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Cheapest Parks Colleges

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

CUNY Lehman College delivers Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies education at an unprecedented $3,482 net cost, making it nearly half the price of the next cheapest option. This dramatic cost advantage reflects the stark divide between regional public institutions and even other state schools in the field. California dominates the affordable market with four programs under $9,000, while Ohio University's satellite campuses cluster between $4,503 and $6,483 despite concerning graduation rates below 21%. The field connects directly to America's $45 billion recreation economy, where national parks employ over 20,000 seasonal workers annually and municipal recreation departments serve 300 million residents. Graduation rates vary wildly from Ohio University-Lancaster's 13.7% to Cal State Long Beach's solid 69.9%, suggesting program structure matters as much as cost. Earnings data from available programs shows graduates typically earn between $34,000 and $36,000, positioning this field as accessible training for steady employment in community services, outdoor recreation management, and municipal parks administration.
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 massive cost gap between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

CUNY Lehman College costs just $3,482 while programs like University of North Carolina at Greensboro reach $10,170, creating a $6,688 spread. Geographic location drives much of this difference, with New York's CUNY system and California's state universities offering strong value. Regional satellite campuses like Ohio University's extensions keep costs low but often struggle with graduation rates below 20%.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in this field?

The data reveals no clear correlation between cost and success rates. Ohio University-Lancaster charges just $6,133 but graduates only 13.7% of students, while Cal State Long Beach costs $8,931 and achieves a 69.9% graduation rate. Mid-range programs like Cal State Fresno ($6,480) and Northridge ($7,599) maintain solid 54.8% and 56.2% rates respectively.

Is Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies education concentrated in specific regions?

California and Ohio dominate the affordable options, with California providing four of the cheapest programs and Ohio University operating five satellite campuses. The West Coast emphasis reflects California's massive outdoor recreation industry and extensive state park system. Other affordable options scatter across Oklahoma, Alaska, West Virginia, and Nevada, suggesting rural and smaller metropolitan areas offer the best value.

What do graduates typically earn after completing these affordable programs?

Available earnings data shows Cal State Fresno graduates earning $35,240 and Cal State Long Beach graduates making $34,942, both falling within the national range of $25,194 to $38,751. These figures reflect entry-level positions in municipal recreation, park services, and outdoor education. The relatively narrow earnings range suggests consistent industry standards regardless of program cost.

Does acceptance rate indicate program selectivity or accessibility focus?

Most affordable programs maintain high acceptance rates, with Cal State Fresno accepting 95.43% and Cal State Northridge welcoming 91.23% of applicants. Cal State Long Beach stands out with just 39.95% acceptance despite its $8,931 cost, suggesting stronger academic requirements. The generally open admissions approach reflects the field's focus on building practical skills rather than academic exclusivity.

More Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies Rankings

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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.