2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region
67
Ranked Colleges
5,811
Degrees Awarded
$15,600
Avg Net Price*
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking is part of that endeavor.
In 2020-2021, 73,813 people earned their degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies, making the major the 15th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $31,423 and had an average of $24,388 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Plains States region, there were 5,811 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $31,332 and $25,331 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking analyzed 67 colleges that offered a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
More Ways to Rank Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools
The parks & rec school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region”.
In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Plains States Region
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend South Dakota State University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region list. South Dakota State is a fairly large public school situated in Brookings, South Dakota. It awarded 50 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region parks & rec students list, South Dakota State has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $18,578 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students per year to attend South Dakota State.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at South Dakota State University
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Dickinson State University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region list. Dickinson State University is a small public school situated in Dickinson, North Dakota. It awarded 22 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $12,673 for plains states region parks & rec students per year to attend Dickinson State University.
Full DSU Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Minot State University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region list. MSU is a small public school situated in Minot, North Dakota. It awarded 37 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $12,205 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students per year to attend MSU.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Minot State University
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region list. North Dakota State University - Main Campus is located in Fargo, North Dakota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 87 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our plains states region parks & rec students list, North Dakota State University has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for North Dakota State University - Main Campus is $16,998 for plains states region parks & rec students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full North Dakota State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Out of the 67 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Minnesota State University - Mankato landed the #5 spot on the list. Minnesota State University - Mankato is a fairly large public school situated in Mankato, Minnesota. It awarded 175 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region parks & rec students list, Minnesota State Mankato has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato is $17,159 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full Minnesota State University - Mankato Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
With a ranking of #6, Winona State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region list. Winona State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Winona, Minnesota. It awarded 97 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Winona State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $17,634 for plains states region parks & rec students per year to attend Winona State University.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Winona State Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
University of North Dakota came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This fairly large school is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and it awarded 29 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
UND did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of North Dakota is $16,966 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full UND Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Northwest Missouri State University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Northwest is located in Maryville, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 52 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend Northwest Missouri State University is $12,925 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Northwest Missouri State University
Wayne State College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This small school is located in Wayne, Nebraska, and it awarded 32 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Wayne State College is $14,141 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Wayne State College
University of Northern Iowa landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and it awarded 131 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
UNI also took the #9 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,438 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students per year to attend UNI.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Northern Iowa
Lindenwood University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region list. This medium-sized school is located in Saint Charles, Missouri, and it awarded 128 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Lindenwood University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $17,366 for plains states region parks & rec students per year to attend Lindenwood University.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full Lindenwood University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
With a ranking of #12, Concordia University, Saint Paul did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region list. Concordia University, Saint Paul is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 198 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region parks & rec students list, Concordia University, Saint Paul has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Concordia University, Saint Paul is $15,880 for plains states region parks & rec students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Concordia University, Saint Paul
With a ranking of #13, Southwest Minnesota State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region list. Marshall, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 48 students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $13,872 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students per year to attend Southwest Minnesota State University.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Southwest Minnesota State University
Iowa State University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Ames, Iowa, this large public school handed out 251 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
Iowa State also took the #3 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa State University is $16,002 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.
Full Iowa State Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Missouri State University - Springfield landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Missouri State is a large school located in Springfield, Missouri that handed out 149 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Missouri State is $16,718 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Missouri State University - Springfield Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
University of Central Missouri came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. UCM is a fairly large public school situated in Warrensburg, Missouri. It awarded 108 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region parks & rec students list, UCM has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UCM is $14,058 for plains states region parks & rec students.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Central Missouri
With a ranking of #17, Minnesota State University - Moorhead did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region list. Moorhead, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 41 students in 2020-2021.
MSU Moorhead also took the #22 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend MSU Moorhead is $17,680 for plains states region parks & rec students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at MSU Moorhead
Saint Cloud State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. St. Cloud State University is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 21 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend St. Cloud State University is $14,581 for plains states region parks & rec students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full St. Cloud State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Northern State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Northern State University is located in Aberdeen, South Dakota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 33 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $16,695 for plains states region parks & rec students per year to attend NSU.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at NSU
University of Nebraska at Kearney did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #20. University of Nebraska at Kearney is a public institution located in Kearney, Nebraska. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 88 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend University of Nebraska at Kearney is $17,099 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Nebraska at Kearney
Southeast Missouri State University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, this medium-sized public school handed out 46 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $13,568 for plains states region parks & rec students per year to attend Southeast Missouri State University.
Full Southeast Missouri State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
With a ranking of #22, University of Minnesota - Crookston did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region list. University of Minnesota - Crookston is a small school located in Crookston, Minnesota that handed out 17 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $11,593 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students per year to attend University of Minnesota - Crookston.
Full UMN Crookston Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
University of Nebraska at Omaha came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, this fairly large public school awarded 91 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
UNOMAHA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UNOMAHA is $13,914 for plains states region parks & rec students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UNOMAHA
With a ranking of #24, University of Sioux Falls did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region list. This small school is located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and it awarded 38 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for University of Sioux Falls is $21,662 for plains states region parks & rec students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Sioux Falls
Pittsburg State University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region list. Pitt State is a medium-sized public school situated in Pittsburg, Kansas. It awarded 42 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $14,575 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students per year to attend Pittsburg State University.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Pitt State
