2027 Best Value Recreation Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Recreation Administration](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/recreation-administration/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 4 schools to find the best return on investment for recreation administration students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Recreation Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the recreation administration degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Recreation Administration Schools
Western Illinois University earned the #1 spot for value among recreation administration schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for recreation administration graduates is $29,000. Recreation Administration graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $34,131 early in their careers. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Students looking for strong value in recreation administration will find it at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse, which ranked #2. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. In-state tuition and fees average $10,070, with out-of-state students paying around $19,517. Recreation Administration graduates carry a median of $22,005 in student loans. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse generally make around $34,490. Set against $22,005 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in recreation administration will find it at Illinois State University, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the recreation administration program here. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $39,104. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in recreation administration will find it at Michigan State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,939 to complete the recreation administration program here. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $35,343. Set against $24,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
