2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Texas
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 76 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Texas
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
Our analysis ranked South Texas College the best value for a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies in Texas. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Students borrow a median of $4,500 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $22,699. That is a strong return on a $4,500 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at El Paso Community College earned it the #2 place for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $5,500. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $21,750. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M International University earned it the #3 place for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $19,327 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $24,867. That is a strong return on a $19,327 median debt. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Western Texas College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the town of Snyder, Western Texas College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, compared with $6,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $8,691. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $68,077. That is a strong return on a $8,691 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at Coastal Bend College, which ranked #5. 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. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $14,609. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,086 ten years after entry. Set against $14,609 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District landed the #6 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Students borrow a median of $14,625 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lee College came in at #7 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,520 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,045 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,941 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Lee College earn a median of $53,448 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,941 median debt.
University Of Houston Victoria landed the #8 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,149, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $24,081. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $47,345. Set against $24,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Odessa College earned the #9 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,688 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,926 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,087 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $47,856. That is a strong return on a $9,087 median debt.
Howard College placed #10 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the town of Big Spring, Howard College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,766, compared with $6,716 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $14,242. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Howard College earn a median of $41,039 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,242 median debt.
Paris Junior College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the town of Paris, Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,700, while out-of-state students pay about $5,700. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $8,846. 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.
Collin County Community College District placed #12 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,014 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,064 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $9,716 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Collin County Community College District earn a median of $42,177 early in their careers. Set against $9,716 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #13 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. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $21,049. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $23,010 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Angelina College landed the #14 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the town of Lufkin, Angelina College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,430 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,490. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $7,828. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Angelina College generally make around $50,767. Set against $7,828 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hill College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the town of Hillsboro, Hill College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,862 in tuition and fees. 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. Set against $12,302 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Texas College earned the #16 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Central Texas College is a large public school located in the suburb of Killeen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,750, with out-of-state students paying around $7,500. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $11,290 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Central Texas College earn a median of $53,086 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,290 median debt.
Blinn College came in at #17 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,890, with out-of-state students paying around $11,370. 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. Set against $10,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lamar University came in at #18 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $31,935. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #19 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $36,293. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University San Antonio earned the #20 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $9,654, compared with $23,255 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $23,690. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Texas A And M University San Antonio generally make around $32,708. That is a strong return on a $23,690 median debt. Texas A And M University San Antonio admits about 93% of applicants.
Texas Womans University came in at #21 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $20,167. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $43,770 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Tyler Junior College placed #22 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Tyler Junior College is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,424, compared with $4,536 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $14,869 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Tyler Junior College earn a median of $43,348 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,869 median debt.
Rice University placed #23 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Rice University earn a median of $51,110 early in their careers. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Commerce ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,026, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,007 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $45,653 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,007 median debt. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
Midwestern State University landed the #25 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $9,950, with out-of-state students paying around $11,770. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,415 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Midwestern State University generally make around $41,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 76 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 76 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.
