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2024 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Indiana

15 Ranked Colleges
1,956 Degrees Awarded
$18,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Indiana

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 Indiana” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies is the 15th most popular major in the country with 73,813 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $31,423 and had an average of $24,388 in loans still to pay off.

Across Indiana, there were 1,956 parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $31,288 and $25,237 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Indiana” ranking, we looked at 15 colleges that offer a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Indiana” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Indiana

The colleges and universities below are the best for indiana parks & rec students.

Top 15 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in Indiana

1
IU Bloomington crest
Indiana University - Bloomington
Bloomington, Indiana

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Indiana University - Bloomington. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Indiana. Located in Bloomington, Indiana, this large public school handed out 643 diplomas to qualified ’s parks & rec students in 2020-2021.

IU Bloomington did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Indiana” list. It costs about $14,619 for indiana parks & rec students per year to attend Indiana University - Bloomington.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Indiana University - Bloomington

2
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Purdue University - Main Campus. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Indiana. Purdue University - Main Campus is a large school located in West Lafayette, Indiana that handed out 131 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Purdue, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Indiana” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Purdue is $13,377 for indiana parks & rec students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Purdue University - Main Campus

3
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

Out of the 15 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Indiana that were part of this year’s ranking, Ball State University landed the #3 spot on the list. Ball State University is located in Muncie, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 152 ’s parks & rec degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ball State, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Indiana” ranking. It costs about $14,765 for Indiana Parks & Rec students per year to attend Ball State University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% 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 more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Ball State

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Indiana. Indianapolis, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks & rec degrees to 215 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our indiana parks & rec students list, IUPUI has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Indiana” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is $12,416 for Indiana Parks & Rec students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

5
USI crest
University of Southern Indiana
Evansville, Indiana

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Southern Indiana. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Indiana. University of Southern Indiana is located in Evansville, Indiana and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 81 ’s parks & rec degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USI, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Indiana” ranking. The yearly cost to attend USI is $13,481 for Indiana Parks & Rec students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Southern Indiana

6

With a ranking of #6, Grace College and Theological Seminary did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Indiana list. Winona Lake, Indiana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks & rec degrees to 37 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Grace College, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Indiana” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Grace College and Theological Seminary is $20,060 for Indiana Parks & Rec students.

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

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

7
Indiana State crest
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, Indiana

With a ranking of #7, Indiana State University did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Indiana list. Indiana State is located in Terre Haute, Indiana and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 145 ’s parks & rec degrees to qualified students.

Indiana State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Indiana” list. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana State University is $14,270 for Indiana Parks & Rec students.

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

8
Valpo crest
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, Indiana

Valparaiso University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Indiana ranking. Valpo is a private not-for-profit institution located in Valparaiso, Indiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 25 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Valpo not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Indiana” list. It costs about $22,899 for indiana parks & rec students per year to attend Valpo.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

9
Trine crest
Trine University
Angola, Indiana

Trine University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Indiana ranking. Trine University is a small school located in Angola, Indiana that handed out 77 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Trine, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Indiana” ranking. It costs about $25,028 for indiana parks & rec students per year to attend Trine University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

10
UIndy crest
University of Indianapolis
Indianapolis, Indiana

University of Indianapolis landed the #10 spot on the 2024 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Indiana ranking. UIndy is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 137 ’s parks & rec degrees to qualified students.

UIndy also took the #5 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Indiana” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Indianapolis is $19,808 for Indiana Parks & Rec students.

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

11
Manchester University crest
Manchester University
North Manchester, Indiana

Manchester University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Indiana ranking. Manchester University is a small school located in North Manchester, Indiana that handed out 28 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Manchester University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Indiana” list. The estimated yearly cost for Manchester University is $18,064 for Indiana Parks & Rec students.

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

12
Marian crest
Marian University
Indianapolis, Indiana

Marian University did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Indiana ranking, coming in at #12. Marian University is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 28 ’s parks & rec degrees to qualified students.

Marian did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Indiana” list. The estimated yearly cost for Marian is $19,266 for Indiana Parks & Rec students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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%.

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

13
Franklin College of Indiana crest
Franklin College
Franklin, Indiana

Franklin College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Indiana list. Franklin College of Indiana is located in Franklin, Indiana and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 26 ’s parks & rec degrees to qualified students.

Franklin College of Indiana also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Indiana” list, coming in at #14. It costs about $20,535 for Indiana Parks & Rec students per year to attend Franklin College of Indiana.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 5.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Franklin College

14
Hanover crest
Hanover College
Hanover, Indiana

Hanover College did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Indiana ranking, coming in at #14. Hanover is a small school located in Hanover, Indiana that handed out 23 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Hanover not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Indiana” list. It costs about $20,732 for indiana parks & rec students per year to attend Hanover.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% 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 more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Hanover

15
UE crest
University of Evansville
Evansville, Indiana

University of Evansville ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Indiana list. University of Evansville is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Evansville, Indiana. It awarded 33 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our indiana parks & rec students list, UE has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Indiana” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Evansville is $22,912 for Indiana Parks & Rec students.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Evansville Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

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