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2023 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $0-$30k) in Indiana

15 Ranked Colleges
1,956 Degrees Awarded
$12,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Indiana For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Indiana For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2020-2021, 73,813 people earned their degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies, making the major the 15th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, parks, recreation, leisure, and 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 Indiana, there were 1,956 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $31,288 and $25,237 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Indiana For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 15 colleges that offer a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the parks, recreation, leisure, and 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 Indiana For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Indiana For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Indiana For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 15 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $0-$30k) in Indiana

1
IU Bloomington crest
Indiana University - Bloomington
Bloomington, Indiana

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indiana University - Bloomington. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Indiana For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Bloomington, Indiana, this large public school handed out 643 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

IU Bloomington also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Indiana” list, coming in at #1. It costs about $5,752 for indiana parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Indiana University - Bloomington.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Indiana University - Bloomington

2
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Purdue University - Main Campus. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Indiana For Those Making $0-$30k. Purdue University - Main Campus is a large public school situated in West Lafayette, Indiana. It awarded 131 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our indiana parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, Purdue has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Indiana” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Purdue University - Main Campus is $5,995 for Indiana Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

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

3
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ball State University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Indiana For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Muncie, Indiana, and it awarded 152 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Ball State also took the #3 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Indiana” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Ball State University is $8,273 for indiana parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% 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 Ball State

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Indiana For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, this large public school awarded 215 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

IUPUI did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Indiana” list. It costs about $7,026 for indiana parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

5
USI crest
University of Southern Indiana
Evansville, Indiana

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Southern Indiana. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Indiana For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Southern Indiana is located in Evansville, Indiana and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 81 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

USI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Indiana” list. It costs about $7,815 for Indiana Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend USI.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Southern Indiana Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

6
Valpo crest
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, Indiana

Valparaiso University landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Indiana For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Valparaiso University is located in Valparaiso, Indiana and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 25 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

Valpo also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Indiana” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $19,548 for indiana parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Valparaiso University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% 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 more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Valpo

7
Indiana State crest
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, Indiana

Indiana State University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Indiana For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Terre Haute, Indiana is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 145 students in 2020-2021.

Indiana State also took the #14 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Indiana” ranking. It costs about $10,104 for indiana parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Indiana State.

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

8
Manchester University crest
Manchester University
North Manchester, Indiana

Manchester University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Indiana For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Located in North Manchester, Indiana, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 28 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Manchester University, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Indiana” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Manchester University is $14,785 for indiana parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

9
UIndy crest
University of Indianapolis
Indianapolis, Indiana

With a ranking of #9, University of Indianapolis did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Indiana For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 137 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

UIndy not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Indiana” list. It costs about $14,124 for indiana parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UIndy.

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

10
Marian crest
Marian University
Indianapolis, Indiana

Marian University landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Indiana For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Indianapolis, Indiana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 28 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Marian, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Indiana” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Marian is $12,696 for indiana parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Marian University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

11

With a ranking of #11, Grace College and Theological Seminary did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Indiana For Those Making $0-$30k list. Grace College is a small school located in Winona Lake, Indiana that handed out 37 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our indiana parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, Grace College has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Indiana” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Grace College and Theological Seminary is $13,669 for Indiana Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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 Grace College and Theological Seminary

12
Hanover crest
Hanover College
Hanover, Indiana

With a ranking of #12, Hanover College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Indiana For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Hanover, Indiana, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 23 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our indiana parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, Hanover has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Indiana” ranking. It costs about $13,015 for indiana parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Hanover.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

13
UE crest
University of Evansville
Evansville, Indiana

University of Evansville landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Indiana For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Evansville is located in Evansville, Indiana and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 33 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our indiana parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k list, UE has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Indiana” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UE is $17,071 for indiana parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

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

14
Franklin College of Indiana crest
Franklin College
Franklin, Indiana

Franklin College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Indiana For Those Making $0-$30k list. Franklin College is located in Franklin, Indiana and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 26 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

Franklin College of Indiana not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Indiana” list. It costs about $13,958 for indiana parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Franklin College of Indiana.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

15
Trine crest
Trine University
Angola, Indiana

With a ranking of #15, Trine University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Indiana For Those Making $0-$30k list. Trine University is located in Angola, Indiana and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 77 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

Trine also took the #8 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Indiana” ranking. It costs about $17,453 for indiana parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Trine University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

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