2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/parks-recreation-leisure-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 5 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for parks, recreation & leisure studies students.
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2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in parks, recreation & leisure studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign the best value for a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $23,447. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $41,234 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Michigan University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,322, compared with $19,944 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $23,855 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $28,890. That is a strong return on a $23,855 median debt. Northern Michigan University admits about 84% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $39,038 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
A rank of #4 makes Ohio University Main Campus one of the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $24,546. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $36,850 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation & leisure studies will find it at Bowling Green State University Main Campus, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,912, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $32,709. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
