2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k
69
Ranked Colleges
3,106
Degrees Awarded
$9,300
Avg Net Price*
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.
In 2020-2021, 3,106 people earned their degree in parks, recreation and leisure studies, making the major the 218th most popular in the United States.
This year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 69 colleges that offered a degree in parks, recreation and leisure studies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great parks, recreation and leisure studies programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.
To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the parks, recreation and leisure studies program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies (Income $0-$30k)
Out of the 69 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #1 spot on the list. UIUC is a large public school situated in Champaign, Illinois. It awarded 142 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, UIUC has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $4,858 for parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indiana University - Bloomington. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Indiana University - Bloomington is a large school located in Bloomington, Indiana that handed out 160 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
IU Bloomington also made our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Bloomington is $5,752 for Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at IU Bloomington
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Long Beach. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. CSULB is a public institution located in Long Beach, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 91 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
CSULB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend CSULB is $6,663 for Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at California State University - Long Beach
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Brigham Young University - Provo. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Provo, Utah, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 110 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
BYU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for BYU is $9,445 for parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Brigham Young University - Provo
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k. UMN Twin Cities is a public institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a large population, and it awarded 11 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UMN Twin Cities also took the #12 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools” ranking. It costs about $7,698 for Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at UMN Twin Cities
California State University - Sacramento ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Sacramento, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 100 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Sac State, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Sacramento is $8,163 for parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full Sac State Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report
California State University - Fresno came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Fresno, California, and it awarded 37 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Fresno State is $3,859 for Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Fresno State
With a ranking of #8, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a public institution located in San Luis Obispo, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 119 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo also made our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools” list, coming in at #3. The yearly cost to attend California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is $12,173 for Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
California State University - Chico did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. Chico State is located in Chico, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 99 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
Chico State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Chico State is $11,754 for Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Chico State
Lehman College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Lehman is located in Bronx, New York and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 26 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for Lehman College is $881 for parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Lehman Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report
With a ranking of #11, University of Northern Iowa did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cedar Falls, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 60 students in 2020-2021.
UNI also took the #8 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UNI is $10,513 for Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at UNI
University of Utah ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Salt Lake City, Utah is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 76 students in 2020-2021.
U of U not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools” list. It costs about $10,431 for parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Utah.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at University of Utah
San Jose State University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in San Jose, California, and it awarded 40 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
San Jose State also took the #10 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for San Jose State University is $12,158 for parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at San Jose State
Oklahoma State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. This large school is located in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and it awarded 35 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
OSU also made our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools” list, coming in at #18. The estimated yearly cost for Oklahoma State University - Main Campus is $8,609 for Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at OSU
With a ranking of #15, Northern Arizona University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. NAU is a large school located in Flagstaff, Arizona that handed out 59 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at NAU, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools” ranking. It costs about $10,520 for Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Northern Arizona University.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Northern Arizona University
University of Iowa ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Iowa City, Iowa, this large public school handed out 53 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
Iowa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Iowa is $13,554 for Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Iowa Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report
Western Washington University landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. WWU is a fairly large public school situated in Bellingham, Washington. It awarded 48 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, WWU has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend WWU is $9,979 for Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at WWU
Northwest Missouri State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. Located in Maryville, Missouri, this medium-sized public school handed out 29 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
Northwest not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Northwest is $9,906 for parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Northwest Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report
University of Missouri - Columbia came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Columbia, Missouri, this large public school awarded 116 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
Mizzou also took the #15 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Mizzou is $11,005 for Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full Mizzou Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report
With a ranking of #20, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. San Diego State University is a large school located in San Diego, California that handed out 32 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for San Diego State University is $7,169 for parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at San Diego State University
Winona State University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Winona State is a medium-sized school located in Winona, Minnesota that handed out 32 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Winona State, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Winona State is $11,721 for Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full Winona State Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report
With a ranking of #22, San Francisco State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. SFSU is a large public school situated in San Francisco, California. It awarded 46 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
SFSU also took the #23 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for San Francisco State University is $10,705 for Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at San Francisco State University
With a ranking of #23, University of Arkansas did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. UARK is a large public school situated in Fayetteville, Arkansas. It awarded 77 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UARK, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Arkansas is $12,003 for parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at University of Arkansas
With a ranking of #24, SUNY Cortland did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. SUNY Cortland is a medium-sized public school situated in Cortland, New York. It awarded 23 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, SUNY Cortland has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools” ranking. It costs about $11,654 for parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend SUNY Cortland.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at SUNY Cortland
Pittsburg State University landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Pittsburg State University is a medium-sized school located in Pittsburg, Kansas that handed out 19 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Pitt State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Pittsburg State University is $11,469 for parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Pitt State Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report
