2026 Best 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 school for parks, recreation & leisure studies. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 108 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $41,234. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $23,447 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation & leisure studies program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

2

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

A rank of #2 makes Indiana University Bloomington one of the top schools for parks, recreation & leisure studies. This very large public university is located in the city of Bloomington. About 80% of students finish within six years. Indiana University Bloomington awarded about 101 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation & leisure studies program make about $39,038 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation & leisure studies details for Indiana University Bloomington

3

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Students looking for a strong parks, recreation & leisure studies program will find one at Ohio University Main Campus, which ranked #3. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 25 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation & leisure studies degree from Ohio University Main Campus earn around $36,850 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,546 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from Ohio University Main Campus

4

Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Bowling Green, OH

A rank of #4 makes Bowling Green State University Main Campus one of the top schools for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Bowling Green State University Main Campus graduates 61% of students within six years. About 34 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at Bowling Green State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation & leisure studies degree from Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn around $32,709 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. See the full parks, recreation & leisure studies program report for Bowling Green State University Main Campus

5

Northern Michigan University
Marquette, MI

Northern Michigan University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies, ranking #5. Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marquette. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northern Michigan University awarded about 20 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Northern Michigan University generally make around $28,890. Typical student debt for the program is $23,855. See the full parks, recreation & leisure studies program report for Northern Michigan University