Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k

16 Ranked Colleges
1,443 Degrees Awarded
$17,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor's in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. 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 for a Bachelor’s in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies is the 15th most popular major in the country with 72,122 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $29,823 and had an average of $24,576 in loans still to pay off.

Across Iowa, there were 1,572 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $30,615 and $25,199 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,443 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,922 and $25,876 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 16 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness 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, leisure, and fitness 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

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college 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. 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 a Bachelor’s in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 16 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $0-$30k) in Iowa

#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Iowa State University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k. Ames, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to 238 students in 2019-2020.

Iowa State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa” list. It costs about $10,054 for iowa bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Iowa State.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, 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 89%.

Full Iowa State Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#2

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa
#5 in overall quality

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Northern Iowa landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, this medium-sized public school awarded 113 degrees to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

UNI did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa” list. It costs about $10,757 for Iowa Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UNI.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, 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 students.

Full UNI Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#3

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Iowa. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k. Iowa City, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to 652 students in 2019-2020.

Iowa also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for University of Iowa is $12,975 for Iowa Bachelor’s Degree 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 88%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

#4

Buena Vista University

Storm Lake, Iowa
#9 in overall quality

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Buena Vista University landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Storm Lake, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 18 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at BVU, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for BVU is $14,210 for Iowa Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Buena Vista University

#5

Coe College

Cedar Rapids, Iowa
#7 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Coe College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k. This small school is located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and it awarded 11 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Coe, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $14,590 for Iowa Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Coe.

The low 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, & Fitness Studies at Coe College

#6

Simpson College

Indianola, Iowa
#4 in overall quality

Simpson College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. Simpson College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Indianola, Iowa. It awarded 25 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Simpson College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa” list. The yearly cost to attend Simpson College is $15,357 for iowa bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.7% 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, & Fitness Studies at Simpson College

#7

Cornell College

Mount Vernon, Iowa
#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Cornell College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Mount Vernon, Iowa, and it awarded 24 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Cornell College also took the #8 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cornell College is $20,458 for iowa bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Cornell College

#8

Loras College

Dubuque, Iowa
#6 in overall quality

Loras College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k list. Loras College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Dubuque, Iowa. It awarded 33 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Loras also took the #6 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Loras College is $16,154 for iowa bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.2% 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 full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Loras

#9

Northwestern College

Orange City, Iowa
#3 in overall quality

Northwestern College landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Orange City, Iowa 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 21 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at NWC, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northwestern College is $20,581 for Iowa Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low 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%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Northwestern College

#12 in overall quality

Graceland University - Lamoni ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k list. Graceland University - Lamoni is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lamoni, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 24 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Graceland Lamoni, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $15,015 for iowa bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Graceland Lamoni.

Full Graceland Lamoni Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#11

Grand View University

Des Moines, Iowa
#10 in overall quality

Grand View University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Grand View University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Des Moines, Iowa. It awarded 66 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Grand View University also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #10. The yearly cost to attend Grand View University is $18,481 for Iowa Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Grand View University

#12

Wartburg College

Waverly, Iowa
#15 in overall quality

Wartburg College landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Wartburg is a small school located in Waverly, Iowa that handed out 12 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Wartburg also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #15. The yearly cost to attend Wartburg is $16,334 for iowa bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Wartburg College

#13

Dordt University

Sioux Center, Iowa
#13 in overall quality

Dordt University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. This small school is located in Sioux Center, Iowa, and it awarded 12 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Dordt, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $24,967 for iowa bachelor’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Dordt.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Dordt

#14

Saint Ambrose University

Davenport, Iowa
#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, Saint Ambrose University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k list. Davenport, Iowa 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 64 students in 2019-2020.

St. Ambrose University also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #11. The yearly cost to attend St. Ambrose University is $23,977 for Iowa Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full St. Ambrose University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#15

University of Dubuque

Dubuque, Iowa
#14 in overall quality

University of Dubuque did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. This small school is located in Dubuque, Iowa, and it awarded 27 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UD also took the #14 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $19,369 for Iowa Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Dubuque.

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

#16

Upper Iowa University

Fayette, Iowa
#16 in overall quality

Upper Iowa University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Bachelor’s in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Fayette, Iowa, and it awarded 11 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UIU also took the #16 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Upper Iowa University is $21,427 for Iowa Bachelor’s Degree Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

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.

Credits

Featured Athletic Training Schools

Find Schools Near You