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2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region

213 Ranked Colleges
10,384 Degrees Awarded
$26,400 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region” ranking.

In 2020-2021, 73,813 people earned their degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies, making the major the 15th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, parks, recreation, leisure, and 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 the Great Lakes region, there were 10,384 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,191 and $25,844 respectively.

This year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region” ranking analyzed 213 colleges that offered a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies. That schools that top this list have a program in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies in which the largest percentage of students at the school are enrolled.

For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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The parks & rec school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region”.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region

The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region”.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Great Lakes Region

1
Concordia University, Chicago crest
Concordia University, Chicago
River Forest, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Concordia University, Chicago. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Concordia University, Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in River Forest, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 429 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

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 Concordia University, Chicago

2
Trine crest
Trine University
Angola, Indiana

Out of the 213 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Trine University landed the #2 spot on the list. This small school is located in Angola, Indiana, and it awarded 77 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Trine Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

3
Adrian crest
Adrian College
Adrian, Michigan

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Adrian College. The school came in at #3 for the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region. Adrian College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Adrian, Michigan. The school has a small population, and it awarded 62 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

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

4
Defiance College crest
Defiance College
Defiance, Ohio

Out of the 213 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Defiance College landed the #4 spot on the list. Defiance, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 13 students in 2020-2021.

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

5
Monmouth crest
Monmouth College
Monmouth, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Monmouth College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Monmouth is located in Monmouth, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 31 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

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

6
Carroll U crest
Carroll University
Waukesha, Wisconsin

Carroll University ranked #6 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Waukesha, Wisconsin, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 111 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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 full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Carroll U

7

With a ranking of #7, University of Mount Union did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Alliance, Ohio, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 60 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

8
Franklin College of Indiana crest
Franklin College
Franklin, Indiana

Franklin College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #8. Franklin College of Indiana is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Franklin, Indiana. It awarded 26 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

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

9

Heidelberg University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Tiffin, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 28 students in 2020-2021.

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

10
Wittenberg crest
Wittenberg University
Springfield, Ohio

Wittenberg University ranked #10 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Wittenberg is a small school located in Springfield, Ohio that handed out 40 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Wittenberg University

11
Bluffton crest
Bluffton University
Bluffton, Ohio

Bluffton University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #11. Bluffton University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Bluffton, Ohio. It awarded 21 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

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 Bluffton

12
Olivet crest
Olivet College
Olivet, Michigan

Olivet College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #12. Located in Olivet, Michigan, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 21 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

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

13

University of Wisconsin - La Crosse landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. La Crosse, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 252 students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UW - La Crosse

14
Wilmington College crest
Wilmington College
Wilmington, Ohio

Wilmington College landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Wilmington College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Wilmington, Ohio. It awarded 31 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

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

15
UIndy crest
University of Indianapolis
Indianapolis, Indiana

With a ranking of #15, University of Indianapolis did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region list. This medium-sized school is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and it awarded 137 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Full UIndy Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

16
Eureka College crest
Eureka College
Eureka, Illinois

Eureka College ranked #16 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Eureka College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Eureka, Illinois. It awarded 13 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Eureka College Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

17
Central State University crest
Central State University
Wilberforce, Ohio

With a ranking of #17, Central State University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Central State University is a medium-sized school located in Wilberforce, Ohio that handed out 24 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Central State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

18
Hanover crest
Hanover College
Hanover, Indiana

Hanover College ranked #18 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Hanover College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Hanover, Indiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 23 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

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%.

Full Hanover Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

19

With a ranking of #19, Ohio Wesleyan University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region list. This small school is located in Delaware, Ohio, and it awarded 32 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

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 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 full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at OWU

20
Manchester University crest
Manchester University
North Manchester, Indiana

Manchester University ranked #20 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Manchester University is located in North Manchester, Indiana and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 28 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

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

21
Lake Superior State University crest
Lake Superior State University
Sault Ste Marie, Michigan

Lake Superior State University ranked #21 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Lake Superior State University is located in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 41 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Lake Superior State University

22

With a ranking of #22, Concordia University, Ann Arbor did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Concordia University, Ann Arbor is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 16 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Concordia University, Ann Arbor

23
Greenville crest
Greenville University
Greenville, Illinois

With a ranking of #23, Greenville University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Greenville is located in Greenville, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 21 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Greenville University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

24

Ohio Dominican University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #24. This small school is located in Columbus, Ohio, and it awarded 27 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Ohio Dominican University

25
John Carroll crest
John Carroll University
University Heights, Ohio

John Carroll University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in University Heights, Ohio, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 60 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full John Carroll Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

Rest of the Best 32 in Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region

Not only did these schools make the top 32 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
Quincy U crest
Quincy University
Quincy, Illinois
27
North Central crest
North Central College
Naperville, Illinois
28
29
Lincoln College crest
Lincoln College
Lincoln, Illinois
30
UE crest
University of Evansville
Evansville, Indiana
31
Judson crest
Judson University
Elgin, Illinois
32

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