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. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $23,447. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $41,234 early in their careers. Set against $23,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

2

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete the parks, recreation & leisure studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $39,038. Set against $19,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.

3

Northern Michigan University
Marquette, MI

Northern Michigan University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $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

A rank of #4 makes Ohio University Main Campus one of the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $24,546. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $36,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.

5

Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Bowling Green, OH

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bowling Green State University Main Campus earned it the #5 place for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,912, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $32,709. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.