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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Ohio

26 Colleges in the United States
$25,399 Avg Student Debt
$51,450 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Badge [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.

College Factual analyzed 67 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools.

What’s on this page:

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

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools

1

Our analysis ranked Sinclair Community College the best value for a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies in Ohio. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $12,525 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $35,348. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuyahoga Community College District earned it the #2 place for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $14,636. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $39,394 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Columbus State Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Columbus State Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $5,488, compared with $11,224 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $9,041 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,435 ten years after entry. Set against $9,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

A rank of #4 makes Youngstown State University one of the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,393 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $30,661. That is a strong return on a $26,393 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

5

A rank of #5 makes Ohio State University Main Campus one of the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $42,137. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

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Hocking College crest
Hocking College
Nelsonville, OH

Hocking College earned the #6 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Hocking College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Nelsonville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,646, with out-of-state students paying around $10,290. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $16,535. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $37,713. Set against $16,535 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Cleveland State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,336 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $38,787. Set against $26,336 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Akron Main Campus earned the #8 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $34,060. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.

9

College Of Mount St Joseph earned the #9 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the suburb of Cincinnati, College Of Mount St Joseph is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,150. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from College Of Mount St Joseph generally make around $31,870. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.

10

Shawnee State University came in at #10 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the town of Portsmouth, Shawnee State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,448, while out-of-state students pay about $16,032. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Shawnee State University earn a median of $42,878 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt.

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11

Wright State University Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Wright State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Dayton. Students from in state pay about $10,991 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $28,250. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Wright State University Main Campus generally make around $35,640. That is a strong return on a $28,250 median debt. Wright State University Main Campus admits about 96% of applicants.

12
Marietta College crest
Marietta College
Marietta, OH

Marietta College earned the #12 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Marietta College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Marietta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,652. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $79,641. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marietta College admits about 79% of applicants.

13

Kent State University At Kent ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $24,215. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $35,985. That is a strong return on a $24,215 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

14
Wittenberg University crest
Wittenberg University
Springfield, OH

Wittenberg University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Wittenberg University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,940. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $40,093. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

15
Bluffton University crest
Bluffton University
Bluffton, OH

Bluffton University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the rural area of Bluffton, Bluffton University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,362. 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 Bluffton University generally make around $28,602. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Bluffton University admits about 67% of applicants.

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Central State University crest
Central State University
Wilberforce, OH

Central State University placed #16 among the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Central State University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Wilberforce. Students from in state pay about $8,058 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,058. Students borrow a median of $31,318 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Central State University generally make around $27,388. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

17

Ohio University Main Campus landed the #17 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $45,394 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.

18
Walsh University crest
Walsh University
North Canton, OH

Walsh University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Walsh University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $33,030. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $26,805 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $53,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.

19

Ohio Dominican University landed the #19 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio Dominican University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,720. 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 $40,467. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio Dominican University admits about 94% of applicants.

20

Bowling Green State University Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,912, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $25,050 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $31,924. That is a strong return on a $25,050 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.

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21

University Of Northwestern Ohio landed the #21 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Lima, University Of Northwestern Ohio is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,366. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $23,805 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $44,784. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22
Muskingum University crest
Muskingum University
New Concord, OH

Muskingum University earned the #22 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the rural area of New Concord, Muskingum University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,701. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,000. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Muskingum University earn a median of $16,067 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

23
Lourdes College crest
Lourdes College
Sylvania, OH

Lourdes College earned the #23 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Lourdes College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Sylvania. In-state tuition and fees average $28,370. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $29,668. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $75,250. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.

24

Mount Vernon Nazarene University came in at #24 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the town of Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,193. Students borrow a median of $26,602 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $53,377. Set against $26,602 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mount Vernon Nazarene University admits about 84% of applicants.

25

Ohio Wesleyan University came in at #25 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Ohio Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Delaware. Students from in state pay about $54,248 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $28,294. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.

Rest of the Top 45 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year:

26
Ashland University crest
Ashland University
Ashland, OH
27
Otterbein University crest
Otterbein University
Westerville, OH
28
Lake Erie College crest
Lake Erie College
Painesville, OH
29
30
31
Franklin University crest
Franklin University
Columbus, OH
32
33
Wilmington College crest
Wilmington College
Wilmington, OH
34
Malone University crest
Malone University
Canton, OH
35
Capital University crest
Capital University
Columbus, OH
36
Defiance College crest
Defiance College
Defiance, OH
37
Cedarville University crest
Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH
38
Tiffin University crest
Tiffin University
Tiffin, OH
39
40
41
42
John Carroll University crest
John Carroll University
University Heights, OH
43
44
Xavier University crest
Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH
45
Denison University crest
Denison University
Granville, OH

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 67 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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