2022 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income Over $110k) in the Southwest Region
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k” ranking.
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 Southwest region, there were 9,967 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $30,090 and $22,308 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k” ranking, we looked at 67 colleges that offer 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.
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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 Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.
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Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k
The colleges and universities below are the best for southwest region parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income Over $110k) in the Southwest Region
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern Oklahoma State University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Located in Alva, Oklahoma, this small public school awarded 33 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.
NWOSU also took the #6 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $9,791 for Southwest Region Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend NWOSU.
Out of the 67 schools in the Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley landed the #2 spot on the list. UT Rio Grande Valley is a public institution located in Edinburg, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 319 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.
UT Rio Grande Valley also took the #20 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $4,514 for southwest region parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend UT Rio Grande Valley.
The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Texas of the Permian Basin. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k list. The University of Texas of the Permian Basin is located in Odessa, Texas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 48 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
UT Permian Basin not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $10,092 for Southwest Region Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend UT Permian Basin.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UT Permian Basin
Out of the 67 schools in the Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Texas A&M International University landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Laredo, Texas, this medium-sized public school handed out 62 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.
It costs about $3,074 for southwest region parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Texas A&M International University.
Full Texas A&M International University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Out of the 67 schools in the Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Southeastern Oklahoma State University landed the #5 spot on the list. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a medium-sized school located in Durant, Oklahoma that handed out 78 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
It costs about $8,237 for Southwest Region Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Southeastern Oklahoma State University.
The University of Texas at Austin ranked #6 on this year’s Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k list. UT Austin is a large school located in Austin, Texas that handed out 263 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UT Austin, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for The University of Texas at Austin is $18,023 for Southwest Region Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k.
With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. 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 UT Austin Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
With a ranking of #7, Texas Tech University did quite well on the 2022 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Texas Tech is a large school located in Lubbock, Texas that handed out 388 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
Texas Tech also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #5. It costs about $17,571 for southwest region parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Texas Tech University.
With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Texas Tech
The University of Texas at San Antonio came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. The University of Texas at San Antonio is located in San Antonio, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 390 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
UTSA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for The University of Texas at San Antonio is $13,853 for Southwest Region Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k.
Full The University of Texas at San Antonio Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Texas Woman’s University did quite well in the 2022 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #9. TWU is located in Denton, Texas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 168 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at TWU, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Texas Woman’s University is $9,617 for Southwest Region Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k.
Full Texas Woman’s University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Northeastern State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #10. Tahlequah, Oklahoma is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 82 students in 2019-2020.
It costs about $9,994 for Southwest Region Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend NSU.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at NSU
East Central University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. East Central University is a small public school situated in Ada, Oklahoma. It awarded 83 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
It costs about $10,334 for Southwest Region Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend ECU.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at ECU
University of Houston landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Houston, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 458 students in 2019-2020.
UH did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Houston is $12,838 for southwest region parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UH
With a ranking of #13, Texas State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Located in San Marcos, Texas, this large public school handed out 590 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our southwest region parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k list, Texas State has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Texas State University is $15,230 for southwest region parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Texas State
Southwestern Oklahoma State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #14. Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a public institution located in Weatherford, Oklahoma. The school has a small population, and it awarded 67 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.
The yearly cost to attend SWOSU is $12,891 for southwest region parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k.
Full Southwestern Oklahoma State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Cameron University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. This small school is located in Lawton, Oklahoma, and it awarded 45 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
The estimated yearly cost for Cameron University is $7,952 for Southwest Region Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k.
Full Cameron University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
University of North Texas came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. This large school is located in Denton, Texas, and it awarded 352 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our southwest region parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k list, UNT has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $15,086 for Southwest Region Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend UNT.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.
Full University of North Texas Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
The University of Texas at El Paso did quite well in the 2022 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #17. UTEP is a large public school situated in El Paso, Texas. It awarded 177 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
The estimated yearly cost for UTEP is $8,920 for southwest region parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k.
The University of Texas at Arlington came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. The University of Texas at Arlington is a large public school situated in Arlington, Texas. It awarded 261 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
UT Arlington not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $14,246 for southwest region parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend UT Arlington.
The University of Texas at Tyler did quite well in the 2022 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #19. The University of Texas at Tyler is a public institution located in Tyler, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 103 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.
It costs about $10,974 for Southwest Region Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend UT Tyler.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UT Tyler
MSU Texas did quite well in the 2022 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #20. MSU Texas is a medium-sized school located in Wichita Falls, Texas that handed out 57 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
The yearly cost to attend MSU Texas is $10,045 for Southwest Region Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at MSU Texas
University of the Southwest did quite well in the 2022 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #21. USW is a small school located in Hobbs, New Mexico that handed out 51 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
It costs about $20,850 for Southwest Region Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend USW.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of the Southwest
Oklahoma Panhandle State University landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. OPSU is a small public school situated in Goodwell, Oklahoma. It awarded 15 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
The estimated yearly cost for Oklahoma Panhandle State University is $10,537 for Southwest Region Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at OPSU
With a ranking of #23, Stephen F Austin State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Nacogdoches, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 166 students in 2019-2020.
SFASU also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #18. The estimated yearly cost for Stephen F Austin State University is $13,723 for Southwest Region Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at SFASU
With a ranking of #24, Texas A&M University - College Station did quite well on the 2022 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Texas A&M University - College Station is a public institution located in College Station, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 683 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Texas A&M College Station also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend Texas A&M College Station is $19,057 for southwest region parks & rec students whose families make more than $110k.
The student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.
New Mexico State University - Main Campus landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Vallue Parks & Rec Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Las Cruces, New Mexico is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 60 students in 2019-2020.
The estimated yearly cost for New Mexico State University - Main Campus is $8,659 for Southwest Region Parks & Rec students whose families make more than $110k.
Full New Mexico State University - Main Campus 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.
Credits
- Credit for the banner image above goes to NPS Photo/Zurbuch.
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