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2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools
Harper College tops our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools in the Great Lakes Region. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,894, compared with $11,874 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,963 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. That is a strong return on a $10,963 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at Triton College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,070 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,330 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $12,994 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Triton College earn a median of $43,278 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at College Of Lake County, which ranked #3. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,788, compared with $14,400 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $9,785. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $50,314 early in their careers. Set against $9,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Delta College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,820, while out-of-state students pay about $7,880. Students borrow a median of $14,075 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Delta College earn a median of $37,342 early in their careers. Set against $14,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at Macomb Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $9,862 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $38,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
ADBLOCK #101
Sinclair Community College earned the #6 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.
Cuyahoga Community College District ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $14,636 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $39,394 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,636 median debt.
University Of Illinois At Springfield landed the #8 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,557, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $53,344 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #9 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Students borrow a median of $24,160 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $33,756 early in their careers. Set against $24,160 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Xavier University came in at #10 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,945. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $25,735 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Saint Xavier University earn a median of $51,753 early in their careers. Set against $25,735 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Indiana University Kokomo placed #11 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Indiana University Kokomo earn a median of $46,902 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,619 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $16,750. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $28,874. Set against $16,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Columbus State Community College came in at #13 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Columbus State Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Students from in state pay about $5,488 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,224. Students borrow a median of $9,041 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,435 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #14 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $19,135 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $42,490. That is a strong return on a $19,135 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Ivy Tech Community College landed the #15 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Students borrow a median of $11,889 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $40,734. Set against $11,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Southern Indiana ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,066, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $22,375 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $40,508. That is a strong return on a $22,375 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside earned the #17 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,270, while out-of-state students pay about $17,429. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $25,349. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Parkside earn a median of $30,655 early in their careers. Set against $25,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Parkside admits about 75% of applicants.
Oakland University came in at #18 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $25,972. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $54,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #19 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $21,480. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $31,330 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #20 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. 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 $19,660 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $44,603. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University placed #21 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Students borrow a median of $27,418 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $36,011. That is a strong return on a $27,418 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh came in at #22 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,532, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $50,590. Set against $24,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earned the #23 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, compared with $18,716 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,306 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $45,767 early in their careers. Set against $25,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern Illinois University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,383, compared with $22,726 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $17,600. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $49,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Millikin University landed the #25 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the city of Decatur, Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,792. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $26,065. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies:
Narrow Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools by State
[Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies education at a price that pays off.
