2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Parks & Rec for a Master’s
21
Ranked Colleges
662
Degrees Awarded
$41,613
Avg Salary
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for veterans. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Parks & Rec for a Master’s” ranking - to help you make that decision.
In 2020-2021, 73,813 people earned their degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies, making the major the 15th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $31,423 and had an average of $24,388 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Plains States region, there were 5,811 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $31,332 and $25,331 respectively.
This year’s “Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Parks & Rec for a Master’s” ranking analyzed 21 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 as well as strong veteran support.
To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as veteran satisfaction, veteran affordability, and overall quality of the parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Parks & Rec for a Master’s
The following schools top our list of the Best “Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Parks & Rec for a Master’s”.
Top 21 Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Colleges for Veterans in the Plains States Region
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Iowa. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Parks & Rec for a Master’s list. This large school is located in Iowa City, Iowa, and it awarded 38 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking.Our most recent data shows that 1 of the 30,318 students enrolled at University of Iowa were GI Bill® students, of which 0 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $0. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. University of Iowa does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Iowa Veteran Student Life Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Parks & Rec for a Master’s list. UMN Twin Cities is a public institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a large population, and it awarded 28 masters’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UMN Twin Cities not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list.According to our most recent data, UMN Twin Cities supports 52,017 students, and 752 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 436 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $13,020. During this same period, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]% 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%.
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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Missouri - Columbia. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Parks & Rec for a Master’s list. Columbia, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 4 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree vets studying parks & rec 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.Of the 31,089 students enrolled at Mizzou, 5 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 5 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $3,384. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
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 low undergrad student loan default rate of [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]% 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%.
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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Lindenwood University. The school came in at #4 for the Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Parks & Rec for a Master’s. Lindenwood University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Charles, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 23 masters’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree vets studying parks & rec list, Lindenwood University has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking.Among the 7,382 students enrolled at Lindenwood University, 31 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 29 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $3,583. To help with additional expenses, 1 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
[Read full report on veteran student life at Lindenwood University]](/colleges/lindenwood-university/student-life/veterans/)
Out of the 21 schools in the Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Parks & Rec for a Master’s that were part of this year’s ranking, Iowa State University landed the #5 spot on the list. Iowa State is a public institution located in Ames, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 masters’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Iowa State also took the #4 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking.Our most recent data shows that 814 of the 31,822 students enrolled at Iowa State were GI Bill® students, of which 388 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $7,933. On top of their other funding sources, 9 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Iowa State offers credit for military training for eligible students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
[Read full report on veteran student life at Iowa State]](/colleges/iowa-state-university/student-life/veterans/)
South Dakota State University landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Parks & Rec for a Master’s ranking. This fairly large school is located in Brookings, South Dakota, and it awarded 9 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
South Dakota State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list.Our most recent data shows that 369 of the 11,405 students enrolled at South Dakota State were GI Bill® students, of which 158 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $5,731. To help with additional expenses, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. South Dakota State offers credit for military training for eligible students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
[Read full report on veteran student life at South Dakota State]](/colleges/south-dakota-state-university/student-life/veterans/)
University of Nebraska at Omaha landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Parks & Rec for a Master’s ranking. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, this fairly large public school handed out 23 diplomas to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
UNOMAHA also took the #12 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking.Among the 15,892 students enrolled at UNOMAHA, 928 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 488 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $5,364. On top of their other funding sources, 75 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
[Read full report on veteran student life at UNOMAHA]](/colleges/university-of-nebraska-at-omaha/student-life/veterans/)
University of Central Missouri did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Parks & Rec for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #8. University of Central Missouri is a public institution located in Warrensburg, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 35 masters’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCM, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking.Among the 9,959 students enrolled at University of Central Missouri, 9 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 10 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $4,238. To help with additional expenses, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
[Read full report on veteran student life at UCM]](/colleges/university-of-central-missouri/student-life/veterans/)
University of Northern Iowa landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Parks & Rec for a Master’s ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and it awarded 15 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
UNI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list.Our most recent data shows that 251 of the 9,507 students enrolled at University of Northern Iowa were GI Bill® students, of which 99 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $6,033. To help with additional expenses, 1 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. University of Northern Iowa does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
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Minnesota State University - Mankato came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Parks & Rec for a Master’s ranking. Minnesota State Mankato is located in Mankato, Minnesota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 39 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
Minnesota State Mankato also took the #5 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking.Our most recent data shows that 331 of the 14,761 students enrolled at Minnesota State University - Mankato were GI Bill® students, of which 147 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $5,814. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
[Read full report on veteran student life at Minnesota State University - Mankato]](/colleges/minnesota-state-university-mankato/student-life/veterans/)
Minot State University landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Parks & Rec for a Master’s ranking. Minot State University is a public institution located in Minot, North Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 17 masters’s degrees in 2020-2021.
