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Best Value Parks Colleges

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Arizona State University Campus Immersion stands out among Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies programs with graduates earning $41,565 annually, the highest in this analysis, despite a net price of $13,670. This earning power reflects the Southwest's booming outdoor recreation economy, where the industry generates over $45 billion annually across Arizona, Utah, Nevada, and Colorado. California dominates the affordable options with six programs under $15,000, led by Cal State Fresno at just $6,480 net cost. The cost-to-earnings gap tells an interesting story: while Fresno graduates earn $35,240 at the lowest net price, ASU students pay more than double but see nearly $6,000 higher starting salaries. The field connects directly to America's $887 billion outdoor recreation economy, with positions spanning park management, therapeutic recreation, and adventure tourism. Graduation rates vary significantly, from Metropolitan State University of Denver's concerning 29.9% to Illinois Urbana-Champaign's solid 84.9%, suggesting program structure and student support make substantial differences in completion success.
50
Programs
$6,480 – $24,783
Net Price Range
$30,552
Avg. Program Earnings
59.2%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $6,480 $35,240 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
2 $8,931 $34,942 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
3 $10,512 $38,751 $7,602 55.8% 93.2%
4 $13,670 $41,565 $12,051 67.8% 89.8%
5 $11,432 $29,685 $6,770 59.0% 83.9%
6 $14,294 $36,992 $10,780 29.9% 97.9%
7 $14,838 $38,072 $8,064 63.6% 95.0%
8 $15,201 $37,568 $16,004 84.9% 44.8%
9 $11,276 $27,669 $7,055 45.5% 96.2%
10 $12,882 $31,314 $7,424 50.1% 94.2%
11 $14,487 $35,060 $6,496 82.2% 66.7%
12 $12,391 $29,685 $8,642 49.5% 95.9%
13 $15,342 $35,060 $11,790 81.2% 82.4%
14 $14,609 $33,138 $9,728 68.9% 95.0%
15 $14,922 $32,569 $12,652 56.9% 80.0%
16 $16,488 $35,416 $8,302 59.8% 86.0%
17 $11,882 $25,194 $10,310 41.3% 92.4%
18 $13,172 $25,967 $9,315 63.9% 89.1%
19 $12,869 $24,421 $9,228 57.3% 93.7%
20 $16,177 $30,409 $13,244 56.3% 91.5%
21 $18,148 $33,993 $10,498 60.9% 73.8%
22 $14,224 $26,353 $9,618 50.6% 98.8%
23 $16,640 $30,650 $12,286 49.6% 93.3%
24 $16,531 $30,228 $5,905 52.1% 88.9%
25 $18,701 $32,569 $15,298 57.8% 84.6%
26 $17,722 $30,771 $12,594 51.2% 79.0%
27 $17,502 $30,228 $9,024 57.3% 92.6%
28 $20,924 $35,461 $13,099 83.8% 62.7%
29 $21,398 $36,150 $10,964 73.1% 86.0%
30 $19,889 $33,043 $14,130 76.2% 79.1%
31 $17,893 $29,685 $25,950 47.5% 74.6%
32 $14,083 $23,340 $17,176 20.2% 61.0%
33 $17,525 $28,960 $9,748 70.0% 78.9%
34 $16,174 $26,585 $8,290 78.3% 39.3%
35 $17,139 $28,055 $16,488 84.8% 74.9%
36 $19,155 $30,650 $9,432 61.4% 99.5%
37 $19,568 $30,771 $13,494 70.6% 82.5%
38 $16,544 $25,967 $7,824 25.6% 88.8%
39 $21,205 $33,022 $11,230 54.1% 96.1%
40 $20,583 $31,851 $36,960 49.1% 81.4%
41 $16,773 $25,194 $11,083 50.7% 91.9%
42 $19,951 $29,685 $8,815 68.2% 59.8%
43 $16,514 $24,421 $7,361 62.1% 92.3%
44 $16,041 $23,260 $14,190 61.8% 79.0%
45 $17,485 $25,194 $13,304 50.8% 70.6%
46 $19,125 $27,048 $7,683 32.3% 42.4%
47 $20,413 $28,309 $13,746 66.4% 86.5%
48 $18,680 $25,812 $9,286 65.5% 92.7%
49 $15,142 $19,592 $9,676 52.6% 65.4%
50 $24,783 $32,029 $38,670 77.4% 74.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Arizona State University worth the higher cost for recreation students?

ASU graduates earn $41,565 annually, about $6,300 more than Cal State Fresno graduates despite paying $7,190 more in net costs. The university maintains a strong 67.8% graduation rate and benefits from Arizona's massive outdoor recreation industry. ASU's Tempe location provides access to internships with major recreation employers and the state's year-round outdoor activity season.

How do California State University programs compare for value in this field?

Six California State schools made this list, with net costs ranging from $6,480 at Fresno to $14,838 at Chico. Fresno offers the lowest cost nationwide while maintaining competitive earnings of $35,240. Long Beach provides the best graduation rate among CSU schools at 69.9% with moderate costs of $8,931 net price.

Is Metropolitan State University of Denver a good choice despite low graduation rates?

Metro State Denver shows a concerning 29.9% graduation rate, the lowest among all programs analyzed. However, graduates who complete the program earn $36,992 annually, ranking fourth in earnings. The $14,294 net cost falls in the middle range, making completion the key factor for success at this institution.

What explains the debt differences between similar programs?

Student debt varies significantly even among comparable schools, from Brigham Young's $12,250 to Shepherd University's $22,625. Cal State Fresno keeps debt low at $14,061 while maintaining affordable costs. Illinois Urbana-Champaign carries $22,564 in debt but provides the second-highest graduation rate at 84.9% among public institutions.

Where do Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies graduates typically find employment?

Graduates work in municipal park systems, state and national parks, corporate wellness programs, and outdoor adventure companies. The field serves America's $887 billion outdoor recreation economy, with strong job growth in therapeutic recreation and adventure tourism. Western states particularly benefit from year-round outdoor activity seasons and growing adventure tourism markets.

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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.