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2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

15 Ranked Colleges
506 Degrees Awarded
$12,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor's in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2019-2020, 3,224 people earned their degree in parks, recreation and leisure studies, making the major the 191st most popular in the United States.

Across the Plains States region, there were 521 parks, recreation and leisure studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 506 parks, recreation and leisure studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,786 and $25,576 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 15 colleges that offer a degree in parks, recreation and leisure studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality parks, recreation and leisure studies programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the parks, recreation and leisure studies program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 15 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

#1

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#3 in overall quality

Out of the 15 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #1 spot on the list. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 26 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMN Twin Cities, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $8,418 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UMN Twin Cities.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Missouri - Columbia. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. This large school is located in Columbia, Missouri, and it awarded 126 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Mizzou, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $11,595 for plains states region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Missouri - Columbia.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 University of Missouri - Columbia Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report

#7 in overall quality

Out of the 15 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Duluth landed the #3 spot on the list. Duluth, Minnesota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to 10 students in 2019-2020.

UMN Duluth did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Duluth is $7,992 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at University of Minnesota - Duluth

#4

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa
#4 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Northern Iowa. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. University of Northern Iowa is a medium-sized public school situated in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It awarded 48 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UNI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UNI is $12,495 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Full UNI Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report

#5

Winona State University

Winona, Minnesota
#5 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Winona State University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Winona, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to 38 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Winona State, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Winona State University is $13,606 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Winona State University

#10 in overall quality

Northwest Missouri State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. Maryville, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to 43 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, Northwest has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Northwest is $9,863 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Northwest Missouri State University Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report

#7

Pittsburg State University

Pittsburg, Kansas
#11 in overall quality

Pittsburg State University landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Pittsburg State University is a medium-sized school located in Pittsburg, Kansas that handed out 23 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Pitt State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Pittsburg State University is $11,973 for plains states region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Pitt State Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report

#6 in overall quality

University of Nebraska at Kearney came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Nebraska at Kearney is a medium-sized public school situated in Kearney, Nebraska. It awarded 57 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UNK did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Nebraska at Kearney is $13,417 for plains states region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low 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 UNK

#12 in overall quality

University of Nebraska at Omaha landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, this fairly large public school handed out 8 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

UNOMAHA also took the #12 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $11,460 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UNOMAHA.

Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at University of Nebraska at Omaha

#10

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
#2 in overall quality

University of Iowa came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Iowa is a public institution located in Iowa City, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 67 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa is $15,073 for plains states region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low 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%.

Full Iowa Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report

#11

Southeast Missouri State University

Cape Girardeau, Missouri
#15 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, Southeast Missouri State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Southeast Missouri State University is a public institution located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 13 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Southeast Missouri State University also made our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #15. The yearly cost to attend Southeast Missouri State University is $10,217 for plains states region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Southeast Missouri State University

#12

Emporia State University

Emporia, Kansas
#8 in overall quality

Emporia State University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Emporia, Kansas, and it awarded 7 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

ESU also made our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #8. The estimated yearly cost for Emporia State University is $11,964 for plains states region bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Emporia State University

#9 in overall quality

Missouri State University - Springfield came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Missouri State University - Springfield is located in Springfield, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 30 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Missouri State, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Missouri State is $13,488 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Missouri State University - Springfield

#14

Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, Missouri
#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, Lindenwood University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Saint Charles, Missouri, and it awarded 7 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Lindenwood University, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lindenwood University is $13,918 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Lindenwood University

#15

Baker University

Baldwin City, Kansas
#13 in overall quality

Baker University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Baldwin City, Kansas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

Baker not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $19,042 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Baker University.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Baker University

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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