Parks Colleges Under $20,000

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies programs at Brigham Young University and University of Maryland-College Park demonstrate how quality education doesn't always correlate with high costs. BYU delivers an 82.2% graduation rate for just $14,487 annually, while UMD achieves 88.6% completion rates at $15,590. The field connects directly to America's $45 billion fitness industry, where corporate wellness programs and outdoor recreation companies increasingly seek professionals with specialized training. Net costs across these 13 programs range from $11,024 at University of North Alabama to $19,968 at Southern Wesleyan University, with graduates earning between $26,585 and $35,060 annually.

Programs

$11,024 – $19,968

Net Price Range

$30,588

Avg. Program Earnings

56.3%

Avg. Graduation Rate

13 Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies, Other Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of North Alabama Florence, Alabama	$11,024	$11,990	54.0%	95.7%
2	Northwestern Oklahoma State University Alva, Oklahoma	$11,366	$5,970	35.4%	56.4%
3	Utah State University Logan, Utah	$12,869	$9,228	57.3%	93.7%
4	Chadron State College Chadron, Nebraska	$13,308	$8,078	38.1%
5	Huntington University Huntington, Indiana	$13,710	$29,982	68.2%	77.5%
6	Brigham Young University Provo, Utah	$14,487	$6,496	82.2%	66.7%
7	University of Maryland-College Park College Park, Maryland	$15,590	$11,505	88.6%	44.6%
8	Trinity Christian College Palos Heights, Illinois	$16,381	$20,325	63.9%	70.7%
9	Coker University Hartsville, South Carolina	$18,045	$31,854	34.6%	94.1%
10	The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville, Tennessee	$18,109	$13,484	73.5%	68.4%
11	Davis & Elkins College Elkins, West Virginia	$19,428	$31,270	36.6%	75.3%
12	Plymouth State University Plymouth, New Hampshire	$19,685	$14,558	47.4%	97.6%
13	Southern Wesleyan University Central, South Carolina	$19,968	$27,870	52.0%	51.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the dramatic difference in graduation rates between similar programs?

University of Maryland leads with an 88.6% graduation rate while Coker University manages only 34.6%, despite both offering the same major. Private institutions like Brigham Young University achieve 82.2% completion rates through smaller class sizes and focused student support systems.

How do earnings compare between public and private program graduates?

Chadron State College graduates earn the highest median salary at $35,060 annually, despite the program costing just $13,308 per year. Northwestern Oklahoma graduates earn $30,119 with significantly lower debt loads at $17,433 compared to private alternatives.

Where do acceptance rates create the most competitive environments?

University of Maryland accepts only 44.6% of applicants while maintaining the highest graduation rate at 88.6%. Southern Wesleyan University shows similar selectivity at 51.18% acceptance, contrasting sharply with Plymouth State's 97.55% acceptance rate.

Does program cost predict graduate debt levels accurately?

Northwestern Oklahoma State students graduate with $17,433 in debt despite a net cost of $11,366, while Chadron State graduates carry $24,125 in debt from a $13,308 program. The $7,000 difference suggests varying financial aid packages and living cost impacts.

More Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies, Other Rankings

Cheapest Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies, Other Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies, Other

All Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies, Other Programs All College Rankings Highest-Paying Majors 2026

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