2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 123 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 The Plains States Region
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 Kirkwood Community College the best value for a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies in the The Plains States Region. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $6,176, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $15,779 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $41,681. That is a strong return on a $15,779 median debt.
Valley City State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Valley City State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Valley City. Students from in state pay about $8,580 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,544. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $25,074. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $48,241. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Des Moines Area Community College one of the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,790 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $14,956 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $43,121. That is a strong return on a $14,956 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at Haskell Indian Nations University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Lawrence, Haskell Indian Nations University is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $600. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $24,914. Haskell Indian Nations University admits about 90% of applicants.
Truman State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,838, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $26,865 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Mayville State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the rural area of Mayville, Mayville State University is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $7,979 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,237. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $27,464 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Mayville State University generally make around $49,971. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Missouri Southern State University earned the #7 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,600 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $24,947. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Missouri Southern State University generally make around $34,465. Set against $24,947 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Students borrow a median of $25,661 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $42,812. That is a strong return on a $25,661 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Morris placed #9 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the town of Morris, University Of Minnesota Morris is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,526, while out-of-state students pay about $16,710. Students borrow a median of $21,080 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Minnesota Morris earn a median of $44,479 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Morris admits about 75% of applicants.
Wichita State University came in at #10 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $34,774. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Chadron State College came in at #11 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,294. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,117 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $27,129. Set against $26,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Peru State College earned the #12 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Peru State College is a small public school located in the rural area of Peru. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,433. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $26,254. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Peru State College generally make around $40,993. That is a strong return on a $26,254 median debt.
Saint Cloud State University earned the #13 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $51,625. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Missouri St Louis landed the #14 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Students borrow a median of $25,943 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $53,079 early in their careers. Set against $25,943 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri Western State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Saint Joseph. In-state tuition and fees average $9,545, with out-of-state students paying around $18,455. Students borrow a median of $24,815 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Missouri Western State University generally make around $36,557. Set against $24,815 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dickinson State University landed the #16 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the town of Dickinson, Dickinson State University is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,118. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $27,266 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Dickinson State University earn a median of $51,049 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,266 median debt. Roughly 37% of applicants are accepted.
North Dakota State University Main Campus came in at #17 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $23,250. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $36,646 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa Lakes Community College landed the #18 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the town of Estherville, Iowa Lakes Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,392, compared with $7,872 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,876 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Iowa Lakes Community College generally make around $46,937. That is a strong return on a $20,876 median debt.
University Of Central Missouri earned the #19 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $26,000. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $39,975. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa Western Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,930, compared with $7,080 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $15,153. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Iowa Western Community College earn a median of $43,444 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,153 median debt.
Minot State University placed #21 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the city of Minot, Minot State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,702 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,788 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $50,645. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Pittsburg State University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400, compared with $19,744 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,758 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Pittsburg State University earn a median of $36,360 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,758 median debt. Pittsburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Northern Iowa earned the #23 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $22,538 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $37,949 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #24 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $23,064 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $36,050. Set against $23,064 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Bemidji State University earned the #25 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Bemidji State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Bemidji. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,237. Students borrow a median of $24,898 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $32,388. Set against $24,898 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
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. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 123 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 123 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.
