2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Indiana
[Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 33 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students.
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2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Indiana
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
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #1 spot for value among parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools in Indiana. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $24,160. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $33,756. Set against $24,160 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Kokomo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,619 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $46,902. That is a strong return on a $24,619 median debt. Indiana University Kokomo admits about 86% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at University Of Southern Indiana, which ranked #3. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,066, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. Students borrow a median of $22,375 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $40,508. Set against $22,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Ivy Tech Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Students borrow a median of $11,889 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $40,734 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,889 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies will find it at Indiana University Bloomington, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $19,660 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $44,603. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Indiana State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, while out-of-state students pay about $22,322. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $25,000. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $36,544 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Ball State University came in at #7 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $25,962. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $36,829 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Grace College And Theological Seminary earned the #8 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $29,645 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $32,549. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Indianapolis ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, University Of Indianapolis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,200. Students borrow a median of $26,786 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $35,461. That is a strong return on a $26,786 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
University Of Evansville placed #10 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. University Of Evansville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evansville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,172. Students borrow a median of $24,031 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $34,809. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Manchester College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Manchester College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of North Manchester. In-state tuition and fees average $37,135. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $25,500. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $29,936. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Bethel College Mishawaka came in at #12 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Mishawaka, Bethel College Mishawaka is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,600 in tuition and fees. 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 Bethel College Mishawaka generally make around $26,799. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Hanover College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Hanover College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hanover. In-state tuition and fees average $42,698. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $35,085. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Anderson University Indiana came in at #14 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Anderson, Anderson University Indiana is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,240. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $26,581. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Anderson University Indiana earn a median of $36,742 early in their careers. Set against $26,581 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Anderson University Indiana admits about 79% of applicants.
Indiana Wesleyan University came in at #15 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Indiana Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Marion. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,352. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $31,454. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University generally make around $36,739. Set against $31,454 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana Wesleyan University admits about 89% of applicants.
Franklin College landed the #16 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Franklin, Franklin College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,710. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Franklin College earn a median of $24,181 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Franklin College admits about 70% of applicants.
Marian University Indiana landed the #17 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Marian University Indiana is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Indianapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $40,664. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Marian University Indiana earn a median of $33,564 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Marian University Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.
Depauw University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the town of Greencastle, Depauw University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $59,070 in tuition and fees. 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 Depauw University generally make around $46,127. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Trine University came in at #19 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Trine University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Angola. In-state tuition and fees average $36,560. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $25,812. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Mary Of The Woods College came in at #20 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the rural area of Saint Mary of the Woods, Saint Mary Of The Woods College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,240 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $28,366. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Saint Mary Of The Woods College earn a median of $48,088 early in their careers. Set against $28,366 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Mary Of The Woods College admits about 72% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
