2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in North Dakota
[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 8 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students.
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2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in North Dakota
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools
Mayville State University earned the #1 spot for value among parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools in North Dakota. Located in the rural area of Mayville, Mayville State University is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,979, with out-of-state students paying around $11,237. Students borrow a median of $27,464 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $49,971. Set against $27,464 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Valley City State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,580, with out-of-state students paying around $13,544. Students borrow a median of $25,074 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Valley City State University earn a median of $48,241 early in their careers. Set against $25,074 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Minot State University one of the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Minot State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Minot. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,702. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $25,788 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Minot State University generally make around $50,645. That is a strong return on a $25,788 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Dickinson State University one of the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Dickinson State University is a small public school located in the town of Dickinson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,118. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,266. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $51,049. Set against $27,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 37% of applicants are accepted.
North Dakota State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,910, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $36,646. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Mary earned the #6 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $22,356. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Mary earn a median of $65,565 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of North Dakota landed the #7 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. University Of North Dakota is a large public school located in the city of Grand Forks. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,951, while out-of-state students pay about $15,570. Students borrow a median of $25,110 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of North Dakota generally make around $64,378. Set against $25,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Jamestown College placed #8 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the town of Jamestown, Jamestown College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $24,990. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $59,681. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
