2027 Best Value Recreation Administration Master’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.
College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value recreation administration schools.
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2027 Best Value Recreation Administration Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the recreation administration degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Recreation Administration Schools
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. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $18,606 to complete the recreation administration program here. Early-career recreation administration graduates make about $41,046. Set against $18,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Florida International University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value recreation administration schools. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, 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 $39,858. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Western Kentucky University one of the best values for recreation administration. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Recreation Administration graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $43,655 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a great value for students pursuing a degree in recreation administration, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for recreation administration graduates is $20,500. Early-career recreation administration graduates make about $45,117. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in recreation administration will find it at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse, which ranked #5. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public university. 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. Soon after graduation, recreation administration 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.
Frostburg State University landed the #6 spot for recreation administration value this year. 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, compared with $25,814 for out-of-state students. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Recreation Administration graduates of Frostburg State University earn a median of $25,345 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Arkansas placed #7 among the best values for recreation administration. Located in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $29,966. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $24,019 in student loans. Recreation Administration graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of $47,041 early in their careers. Set against $24,019 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arkansas admits about 74% of applicants.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania landed the #8 spot for recreation administration value this year. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. In-state tuition and fees average $10,568, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career recreation administration graduates make about $46,457. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
South Dakota State University placed #9 among the best values for recreation administration. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. In-state tuition and fees average $9,299, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. Typical student debt for recreation administration graduates is $25,093. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from South Dakota State University generally make around $38,076. That is a strong return on a $25,093 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Southern Connecticut State University landed the #10 spot for recreation administration value this year. Located in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,442, with out-of-state students paying around $16,942. Typical student debt for recreation administration graduates is $25,000. Early-career recreation administration graduates make about $46,274. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Clemson University placed #11 among the best values for recreation administration. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,554, while out-of-state students pay about $40,866. Typical student debt for recreation administration graduates is $22,592. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from Clemson University generally make around $43,626. Set against $22,592 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
New England College placed #12 among the best values for recreation administration. New England College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Henniker. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,474. Students borrow a median of $35,038 to complete the recreation administration program here. Early-career recreation administration graduates make about $68,950. That is a strong return on a $35,038 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
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 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
