2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Illinois

1

Triton College
River Grove, IL

Our analysis ranked Triton College the best value for a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies in Illinois. Triton College is a large public school located in the suburb of River Grove. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,070, while out-of-state students pay about $15,330. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $12,994. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Triton College generally make around $43,278. Set against $12,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,894, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. Students borrow a median of $10,963 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Harper College earn a median of $44,523 early in their careers. Set against $10,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

College Of Lake County
Grayslake, IL

College Of Lake County is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,788, compared with $14,400 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,785 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. Set against $9,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

University Of Illinois At Springfield
Springfield, IL

Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at University Of Illinois At Springfield, which ranked #4. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,557, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $53,344. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

5

Saint Xavier University
Chicago, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Xavier University earned it the #5 place for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $38,945 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $25,735. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $51,753. That is a strong return on a $25,735 median debt. Saint Xavier University admits about 84% of applicants.

6

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $16,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $28,874. Set against $16,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.

7

Millikin University
Decatur, IL

Millikin University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Decatur. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,792. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Millikin University generally make around $26,065. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $21,480 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $31,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

9

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University placed #9 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,418. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $36,011 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.

10

Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL

Northeastern Illinois University landed the #10 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,383, with out-of-state students paying around $22,726. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $17,600 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $49,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.

11

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Students borrow a median of $30,600 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $33,564 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,600 median debt. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.

12

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #12 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Students borrow a median of $23,237 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $34,811. Set against $23,237 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

13

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University earned the #13 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,377, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $36,770. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

14

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #14 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $22,690. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $34,693. Set against $22,690 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.

15

Concordia University Chicago
River Forest, IL

Concordia University Chicago landed the #15 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. In-state tuition and fees average $37,488. Students borrow a median of $26,166 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $40,158. That is a strong return on a $26,166 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.

16

Quincy University
Quincy, IL

Quincy University landed the #16 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Quincy University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Quincy. In-state tuition and fees average $37,140. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $26,691. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Quincy University earn a median of $46,414 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 51% of applicants are accepted.

17

North Park University
Chicago, IL

North Park University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,710. Students borrow a median of $25,495 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of North Park University earn a median of $30,165 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

18

Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University came in at #18 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,200. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Lewis University earn a median of $28,856 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.

19

Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University came in at #19 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,170. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Aurora University generally make around $37,256. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

20

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University placed #20 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Students borrow a median of $21,400 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $37,222. Set against $21,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.

21

Monmouth College
Monmouth, IL

Monmouth College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the town of Monmouth, Monmouth College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $44,922. Students borrow a median of $25,757 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Monmouth College generally make around $29,027. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

22

Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,955. Students borrow a median of $23,375 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $31,538. That is a strong return on a $23,375 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

23

Greenville College
Greenville, IL

Greenville College placed #23 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Greenville College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Greenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,200. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $27,445 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Greenville College earn a median of $36,911 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

24

Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, IL

Olivet Nazarene University landed the #24 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bourbonnais. In-state tuition and fees average $38,900. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Olivet Nazarene University generally make around $28,990. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.

25

Eureka College
Eureka, IL

Eureka College earned the #25 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Eureka College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Eureka. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,636. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $26,619. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Eureka College earn a median of $40,144 early in their careers. Set against $26,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.