2027 Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools.
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Best Schools for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall parks, recreation & leisure studies education in the Great Lakes Region.
Top Schools in Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies
Indiana University Bloomington is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Indiana University Bloomington graduates 80% of students within six years. About 117 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation & leisure studies program make about $39,038 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,750.
Get the full parks, recreation & leisure studies details for Indiana University Bloomington
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies, ranking #2. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. About 148 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation & leisure studies degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $41,234 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,447.
More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Ohio University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies, ranking #3. This very large public university is located in the town of Athens. About 65% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 30 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation & leisure studies degree from Ohio University Main Campus earn around $36,850 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,546.
More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from Ohio University Main Campus
Students looking for a strong parks, recreation & leisure studies program will find one at Bowling Green State University Main Campus, which ranked #4. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. There were roughly 30 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at Bowling Green State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation & leisure studies degree from Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn around $32,709 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
See the full parks, recreation & leisure studies program report for Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Northern Michigan University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marquette. Northern Michigan University graduates 53% of students within six years. About 25 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at Northern Michigan University in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $28,890 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,855.
See the full parks, recreation & leisure studies program report for Northern Michigan University
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 5 schools evaluated.
- 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.
