2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Tennessee
[Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 27 schools to find the best return on investment for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Tennessee
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
Austin Peay State University tops our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools in Tennessee. Austin Peay State University is a large public school located in the city of Clarksville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,006, compared with $14,766 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $25,000. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $37,636 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Tennessee Martin earned it the #2 place for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,560, while out-of-state students pay about $16,600. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $23,938 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee Martin generally make around $30,587. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Memphis earned it the #3 place for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,500 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $35,610. Set against $27,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at Tennessee Technological University, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,376, while out-of-state students pay about $15,576. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $15,653. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Tennessee Technological University earn a median of $40,255 early in their careers. Set against $15,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $24,509. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $36,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earned the #6 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public school located in the city of Chattanooga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,448, with out-of-state students paying around $18,512. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $29,772 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Martin Methodist College placed #7 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Martin Methodist College is a small public school located in the town of Pulaski. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,924. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $28,069. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Martin Methodist College admits about 87% of applicants.
Bethel University Tennessee earned the #8 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the town of McKenzie, Bethel University Tennessee is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,712. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $29,677. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Bethel University Tennessee generally make around $31,638. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bethel University Tennessee admits about 60% of applicants.
Cumberland University landed the #9 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the town of Lebanon, Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,840. Students borrow a median of $21,902 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $47,696. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cumberland University admits about 67% of applicants.
East Tennessee State University earned the #10 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. East Tennessee State University is a large public school located in the city of Johnson City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,216, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. Students borrow a median of $22,036 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $34,043. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Tennessee State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Tennessee Wesleyan College placed #11 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the town of Athens, Tennessee Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,814. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $58,859. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Trevecca Nazarene University came in at #12 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $31,300 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $24,962. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Trevecca Nazarene University earn a median of $52,004 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
The University Of Tennessee placed #13 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $35,175. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee State University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,416. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Tennessee State University earn a median of $34,855 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Tennessee State University admits about 70% of applicants.
Lee University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $23,790. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $24,750 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Lee University earn a median of $22,135 early in their careers. Set against $24,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Carson Newman College landed the #16 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Carson Newman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Jefferson City. Students from in state pay about $34,700 in tuition and fees. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $25,625 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $25,972. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Lincoln Memorial University landed the #17 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Lincoln Memorial University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Harrogate. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,938. Students borrow a median of $19,187 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Lincoln Memorial University earn a median of $26,830 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,187 median debt. Lincoln Memorial University admits about 63% of applicants.
Bryan College Dayton earned the #18 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the town of Dayton, Bryan College Dayton is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,800. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,077 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Bryan College Dayton earn a median of $27,342 early in their careers. Set against $26,077 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Milligan College placed #19 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Milligan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Milligan. Students from in state pay about $40,450 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,601 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Milligan College generally make around $64,327. That is a strong return on a $23,601 median debt. Milligan College admits about 72% of applicants.
Tusculum College landed the #20 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the town of Greeneville, Tusculum College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $29,250 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Tusculum College earn a median of $22,825 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Tusculum College admits about 72% of applicants.
Freed Hardeman University came in at #21 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the town of Henderson, Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,620. Students borrow a median of $24,479 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Freed Hardeman University earn a median of $54,530 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,479 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Johnson University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Johnson University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Knoxville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,122. Students borrow a median of $23,819 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $34,290. That is a strong return on a $23,819 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
King College landed the #23 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the city of Bristol, King College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $20,397 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,579 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of King College earn a median of $49,297 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,579 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Southern Adventist University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the suburb of Collegedale, Southern Adventist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,300. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $25,975 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Southern Adventist University generally make around $61,366. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Lipscomb University placed #25 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Students from in state pay about $40,572 in tuition and fees. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $24,975 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Lipscomb University generally make around $48,949. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Rest of the Top 27 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
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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 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.
