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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $75-$110k)

291 Ranked Colleges
9,155 Degrees Awarded
$24,000 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master's For Those Making $75-$110k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

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.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 9,155 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking analyzed 291 colleges that offered a degree 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.

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, leisure, and fitness studies program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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 For Those Making $75-$110k” 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. 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 for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $75-$110k)

#1 in overall quality

Out of the 291 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Columbia University in the City of New York landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in New York, New York, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 74 degrees to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

Columbia also took the #1 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia are $51,194, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#2

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#5 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k. Northwestern is a private not-for-profit institution located in Evanston, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 38 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwestern, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#3

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida
#10 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Florida. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k. Gainesville, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 67 students in 2019-2020.

UF also took the #10 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Florida are $30,130, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#4

Queens College

Queens, New York

Out of the 291 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Queens College landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Queens, New York, this fairly large public school awarded 8 degrees to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Queens College are $21,042, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#5

American Public University System

Charles Town, West Virginia
#19 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend American Public University System. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k. American Military University is a large private for-profit school situated in Charles Town, West Virginia. It awarded 143 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

American Military University also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #19. Average graduate tuition and fees at American Public University System are $7,050, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at American Military University

#6

Brooklyn College

Brooklyn, New York

Brooklyn College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Brooklyn, New York, this fairly large public school awarded 25 degrees to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Brooklyn College are $20,952, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Brooklyn College Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#2 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k list. U-M is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 47 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our master’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k list, U-M has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at U-M

Florida International University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k list. FIU is a large public school situated in Miami, Florida. It awarded 24 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at FIU are $24,211.

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

University of South Florida - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #9. Located in Tampa, Florida, this large public school awarded 56 degrees to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of South Florida - Main Campus are $21,126.

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

With a ranking of #10, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k list. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is a large public school situated in Edinburg, Texas. It awarded 14 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley are $15,151, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UT Rio Grande Valley

#11

Mississippi Valley State University

Itta Bena, Mississippi

Mississippi Valley State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Itta Bena, Mississippi, this small public school handed out 24 diplomas to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Mississippi Valley State University are $7,364, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Mississippi Valley State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

Top 25% in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, California State University - Long Beach did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k list. CSULB is a public institution located in Long Beach, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 120 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at CSULB are $17,784.

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

#13

University of Central Florida

Orlando, Florida

University of Central Florida landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. UCF is a public institution located in Orlando, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 27 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Central Florida are $28,657, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Central Florida

California State University - Los Angeles landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 9 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State LA are $17,723.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at California State University - Los Angeles

California State University - Fullerton did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #15. Cal State Fullerton is a large public school situated in Fullerton, California. It awarded 36 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fullerton are $17,892, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full California State University - Fullerton Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#16

University of Wisconsin - La Crosse

La Crosse, Wisconsin
Top 20% in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - La Crosse ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k list. This fairly large school is located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and it awarded 41 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - La Crosse excels when it comes to parks and rec quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - La Crosse are $20,038.

Full UW - La Crosse Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#17

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida
Top 20% in overall quality

Florida State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #17. Florida State University is a large public school situated in Tallahassee, Florida. It awarded 61 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Florida State is also in the top of our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State University are $26,707, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#18

The University of West Florida

Pensacola, Florida

The University of West Florida ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k list. This fairly large school is located in Pensacola, Florida, and it awarded 17 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of West Florida are $24,894, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#19

North Carolina State University

Raleigh, North Carolina
#4 in overall quality

North Carolina State University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k list. North Carolina State University is a public institution located in Raleigh, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 37 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

NC State also took the #4 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at NC State are $28,999.

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

#20

University of Wisconsin - River Falls

River Falls, Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin - River Falls did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #20. UW - River Falls is a medium-sized public school situated in River Falls, Wisconsin. It awarded 17 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - River Falls are $18,233, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UW - River Falls Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

Southeastern Oklahoma State University landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a medium-sized school located in Durant, Oklahoma that handed out 52 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Southeastern Oklahoma State University are $11,178, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#22

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
#23 in overall quality

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k list. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 37 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNC Chapel Hill, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are $30,248, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The University of Texas of the Permian Basin did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #23. UT Permian Basin is located in Odessa, Texas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

UT Permian Basin not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #0 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UT Permian Basin are $6,900.

Full UT Permian Basin Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#24

University of Mary

Bismarck, North Dakota
#24 in overall quality

University of Mary landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. University of Mary is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Bismarck, North Dakota. It awarded 15 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMary, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMary are $17,861, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#25

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#7 in overall quality

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 33 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Twin Cities did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities are $28,845, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

Rest of the Best 44 in Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k

Not only did these schools make the top 44 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

#26

University of Georgia

Athens, Georgia
#28

Western Kentucky University

Bowling Green, Kentucky
#30

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota
#33

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa
#34

University of Wyoming

Laramie, Wyoming
#36

MSU Texas

Wichita Falls, Texas
#37

Texas Woman's University

Denton, Texas
#38

University of Northern Colorado

Greeley, Colorado
#39

Alaska Pacific University

Anchorage, Alaska
#40

Georgia Southern University

Statesboro, Georgia
#41

East Central University

Ada, Oklahoma
#42

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#43

Augusta University

Augusta, Georgia
#44

University of Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah

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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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