2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 149 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools.
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2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools
Triton College tops our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools in the Great Lakes Region. Triton College is a large public school located in the suburb of River Grove. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,070, with out-of-state students paying around $15,330. Students borrow a median of $12,994 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Triton College earn a median of $43,278 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oakland University earned it the #2 place for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $25,972 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
Lorain County Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Lorain County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Elyria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,265, with out-of-state students paying around $8,860. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $17,611 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $40,095. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuyahoga Community College District earned it the #4 place for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Students borrow a median of $14,636 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $39,394. That is a strong return on a $14,636 median debt.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $19,135 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $42,490. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $16,750. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $28,874. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Xavier University landed the #7 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,945. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $25,735. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Saint Xavier University earn a median of $51,753 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,735 median debt. Saint Xavier University admits about 84% of applicants.
Columbus State Community College landed the #8 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,488, compared with $11,224 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $9,041 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,435 ten years after entry. Set against $9,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Illinois At Springfield earned the #9 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,557 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $53,344. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.
Sinclair Community College earned the #10 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #11 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Students borrow a median of $24,160 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $33,756 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Harper College landed the #12 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. Students from in state pay about $3,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,874 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,963 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. Set against $10,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ivy Tech Community College earned the #13 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $11,889. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $40,734 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,889 median debt.
Wayne State University placed #14 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Students borrow a median of $26,689 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $45,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Southern Indiana ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,066 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $22,375. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $40,508. That is a strong return on a $22,375 median debt. University Of Southern Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.
Eastern Illinois University placed #16 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,377 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $36,769. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #17 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $21,480 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $31,370. Set against $21,480 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater placed #18 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,716 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,306 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $45,767. Set against $25,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside landed the #19 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Kenosha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,270, with out-of-state students paying around $17,429. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $25,349. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $30,655. Set against $25,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Parkside admits about 75% of applicants.
Indiana State University earned the #20 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,258, while out-of-state students pay about $22,322. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $36,582 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Saginaw Valley State University placed #21 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,930, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $30,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Saginaw Valley State University generally make around $31,021. That is a strong return on a $30,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Northern Illinois University came in at #22 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Students borrow a median of $27,418 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $36,011. Set against $27,418 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh came in at #23 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. Students from in state pay about $8,532 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $24,619. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $50,590. Set against $24,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.
Michigan Technological University placed #24 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,532, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,091 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Michigan Technological University earn a median of $64,652 early in their careers. Set against $20,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Youngstown State University earned the #25 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,393 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $30,661 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 149 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 149 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
