2027 Best Value Recreation Administration Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Recreation Administration](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/recreation-administration/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong recreation administration education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 51 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for recreation administration students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Recreation Administration Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in recreation administration, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Recreation Administration Schools
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among recreation administration schools in the United States. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, 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. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Students borrow a median of $18,606 to complete the recreation administration program here. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $41,046. That is a strong return on a $18,606 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Florida International University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value recreation administration schools. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the recreation administration program here. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $29,862. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Marshall University one of the best values for recreation administration. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Typical student debt for recreation administration graduates is $25,250. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $52,481. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in recreation administration will find it at Brigham Young University Idaho, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $12,567 in student loans. Recreation Administration graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $27,961 early in their careers. Set against $12,567 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University came in at #6 for value in recreation administration this year. 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, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $20,488 in student loans. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $51,884. Set against $20,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Western Kentucky University landed the #7 spot for recreation administration value this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the recreation administration program here. Early-career recreation administration graduates make about $32,267. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Kean University landed the #8 spot for recreation administration value this year. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. Students from in state pay about $14,299 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $27,625 in student loans. 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.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for recreation administration. 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, 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. Set against $22,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
Eastern Kentucky University placed #10 among the best values for recreation administration. 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. Typical student debt for recreation administration graduates is $25,616. Recreation Administration graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $30,330 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,616 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of West Georgia came in at #11 for value in recreation administration this year. Located in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,800. Students borrow a median of $28,750 to complete the recreation administration program here. Recreation Administration graduates of University Of West Georgia earn a median of $31,492 early in their careers. 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 recreation administration this year. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. Typical student debt for recreation administration graduates is $22,252. Early-career recreation administration graduates make about $30,485. Set against $22,252 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Arkansas Tech University came in at #13 for value in recreation administration this year. Located in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,674, with out-of-state students paying around $14,668. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $23,726 in student loans. Early-career recreation administration graduates make about $35,073. Set against $23,726 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri Western State University placed #14 among the best values for recreation administration. Set in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,545, with out-of-state students paying around $18,455. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $24,362 in student loans. Recreation Administration graduates of Missouri Western State University earn a median of $41,107 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,362 median debt.
Middle Tennessee State University placed #15 among the best values for recreation administration. 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. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value recreation administration schools. Set in the town of Weatherford, Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,469, compared with $8,499 for out-of-state students. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $19,757 in student loans. Early-career recreation administration graduates make about $38,506. Set against $19,757 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Illinois University placed #17 among the best values for recreation administration. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the recreation administration program here. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $28,978. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of North Texas ranked #18 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. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for recreation administration graduates is $26,000. Recreation Administration graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $36,857 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Idaho placed #19 among the best values for recreation administration. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. In-state tuition and fees average $9,084, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $23,844 in student loans. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from University Of Idaho generally make around $43,246. Set against $23,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse landed the #20 spot for recreation administration value this year. Set in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,070, while out-of-state students pay about $19,517. Students borrow a median of $22,005 to complete the recreation administration program here. Early-career recreation administration graduates make about $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 earned the #21 position for value in recreation administration this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, recreation administration 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 ranked #22 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,927, while out-of-state students pay about $25,124. Typical student debt for recreation administration graduates is $22,310. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from Mesa State College generally make around $43,617. Set against $22,310 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
West Virginia University came in at #23 for value in recreation administration this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete the recreation administration program here. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $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 recreation administration this year. Located in the city of Saint George, Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,306, with out-of-state students paying around $18,246. Typical student debt for recreation administration graduates is $18,666. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from Dixie State College Of Utah generally make around $42,266. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Towson University came in at #25 for value in recreation administration this year. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Typical student debt for recreation administration graduates is $21,241. Early-career recreation administration graduates make about $50,370. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. 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:
Other Recreation Administration Degree Levels
Explore the best-value recreation administration schools at other degree levels:
View All Recreation Administration Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 51 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 51 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.
