2023 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Master's Degree Schools
Identifying Quality Schools at More Affordable Prices
Finding the Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master's Degree School for You
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies is the #18 most popular major in the country with 10,452 degrees and certificates awarded in 2020-2021.
There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which program is right for you. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Or you may find the programs at a trade school to be a better alternative for you.
The Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Master's Degree Schools ranking is one of many tools that Grad Degree Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 294 schools in the United States to see which ones offered the best value master's degree programs for parks and rec students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.
When determining this ranking, we place a high emphasis on the school's quality as well as its sticker price. Even though a college may be affordable, it may not offer value. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.
Our calculations use out-of-state tuition and fees in our nationwide and regional rankings. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.
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2023 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Check out the parks and rec master's degree programs at these schools if you want to get the best value for your educational dollar.
Top 25 Best Schools for Affordable Quality for a Master's in Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness
Our 2023 rankings named American Public University System the best value school in the United States for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students working on their master’s degree. American Military University is a very large private for-profit school located in the fringe town of Charles Town.
Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at American Military University are $7,050 per year.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Ashland University. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Master’s Degree Schools list. Located in the fringe town of Ashland, Ashland is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Ashland are $6,972 a year.
Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Ashland University Report
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Grace College and Theological Seminary is a great value for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students working on their master’s degree. Grace College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona Lake.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Grace College are $8,054 a year.
The excellent master’s degree programs at Concordia University, Irvine helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best value parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies schools in the United States. Located in the large city of Irvine, Concordia University, Irvine is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Concordia University, Irvine are $8,564 per year.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Concordia University, Irvine also is in the top 10% of our Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Master’s Degree Schools ranking.
Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Concordia University, Irvine Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Concordia University, Nebraska. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Master’s Degree Schools list. Concordia University, Nebraska is a small private not-for-profit school located in the distant town of Seward.
Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Concordia University, Nebraska are $8,650 per year.
Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Concordia University, Nebraska Report
West Texas A&M University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Master’s Degree Schools list. Located in the town of Canyon, West Texas A&M University is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at West Texas A&M University are $8,574 per year.
Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at West Texas A&M University Report
Saint Cloud State University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Master’s Degree Schools list. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, St. Cloud State University is a public college with a fairly large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at St. Cloud State University are $13,412 a year.
Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Saint Cloud State University Report
Minnesota State University - Mankato landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value master’s degree parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs. Located in the small city of Mankato, Minnesota State Mankato is a public school with a fairly large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Minnesota State Mankato are $9,308 a year.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Minnesota State Mankato also is in the top 20% of our Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Master’s Degree Schools ranking.
Northwest Missouri State University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Master’s Degree Schools list. Located in the remote town of Maryville, Northwest is a public school with a medium-sized student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Northwest are $7,064 per year.
With a ranking of #10, Brigham Young University - Provo did quite well on this year’s best value schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students working on their master’s degree. Located in the medium-sized city of Provo, BYU is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at BYU are $7,700 per year.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, BYU also did well on our Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Master’s Degree Schools list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Brigham Young University - Provo Report
With a ranking of #10, Minot State University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students working on their master’s degree. Located in the town of Minot, MSU is a public school with a small student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at MSU are $10,263 per year.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Minot State University
With a ranking of #12, Concordia University, Chicago did quite well on this year’s best value schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students working on their master’s degree. Concordia University, Chicago is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of River Forest.
Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Concordia University, Chicago are $9,378 per year.
Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Concordia University, Chicago Report
South Dakota State University landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value master’s degree parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State is a public college with a large student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at South Dakota State are $16,917 per year.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, South Dakota State also did well on our Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Master’s Degree Schools list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at South Dakota State University
Valparaiso University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #14 on the list. Valpo is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Valparaiso.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Valpo are $12,220 a year.
Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Valparaiso University Report
Grand View University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Master’s Degree Schools list. Located in the medium-sized city of Des Moines, Grand View University is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Grand View University are $9,440 per year.
With a ranking of #16, Point Loma Nazarene University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students working on their master’s degree. Located in the city of San Diego, PLNU is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at PLNU are $11,880 a year.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, PLNU also did well on our Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Master’s Degree Schools list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Point Loma Nazarene University Report
Concordia University, Saint Paul came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Master’s Degree Schools ranking. Concordia University, Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Saint Paul.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Concordia University, Saint Paul are $8,550 a year.
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #18 on the list. Located in the distant town of Slippery Rock, SRU is a public college with a medium-sized student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at SRU are $18,216 per year.
MSU Texas landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value master’s degree parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs. Located in the midsize city of Wichita Falls, MSU Texas is a public college with a medium-sized student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at MSU Texas are $8,056 per year.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at MSU Texas
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Master’s Degree Schools ranking. SIUE is a fairly large public school located in the large suburb of Edwardsville.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at SIUE are $9,316 a year.
Illinois State University landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value master’s degree parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs. Illinois State is a very large public school located in the midsize suburb of Normal.
Illinois State graduate students pay an average of $11,773 in tuition and fees each year.
In addition to its great value ranking, Illinois State is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Master’s Degree Schools list.
Mount St Mary’s University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Master’s Degree Schools list. The Mount is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Emmitsburg.
The Mount graduate students pay an average of $13,676 in tuition and fees each year.
Missouri Western State University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Master’s Degree Schools list. Located in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western is a public school with a small student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Missouri Western are $12,318 a year.
Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Missouri Western State University Report
Concordia University, Wisconsin landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value master’s degree parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs. Located in the suburb of Mequon, Concordia University, Wisconsin is a private not-for-profit college with a medium-sized student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Concordia University, Wisconsin are $11,760 per year.
Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Concordia University, Wisconsin Report
Lindenwood University landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value master’s degree parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs. Located in the small city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a private not-for-profit college with a moderately-sized student population.
Lindenwood University graduate students pay an average of $9,784 in tuition and fees each year.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Lindenwood University
Rest of the Top Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Master's Degree Schools
Additional Noteworthy Schools
Here are some additional great value schools for Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness graduate students seeking value that almost earned our Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Master's Degree Schools award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 45 | California Baptist University | Riverside, CA |
| 46 | University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR |
| 47 | Southern Nazarene University | Bethany, OK |
| 48 | Liberty University | Lynchburg, VA |
| 48 | Avila University | Kansas City, MO |
| 50 | Ohio University - Athens Campus | Athens, OH |
| 51 | Arkansas State University - Main Campus | Jonesboro, AR |
| 52 | William Penn University | Oskaloosa, IA |
| 52 | North Central College | Naperville, IL |
| 54 | Mississippi College | Clinton, MS |
| 55 | Texas Woman’s University | Denton, TX |
| 56 | Aurora University | Aurora, IL |
| 57 | Johnson & Wales University - Providence | Providence, RI |
| 58 | University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR |
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies by Region
View the Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Master's Degree Schools for a specific region near you.
| Region |
|---|
| Southeast |
| New England |
| Rocky Mountains |
| Plains States |
| Middle Atlantic |
| Far Western US |
| Southwest |
| Great Lakes |
More Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Rankings
Majors Related to Parks & Rec
Parks & Rec Majors to Study
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Health & Physical Education | 9,742 |
| Recreation Administration | 441 |
| Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies | 206 |
| Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies | 35 |
| Outdoor Education | 28 |
Most Popular Majors Related to Parks & Rec
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Public Administration & Social Service | 53,252 |
| Legal Professions | 45,189 |
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting | 13,045 |
| Military Technologies & Applied Sciences | 1,613 |
Notes and References
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
- 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 the rest 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).
- Credit for the banner image above goes to NPS Photo/Zurbuch.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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