2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Ohio
[Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 50 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Ohio
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
Lorain County Community College earned the #1 spot for value among parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools in Ohio. Located in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,265 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,860. Students borrow a median of $17,611 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $40,095. Set against $17,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuyahoga Community College District came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $14,636. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $39,394. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sinclair Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $12,525 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $35,348. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.
Columbus State Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,488, while out-of-state students pay about $11,224. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $9,041. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,435. That is a strong return on a $9,041 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Youngstown State University earned it the #5 place for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. 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, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,393 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $30,661. Set against $26,393 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Clermont College landed the #6 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public school located in the suburb of Batavia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,639, while out-of-state students pay about $13,871. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Clermont College generally make around $39,221. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #7 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $42,137. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Hocking College landed the #8 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Nelsonville, Hocking College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,646, while out-of-state students pay about $10,290. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $16,535. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Hocking College generally make around $37,713. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ursuline College placed #9 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Ursuline College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Pepper Pike. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,990. Students borrow a median of $35,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $80,267. Set against $35,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ursuline College admits about 75% of applicants.
Central State University earned the #10 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the rural area of Wilberforce, Central State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,058, compared with $10,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $31,318. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Central State University generally make around $27,388. That is a strong return on a $31,318 median debt. Central State University admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blue Ash. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,106, with out-of-state students paying around $15,904. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $42,936. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cleveland State University came in at #12 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $26,336. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $38,787 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,336 median debt. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #13 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $31,000. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $34,060 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Shawnee State University landed the #14 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Shawnee State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Portsmouth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,448, with out-of-state students paying around $16,032. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Shawnee State University generally make around $42,878. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt.
Wittenberg University came in at #15 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Wittenberg University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,940. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Wittenberg University earn a median of $40,093 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Wright State University Main Campus landed the #16 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,991 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Students borrow a median of $28,250 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Wright State University Main Campus generally make around $35,640. Set against $28,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
College Of Mount St Joseph ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the suburb of Cincinnati, College Of Mount St Joseph is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,150. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from College Of Mount St Joseph generally make around $31,870. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
Otterbein University landed the #18 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Westerville, Otterbein University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,548. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Otterbein University earn a median of $31,851 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Otterbein University admits about 84% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $24,215. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $35,978. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
Walsh University earned the #20 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Walsh University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $33,030. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,805 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Walsh University generally make around $53,629. Set against $26,805 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Walsh University admits about 71% of applicants.
Ohio Dominican University placed #21 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Ohio Dominican University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,720. 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 $40,467. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Bluffton University placed #22 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the rural area of Bluffton, Bluffton University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,362. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Bluffton University earn a median of $28,602 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Muskingum University landed the #23 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the rural area of New Concord, Muskingum University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $31,701 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 $16,067. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Muskingum University admits about 82% of applicants.
Heidelberg University earned the #24 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the town of Tiffin, Heidelberg University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $33,600. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Heidelberg University generally make around $42,334. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Ohio University Main Campus placed #25 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $45,383. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value ranking:
More Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 50 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 50 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.
