2027 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong parks, recreation & leisure facilities management education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 50 schools to find the best return on investment for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the parks, recreation & leisure facilities management degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management Schools
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among parks, recreation & leisure facilities management schools in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates is $18,606. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates make about $41,046. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida Online earned it the #2 place for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates is $18,606. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $41,046 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida International University earned it the #3 place for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure facilities management program here. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates make about $29,862. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Marshall University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure facilities management schools. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure facilities management degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $52,481. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation & leisure facilities management will find it at Brigham Young University Idaho, which ranked #5. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates carry a median of $12,567 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates make about $27,961. That is a strong return on a $12,567 median debt. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
Florida State University earned the #6 position for value in parks, recreation & leisure facilities management this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates is $20,488. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure facilities management degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $51,884. That is a strong return on a $20,488 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Western Kentucky University came in at #7 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. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure facilities management degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $32,267. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
Kean University landed the #8 spot for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management value this year. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,299 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,446. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates is $27,625. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates make about $37,884. That is a strong return on a $27,625 median debt. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure facilities management schools. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates carry a median of $22,213 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure facilities management degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $35,318. Set against $22,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Eastern Kentucky University placed #10 among the best values for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates carry a median of $25,616 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates make about $30,330. That is a strong return on a $25,616 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of West Georgia ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure facilities management schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $17,800. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates carry a median of $28,750 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates make about $31,492. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Western Carolina University earned the #12 position for value in parks, recreation & leisure facilities management this year. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,630, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Students borrow a median of $22,252 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure facilities management program here. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $30,485 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Arkansas Tech University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure facilities management schools. Arkansas Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Russellville. Students from in state pay about $8,674 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,668 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates is $23,726. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure facilities management degree recipients from Arkansas Tech University generally make around $35,073. That is a strong return on a $23,726 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Missouri Western State University earned the #14 position for value in parks, recreation & leisure facilities management this year. Set in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,545, while out-of-state students pay about $18,455. Students borrow a median of $24,362 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure facilities management program here. 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.
Middle Tennessee State University earned the #15 position for value in parks, recreation & leisure facilities management this year. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates is $28,545. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $30,350 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University came in at #16 for value in parks, recreation & leisure facilities management this year. Set in the town of Weatherford, Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. 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. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure facilities management degree recipients from Southwestern Oklahoma State University generally make around $38,506. That is a strong return on a $19,757 median debt.
Western Illinois University came in at #17 for value in parks, recreation & leisure facilities management this year. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates is $29,000. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates make about $28,978. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of North Texas came in at #18 for value in parks, recreation & leisure facilities management this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure facilities management program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure facilities management degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $36,857. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Idaho landed the #19 spot for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management value this year. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,084, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. 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. That is a strong return on a $23,844 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse came in at #20 for value in parks, recreation & leisure facilities management this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,070, compared with $19,517 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates is $22,005. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure facilities management degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse generally make around $34,490. That is a strong return on a $22,005 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure facilities management schools. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure facilities management program here. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $38,116 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Mesa State College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure facilities management schools. Mesa State College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Junction. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,927, with out-of-state students paying around $25,124. Students borrow a median of $22,310 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure facilities management program here. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates make about $43,617. Set against $22,310 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mesa State College admits about 82% of applicants.
West Virginia University earned the #23 position for value in parks, recreation & leisure facilities management this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates make about $51,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Dixie State College Of Utah earned the #24 position for value in parks, recreation & leisure facilities management this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $18,246. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates is $18,666. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates of Dixie State College Of Utah earn a median of $42,266 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,666 median debt.
Towson University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure facilities management schools. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,728, while out-of-state students pay about $29,820. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management graduates is $21,241. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates of Towson University earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,241 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 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), 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 · 50 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 50 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.