2026 Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 24 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for parks, recreation & leisure facilities management students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management in the Great Lakes Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the parks, recreation & leisure facilities management degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management
Our analysis ranked Illinois State University the best school in the country for a degree in parks, recreation & leisure facilities management. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. About 64% of students finish within six years. About 54 parks, recreation & leisure facilities management degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $39,104 early in their careers. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure facilities management from Illinois State University
Michigan State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation & leisure facilities management schools. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. About 14 parks, recreation & leisure facilities management degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation & leisure facilities management degree from Michigan State University earn around $35,343 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,939.
More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure facilities management from Michigan State University
Students looking for a strong parks, recreation & leisure facilities management program will find one at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse, which ranked #3. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. About 71% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 26 parks, recreation & leisure facilities management students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation & leisure facilities management degree from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn around $34,490 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,005.
Read more about the parks, recreation & leisure facilities management program at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse
Western Illinois University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation & leisure facilities management, landing the #4 spot this year. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. Western Illinois University graduates 45% of students within six years. About 24 parks, recreation & leisure facilities management degrees were awarded at Western Illinois University in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation & leisure facilities management program make about $34,131 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,000.
More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure facilities management from Western Illinois University
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 24 schools evaluated.
- 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.
