2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Wisconsin
[Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 28 schools to find the best return on investment for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Wisconsin
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
University Of Wisconsin Parkside earned the #1 spot for value among parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools in Wisconsin. Located in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,270 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,429. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $25,349 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $30,655. That is a strong return on a $25,349 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Parkside admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a great value for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,008 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,470. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $24,245 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin River Falls generally make around $50,651. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,644, with out-of-state students paying around $17,603. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Platteville generally make around $46,027. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh one of the best values for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. 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. Students borrow a median of $24,619 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $50,590 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $25,200 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn a median of $34,503 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,200 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earned the #6 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,716 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates is $25,306. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $45,767. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse landed the #7 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,070 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,517. Students borrow a median of $23,001 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of $37,354 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,001 median debt. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #8 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $29,866. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program here. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $34,066. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire came in at #10 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,642 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,228. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $23,375 in student loans. Early-career parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies graduates make about $32,801. Set against $23,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Ripon College earned the #11 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the town of Ripon, Ripon College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,900. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Ripon College earn a median of $29,768 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Wisconsin Lutheran College earned the #12 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin Lutheran College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,110. 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 Wisconsin Lutheran College generally make around $54,908. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Lakeland College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the rural area of Plymouth, Lakeland College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $33,396. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $24,225 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Lakeland College earn a median of $41,427 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Marian University Wisconsin came in at #14 for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Marian University Wisconsin is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fond Du Lac. Students from in state pay about $35,204 in tuition and fees. 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 $72,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Carroll University landed the #15 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies value this year. Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waukesha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,890. 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 Carroll University generally make around $33,333. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Carthage College earned the #16 position for value in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Kenosha, Carthage College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,750. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Carthage College earn a median of $36,638 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Carthage College admits about 87% of applicants.
More Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Rankings
View All Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
