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2024 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in Ohio

28 Ranked Colleges
2,670 Degrees Awarded
$20,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Ohio

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Ohio” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2020-2021, 73,813 people earned their degree in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies, making the major the 15th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $31,423 and had an average of $24,388 in loans still to pay off.

Across Ohio, there were 2,670 parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,054 and $26,411 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Ohio” ranking looked at 28 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Ohio” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Ohio

The colleges and universities below are the best for ohio parks & rec students.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in Ohio

1

Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Ohio that were part of this year’s ranking, Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #1 spot on the list. Ohio State is located in Columbus, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 248 ’s parks & rec degrees to qualified students.

Ohio State also took the #2 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Ohio” ranking. It costs about $16,845 for Ohio Parks & Rec students per year to attend Ohio State University - Main Campus.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Ohio State Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

2

Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Ohio that were part of this year’s ranking, Ohio University - Athens Campus landed the #2 spot on the list. This large school is located in Athens, Ohio, and it awarded 317 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at OHIO Athens, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Ohio” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for OHIO Athens is $23,831 for Ohio Parks & Rec students.

Full OHIO Athens Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Miami University - Oxford. It ranked #3 on our 2024 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Ohio list. Miami University - Oxford is a public institution located in Oxford, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 348 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Miami University - Oxford also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Ohio” list, coming in at #1. It costs about $24,756 for ohio parks & rec students per year to attend Miami University - Oxford.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Miami University - Oxford

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Wright State University - Main Campus. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Ohio. Wright State University - Main Campus is located in Dayton, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 60 ’s parks & rec degrees to qualified students.

Wright State University - Main Campus also took the #12 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Ohio” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Wright State University - Main Campus is $15,962 for Ohio Parks & Rec students.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Wright State University - Main Campus

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Cincinnati - Main Campus. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Ohio. University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is a large school located in Cincinnati, Ohio that handed out 142 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2020-2021.

UC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Ohio” list. It costs about $22,415 for Ohio Parks & Rec students per year to attend University of Cincinnati - Main Campus.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

6

Kent State University at Kent came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Ohio ranking. Kent State is a large school located in Kent, Ohio that handed out 129 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our ohio parks & rec students list, Kent State has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Ohio” ranking. It costs about $19,117 for Ohio Parks & Rec students per year to attend Kent State University at Kent.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Kent State

7
Ashland crest
Ashland University
Ashland, Ohio

Ashland University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Ohio ranking. Ashland University is located in Ashland, Ohio and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 17 ’s parks & rec degrees to qualified students.

Ashland also took the #10 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Ohio” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Ashland University is $20,974 for ohio parks & rec students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Ashland University

8

Bowling Green State University - Main Campus ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Ohio list. Bowling Green State University - Main Campus is a fairly large public school situated in Bowling Green, Ohio. It awarded 202 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2020-2021.

BGSU also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Ohio” list, coming in at #13. It costs about $18,558 for ohio parks & rec students per year to attend Bowling Green State University - Main Campus.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at BGSU

9
University of Toledo crest
University of Toledo
Toledo, Ohio

University of Toledo came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Ohio ranking. University of Toledo is a public institution located in Toledo, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 127 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

University of Toledo not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Ohio” list. It costs about $17,312 for ohio parks & rec students per year to attend University of Toledo.

Full University of Toledo Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

10

Youngstown State University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Ohio list. Youngstown, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks & rec degrees to 74 students in 2020-2021.

Youngstown State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Ohio” list. The estimated yearly cost for Youngstown State University is $12,225 for ohio parks & rec students.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Youngstown State University

11

University of Akron Main Campus did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Ohio ranking, coming in at #11. Akron, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks & rec degrees to 70 students in 2020-2021.

University of Akron Main Campus also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Ohio” list, coming in at #22. The yearly cost to attend University of Akron Main Campus is $17,945 for Ohio Parks & Rec students.

Full University of Akron Main Campus Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

12

With a ranking of #12, Cleveland State University did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Ohio list. Cleveland State University is a fairly large public school situated in Cleveland, Ohio. It awarded 19 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our ohio parks & rec students list, Cleveland State University has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Ohio” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cleveland State University is $16,943 for ohio parks & rec students.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Cleveland State University

13
Wilmington College crest
Wilmington College
Wilmington, Ohio

Wilmington College did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Ohio ranking, coming in at #13. Wilmington, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks & rec degrees to 31 students in 2020-2021.

