2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in Ohio
[Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/parks-recreation-leisure-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in Ohio
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools
For return on investment in parks, recreation & leisure studies, no school beat Ohio University Main Campus this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $24,546 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $36,850. That is a strong return on a $24,546 median debt. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $13,912, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $26,000. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $32,709 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
