2022 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $75-$110k) in Illinois
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 Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
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 Illinois, there were 2,352 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $31,766 and $23,636 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking looked at 22 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
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More Ways to Rank Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools
The parks & rec school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k”.
To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to 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 Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k.
Top 22 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $75-$110k) in Illinois
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k. Northwestern is located in Evanston, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 39 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
Northwestern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $16,784 for Illinois Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Northwestern University.
The student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Northwestern University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #2 spot on the list. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a large public school situated in Champaign, Illinois. It awarded 334 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
UIUC also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for UIUC is $21,998 for illinois parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full UIUC Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Chicago. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k. University of Illinois at Chicago is a large public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 167 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
UIC also took the #4 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UIC is $20,270 for Illinois Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Illinois at Chicago Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northern Illinois University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k. NIU is located in Dekalb, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 87 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our illinois parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k list, NIU has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend NIU is $21,425 for Illinois Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Northern Illinois University
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Monmouth College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k. Located in Monmouth, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 23 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.
Monmouth also took the #5 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $18,081 for illinois parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Monmouth College.
With a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Monmouth College
Eastern Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #6. EIU is a medium-sized school located in Charleston, Illinois that handed out 138 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at EIU, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Eastern Illinois University is $19,147 for Illinois Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Eastern Illinois University
Concordia University, Chicago ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. River Forest, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 343 students in 2019-2020.
Concordia University, Chicago also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for Concordia University, Chicago is $17,820 for Illinois Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
Full Concordia University, Chicago Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. Edwardsville, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 154 students in 2019-2020.
SIUE not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $18,928 for illinois parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend SIUE.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at SIUE
Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Carbondale, Illinois, this fairly large public school handed out 118 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.
SIUC also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #12. It costs about $20,698 for Illinois Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend SIUC.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at SIUC
University of St Francis ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Joliet, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 6 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.
University of Saint Francis also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #6. It costs about $20,629 for Illinois Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of Saint Francis.
The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Saint Francis
Quincy University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. This small school is located in Quincy, Illinois, and it awarded 21 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
Quincy U also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #16. It costs about $18,515 for illinois parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Quincy U.
Full Quincy University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Western Illinois University landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Macomb, Illinois, and it awarded 157 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
WIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend WIU is $20,181 for Illinois Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
Full Western Illinois University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Millikin University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #13. Millikin is a small school located in Decatur, Illinois that handed out 24 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our illinois parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k list, Millikin has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Millikin is $23,486 for illinois parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
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.
Full Millikin University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
With a ranking of #14, Illinois State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. This large school is located in Normal, Illinois, and it awarded 240 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
Illinois State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $25,379 for Illinois Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Illinois State.
The low student loan default rate of 4.4% 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 Illinois State University
Aurora University landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Aurora, Illinois, and it awarded 60 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our illinois parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k list, Aurora has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Aurora is $19,609 for Illinois Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Aurora
McKendree University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. McKendree University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lebanon, Illinois. It awarded 28 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
McKendree did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend McKendree is $23,434 for Illinois Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
Full McKendree University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Elmhurst University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Elmhurst, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 28 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our illinois parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k list, Elmhurst has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Elmhurst is $23,604 for illinois parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Elmhurst
Olivet Nazarene University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Olivet Nazarene is located in Bourbonnais, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 30 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
Olivet Nazarene also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #22. The estimated yearly cost for Olivet Nazarene University is $21,306 for Illinois Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Olivet Nazarene University
With a ranking of #19, Lewis University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Romeoville, Illinois, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 31 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.
Lewis also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #18. The estimated yearly cost for Lewis is $21,123 for illinois parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
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%.
Full Lewis University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Trinity International University - Illinois landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. TIU Illinois is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Deerfield, Illinois. It awarded 12 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at TIU Illinois, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Trinity International University - Illinois is $23,684 for Illinois Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
North Central College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #21. North Central College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Naperville, Illinois. It awarded 55 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
North Central also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #7. The yearly cost to attend North Central is $25,778 for Illinois Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
The low student loan default rate of 3.9% 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 North Central
Benedictine University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #22. Lisle, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 14 students in 2019-2020.
Benedictine U also took the #20 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $27,007 for Illinois Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Benedictine University.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Benedictine U
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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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