2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Wisconsin
[Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 17 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 Wisconsin
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
For return on investment in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, no school beat University Of Wisconsin Whitewater this year. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,270, compared with $17,429 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,349 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Parkside earn a median of $30,655 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,349 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at University Of Wisconsin River Falls, which ranked #3. Set in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,008, while out-of-state students pay about $17,470. Students borrow a median of $24,245 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin River Falls generally make around $50,651. Set against $24,245 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin River Falls admits about 82% of applicants.
Madison Area Technical College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Madison Area Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Madison. Students from in state pay about $4,977 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,141 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $16,812 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Madison Area Technical College earn a median of $44,279 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,812 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh, which ranked #5. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $16,446. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $50,590. That is a strong return on a $24,619 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.
Carroll University placed #6 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the city of Waukesha, Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,890. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Carroll University generally make around $33,333. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 67%.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $34,066. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse landed the #8 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,070, compared with $19,517 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,001 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of $37,362 early in their careers. Set against $23,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville landed the #9 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,644 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,603. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Platteville generally make around $46,027. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #10 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $29,866 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire came in at #11 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. In-state tuition and fees average $9,642, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $23,375. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of $32,801 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,375 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire admits about 82% of applicants.
Ripon College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the town of Ripon, Ripon College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $51,900 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Ripon College earn a median of $29,768 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Marian University Wisconsin earned the #13 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Fond Du Lac, Marian University Wisconsin is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,204. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $72,102. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Wisconsin Lutheran College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin Lutheran College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $36,110 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,000. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Wisconsin Lutheran College earn a median of $54,908 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wisconsin Lutheran College admits about 78% of applicants.
Lakeland College landed the #15 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Plymouth, Lakeland College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $33,396. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $24,225. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $41,427. That is a strong return on a $24,225 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Carthage College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Carthage College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kenosha. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,750. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,000. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Carthage College earn a median of $36,638 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Carthage College admits about 87% of applicants.
Concordia University Wisconsin earned the #17 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the suburb of Mequon, Concordia University Wisconsin is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,470. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Concordia University Wisconsin generally make around $27,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
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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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
