2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southwest Region
[Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 118 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 the Southwest Region
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
South Texas College earned the #1 spot for value among parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools in the Southwest Region. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $4,500 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $22,699 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at Pima Community College, which ranked #2. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,655 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $40,977. That is a strong return on a $10,655 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at El Paso Community College earned it the #3 place for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $21,750 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at Texas A And M International University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Students borrow a median of $19,327 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $24,867 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Central New Mexico Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $10,112. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Texas College came in at #6 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Western Texas College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Snyder. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,150. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $8,691. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Western Texas College generally make around $68,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coastal Bend College came in at #7 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the town of Beeville, Coastal Bend College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,916, compared with $5,226 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $14,609 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,086 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $14,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. That is a strong return on a $14,625 median debt.
Lee College earned the #9 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,520, compared with $5,045 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $10,941 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $53,448. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Houston Victoria ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,149, with out-of-state students paying around $16,941. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $24,081 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Houston Victoria earn a median of $47,345 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,081 median debt. University Of Houston Victoria admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma came in at #11 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma is a small public school located in the town of Chickasha. Students from in state pay about $9,000 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,190 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma generally make around $30,136. University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma admits about 66% of applicants.
Odessa College came in at #12 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,688, with out-of-state students paying around $4,926. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $9,087. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Odessa College earn a median of $47,856 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,087 median debt.
Howard College earned the #13 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Howard College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Big Spring. In-state tuition and fees average $2,766, compared with $6,716 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,242 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Howard College generally make around $41,039. That is a strong return on a $14,242 median debt.
Paris Junior College earned the #14 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the town of Paris, Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,700, with out-of-state students paying around $5,700. Students borrow a median of $8,846 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Paris Junior College generally make around $38,811. That is a strong return on a $8,846 median debt.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $18,660 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Southeastern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $53,961 early in their careers. Set against $18,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Redlands Community College landed the #16 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Redlands Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of El Reno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,385, compared with $7,951 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,682 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Redlands Community College earn a median of $45,166 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western New Mexico University came in at #17 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the town of Silver City, Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,855, with out-of-state students paying around $14,341. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,425. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $48,366. That is a strong return on a $27,425 median debt.
Western Oklahoma State College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Western Oklahoma State College is a small public school located in the town of Altus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,390, compared with $9,758 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,654 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Western Oklahoma State College earn a median of $39,122 early in their careers. Set against $14,654 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Angelina College placed #19 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the town of Lufkin, Angelina College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,430 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,490 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,828 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Angelina College earn a median of $50,767 early in their careers. Set against $7,828 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Collin County Community College District came in at #20 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Collin County Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of McKinney. Students from in state pay about $2,014 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,064. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $9,716. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Collin County Community College District generally make around $42,177. That is a strong return on a $9,716 median debt.
New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $20,500. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $23,701 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #22 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Students borrow a median of $21,049 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $23,010. Set against $21,049 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Northwestern Oklahoma State University landed the #23 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the town of Alva, Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,970, while out-of-state students pay about $11,664. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $20,335 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Northwestern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $26,809 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,335 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Hill College earned the #24 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the town of Hillsboro, Hill College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,862. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $12,302 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $39,212. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Blinn College landed the #25 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,890 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,370 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,875 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Blinn College earn a median of $43,408 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,875 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value ranking:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 118 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 118 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.
