College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

12 Ranked Colleges
444 Degrees Awarded
$16,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. 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 Getting Aid” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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.

Across the Plains States region, there were 444 parks, recreation and leisure studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $31,508 and $23,752 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking looked at 12 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Parks & Rec Rankings Other Ranking Categories

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 Getting Aid” 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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region parks & rec students with aid.

Top 12 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies in the Plains States Region (With Aid)

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwest Missouri State University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Maryville, Missouri, this medium-sized public school awarded 29 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region parks & rec students with aid list, Northwest has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northwest is $12,925 for plains states region parks & rec students with aid.

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

2
UNI crest
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa

Out of the 12 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Northern Iowa landed the #2 spot on the list. This medium-sized school is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and it awarded 60 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

UNI did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $16,438 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend University of Northern Iowa.

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%.

Full UNI Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report

3
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

Out of the 12 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Iowa landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Iowa is a large school located in Iowa City, Iowa that handed out 53 ’s parks and rec degrees 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. It costs about $19,401 for plains states region parks & rec students with aid per year to attend Iowa.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. 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 Iowa

4
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 #4 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid. Winona State is a medium-sized public school situated in Winona, Minnesota. It awarded 32 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region parks & rec students with aid list, Winona State has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Winona State University is $17,634 for plains states region parks & rec students with aid.

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%.

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

5

Out of the 12 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Missouri - Columbia landed the #5 spot on the list. University of Missouri - Columbia is a large school located in Columbia, Missouri that handed out 116 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

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. It costs about $16,559 for plains states region parks & rec students with aid per year to attend University of Missouri - Columbia.

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 University of Missouri - Columbia Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report

6
Pitt State crest
Pittsburg State University
Pittsburg, Kansas

Pittsburg State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Pittsburg, Kansas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 19 students in 2020-2021.

Pitt State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $14,575 for plains states region parks & rec students with aid per year to attend Pitt State.

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

7

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 11 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $17,878 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 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.

Full University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report

8

University of Nebraska at Kearney ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Kearney, Nebraska, this medium-sized public school handed out 60 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students 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 $17,099 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Nebraska at Kearney Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report

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

Southeast Missouri State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #9. Southeast Missouri State University is a public institution located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 11 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Southeast Missouri State University, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $13,568 for plains states region parks & rec students with aid per year to attend Southeast Missouri State University.

Read full report on 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 Getting Aid ranking. Missouri State is a public institution located in Springfield, Missouri. The school has a large population, and it awarded 13 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Missouri State, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,718 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend Missouri State.

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 more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Missouri State University - Springfield

11

University of Minnesota - Duluth did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #11. University of Minnesota - Duluth is a medium-sized public school situated in Duluth, Minnesota. It awarded 21 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region parks & rec students with aid list, UMN Duluth has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $18,505 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, 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

12
ESU crest
Emporia State University
Emporia, Kansas

Emporia State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. ESU is a public institution located in Emporia, Kansas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 8 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

ESU also took the #12 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Emporia State University is $14,794 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students with aid.

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

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options