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Parks Colleges Under $20,000

Programs with net price under $20,000. See our methodology.

Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies programs span a remarkable cost spectrum, with CUNY Lehman College delivering the field's most affordable education at $3,482 net cost while maintaining a 49.30% graduation rate that outperforms many regional campuses. The Ohio University system dominates the lower price tier with five satellite campuses under $7,000, though their graduation rates range from just 12.10% at Chillicothe to 20.00% at Eastern Campus. California State universities occupy the middle ground, with Cal State Long Beach commanding $8,931 despite its selective 39.95% acceptance rate and strong 69.90% graduation rate. The national recreation industry employs over 1.3 million workers across outdoor adventure companies, municipal park systems, and resort destinations, creating steady demand for graduates who understand program management, outdoor leadership, and community engagement. Earnings data from Cal State Fresno shows graduates entering the workforce around $35,240 annually, while Cal State Long Beach graduates carry median debt loads of $14,750. The geographic distribution reveals opportunities concentrated in states with significant outdoor recreation economies and growing urban park systems.
50
Programs
$3,482 – $15,342
Net Price Range
$31,532
Avg. Program Earnings
49.8%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $3,482 $7,410 49.3% 55.3%
2 $3,659 $7,064 46.9% 89.1%
3 $4,503 $6,178 20.0%
4 $5,328 $6,178 19.3%
5 $5,971 $6,178 17.7%
6 $6,133 $6,178 13.7%
7 $6,352 $7,200 33.3% 74.2%
8 $6,480 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
9 $6,483 $6,178 12.1%
10 $7,233 $6,960 31.0% 62.7%
11 $7,599 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
12 $8,931 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
13 $9,957 $8,064 36.1% 64.6%
14 $10,011 $9,142 50.1% 85.3%
15 $10,170 $7,593 57.9% 91.9%
16 $10,512 $7,602 55.8% 93.2%
17 $11,276 $7,055 45.5% 96.2%
18 $11,432 $6,770 59.0% 83.9%
19 $11,882 $10,310 41.3% 92.4%
20 $12,391 $8,642 49.5% 95.9%
21 $12,791 $8,370 47.5% 85.9%
22 $12,869 $9,228 57.3% 93.7%
23 $12,882 $7,424 50.1% 94.2%
24 $13,091 $8,353 47.2% 96.1%
25 $13,167 $7,913 46.6% 98.2%
26 $13,172 $9,315 63.9% 89.1%
27 $13,670 $12,051 67.8% 89.8%
28 $13,710 $29,982 68.2% 77.5%
29 $13,741 $7,992 64.7% 76.7%
30 $13,816 $11,180 87.2% 42.6%
31 $14,040 $8,549 46.2% 29.9%
32 $14,083 $17,176 20.2% 61.0%
33 $14,085 $18,382 46.6% 59.2%
34 $14,224 $9,618 50.6% 98.8%
35 $14,294 $10,780 29.9% 97.9%
36 $14,401 $12,997 61.6% 83.1%
37 $14,487 $6,496 82.2% 66.7%
38 $14,532 $9,496 55.7% 86.3%
39 $14,609 $9,728 68.9% 95.0%
40 $14,715 $9,192 49.9% 93.5%
41 $14,824 $10,181 57.5% 85.6%
42 $14,838 $8,064 63.6% 95.0%
43 $14,850 $12,426 51.1% 78.5%
44 $14,892 $14,794 27.8% 85.0%
45 $14,922 $12,652 56.9% 80.0%
46 $15,044 $6,706 28.2%
47 $15,142 $9,676 52.6% 65.4%
48 $15,201 $16,004 84.9% 44.8%
49 $15,323 $9,998 52.1% 87.9%
50 $15,342 $11,790 81.2% 82.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the dramatic graduation rate differences among Ohio University campuses?

Ohio University's regional campuses show striking variation in completion rates, from 12.10% at Chillicothe to 20.00% at Eastern Campus, despite similar $6,178 in-state tuition across all locations. These satellite campuses primarily serve commuter students and working adults, populations that face higher dropout risks due to competing responsibilities. The consistently low graduation rates across all five Ohio campuses suggest program structure challenges rather than individual campus issues.

How do California State University programs justify their higher costs?

Cal State Long Beach charges $8,931 net cost but delivers a 69.90% graduation rate and selective 39.95% admission rate, indicating stronger academic outcomes than cheaper alternatives. Cal State Fresno graduates earn $35,240 annually with $14,061 median debt, demonstrating reasonable return on investment. California's solid outdoor recreation economy and extensive state park system create more internship and job opportunities, potentially justifying the premium over Ohio or Oklahoma programs.

Where can students find the best value in Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies?

CUNY Lehman College offers strong value at $3,482 net cost with a 49.30% graduation rate that exceeds many programs costing twice as much. Cal State Northridge provides middle-tier value at $7,599 with a 56.20% graduation rate and 91.23% acceptance rate for students seeking California opportunities. Students should avoid Ohio University regional campuses due to consistently low graduation rates under 21% despite reasonable costs.

Does geographic location significantly impact program outcomes?

California programs consistently show higher graduation rates, with Cal State Northridge at 56.20% and Long Beach at 69.90%, compared to Ohio regional campuses averaging under 20%. Alaska Southeast achieves 31.00% graduation despite its remote Juneau location and $7,233 cost. Geographic proximity to outdoor recreation hubs and urban park systems appears to correlate with better student retention and completion rates.

What career earning potential exists for program graduates?

Available earnings data shows Cal State Fresno graduates earning $35,240 annually, while industry research indicates parks and recreation specialists nationally earn between $25,194 and $38,751 depending on location and specialization. Government recreation coordinators typically start higher than private sector positions, while outdoor adventure guides often supplement seasonal work with multiple employers. The field offers steady employment growth as communities expand recreational programming and outdoor tourism increases.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.