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2022 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $48-$75k) in Iowa

16 Ranked Colleges
1,572 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k

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 in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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.

This year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 16 colleges that offered a degree 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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 in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 16 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $48-$75k) in Iowa

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Iowa State University landed the #1 spot on the list. Iowa State is located in Ames, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 247 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our iowa parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k list, Iowa State has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa State is $14,161 for Iowa Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

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

#2

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Northern Iowa landed the #2 spot on the list. University of Northern Iowa is a public institution located in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 139 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UNI also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #5. The yearly cost to attend UNI is $15,729 for iowa parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

#3

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Iowa landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Iowa is a public institution located in Iowa City, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 697 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Iowa also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for University of Iowa is $18,272 for Iowa Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The 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 full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Iowa

#4

Simpson College

Indianola, Iowa

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Simpson College. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k list. Simpson College is a small school located in Indianola, Iowa that handed out 25 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Simpson College also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $14,790 for Iowa Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Simpson College.

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

#5

Buena Vista University

Storm Lake, Iowa

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Buena Vista University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k. BVU is located in Storm Lake, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 18 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our iowa parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k list, BVU has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Buena Vista University is $15,292 for iowa parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Buena Vista University

#6

Coe College

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

With a ranking of #6, Coe College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k list. Coe College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It awarded 11 ’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 Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Coe is $18,375 for Iowa Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

#7

Loras College

Dubuque, Iowa

Loras College landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Dubuque, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 33 students in 2019-2020.

Loras not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Iowa” list. The estimated yearly cost for Loras College is $18,438 for Iowa Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Loras College

Graceland University - Lamoni did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #8. Located in Lamoni, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 24 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our iowa parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k list, Graceland Lamoni has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Graceland Lamoni is $18,800 for iowa parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

#9

Northwestern College

Orange City, Iowa
#3 in overall quality

Northwestern College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This small school is located in Orange City, Iowa, and it awarded 21 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our iowa parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k list, NWC has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for NWC is $20,364 for iowa parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

#10

Grand View University

Des Moines, Iowa

Grand View University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k list. This small school is located in Des Moines, Iowa, and it awarded 79 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Grand View University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Iowa” list. The yearly cost to attend Grand View University is $18,213 for iowa parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Grand View University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#11

Cornell College

Mount Vernon, Iowa
#8 in overall quality

Cornell College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Mount Vernon, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 24 students in 2019-2020.

Cornell College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Iowa” list. It costs about $23,700 for iowa parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Cornell College.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

#12

Wartburg College

Waverly, Iowa

Wartburg College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #12. This small school is located in Waverly, Iowa, and it awarded 12 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our iowa parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k list, Wartburg has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Wartburg is $18,418 for iowa parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low 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 Wartburg

#13

Dordt University

Sioux Center, Iowa

Dordt University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k list. This small school is located in Sioux Center, Iowa, and it awarded 12 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Dordt did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Iowa” list. The yearly cost to attend Dordt is $22,821 for iowa parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low student loan default rate of 1.8% 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 Dordt Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#14

Upper Iowa University

Fayette, Iowa

Upper Iowa University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #14. UIU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Fayette, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 28 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIU, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $18,943 for Iowa Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Upper Iowa University.

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

#15

Saint Ambrose University

Davenport, Iowa

Saint Ambrose University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. St. Ambrose University is located in Davenport, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 64 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

St. Ambrose University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Iowa” list. It costs about $27,002 for Iowa Parks & Rec students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend St. Ambrose University.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at St. Ambrose University

#16

University of Dubuque

Dubuque, Iowa

University of Dubuque came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UD is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Dubuque, Iowa. It awarded 27 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our iowa parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k list, UD has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $28,437 for iowa parks & rec students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Dubuque.

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

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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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