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.

What’s on this page:

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

1

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.

2

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.

3

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.

4

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.

5

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%.

6

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.

7

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.

8
Alcorn State University crest
Alcorn State University
Alcorn State, MS

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.

9
William Carey University crest
William Carey University
Hattiesburg, MS

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.

10

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.

11
Mississippi State University crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS

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%.

12

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%.

13

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%.

14
Blue Mountain College crest
Blue Mountain College
Blue Mountain, MS

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.

15

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.

View All Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Rankings >

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.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options