2022 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $30-$48k) in Illinois
When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.
In 2019-2020, 72,122 people earned their degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies, making the major the 15th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $29,823 and had an average of $24,576 in loans still to pay off.
Across Illinois, there were 2,352 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $31,766 and $23,636 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 22 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
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Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k
The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
Top 22 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $30-$48k) in Illinois
Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #1 spot on the list. This large school is located in Evanston, Illinois, and it awarded 39 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
Northwestern not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Northwestern University is $3,995 for Illinois Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Northwestern University
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Champaign, Illinois, and it awarded 334 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
UIUC also took the #2 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $8,464 for Illinois Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low student loan default rate of 2.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full UIUC Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. SIUE is located in Edwardsville, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 154 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
SIUE also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #10. The yearly cost to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is $9,938 for Illinois Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full SIUE Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Chicago. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k. University of Illinois at Chicago is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 167 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our illinois parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, UIC has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $11,185 for Illinois Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Illinois at Chicago.
The low student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Illinois at Chicago
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Eastern Illinois University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. EIU is a medium-sized public school situated in Charleston, Illinois. It awarded 138 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our illinois parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, EIU has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for EIU is $11,316 for illinois parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Eastern Illinois University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
University of St Francis landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Saint Francis is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Joliet, Illinois. It awarded 6 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
University of Saint Francis also took the #6 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of St Francis is $11,229 for illinois parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
The student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Saint Francis
Illinois State University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Normal, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 240 students in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our illinois parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, Illinois State has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois State is $14,999 for illinois parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Illinois State University
With a ranking of #8, Northern Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Dekalb, Illinois, this fairly large public school awarded 87 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our illinois parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, NIU has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Northern Illinois University is $15,861 for illinois parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Northern Illinois University
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Carbondale, Illinois, this fairly large public school awarded 118 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.
SIUC also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #12. The estimated yearly cost for SIUC is $14,306 for Illinois Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full SIUC Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Monmouth College landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Monmouth is a private not-for-profit institution located in Monmouth, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 23 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Monmouth not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $14,337 for illinois parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Monmouth College.
The student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Monmouth
Western Illinois University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Macomb, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 157 students in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at WIU, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for WIU is $14,526 for Illinois Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Western Illinois University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Concordia University, Chicago ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Concordia University, Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in River Forest, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 343 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our illinois parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, Concordia University, Chicago has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $15,406 for Illinois Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Concordia University, Chicago.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Concordia University, Chicago
Aurora University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Aurora, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 60 students in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Aurora, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $13,845 for illinois parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Aurora University.
The low student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Aurora University
Elmhurst University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. This small school is located in Elmhurst, Illinois, and it awarded 28 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
Elmhurst also took the #8 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Elmhurst is $17,837 for illinois parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low student loan default rate of 3.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Elmhurst University
Quincy University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Quincy, Illinois, and it awarded 21 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
Quincy U also took the #16 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Quincy U is $17,518 for Illinois Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Quincy U Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Millikin University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Millikin is a private not-for-profit institution located in Decatur, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 24 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our illinois parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, Millikin has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Millikin University is $17,692 for Illinois Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Millikin
Lewis University landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Romeoville, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 31 students in 2019-2020.
Lewis also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #18. The yearly cost to attend Lewis University is $13,377 for illinois parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full Lewis University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Olivet Nazarene University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Olivet Nazarene is located in Bourbonnais, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 30 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
Olivet Nazarene did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $15,390 for illinois parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Olivet Nazarene.
The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Olivet Nazarene Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
McKendree University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Lebanon, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 28 students in 2019-2020.
McKendree also took the #21 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $16,659 for Illinois Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend McKendree.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at McKendree
Trinity International University - Illinois landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Trinity International University - Illinois is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Deerfield, Illinois. It awarded 12 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.
TIU Illinois not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for TIU Illinois is $20,693 for illinois parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
North Central College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Naperville, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 55 students in 2019-2020.
North Central also took the #7 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for North Central is $20,128 for Illinois Parks & Rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low student loan default rate of 3.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at North Central
With a ranking of #22, Benedictine University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Benedictine U is located in Lisle, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 14 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
Benedictine U not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Benedictine U is $20,915 for illinois parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Benedictine University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
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Notes and References
References
- 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).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
Read more about our data sources and methodologies
Footnotes
- *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
- Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.
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