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2023 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies (Income $75-$110k) in the Plains States Region

12 Ranked Colleges
444 Degrees Awarded
$18,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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.

Across the Plains States region, there were 444 parks, recreation and leisure studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking analyzed 12 colleges that offered a degree in parks, recreation and leisure studies. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent parks, recreation and leisure studies programs, but they also cost less that 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.

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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 in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k.

Top 12 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies (Income $75-$110k) in the Plains States Region

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwest Missouri State University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k. This medium-sized school is located in Maryville, Missouri, and it awarded 29 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Northwest also made our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #6. The estimated yearly cost for Northwest Missouri State University is $14,894 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Northwest

2
UNI crest
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Northern Iowa. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. This medium-sized school is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and it awarded 60 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

UNI also made our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $18,318 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UNI.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at University of Northern Iowa

3
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Winona State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k. Winona State University is a public institution located in Winona, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 32 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Winona State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $18,902 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Winona State.

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

4
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Iowa. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k. Iowa City, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 53 students in 2020-2021.

Iowa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Iowa is $20,719 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.

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.

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

5
Pitt State crest
Pittsburg State University
Pittsburg, Kansas

Out of the 12 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Pittsburg State University landed the #5 spot on the list. Pittsburg State University is located in Pittsburg, Kansas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 19 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Pitt State, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Pitt State is $17,269 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Pitt State

6

With a ranking of #6, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a large public school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 11 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k list, UMN Twin Cities has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UMN Twin Cities is $18,938 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%.

Full UMN Twin Cities Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report

7

University of Nebraska at Kearney ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. This medium-sized school is located in Kearney, Nebraska, and it awarded 60 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

UNK also made our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #7. The yearly cost to attend UNK is $19,463 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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 more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at University of Nebraska at Kearney

8

University of Missouri - Columbia ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. University of Missouri - Columbia is located in Columbia, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 116 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

Mizzou not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Missouri - Columbia is $19,956 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Mizzou Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report

9
Southeast Missouri State University crest
Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, Missouri

With a ranking of #9, Southeast Missouri State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Southeast Missouri State University is a medium-sized school located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri that handed out 11 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Southeast Missouri State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $16,624 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Southeast Missouri State University.

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

10

Missouri State University - Springfield came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Springfield, Missouri, this large public school handed out 13 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

Missouri State also made our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #10. It costs about $17,994 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Missouri State University - Springfield.

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%.

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

11
ESU crest
Emporia State University
Emporia, Kansas

With a ranking of #11, Emporia State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Emporia State University is located in Emporia, Kansas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 8 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

ESU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend ESU is $16,759 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at ESU

12

University of Minnesota - Duluth did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #12. Duluth, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 21 students in 2020-2021.

UMN Duluth also made our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #9. The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth is $19,107 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at UMN Duluth

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