MSU also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #11.Our most recent data shows that 198 of the 2,920 students enrolled at MSU were GI Bill® students, of which 115 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $4,267. During this same period, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
[Read full report on veteran student life at MSU]](/colleges/minot-state-university/student-life/veterans/)
With a ranking of #12, William Penn University did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Parks & Rec for a Master’s list. William Penn University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Oskaloosa, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 18 masters’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at William Penn University, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking.Our most recent data shows that 1 of the 1,350 students enrolled at William Penn University were GI Bill® students, of which 0 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $0. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
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Wichita State University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Parks & Rec for a Master’s ranking. This fairly large school is located in Wichita, Kansas, and it awarded 32 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
WSU also took the #19 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking.According to our most recent data, WSU supports 14,999 students, and 577 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 385 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $6,488. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
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With a ranking of #14, Grand View University did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Parks & Rec for a Master’s list. Grand View University is a small school located in Des Moines, Iowa that handed out 4 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Grand View University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list.Among the 1,874 students enrolled at Grand View University, 86 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 38 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $8,256. During this same period, 2 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Read More…
Concordia University, Nebraska ranked #15 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Parks & Rec for a Master’s list. Concordia University, Nebraska is located in Seward, Nebraska and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 6 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
Concordia University, Nebraska did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list.Among the 3,224 students enrolled at Concordia University, Nebraska, 62 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 35 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $6,375. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Concordia University, Nebraska offers credit for military training for eligible students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
[Read full report on veteran student life at Concordia University, Nebraska]](/colleges/concordia-university-seward/student-life/veterans/)
Missouri Western State University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Parks & Rec for a Master’s ranking. This small school is located in Saint Joseph, Missouri, and it awarded 11 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Missouri Western also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #21.Our most recent data shows that 161 of the 4,911 students enrolled at Missouri Western State University were GI Bill® students, of which 67 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $4,005. During this same period, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Full Missouri Western State University Veteran Student Life Report
Northwest Missouri State University ranked #17 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Parks & Rec for a Master’s list. Northwest is a medium-sized school located in Maryville, Missouri that handed out 24 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree vets studying parks & rec list, Northwest has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking.Of the 7,267 students enrolled at Northwest, 168 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 68 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $6,773. To help with additional expenses, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
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Concordia University, Saint Paul did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Parks & Rec for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #18. Concordia University, Saint Paul is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 79 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
Concordia University, Saint Paul also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #6.Among the 5,585 students enrolled at Concordia University, Saint Paul, 196 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 118 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $8,143. On top of their other funding sources, 7 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
[Read full report on veteran student life at Concordia University, Saint Paul]](/colleges/concordia-university-saint-paul/student-life/veterans/)
Northern State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Parks & Rec for a Master’s ranking. This small school is located in Aberdeen, South Dakota, and it awarded 13 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at NSU, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking.Among the 3,431 students enrolled at NSU, 45 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 14 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $5,287. To help with additional expenses, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
[Read full report on veteran student life at Northern State University]](/colleges/northern-state-university/student-life/veterans/)
Missouri Baptist University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Parks & Rec for a Master’s ranking. Missouri Baptist University is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 24 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
MBU also took the #14 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking.According to our most recent data, Missouri Baptist University supports 4,860 students, and 71 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 49 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $9,645. In addition to receiving other benefits, 8 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
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