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2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $0-$30k

23 Ranked Colleges
2,219 Degrees Awarded
$13,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies is the 15th most popular major in the country with 72,122 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $29,823 and had an average of $24,576 in loans still to pay off.

Across Michigan, there were 2,219 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $31,195 and $25,918 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 23 colleges that offered a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

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

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

Top 23 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $0-$30k) in Michigan

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $0-$30k list. U-M is a large school located in Ann Arbor, Michigan that handed out 324 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at U-M, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is $3,166 for michigan parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Michigan Technological University landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Houghton, Michigan, this medium-sized public school awarded 36 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

Michigan Tech also took the #4 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Michigan Tech is $8,295 for Michigan Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Michigan Tech

#3

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Michigan State University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $0-$30k list. East Lansing, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 396 students in 2019-2020.

Michigan State also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for Michigan State University is $6,686 for Michigan Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

#4

Gogebic Community College

Ironwood, Michigan

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Gogebic Community College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $0-$30k. Gogebic Community College is a public institution located in Ironwood, Michigan. The school has a small population, and it awarded 5 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Gogebic Community College also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” list, coming in at #7. The yearly cost to attend Gogebic Community College is $5,674 for michigan parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Gogebic Community College

#5

Grand Valley State University

Allendale, Michigan

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Grand Valley State University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Allendale, Michigan, and it awarded 272 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

GVSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” list. The yearly cost to attend Grand Valley State University is $11,578 for michigan parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.7% 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%.

Full Grand Valley State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#6

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. This fairly large school is located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, and it awarded 346 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Central Michigan did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” list. The yearly cost to attend Central Michigan is $11,598 for Michigan Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

#7

Lake Superior State University

Sault Ste Marie, Michigan

Lake Superior State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. Sault Ste Marie, Michigan is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 33 students in 2019-2020.

Lake Superior State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” list. The yearly cost to attend Lake Superior State University is $7,067 for Michigan Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

#8

Saginaw Valley State University

University Center, Michigan

Saginaw Valley State University landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Saginaw Valley State University is located in University Center, Michigan and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 66 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

Saginaw Valley State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” list. The yearly cost to attend Saginaw Valley State University is $10,522 for michigan parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

#9

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Rochester Hills, Michigan, and it awarded 11 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Oakland also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” list, coming in at #17. The yearly cost to attend Oakland is $7,490 for michigan parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

#10

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan

Wayne State University landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Wayne State University is a large school located in Detroit, Michigan that handed out 44 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Wayne State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” list. It costs about $11,413 for Michigan Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Wayne State.

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

#11

Northern Michigan University

Marquette, Michigan

Northern Michigan University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Marquette, Michigan is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 69 students in 2019-2020.

Northern Michigan University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” list. It costs about $9,137 for michigan parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Northern Michigan University.

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

#12

Aquinas College Michigan

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Aquinas College Michigan did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. Aquinas College Michigan is a private not-for-profit institution located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The school has a small population, and it awarded 23 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Aquinas College Michigan also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” list, coming in at #12. It costs about $13,510 for michigan parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Aquinas College Michigan.

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

#13

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan

Western Michigan University landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Western Michigan University is a public institution located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 130 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

WMU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” list. It costs about $13,021 for michigan parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Western Michigan University.

Full Western Michigan University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#14

Eastern Michigan University

Ypsilanti, Michigan

Eastern Michigan University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. Eastern Michigan is a fairly large public school situated in Ypsilanti, Michigan. It awarded 137 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Eastern Michigan, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Eastern Michigan is $13,904 for michigan parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Eastern Michigan Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#15

Hope College

Holland, Michigan

With a ranking of #15, Hope College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $0-$30k list. Hope College is located in Holland, Michigan and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 29 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Hope, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” ranking. It costs about $16,113 for michigan parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Hope.

The low student loan default rate of 2.1% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Hope College

#16

Northwood University

Midland, Michigan

Northwood University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Northwood is located in Midland, Michigan and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 26 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwood, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” ranking. It costs about $14,573 for michigan parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Northwood University.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

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

#17

Spring Arbor University

Spring Arbor, Michigan

Spring Arbor University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. Spring Arbor is a private not-for-profit institution located in Spring Arbor, Michigan. The school has a small population, and it awarded 15 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Spring Arbor not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” list. It costs about $14,962 for michigan parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Spring Arbor.

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

#18

Davenport University

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Davenport University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. Davenport University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 27 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Davenport University, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” ranking. It costs about $15,751 for Michigan Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Davenport University.

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

#19

Olivet College

Olivet, Michigan

With a ranking of #19, Olivet College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $0-$30k list. Olivet College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Olivet, Michigan. The school has a small population, and it awarded 26 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Olivet also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” list, coming in at #18. It costs about $20,867 for michigan parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Olivet.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Olivet College

#20

Cornerstone University

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Cornerstone University landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cornerstone is a private not-for-profit institution located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The school has a small population, and it awarded 14 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Cornerstone also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” list, coming in at #23. It costs about $18,169 for michigan parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Cornerstone University.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

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

#21

Adrian College

Adrian, Michigan

Adrian College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. Adrian is a private not-for-profit institution located in Adrian, Michigan. The school has a small population, and it awarded 35 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Adrian, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Adrian is $24,964 for michigan parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

#22

Calvin University

Grand Rapids, Michigan

With a ranking of #22, Calvin University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and it awarded 34 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Calvin also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” list, coming in at #13. The estimated yearly cost for Calvin is $21,344 for michigan parks & rec students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

#23

Concordia University, Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan

With a ranking of #23, Concordia University, Ann Arbor did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it awarded 18 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Concordia University, Ann Arbor not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” list. It costs about $22,810 for Michigan Parks & Rec students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Concordia University, Ann Arbor.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low student loan default rate of 4.6% 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 more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Concordia University, Ann Arbor

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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