2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k
67
Ranked Colleges
5,811
Degrees Awarded
$10,800
Avg Net Price*
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.
In 2020-2021, 73,813 people earned their degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies, making the major the 15th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $31,423 and had an average of $24,388 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Plains States region, there were 5,811 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $31,332 and $25,331 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 67 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs and cost less that 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
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 in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.
One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to 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 Making $0-$30k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 124 students in 2020-2021.
UMN Twin Cities also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $7,698 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UMN Twin Cities.
With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Full UMN Twin Cities Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Iowa State University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Ames, Iowa, and it awarded 251 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Iowa State also took the #3 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa State is $9,766 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 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.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Iowa State University
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Iowa. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Iowa is located in Iowa City, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 675 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
Iowa also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend University of Iowa is $13,554 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Iowa
Out of the 67 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Northern Iowa landed the #4 spot on the list. UNI is a medium-sized public school situated in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It awarded 131 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
UNI did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $10,513 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UNI.
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 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%.
Full UNI Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Minnesota State University - Mankato. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. This fairly large school is located in Mankato, Minnesota, and it awarded 175 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Minnesota State Mankato did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $11,692 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato.
The low undergrad 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 Minnesota State Mankato Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
With a ranking of #6, Dickinson State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Dickinson State University is a public institution located in Dickinson, North Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 22 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Dickinson State University is $9,636 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Dickinson State University
North Dakota State University - Main Campus ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Fargo, North Dakota, and it awarded 87 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
North Dakota State University also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #13. The estimated yearly cost for North Dakota State University is $11,835 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
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, & Fitness Studies at North Dakota State University
University of Minnesota - Crookston ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Minnesota - Crookston is a small public school situated in Crookston, Minnesota. It awarded 17 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Crookston is $5,893 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full UMN Crookston Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
University of Missouri - Columbia came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Missouri - Columbia is a public institution located in Columbia, Missouri. The school has a large population, and it awarded 120 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Mizzou also took the #18 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $11,005 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Mizzou.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.
Full University of Missouri - Columbia Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
University of North Dakota ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Grand Forks, North Dakota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 29 students in 2020-2021.
UND did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of North Dakota is $12,394 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of North Dakota
St Olaf College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. St. Olaf is located in Northfield, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 23 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
St. Olaf also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #11. It costs about $11,112 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend St. Olaf.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at St Olaf College
Winona State University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Winona, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 97 students in 2020-2021.
Winona State also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #12. It costs about $11,721 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Winona State University.
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%.
Full Winona State Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
With a ranking of #13, Minot State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Minot State University is a public institution located in Minot, North Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 37 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Minot State University is $8,920 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at MSU
University of Nebraska at Omaha landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, this fairly large public school awarded 91 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
UNOMAHA also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #22. The estimated yearly cost for University of Nebraska at Omaha is $10,578 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% 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 UNOMAHA
Northwest Missouri State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Northwest is a medium-sized school located in Maryville, Missouri that handed out 52 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Northwest is $9,906 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Northwest
University of Central Missouri ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Central Missouri is a fairly large school located in Warrensburg, Missouri that handed out 108 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
UCM also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #25. The estimated yearly cost for University of Central Missouri is $11,006 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full UCM Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Gustavus Adolphus College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Gustavus Adolphus College is a small school located in Saint Peter, Minnesota that handed out 29 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Gustavus Adolphus not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $15,735 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Gustavus Adolphus.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% 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, & Fitness Studies at Gustavus Adolphus College
Saint Cloud State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. Located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, this fairly large public school handed out 21 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Saint Cloud State University is $10,348 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% 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, & Fitness Studies at St. Cloud State University
Truman State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. Truman State is located in Kirksville, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 92 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $7,208 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Truman State.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. 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, & Fitness Studies at Truman State University
With a ranking of #20, University of Minnesota - Duluth did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Duluth, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school awarded 74 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend UMN Duluth is $7,843 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%.
Full University of Minnesota - Duluth Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Southeast Missouri State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. Southeast Missouri State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. It awarded 46 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Southeast Missouri State University is $10,359 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Southeast Missouri State University
South Dakota State University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. South Dakota State University is located in Brookings, South Dakota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 50 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at South Dakota State, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $14,171 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend South Dakota State.
The undergrad 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 more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at South Dakota State University
University of Kansas landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. KU is a public institution located in Lawrence, Kansas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 214 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
KU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $15,666 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Kansas.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full KU Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
With a ranking of #24, Concordia University, Saint Paul did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Concordia University, Saint Paul is a medium-sized school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota that handed out 198 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Concordia University, Saint Paul did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Concordia University, Saint Paul is $14,421 for plains states region parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Concordia University, Saint Paul
Missouri Southern State University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Missouri Southern is a public institution located in Joplin, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 40 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Missouri Southern State University is $7,881 for Plains States Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Missouri Southern
