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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

26 Ranked Colleges
603 Degrees Awarded
$16,200 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master's in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

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 a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2019-2020, 72,122 people earned their degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies, making the major the 15th most popular in the United States. 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 the Plains States region, there were 5,808 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $29,644 and $24,923 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 603 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,438 and $39,783 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 26 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools

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 for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

#1

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this large public school awarded 33 degrees to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

UMN Twin Cities not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMN Twin Cities are $28,845, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Iowa State University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Ames, Iowa, and it awarded 3 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa State, the school also landed the #0 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Iowa State University are $25,948, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Iowa State University

#13 in overall quality

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Missouri - Columbia landed the #3 spot on the list. Mizzou is a large public school situated in Columbia, Missouri. It awarded 7 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Mizzou also took the #13 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Missouri - Columbia are $27,193.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Missouri - Columbia

#4

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa
#5 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Northern Iowa. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UNI is a medium-sized public school situated in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It awarded 21 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UNI also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #5. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNI are $22,648, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#5

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota
#11 in overall quality

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Dakota landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, this fairly large public school handed out 11 degrees to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, UND has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Dakota are $18,326.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of North Dakota

#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Minnesota State Mankato is located in Mankato, Minnesota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 41 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

Minnesota State Mankato not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Minnesota State Mankato are $8,788, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Minnesota State Mankato

#7

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, this fairly large public school awarded 3 diplomas to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, St. Cloud State University has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Cloud State University are $12,904, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Saint Cloud State University

#17 in overall quality

University of Nebraska at Omaha landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UNOMAHA is a fairly large public school situated in Omaha, Nebraska. It awarded 29 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UNOMAHA also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #17. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNOMAHA are $16,374, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#9

University of Mary

Bismarck, North Dakota
#3 in overall quality

University of Mary ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Bismarck, North Dakota, and it awarded 15 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UMary not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Mary are $17,861, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#10

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
#2 in overall quality

University of Iowa landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Iowa City, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 22 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Iowa are $27,613, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#11

University of Central Missouri

Warrensburg, Missouri
#12 in overall quality

University of Central Missouri ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Warrensburg, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 38 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCM, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Central Missouri are $16,394.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UCM

#22 in overall quality

Northwest Missouri State University landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Northwest Missouri State University is a public institution located in Maryville, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 22 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, Northwest has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northwest are $6,673.

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

#13

South Dakota State University

Brookings, South Dakota
#7 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, South Dakota State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Brookings, South Dakota, and it awarded 10 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

South Dakota State also took the #7 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at South Dakota State are $16,743, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at South Dakota State

#14

Augustana University

Sioux Falls, South Dakota
#4 in overall quality

Augustana University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Augustana University is located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

Augustana Sioux Falls also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #4. Average graduate tuition and fees at Augustana Sioux Falls are $36,480, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Augustana Sioux Falls Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#15

Concordia University, Saint Paul

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, Concordia University, Saint Paul did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 53 degrees to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

Concordia University, Saint Paul not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Concordia University, Saint Paul are $8,550, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Concordia University, Saint Paul

#16

Northern State University

Aberdeen, South Dakota
#21 in overall quality

Northern State University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Aberdeen, South Dakota, this small public school awarded 13 diplomas to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

NSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at NSU are $11,814, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#17

Wichita State University

Wichita, Kansas
#24 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, Wichita State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Wichita, Kansas, this fairly large public school handed out 34 diplomas to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, WSU has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wichita State University are $15,112, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at WSU

#18

Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, Missouri
#8 in overall quality

Lindenwood University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Lindenwood University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Charles, Missouri. It awarded 23 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Lindenwood University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Lindenwood University are $9,550.

Full Lindenwood University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#23 in overall quality

Missouri State University - Springfield landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Springfield, Missouri, and it awarded 7 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Missouri State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Missouri State are $12,042, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#20

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, South Dakota
#15 in overall quality

University of South Dakota landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. USD is a medium-sized school located in Vermillion, South Dakota that handed out 31 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

USD also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #15. Average graduate tuition and fees at USD are $12,637, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at USD

#21

Baker University

Baldwin City, Kansas
#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #21, Baker University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Baldwin City, Kansas, and it awarded 13 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, Baker has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Baker are $11,844, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#22

Avila University

Kansas City, Missouri
#19 in overall quality

Avila University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. Avila is a private not-for-profit institution located in Kansas City, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 9 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Avila did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Avila are $7,798, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#23

Grand View University

Des Moines, Iowa
#10 in overall quality

Grand View University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. This small school is located in Des Moines, Iowa, and it awarded 13 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Grand View University also took the #10 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Grand View University are $9,170, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Grand View University

#18 in overall quality

Concordia University, Nebraska came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Seward, Nebraska, and it awarded 14 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Concordia University, Nebraska also took the #18 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Concordia University, Nebraska are $8,650, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Concordia University, Nebraska

#25

Missouri Baptist University

Saint Louis, Missouri
#20 in overall quality

Missouri Baptist University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #25. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 14 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at MBU, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at MBU are $10,256, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at MBU

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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.

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