2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k
69
Ranked Colleges
3,106
Degrees Awarded
$9,300
Avg Net Price*
When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies is the 166th most popular major in the country with 3,106 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, parks, recreation and leisure studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $31,801 and had an average of $23,333 in loans still to pay off.
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. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality parks, recreation and leisure studies programs that also have a lower cost than 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
More Ways to Rank Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools
The parks & rec school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k”.
To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to 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 For Those Making $0-$30k
The colleges and universities below are the best for parks & rec students whose families make $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 public institution located in Champaign, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 142 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UIUC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $4,858 for Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
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, Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #2 spot on the list. This large school is located in Bloomington, Indiana, and it awarded 160 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
IU Bloomington not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for IU Bloomington is $5,752 for parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% 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 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Indiana University - Bloomington Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Long Beach. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k. CSULB is located in Long Beach, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 91 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, CSULB has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend CSULB is $6,663 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 2.4% 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 CSULB
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Brigham Young University - Provo. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k. Brigham Young University - Provo is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Provo, Utah. It awarded 110 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
BYU also took the #4 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools” ranking. It costs about $9,445 for Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Brigham Young University - Provo.
With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Full BYU Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report
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 Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #5 spot on the list. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 11 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
UMN Twin Cities also took the #12 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UMN Twin Cities is $7,698 for parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
California State University - Sacramento ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Sacramento, California, and it awarded 100 ’s parks and rec degrees 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 yearly cost to attend California State University - Sacramento is $8,163 for Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at California State University - Sacramento
California State University - Fresno ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Fresno is a large school located in Fresno, California that handed out 37 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fresno is $3,859 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 87%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full California State University - Fresno Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. San Luis Obispo, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 119 students in 2020-2021.
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo also made our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools” list, coming in at #3. The estimated yearly cost for California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is $12,173 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 94%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report
California State University - Chico ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Chico, California, and it awarded 99 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Chico State also made our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools” list, coming in at #7. 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%.
Full Chico State Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report
Lehman College landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. 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.
It costs about $881 for Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Lehman.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Lehman College
University of Northern Iowa came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. 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” list, coming in at #8. The estimated yearly cost for University of Northern Iowa is $10,513 for Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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 Northern Iowa Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report
University of Utah landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. U of U is a public institution located in Salt Lake City, Utah. The school has a large population, and it awarded 76 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
U of U did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend U of U is $10,431 for parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at U of U
San Jose State University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. San Jose, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 40 students in 2020-2021.
San Jose State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools” list. It costs about $12,158 for Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend San Jose State University.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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 full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at San Jose State
Oklahoma State University - Main Campus ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. 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. It costs about $8,609 for parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Oklahoma State University - Main Campus.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at OSU
Northern Arizona University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Flagstaff, Arizona, this large public school awarded 59 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
NAU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend NAU is $10,520 for parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on 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. This large school is located in Iowa City, Iowa, and it awarded 53 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Iowa also took the #5 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools” ranking. It costs about $13,554 for parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Iowa.
With a freshman retention rate of 88%, 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%.
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. Western Washington University is a fairly large public school situated in Bellingham, Washington. It awarded 48 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
WWU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Western Washington University 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%.
Full WWU Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report
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. Northwest Missouri State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Maryville, Missouri. It awarded 29 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Northwest also took the #20 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northwest Missouri State University is $9,906 for Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Northwest Missouri State University
University of Missouri - Columbia landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Columbia, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 116 students in 2020-2021.
Mizzou did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools” list. It costs about $11,005 for Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Missouri - Columbia.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. 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 University of Missouri - Columbia Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report
San Diego State University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in San Diego, California, this large public school handed out 32 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $7,169 for Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend SDSU.
With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at San Diego State University
With a ranking of #21, Winona State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Winona, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school awarded 32 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
Winona State also made our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools” list, coming in at #13. It costs about $11,721 for parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Winona State University.
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%.
Full Winona State Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report
San Francisco State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. SFSU is located in San Francisco, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 46 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, SFSU has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SFSU is $10,705 for Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full San Francisco State University Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report
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 public institution located in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 77 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UARK did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend UARK is $12,003 for parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, 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 85%.
Full UARK Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report
SUNY Cortland ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. SUNY Cortland is located in Cortland, New York and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 23 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
SUNY Cortland not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools” list. It costs about $11,654 for parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend SUNY Cortland.
With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at SUNY Cortland
Pittsburg State University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Pittsburg, Kansas, and it awarded 19 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Pitt State also made our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools” list, coming in at #25. The estimated yearly cost for Pittsburg State University is $11,469 for Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Pitt State
