2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Minnesota
[Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 21 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 Minnesota
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
University Of Minnesota Morris tops our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools in Minnesota. University Of Minnesota Morris is a small public school located in the town of Morris. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,526, while out-of-state students pay about $16,710. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $21,080 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Morris generally make around $44,479. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Morris admits about 75% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Saint Cloud State University one of the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,000. 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%.
A rank of #3 makes Bemidji State University one of the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,237. Students borrow a median of $24,898 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Bemidji State University generally make around $32,388. That is a strong return on a $24,898 median debt. Bemidji State University admits about 56% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Students borrow a median of $23,064 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $36,050 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Southwest Minnesota State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,361 in tuition and fees. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Southwest Minnesota State University generally make around $32,802. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Winona State University landed the #6 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,576, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Students borrow a median of $25,431 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Winona State University earn a median of $41,655 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Minnesota State University Moorhead earned the #7 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,428. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Minnesota State University Moorhead generally make around $38,088. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Duluth earned the #8 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,608, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. Students borrow a median of $23,629 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $33,055. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Duluth admits about 89% of applicants.
Concordia University Saint Paul earned the #9 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,600. Students borrow a median of $29,156 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Concordia University Saint Paul earn a median of $39,033 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,156 median debt. Concordia University Saint Paul admits about 79% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Mankato placed #10 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,936 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $42,351 early in their careers. Set against $24,936 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
St Catherine University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Saint Paul, St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,428. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from St Catherine University generally make around $60,427. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. St Catherine University admits about 92% of applicants.
Hamline University earned the #12 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Students from in state pay about $50,004 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $25,530. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Hamline University generally make around $48,679. Set against $25,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Gustavus Adolphus College came in at #13 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Saint Peter. Students from in state pay about $56,076 in tuition and fees. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Gustavus Adolphus College generally make around $38,796. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Gustavus Adolphus College admits about 61% of applicants.
Augsburg College landed the #14 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Augsburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,452. 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 $37,473. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
St Olaf College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,760. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from St Olaf College generally make around $33,577. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Concordia College At Moorhead came in at #16 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the suburb of Moorhead, Concordia College At Moorhead is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $31,170 in tuition and fees. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,637 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Concordia College At Moorhead generally make around $44,611. That is a strong return on a $26,637 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
North Central University came in at #17 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, North Central University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,220. Students borrow a median of $25,496 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from North Central University generally make around $39,190. Set against $25,496 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Central University admits about 99% of applicants.
Crown College landed the #18 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Crown College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Saint Bonifacius. Students from in state pay about $31,410 in tuition and fees. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $29,537 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Crown College earn a median of $42,695 early in their careers. Set against $29,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Crown College admits about 23% of applicants.
Northwestern College Minnesota earned the #19 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Northwestern College Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,920. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $23,562. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Northwestern College Minnesota earn a median of $30,176 early in their careers. Set against $23,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwestern College Minnesota admits about 94% of applicants.
Bethel University Minnesota earned the #20 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,226 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Bethel University Minnesota generally make around $31,919. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bethel University Minnesota admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota landed the #21 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,398. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $23,923. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $65,183. That is a strong return on a $23,923 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
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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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
