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2022 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k

26 Ranked Colleges
603 Degrees Awarded
$16,600 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Master's in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $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 Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $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.

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 Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k” ranking analyzed 26 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.

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.

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

The parks & rec school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k”.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

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Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income Over $110k) in the Plains States Region

#1

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa
#5 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Northern Iowa. The school came in at #1 for the Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k. Cedar Falls, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 21 students in 2019-2020.

UNI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 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 Northern Iowa 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

#2

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota
#11 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Dakota. The school came in at #2 for the Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k. University of North Dakota is a fairly large school located in Grand Forks, North Dakota that handed out 11 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UND did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 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 University of North Dakota are $18,326.

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

#3

University of Mary

Bismarck, North Dakota
#3 in overall quality

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Mary landed the #3 spot on the list. UMary is located in Bismarck, North Dakota and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 15 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

UMary also took the #3 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 University of Mary are $17,861, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Mary Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Iowa State University landed the #4 spot on the list. Iowa State is located in Ames, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

Iowa State also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #0. 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

#5

South Dakota State University

Brookings, South Dakota
#7 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend South Dakota State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k. South Dakota State University is located in Brookings, South Dakota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at South Dakota State are $16,743.

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

#6

University of Central Missouri

Warrensburg, Missouri
#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, University of Central Missouri did quite well on the 2022 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. University of Central Missouri is located in Warrensburg, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 38 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k list, UCM has also earned the #12 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 UCM are $16,394.

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

#7

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
#2 in overall quality

University of Iowa came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Iowa is located in Iowa City, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 22 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

Iowa also took 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 some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#6 in overall quality

Minnesota State University - Mankato ranked #8 on this year’s Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. This fairly large school is located in Mankato, Minnesota, and it awarded 41 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Minnesota State Mankato also took the #6 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 Minnesota State Mankato are $8,788, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#17 in overall quality

University of Nebraska at Omaha landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. University of Nebraska at Omaha is a fairly large public school situated in Omaha, Nebraska. It awarded 29 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UNOMAHA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 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 Nebraska at Omaha are $16,374, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Nebraska at Omaha Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#10

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#1 in overall quality

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities ranked #10 on this year’s Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. UMN Twin Cities is a large school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 33 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Twin Cities did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #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 some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#11

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, South Dakota
#15 in overall quality

University of South Dakota landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k 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 took the #15 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 University of South Dakota are $12,637, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#12

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Saint Cloud State University is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k 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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Saint Cloud State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#13 in overall quality

University of Missouri - Columbia ranked #13 on this year’s Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. University of Missouri - Columbia is located in Columbia, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k list, Mizzou has also earned the #13 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 Missouri - Columbia are $27,193.

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

#22 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, Northwest Missouri State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Maryville, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 22 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwest Missouri State University are $6,673, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#15

Northern State University

Aberdeen, South Dakota
#21 in overall quality

Northern State University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Northern State University is a small school located in Aberdeen, South Dakota that handed out 13 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at NSU, the school also landed the #21 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 Northern State University 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

#16

Concordia University, Saint Paul

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#9 in overall quality

Concordia University, Saint Paul came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Concordia University, Saint Paul is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 53 masters’s degrees 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 some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#17

Augustana University

Sioux Falls, South Dakota
#4 in overall quality

Augustana University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Augustana University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 10 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Augustana Sioux Falls, the school also landed the #4 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 Augustana Sioux Falls are $36,480.

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

#18

Wichita State University

Wichita, Kansas
#24 in overall quality

Wichita State University landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Located in Wichita, Kansas, this fairly large public school awarded 34 degrees to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

WSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 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 WSU are $15,112.

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

#23 in overall quality

Missouri State University - Springfield ranked #19 on this year’s Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. This large school is located in Springfield, Missouri, and it awarded 7 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 more than $110k list, Missouri State has also earned the #23 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 Missouri State are $12,042, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#20

Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, Missouri
#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, Lindenwood University did quite well on the 2022 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Saint Charles, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 23 students in 2019-2020.

Lindenwood University also took the #8 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 Lindenwood University are $9,550.

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

#21

Grand View University

Des Moines, Iowa
#10 in overall quality

Grand View University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. 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 not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 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 Grand View University are $9,170.

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

#22

Baker University

Baldwin City, Kansas
#14 in overall quality

Baker University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Baker University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Baldwin City, Kansas. It awarded 13 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Baker not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Baker are $11,844, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#23

Avila University

Kansas City, Missouri
#19 in overall quality

Avila University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Kansas City, 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 9 students in 2019-2020.

Avila also took the #19 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 Avila are $7,798.

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

#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #24, Concordia University, Nebraska did quite well on the 2022 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Concordia University, Nebraska is located in Seward, Nebraska and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 14 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

Concordia University, Nebraska did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 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, Nebraska are $8,650, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Concordia University, Nebraska Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#25

Upper Iowa University

Fayette, Iowa
#16 in overall quality

Upper Iowa University did quite well in the 2022 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #25. This small school is located in Fayette, Iowa, and it awarded 17 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 more than $110k list, UIU has also earned the #16 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 Upper Iowa University are $19,152.

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

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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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