[Recreation Administration](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/recreation-administration/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 57 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for recreation administration students.
Finding the Best Value Recreation Administration School for You
The recreation administration program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Recreation Administration Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Recreation Administration Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in recreation administration in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $18,606 in student loans. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $41,046. Set against $18,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida Online earned it the #2 place for recreation administration. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $3,876 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $18,606 in student loans. Recreation Administration graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $41,046 early in their careers. Set against $18,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
A rank of #3 makes Santa Rosa Junior College one of the best values for recreation administration. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Early-career recreation administration graduates make about $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in recreation administration, landing the #4 spot this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $34,860. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Marshall University earned it the #5 place for recreation administration. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Early-career recreation administration graduates make about $52,481. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Idaho placed #6 among the best values for recreation administration. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Students borrow a median of $12,567 to complete the recreation administration program here. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $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 came in at #7 for value in recreation administration this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,488 to complete the recreation administration program here. Recreation Administration graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $51,884 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University came in at #8 for value in recreation administration this year. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the recreation administration program here. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $37,961. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Kean University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value recreation administration schools. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for recreation administration graduates is $27,625. Recreation Administration graduates of Kean University earn a median of $37,884 early in their careers. Set against $27,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
Augusta Technical College placed #10 among the best values for recreation administration. Located in the city of Augusta, Augusta Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,282, compared with $7,492 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,400 to complete the recreation administration program here. Recreation Administration graduates of Augusta Technical College earn a median of $41,892 early in their careers. Set against $11,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #11 among the best values for recreation administration. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,772 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for recreation administration graduates is $22,213. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $35,318. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Eastern Kentucky University came in at #12 for value in recreation administration this year. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $25,616 in student loans. Early-career recreation administration graduates make about $30,330. That is a strong return on a $25,616 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Green River Community College earned the #13 position for value in recreation administration this year. Green River Community College is a large public school located in the city of Auburn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,711, with out-of-state students paying around $5,263. Median earnings reach $50,712 ten years out.
University Of West Georgia earned the #14 position for value in recreation administration this year. Located in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,088, compared with $17,800 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for recreation administration graduates is $28,750. Recreation Administration 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. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Western Carolina University earned the #15 position for value in recreation administration this year. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,252 to complete the recreation administration program here. Recreation Administration 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. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas Tech University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value recreation administration schools. Located in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public university. 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 recreation administration graduates is $23,726. Recreation Administration graduates of Arkansas Tech University earn a median of $35,073 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,726 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri Western State University landed the #17 spot for recreation administration value this year. Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Saint Joseph. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,545, with out-of-state students paying around $18,455. Students borrow a median of $24,362 to complete the recreation administration program here. Early-career recreation administration graduates make about $41,107. That is a strong return on a $24,362 median debt.
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #18 for value in recreation administration this year. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Typical student debt for recreation administration graduates is $28,545. Recreation Administration graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $30,350 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,545 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University placed #19 among the best values for recreation administration. Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Weatherford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,469, with out-of-state students paying around $8,499. Typical student debt for recreation administration graduates is $19,757. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from Southwestern Oklahoma State University generally make around $38,506. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Illinois University placed #20 among the best values for recreation administration. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Early-career recreation administration graduates make about $34,131. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
Herkimer County Community College landed the #21 spot for recreation administration value this year. Located in the town of Herkimer, Herkimer County Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776. Typical student debt for recreation administration graduates is $16,400. Early-career recreation administration graduates make about $31,468. That is a strong return on a $16,400 median debt.
University Of North Texas ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value recreation administration schools. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $39,969. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Idaho placed #23 among the best values for recreation administration. Set in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,084 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. Students borrow a median of $23,844 to complete the recreation administration program here. Recreation Administration graduates of University Of Idaho earn a median of $43,246 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,844 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #24 spot for recreation administration value this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Recreation Administration graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $41,617 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Mesa State College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value recreation administration schools. Located in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,927, with out-of-state students paying around $25,124. Typical student debt for recreation administration graduates is $22,310. Early-career recreation administration graduates make about $43,617. Set against $22,310 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Recreation Administration Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for recreation administration this year:
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 · 57 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 57 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).
[Recreation Administration](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/recreation-administration/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
