2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in New Mexico
[Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 4 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 New Mexico
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 Central New Mexico Community College, our #1 best value for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies in New Mexico. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Western New Mexico University one of the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $14,341. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,425. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Western New Mexico University generally make around $48,366. Set against $27,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at New Mexico State University Main Campus earned it the #3 place for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $23,701. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of The Southwest came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the town of Hobbs, University Of The Southwest is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $16,670 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $28,011. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of The Southwest generally make around $43,873. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