Wilmington College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Ohio” list. The estimated yearly cost for Wilmington College is $20,939 for ohio parks & rec students.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Wilmington College

14

Ohio Dominican University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Ohio list. ODU is located in Columbus, Ohio and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 27 ’s parks & rec degrees to qualified students.

ODU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Ohio” list. The estimated yearly cost for Ohio Dominican University is $19,467 for Ohio Parks & Rec students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full ODU Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

15

With a ranking of #15, University of Mount Union did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Ohio list. Mount Union is a private not-for-profit institution located in Alliance, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 60 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Mount Union also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Ohio” list, coming in at #8. The estimated yearly cost for Mount Union is $23,826 for ohio parks & rec students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Mount Union

16
Shawnee State University crest
Shawnee State University
Portsmouth, Ohio

Shawnee State University landed the #16 spot on the 2024 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Ohio ranking. Portsmouth, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks & rec degrees to 20 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Shawnee State University is $10,260 for Ohio Parks & Rec students.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Shawnee State University

17
Otterbein crest
Otterbein University
Westerville, Ohio

Otterbein University did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Ohio ranking, coming in at #17. Westerville, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks & rec degrees to 22 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our ohio parks & rec students list, Otterbein has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Ohio” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Otterbein University is $22,881 for ohio parks & rec students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Otterbein

18
Bluffton crest
Bluffton University
Bluffton, Ohio

Bluffton University did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Ohio ranking, coming in at #18. Bluffton University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Bluffton, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 21 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our ohio parks & rec students list, Bluffton has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Ohio” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Bluffton University is $23,407 for ohio parks & rec students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Bluffton University

19

Baldwin Wallace University did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Ohio ranking, coming in at #19. Baldwin Wallace College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Berea, Ohio. It awarded 27 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Baldwin Wallace College also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Ohio” list, coming in at #9. It costs about $25,361 for ohio parks & rec students per year to attend Baldwin Wallace University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Baldwin Wallace College Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

20

With a ranking of #20, The University of Findlay did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Ohio list. Located in Findlay, Ohio, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 18 diplomas to qualified ’s parks & rec students in 2020-2021.

Findlay not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Ohio” list. The estimated yearly cost for Findlay is $25,849 for Ohio Parks & Rec students.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Findlay

21
Muskingum crest
Muskingum University
New Concord, Ohio

Muskingum University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Ohio ranking. Located in New Concord, Ohio, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 13 diplomas to qualified ’s parks & rec students in 2020-2021.

Muskingum also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Ohio” list, coming in at #23. The estimated yearly cost for Muskingum is $18,561 for ohio parks & rec students.

Full Muskingum Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

22
Malone crest
Malone University
Canton, Ohio

With a ranking of #22, Malone University did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Ohio list. Malone is located in Canton, Ohio and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 27 ’s parks & rec degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Malone is $18,965 for ohio parks & rec students.

Full Malone Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

23
Xavier crest
Xavier University
Cincinnati, Ohio

Xavier University did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Ohio ranking, coming in at #23. Xavier is located in Cincinnati, Ohio and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 61 ’s parks & rec degrees to qualified students.

Xavier also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Ohio” list, coming in at #6. The estimated yearly cost for Xavier University is $34,592 for Ohio Parks & Rec students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Xavier University

23

Ohio Northern University landed the #23 spot on the 2024 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Ohio ranking. Ohio Northern University is located in Ada, Ohio and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 15 ’s parks & rec degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our ohio parks & rec students list, ONU has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Ohio” ranking. It costs about $25,056 for Ohio Parks & Rec students per year to attend ONU.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full ONU Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

25
Defiance College crest
Defiance College
Defiance, Ohio

Defiance College did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Ohio ranking, coming in at #25. Located in Defiance, Ohio, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 13 diplomas to qualified ’s parks & rec students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Defiance College is $25,158 for ohio parks & rec students.

Full Defiance College Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

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