2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

Leading the list is University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, our #1 best value for parks, recreation & leisure studies in the Great Lakes Region. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $23,447. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $41,234. Set against $23,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

2

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $39,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

3

Northern Michigan University
Marquette, MI

Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation & leisure studies will find it at Northern Michigan University, which ranked #3. Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marquette. In-state tuition and fees average $14,322, compared with $19,944 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,855 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Northern Michigan University generally make around $28,890. That is a strong return on a $23,855 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

4

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $24,546. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $36,850. Set against $24,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

5

Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Bowling Green, OH

Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation & leisure studies will find it at Bowling Green State University Main Campus, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,912, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $32,709. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.