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

18 Colleges in the United States
2,204 Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Degrees Awarded
$40,974 Avg Early-Career Salary

Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 54 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students pursuing a degree.

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Best Schools for Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies in Illinois

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies education in Illinois.

Top Schools in Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies

1

Northwestern University tops our 2026 ranking of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. Northwestern University awarded about 50 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $58,537. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Northwestern University

2

Students looking for a strong parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program will find one at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #2. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 316 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $31,330 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,480. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

3

Students looking for a strong parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program will find one at Loyola University Chicago, which ranked #3. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 36 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $58,568 early in their careers. Loyola University Chicago graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Loyola University Chicago

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of Illinois At Chicago one of the top schools for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 150 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $28,874. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates carry a median of $16,750 in student loans. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for University Of Illinois At Chicago

5

A rank of #5 makes Illinois State University one of the top schools for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 209 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $37,222 early in their careers. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $21,400 in student loans. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Illinois State University

6

Saint Xavier University placed #6 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 45 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Saint Xavier University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $51,753. Students borrow a median of $25,735 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Saint Xavier University

7
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University came in at #7 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Depaul University in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $55,226 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,310 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Depaul University

8

Illinois Wesleyan University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Illinois Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bloomington. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 12 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Illinois Wesleyan University in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $50,808 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,857. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Illinois Wesleyan University

9
Aurora University crest
Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 60% of students finish within six years. Aurora University awarded about 84 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Aurora University earn around $37,256 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Aurora University

10
Harper College crest
Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College landed the #10 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Palatine. Harper College awarded about 12 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Harper College earn a median of $44,523 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,963 to complete this degree. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Harper College

11

University Of Illinois At Springfield ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. About 52% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 20 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Springfield in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $53,344 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at University Of Illinois At Springfield

12

Adler School Of Professional Psychology came in at #12 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Adler School Of Professional Psychology is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Adler School Of Professional Psychology awarded about 13 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Adler School Of Professional Psychology earn around $55,542 in the first couple years of their career. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Adler School Of Professional Psychology

13
Lewis University crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University placed #13 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 32 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Lewis University in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Lewis University earn around $28,856 in the first couple years of their career. Lewis University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Lewis University

14
Elmhurst College crest
Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Elmhurst. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 33 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Elmhurst College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $31,538 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,375 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Elmhurst College

15
Rockford College crest
Rockford College
Rockford, IL

Rockford College earned the #15 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Rockford. Rockford College graduates 47% of students within six years. Rockford College awarded about 26 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Rockford College earn around $56,020 in the first couple years of their career. Rockford College graduates carry a median of $28,094 in student loans. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Rockford College

16

Eastern Illinois University came in at #16 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. About 47% of students finish within six years. Eastern Illinois University awarded about 115 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $36,770 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,500. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Eastern Illinois University

17

College Of Lake County came in at #17 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. College Of Lake County awarded about 10 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $50,314 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $9,785 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from College Of Lake County

18

Benedictine University landed the #18 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the suburb of Lisle, Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Benedictine University graduates 50% of students within six years. Benedictine University awarded about 12 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Benedictine University earn around $44,714 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Benedictine University

19
North Central College crest
North Central College
Naperville, IL

North Central College landed the #19 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 48 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at North Central College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $34,609 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for North Central College

20

Judson University came in at #20 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Elgin. About 60% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 19 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Judson University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Judson University generally make around $47,550. Students borrow a median of $27,685 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Judson University

21

Northeastern Illinois University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. About 22% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Northeastern Illinois University earn around $49,254 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,600 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Northeastern Illinois University

22

Northern Illinois University placed #22 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northern Illinois University awarded about 121 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Northern Illinois University earn around $36,011 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,418 to complete this degree. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Northern Illinois University

23

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #23 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. About 129 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn around $34,811 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,237 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

24

North Park University landed the #24 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 26 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at North Park University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from North Park University earn around $30,165 in the first couple years of their career. North Park University graduates carry a median of $25,495 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at North Park University

25

Concordia University Chicago ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 36% of students finish within six years. Concordia University Chicago awarded about 343 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Concordia University Chicago earn a median of $40,158 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,166 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Concordia University Chicago

Rest of the Top 35 Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools

These schools also placed among the best for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year:

26
27
Triton College crest
Triton College
River Grove, IL
28
Eureka College crest
Eureka College
Eureka, IL
29
30
31
Quincy University crest
Quincy University
Quincy, IL
32
33
Monmouth College crest
Monmouth College
Monmouth, IL
34
35
Greenville College crest
Greenville College
Greenville, IL

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 54 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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