Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $75-$110k) in Iowa

16 Ranked Colleges
1,572 Degrees Awarded
$22,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Iowa For Those Making $75-$110k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Iowa For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this 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.

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 $75-$110k” 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.

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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Iowa For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. 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 $75-$110k

The colleges and universities below are the best for iowa parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.

Top 16 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $75-$110k) in Iowa

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 in Iowa For Those Making $75-$110k. Ames, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 247 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa State, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa State is $17,228 for iowa parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

#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 $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Northern Iowa landed the #2 spot on the list. This medium-sized school is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and it awarded 139 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UNI also took the #5 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNI is $17,467 for Iowa Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

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

#3

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa

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 in Iowa For Those Making $75-$110k. Iowa is located in Iowa City, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 697 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

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 $20,738 for Iowa Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.

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 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

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Iowa For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Buena Vista University landed the #4 spot on the list. BVU is a small school located in Storm Lake, Iowa that handed out 18 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

BVU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Iowa” list. The estimated yearly cost for Buena Vista University is $18,120 for iowa parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.

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

#5

Northwestern College

Orange City, Iowa
#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Iowa For Those Making $75-$110k. Located in Orange City, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 21 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

NWC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Iowa” list. It costs about $24,115 for Iowa Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend NWC.

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 NWC

#6

Loras College

Dubuque, Iowa

Loras College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Iowa For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This small school is located in Dubuque, Iowa, and it awarded 33 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Loras did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Iowa” list. The yearly cost to attend Loras is $20,530 for Iowa Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.

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 landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Iowa For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Graceland University - Lamoni is a small school located in Lamoni, Iowa that handed out 24 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Graceland Lamoni not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Iowa” list. The estimated yearly cost for Graceland University - Lamoni is $17,136 for iowa parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Graceland University - Lamoni

#8

Coe College

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

With a ranking of #8, Coe College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Iowa For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 11 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

Coe also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #7. The yearly cost to attend Coe College is $21,151 for iowa parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.

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

#9

Grand View University

Des Moines, Iowa

Grand View University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Iowa For Those Making $75-$110k list. Grand View University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Des Moines, Iowa. It awarded 79 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Grand View University, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $18,868 for iowa parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Grand View University.

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

#10

Simpson College

Indianola, Iowa

With a ranking of #10, Simpson College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Iowa For Those Making $75-$110k list. This small school is located in Indianola, Iowa, and it awarded 25 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our iowa parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k list, Simpson College has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $24,297 for iowa parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k 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

#11

Cornell College

Mount Vernon, Iowa
#8 in overall quality

Cornell College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Iowa For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Mount Vernon, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 24 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

Cornell College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Iowa” list. The yearly cost to attend Cornell College is $28,238 for iowa parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low 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 Cornell College Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#12

Wartburg College

Waverly, Iowa

Wartburg College landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Iowa For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Wartburg is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Waverly, Iowa. It awarded 12 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wartburg, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Wartburg is $23,445 for iowa parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

#13

Saint Ambrose University

Davenport, Iowa

Saint Ambrose University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Iowa For Those Making $75-$110k list. Saint 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 did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Iowa” list. It costs about $25,654 for Iowa Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend St. Ambrose University.

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

#14

Dordt University

Sioux Center, Iowa

With a ranking of #14, Dordt University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Iowa For Those Making $75-$110k list. This small school is located in Sioux Center, 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 $75-$110k list, Dordt has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Dordt is $26,237 for Iowa Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%.

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

#15

Upper Iowa University

Fayette, Iowa

Upper Iowa University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Iowa For Those Making $75-$110k list. Upper Iowa University is located in Fayette, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 28 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

UIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Iowa” list. The yearly cost to attend Upper Iowa University is $24,690 for Iowa Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full Upper Iowa University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#16

University of Dubuque

Dubuque, Iowa

University of Dubuque landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Iowa For Those Making $75-$110k 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 27 students in 2019-2020.

UD not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Iowa” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Dubuque is $31,214 for iowa parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.

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

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