2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/recreation-administration/parks-recreation-facilities-management/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong parks, recreation & leisure facilities management education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 159 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management students.
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2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in parks, recreation & leisure facilities management, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management Schools
For return on investment in parks, recreation & leisure facilities management, no school beat University Of Florida this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates carry a median of $18,606 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure facilities management degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $41,046. Set against $18,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation & leisure facilities management will find it at University Of Florida Online, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,876 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates carry a median of $17,779 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates make about $43,822. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Florida International University one of the best values for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates is $19,000. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates make about $29,862. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brigham Young University Idaho earned it the #4 place for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates is $12,567. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $27,961 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,567 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation & leisure facilities management will find it at Florida State University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates is $20,488. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $51,884 early in their careers. Set against $20,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Western Kentucky University earned the #6 position for value in parks, recreation & leisure facilities management this year. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates is $26,000. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $32,267 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Kean University placed #7 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,625 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure facilities management program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure facilities management degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $37,884. That is a strong return on a $27,625 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Kentucky University earned the #8 position for value in parks, recreation & leisure facilities management this year. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Students borrow a median of $25,616 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure facilities management program here. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates make about $30,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates is $22,213. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates make about $35,318. That is a strong return on a $22,213 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Western Carolina University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure facilities management schools. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates carry a median of $22,252 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates make about $30,485. Set against $22,252 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Middle Tennessee State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure facilities management schools. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Students borrow a median of $28,545 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure facilities management program here. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates make about $30,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Western Illinois University placed #12 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates is $29,000. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure facilities management degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $28,978. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of North Texas came in at #13 for value in parks, recreation & leisure facilities management this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates make about $36,857. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
Missouri Western State University placed #14 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management. Located in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,545, while out-of-state students pay about $18,455. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates is $24,362. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure facilities management degree recipients from Missouri Western State University generally make around $41,107. That is a strong return on a $24,362 median debt.
West Virginia University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure facilities management schools. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates is $23,772. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates make about $51,750. Set against $23,772 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University placed #16 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management. Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Weatherford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,469, with out-of-state students paying around $8,499. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates is $19,757. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates make about $38,506. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Old Dominion University placed #17 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $34,040 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Old Dominion University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Idaho came in at #18 for value in parks, recreation & leisure facilities management this year. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,084 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates carry a median of $23,844 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure facilities management degree recipients from University Of Idaho generally make around $43,246. Set against $23,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Idaho admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse placed #19 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management. Set in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,070 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,517. Students borrow a median of $22,005 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure facilities management program here. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates make about $34,490. That is a strong return on a $22,005 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Dixie State College Of Utah ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure facilities management schools. Set in the city of Saint George, Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,306 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,246. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates is $18,666. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates make about $42,266. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #21 spot for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management value this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure facilities management degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $38,116. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Mesa State College placed #22 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management. Located in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,927, with out-of-state students paying around $25,124. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates is $22,310. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates of Mesa State College earn a median of $43,617 early in their careers. Set against $22,310 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Brockport earned the #23 position for value in parks, recreation & leisure facilities management this year. Located in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,752, compared with $15,822 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates is $25,000. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates make about $30,388. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Frostburg State University placed #24 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management. Set in the town of Frostburg, Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,220, with out-of-state students paying around $25,814. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates is $25,000. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates make about $25,345. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Frostburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of West Georgia came in at #25 for value in parks, recreation & leisure facilities management this year. Set in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,088, compared with $17,800 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates is $28,750. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates of University Of West Georgia earn a median of $31,492 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,750 median debt. University Of West Georgia admits about 52% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 49 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s parks, recreation & leisure facilities management value ranking:
Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management rankings across degree levels:
View All Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 159 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 46 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.
