Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Getting Aid

23 Ranked Colleges
2,219 Degrees Awarded
$18,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Getting Aid

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 Getting Aid” 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 Getting Aid” ranking looked at 23 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.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 Michigan For Those Getting Aid”.

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. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Getting Aid.

Top 23 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in Michigan (With Aid)

#1

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 #1 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Getting Aid. Gogebic Community College is located in Ironwood, Michigan and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

Gogebic Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” list. It costs about $7,942 for Michigan Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend Gogebic Community College.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Gogebic Community College

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Getting Aid. U-M is a large school located in Ann Arbor, Michigan that handed out 324 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our michigan parks & rec students with aid list, U-M has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” ranking. It costs about $15,336 for Michigan Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend U-M.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. 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%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at U-M

#3

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Michigan State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Getting Aid. Michigan State is located in East Lansing, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 396 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Michigan State, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Michigan State is $19,173 for michigan parks & rec students with aid.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

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

#4

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Central Michigan University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Getting Aid. Central Michigan is a fairly large school located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan that handed out 346 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Central Michigan not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” list. It costs about $15,981 for Michigan Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend Central Michigan.

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

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Michigan Technological University landed the #5 spot on the list. Michigan Tech is a medium-sized public school situated in Houghton, Michigan. It awarded 36 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Michigan Tech also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $16,463 for Michigan Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend Michigan Tech.

The low student loan default rate of 2.3% 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%. 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 Technological University

#6

Grand Valley State University

Allendale, Michigan

Grand Valley State University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Getting Aid list. Grand Valley State University is a large school located in Allendale, Michigan that handed out 272 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our michigan parks & rec students with aid list, GVSU has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Grand Valley State University is $17,646 for michigan parks & rec students with aid.

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%.

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

#7

Saginaw Valley State University

University Center, Michigan

Saginaw Valley State University landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Getting Aid ranking. University Center, Michigan is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 66 students in 2019-2020.

Saginaw Valley State University also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” list, coming in at #8. The estimated yearly cost for Saginaw Valley State University is $14,248 for Michigan Parks & Rec students with aid.

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

#8

Lake Superior State University

Sault Ste Marie, Michigan

Lake Superior State University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Getting Aid ranking. 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.

Lake Superior State University also took the #16 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” ranking. It costs about $12,398 for Michigan Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend Lake Superior State University.

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

#9

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan

Wayne State University landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Getting Aid 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 also took the #14 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Wayne State is $13,965 for michigan parks & rec students with aid.

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

#10

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Getting Aid list. Oakland University is a fairly large public school situated in Rochester Hills, Michigan. It awarded 11 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Oakland did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” list. The yearly cost to attend Oakland University is $11,802 for michigan parks & rec students with aid.

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

#11

Eastern Michigan University

Ypsilanti, Michigan

Eastern Michigan University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Getting Aid list. Eastern Michigan is a fairly large public school situated in Ypsilanti, Michigan. It awarded 137 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Eastern Michigan not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” list. It costs about $15,924 for Michigan Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend Eastern Michigan.

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

#12

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan

With a ranking of #12, Western Michigan University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Getting Aid list. WMU is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 130 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

WMU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” list. The estimated yearly cost for WMU is $19,433 for michigan parks & rec students with aid.

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

#13

Aquinas College Michigan

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Aquinas College Michigan did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #13. This small school is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and it awarded 23 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our michigan parks & rec students with aid list, Aquinas College Michigan has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Aquinas College Michigan is $18,549 for Michigan Parks & Rec students with aid.

Full Aquinas College Michigan Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#14

Northern Michigan University

Marquette, Michigan

Northern Michigan University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Getting Aid ranking. Northern Michigan University is a public institution located in Marquette, Michigan. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 69 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northern Michigan University, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northern Michigan University is $15,453 for michigan parks & rec students with aid.

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

#15

Northwood University

Midland, Michigan

Northwood University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in Midland, Michigan, and it awarded 26 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwood also took the #9 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Northwood is $21,618 for michigan parks & rec students with aid.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

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

#16

Davenport University

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Davenport University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Getting Aid ranking. 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. It costs about $16,098 for michigan parks & rec students with aid per year to attend Davenport University.

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

#17

Olivet College

Olivet, Michigan

With a ranking of #17, Olivet College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Getting Aid list. Olivet is a small school located in Olivet, Michigan that handed out 26 ’s parks and rec 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 $21,464 for michigan parks & rec students with aid per year to attend Olivet College.

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

#18

Cornerstone University

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Cornerstone University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 14 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students 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 yearly cost to attend Cornerstone University is $20,740 for Michigan Parks & Rec students with aid.

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

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

#19

Hope College

Holland, Michigan

Hope College landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Getting Aid ranking. Hope College is a small school located in Holland, Michigan that handed out 29 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Hope also took the #3 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Hope is $26,562 for michigan parks & rec students with aid.

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 school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

#20

Spring Arbor University

Spring Arbor, Michigan

Spring Arbor University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Spring Arbor, Michigan, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 15 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Spring Arbor, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Spring Arbor is $19,183 for michigan parks & rec students with aid.

Full Spring Arbor University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#21

Adrian College

Adrian, Michigan

Adrian College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Michigan For Those Getting Aid ranking. Adrian College 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. It costs about $26,101 for michigan parks & rec students with aid per year to attend Adrian College.

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

#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 Getting Aid list. 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Calvin, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Michigan” ranking. It costs about $26,647 for michigan parks & rec students with aid per year to attend Calvin.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. 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

#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 Getting Aid list. Concordia University, Ann Arbor is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 18 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

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 $24,557 for michigan parks & rec students with aid.

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%. 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 Concordia University, Ann Arbor Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

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.

Credits

Featured Athletic Training Schools

Find Schools Near You