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Cheapest Leisure and Recreational Activities Colleges

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Harvard University appears alongside community colleges in affordability rankings for Leisure and Recreational Activities programs, with a net price of $16,816 that falls squarely in the middle of this field. The $11,000 gap between the cheapest option at California State University-Sacramento ($10,512) and pricier alternatives reflects how financial aid reshapes actual college costs. Public universities dominate the most affordable spots, though private institutions like Brigham Young University-Hawaii offer competitive pricing at $13,884. The recreation industry employs over 2.3 million Americans in parks, fitness centers, and entertainment venues, creating steady demand for graduates who understand program management and customer engagement. Graduation rates in these programs range from 28.5% at Chowan University to an strong 97.3% at Harvard, suggesting that institutional support varies dramatically. California State schools claim two of the top eight most affordable spots, while Utah State University provides strong value at $12,869 with a solid 57.3% graduation rate.
32
Programs
$10,512 – $38,428
Net Price Range
$25,301
Avg. Program Earnings
52.8%
Avg. Graduation Rate

32 Leisure and Recreational Activities Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $10,512 $7,602 55.8% 93.2%
2 $12,869 $9,228 57.3% 93.7%
3 $13,405 $8,487 44.1% 95.6%
4 $13,613 $8,514 48.1% 83.5%
5 $13,725 $11,583 42.4% 78.6%
6 $13,884 $6,438 54.4% 34.2%
7 $14,626 $30,450 46.0% 50.4%
8 $14,838 $8,064 63.6% 95.0%
9 $15,432 $11,046 52.7% 86.1%
10 $15,644 $8,771 53.5% 84.6%
11 $16,189 $27,110 28.5% 86.7%
12 $16,669 $6,430 49.5% 36.3%
13 $16,816 $59,076 97.3% 3.2%
14 $18,617 $12,763 50.2% 83.5%
15 $19,245 $27,938 41.4% 71.4%
16 $19,603 $26,120 55.5% 84.1%
17 $20,877 $12,828 47.8% 82.9%
18 $20,899 $32,580 59.9% 47.3%
19 $21,504 $40,556 56.0% 69.1%
20 $21,590 $35,534 49.4%
21 $22,198 $29,696 27.1% 63.0%
22 $22,978 $33,450 36.6% 59.6%
23 $23,508 $34,800 46.4% 60.8%
24 $23,880 $34,050 49.7% 47.3%
25 $23,991 $40,410 55.9% 88.6%
26 $25,857 $18,400 61.6% 78.0%
27 $26,067 $34,250 64.3% 70.4%
28 $30,031 $45,380 59.8% 86.8%
29 $30,299 $41,578 31.1% 99.9%
30 $31,057 $63,268 72.7% 68.4%
31 $36,431 $33,393 52.6% 68.6%
32 $38,428 $60,663 77.1% 79.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Harvard University appear on an affordability list for recreation programs?

Harvard's generous financial aid brings the net price down to $16,816 for Leisure and Recreational Activities students, despite a sticker price of $59,076. This puts Harvard in the middle range of affordable options, costing just $3,000 more than Fitchburg State University. The 97.3% graduation rate at Harvard far exceeds other programs on this list, where rates typically fall between 42% and 63%.

How do public universities compare to private options for recreation program costs?

Public universities claim 11 of the 15 most affordable spots, with California State University-Sacramento leading at $10,512. Private institutions like Brigham Young University-Hawaii ($13,884) and Brescia University ($14,626) can compete on net price through financial aid. In-state tuition at public schools ranges from $6,430 at University of Montana-Western to $12,763 at Western Connecticut State University.

Does program affordability correlate with graduation success rates?

The relationship between cost and graduation rates shows significant variation across recreation programs. Utah State University combines a reasonable $12,869 cost with a 57.3% graduation rate, while more expensive Chowan University at $16,189 graduates only 28.5% of students. California State University-Chico achieves a strong 63.6% graduation rate at $14,838, demonstrating that mid-range pricing can deliver solid outcomes.

Where do recreation program graduates typically find the highest starting salaries?

Western Connecticut State University graduates earn a median of $34,526 annually, representing the highest reported earnings among these affordable programs. SUNY at Fredonia graduates start at $22,329, while Brigham Young University-Hawaii alumni earn $21,234. The recreation industry offers entry-level positions in municipal parks, corporate wellness programs, and entertainment facilities that provide room for career advancement.

Is there significant regional clustering of affordable recreation programs?

California places two universities in the top eight most affordable options, with Sacramento State leading the rankings and Chico State at eighth position. Western and mountain states feature prominently, including Utah State University, University of Montana-Western, and Brigham Young University-Hawaii. This geographic concentration reflects lower living costs in these regions, which helps keep overall education expenses manageable for recreation students.

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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.