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2022 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $30-$48k) in Michigan

23 Ranked Colleges
2,219 Degrees Awarded
$14,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $30-$48k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. 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 Michigan For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

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.

For this year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 23 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.

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 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 Michigan For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most 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 Michigan For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 23 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $30-$48k) 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 $30-$48k list. U-M is a large school located in Ann Arbor, Michigan that handed out 324 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

U-M also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” list, coming in at #1. The estimated yearly cost for U-M is $5,887 for michigan parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. 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%.

Full University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#2

Gogebic Community College

Ironwood, Michigan

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Gogebic Community College landed the #2 spot on the list. This small school is located in Ironwood, Michigan, and it awarded 5 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Gogebic Community College also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $6,851 for Michigan Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Gogebic Community College.

Full Gogebic Community College Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Michigan Technological University landed the #3 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 did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” list. The yearly cost to attend Michigan Tech is $9,049 for michigan parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

#4

Grand Valley State University

Allendale, Michigan

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Grand Valley State University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $30-$48k. Allendale, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 272 students in 2019-2020.

GVSU also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” list, coming in at #5. The estimated yearly cost for GVSU is $12,459 for michigan parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

#5

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Central Michigan University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, and it awarded 346 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our michigan parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, Central Michigan has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Central Michigan is $12,127 for michigan parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

#6

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. Rochester Hills, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.

Oakland also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” list, coming in at #17. It costs about $7,751 for Michigan Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Oakland.

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

#7

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. 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 not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” list. The yearly cost to attend Michigan State is $15,197 for Michigan Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

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

#8

Saginaw Valley State University

University Center, Michigan

Saginaw Valley State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $30-$48k list. Saginaw Valley State University is a public institution located in University Center, Michigan. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 66 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Saginaw Valley State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” list. The estimated yearly cost for Saginaw Valley State University is $11,734 for Michigan Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

#9

Lake Superior State University

Sault Ste Marie, Michigan

Lake Superior State University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $30-$48k list. Lake Superior State University is a small public school situated in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan. It awarded 33 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Lake Superior State University, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lake Superior State University is $9,640 for Michigan Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

#10

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan

Wayne State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Detroit, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 44 students in 2019-2020.

Wayne State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” list. It costs about $11,554 for Michigan Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Wayne State University.

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

#11

Northern Michigan University

Marquette, Michigan

Northern Michigan University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. 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. The yearly cost to attend Northern Michigan University is $11,723 for michigan parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

#12

Eastern Michigan University

Ypsilanti, Michigan

Eastern Michigan University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. Eastern Michigan is a fairly large school located in Ypsilanti, Michigan that handed out 137 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Eastern Michigan did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” list. The yearly cost to attend Eastern Michigan is $14,136 for Michigan Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

#13

Hope College

Holland, Michigan

Hope College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Holland, Michigan, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 29 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

Hope also took the #3 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Hope College is $17,573 for Michigan Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

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

#14

Northwood University

Midland, Michigan

Northwood University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $30-$48k list. Northwood University is a small school located in Midland, Michigan that handed out 26 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwood also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for Northwood is $14,903 for Michigan Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

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

#15

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan

Western Michigan University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $30-$48k list. WMU is a public institution located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 130 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WMU, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Western Michigan University is $15,276 for Michigan Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

#16

Aquinas College Michigan

Grand Rapids, Michigan

With a ranking of #16, Aquinas College Michigan did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and it awarded 23 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Aquinas College Michigan did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” list. The yearly cost to attend Aquinas College Michigan is $14,125 for michigan parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

#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 $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. This small school is located in Spring Arbor, Michigan, and it awarded 15 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our michigan parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, Spring Arbor has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Spring Arbor is $16,448 for Michigan Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

#18

Olivet College

Olivet, Michigan

Olivet College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Olivet, Michigan, and it awarded 26 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our michigan parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, Olivet has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Olivet College is $19,429 for michigan parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

#19

Cornerstone University

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Cornerstone University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. This small school is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and it awarded 14 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Cornerstone did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” list. The estimated yearly cost for Cornerstone University is $17,478 for michigan parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

#20

Adrian College

Adrian, Michigan

Adrian College landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Adrian, Michigan, and it awarded 35 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Adrian also took the #10 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” ranking. It costs about $22,609 for michigan parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Adrian.

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

#21

Calvin University

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Calvin University landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Calvin is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 34 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

Calvin also took the #13 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” ranking. It costs about $21,920 for Michigan Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Calvin University.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

#22

Davenport University

Grand Rapids, Michigan

With a ranking of #22, Davenport University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $30-$48k list. Davenport University is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 27 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

Davenport University also took the #22 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Davenport University is $20,521 for Michigan Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

#23

Concordia University, Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Concordia University, Ann Arbor ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 18 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

Concordia University, Ann Arbor also took the #19 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Concordia University, Ann Arbor is $23,413 for michigan parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

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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