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

16 Ranked Colleges
1,044 Degrees Awarded
$18,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Wisconsin For Those Getting Aid

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Wisconsin For Those Getting Aid” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2019-2020, 72,122 people earned their degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies, making the major the 15th most popular in the United States. 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 Wisconsin, there were 1,044 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Wisconsin For Those Getting Aid” ranking looked at 16 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs that also have a lower cost than 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Wisconsin For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college 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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

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

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

Top 16 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in Wisconsin (With Aid)

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - La Crosse. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Wisconsin For Those Getting Aid list. La Crosse, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 260 students in 2019-2020.

UW - La Crosse also took the #1 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Wisconsin” ranking. It costs about $14,580 for wisconsin parks & rec students with aid per year to attend University of Wisconsin - La Crosse.

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%. 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 UW - La Crosse

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Wisconsin For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #2 spot on the list. UW - Madison is a large school located in Madison, Wisconsin that handed out 108 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Madison, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Wisconsin” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison is $17,708 for wisconsin parks & rec students with aid.

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 school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Wisconsin - Madison Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Parkside. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Wisconsin For Those Getting Aid list. Kenosha, Wisconsin is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 53 students in 2019-2020.

UW - Parkside also took the #12 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Wisconsin” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UW - Parkside is $11,327 for wisconsin parks & rec students with aid.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UW - Parkside

#4

University of Wisconsin - River Falls

River Falls, Wisconsin

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - River Falls. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Wisconsin For Those Getting Aid. UW - River Falls is a public institution located in River Falls, Wisconsin. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 17 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - River Falls not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Wisconsin” list. The yearly cost to attend UW - River Falls is $13,748 for Wisconsin Parks & Rec students with aid.

The low student loan default rate of 2.7% 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 UW - River Falls Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Wisconsin For Those Getting Aid. This fairly large school is located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and it awarded 117 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our wisconsin parks & rec students with aid list, UW - Eau Claire has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Wisconsin” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UW - Eau Claire is $16,020 for wisconsin parks & rec students with aid.

Full University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#6

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point

Stevens Point, Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Wisconsin For Those Getting Aid list. UW - Stevens Point is a medium-sized school located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin that handed out 47 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our wisconsin parks & rec students with aid list, UW - Stevens Point has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Wisconsin” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UW - Stevens Point is $14,465 for wisconsin parks & rec students with aid.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UW - Stevens Point

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Wisconsin For Those Getting Aid list. Milwaukee, Wisconsin is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 80 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our wisconsin parks & rec students with aid list, UWM has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Wisconsin” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UWM is $17,876 for Wisconsin Parks & Rec students with aid.

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

#8

Viterbo University

La Crosse, Wisconsin

Viterbo University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Wisconsin For Those Getting Aid ranking. La Crosse, Wisconsin is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our wisconsin parks & rec students with aid list, Viterbo has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Wisconsin” ranking. It costs about $19,992 for wisconsin parks & rec students with aid per year to attend Viterbo University.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

#9

Carroll University

Waukesha, Wisconsin

With a ranking of #9, Carroll University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Wisconsin For Those Getting Aid list. Carroll University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Waukesha, Wisconsin. The school has a small population, and it awarded 86 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Carroll U also took the #4 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Wisconsin” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Carroll University is $23,355 for wisconsin parks & rec students with aid.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

#10

Wisconsin Lutheran College

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Wisconsin Lutheran College landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Wisconsin For Those Getting Aid ranking. This small school is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and it awarded 14 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

WLC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Wisconsin” list. It costs about $20,899 for Wisconsin Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend Wisconsin Lutheran College.

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

#11

Marian University

Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin

Marian University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Wisconsin For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #11. Marian University is located in Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 23 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Marian, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Wisconsin” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Marian is $19,928 for wisconsin parks & rec students with aid.

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

#12

Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Cardinal Stritch University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Wisconsin For Those Getting Aid list. Cardinal Stritch University is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

Cardinal Stritch also took the #16 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Wisconsin” ranking. It costs about $18,156 for Wisconsin Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend Cardinal Stritch.

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 Cardinal Stritch University

#13

Ripon College

Ripon, Wisconsin

Ripon College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Wisconsin For Those Getting Aid list. Ripon is a small school located in Ripon, Wisconsin that handed out 9 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Ripon not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Wisconsin” list. It costs about $20,147 for Wisconsin Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend Ripon College.

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 Ripon Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#14

Carthage College

Kenosha, Wisconsin

Carthage College landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Wisconsin For Those Getting Aid ranking. Carthage College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The school has a small population, and it awarded 36 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Carthage also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Wisconsin” list, coming in at #6. The estimated yearly cost for Carthage is $28,191 for Wisconsin Parks & Rec students with aid.

The low student loan default rate of 4.7% 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 Carthage Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#15

Concordia University, Wisconsin

Mequon, Wisconsin

Concordia University, Wisconsin came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Wisconsin For Those Getting Aid ranking. Mequon, Wisconsin 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 15 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Concordia University, Wisconsin, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Wisconsin” ranking. It costs about $23,855 for wisconsin parks & rec students with aid per year to attend Concordia University, Wisconsin.

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%.

Full Concordia University, Wisconsin Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#16

Lakeland University

Plymouth, Wisconsin

Lakeland University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Wisconsin For Those Getting Aid ranking. Plymouth, Wisconsin is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 19 students in 2019-2020.

Lakeland not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Wisconsin” list. It costs about $20,687 for Wisconsin Parks & Rec students with aid per year to attend Lakeland University.

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

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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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