2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Indiana
[Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 24 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Indiana
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools
Leading the list is Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, our #1 best value for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies in Indiana. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. 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. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $33,756. That is a strong return on a $24,160 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Indiana is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,066, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $22,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $40,508. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
A rank of #3 makes Ivy Tech Community College one of the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Students borrow a median of $11,889 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $40,734. That is a strong return on a $11,889 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana State University earned it the #4 place for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,258, while out-of-state students pay about $22,322. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $36,582. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Goshen College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Goshen, Goshen College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,890. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $71,791. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Goshen College admits about 84% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington placed #6 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $19,660 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $44,609. That is a strong return on a $19,660 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University landed the #7 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $25,962 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $36,829. That is a strong return on a $25,962 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Evansville earned the #8 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Evansville, University Of Evansville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,172 in tuition and fees. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $24,031 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $34,809. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Evansville admits about 78% of applicants.
Valparaiso University came in at #9 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the suburb of Valparaiso, Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $48,450 in tuition and fees. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Valparaiso University earn a median of $44,937 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Valparaiso University admits about 89% of applicants.
Marian University Ancilla placed #10 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the rural area of Plymouth, Marian University Ancilla is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,100. Students borrow a median of $32,222 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Marian University Ancilla earn a median of $55,044 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Manchester College earned the #11 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the town of North Manchester, Manchester College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,135. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $25,500. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Manchester College earn a median of $29,936 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Bethel College Mishawaka earned the #12 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Mishawaka, Bethel College Mishawaka is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,600. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $26,799. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Huntington University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the town of Huntington, Huntington University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,870. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $28,332. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Huntington University earn a median of $49,079 early in their careers. Set against $28,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Grace College And Theological Seminary ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $29,645 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Grace College And Theological Seminary earn a median of $32,549 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Indianapolis earned the #15 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, University Of Indianapolis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,200. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,786 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $35,461. Set against $26,786 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Hanover College placed #16 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the town of Hanover, Hanover College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,698 in tuition and fees. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $35,085. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Depauw University landed the #17 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Depauw University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Greencastle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,070. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $46,127. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Depauw University admits about 57% of applicants.
Franklin College placed #18 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the suburb of Franklin, Franklin College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,710. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,000. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Franklin College earn a median of $24,181 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Franklin College admits about 70% of applicants.
Indiana Wesleyan University landed the #19 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the town of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,352. Students borrow a median of $31,454 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University generally make around $36,739. That is a strong return on a $31,454 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Marian University Indiana placed #20 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Marian University Indiana is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $40,664 in tuition and fees. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $33,564. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Taylor University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the rural area of Upland, Taylor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,490. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $21,832 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Taylor University generally make around $45,090. Set against $21,832 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Taylor University admits about 74% of applicants.
Anderson University Indiana earned the #22 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Anderson University Indiana is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Anderson. Students from in state pay about $37,240 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $26,581. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Anderson University Indiana generally make around $36,742. That is a strong return on a $26,581 median debt. Anderson University Indiana admits about 79% of applicants.
Trine University came in at #23 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Trine University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Angola. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,560. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Trine University generally make around $25,812. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Mary Of The Woods College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Saint Mary Of The Woods College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Saint Mary of the Woods. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,240. Students borrow a median of $28,366 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Saint Mary Of The Woods College generally make around $48,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
