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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

48 Ranked Colleges
1,596 Degrees Awarded
$25,500 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master's in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies is the 15th most popular major in the country with 72,122 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. 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 the Great Lakes region, there were 10,194 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $30,368 and $24,957 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 1,596 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,039 and $42,488 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 48 colleges that offered a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs that also have a lower cost than 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region master’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#3 in overall quality

Out of the 48 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #1 spot on the list. Northwestern is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Evanston, Illinois. It awarded 38 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwestern, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern University are $56,567, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Northwestern University

#1 in overall quality

Out of the 48 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #2 spot on the list. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a large public school situated in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It awarded 47 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, U-M has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548.

Full U-M Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#2 in overall quality

Out of the 48 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a large school located in Champaign, Illinois that handed out 44 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are $30,083, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

#7 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a public institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #7. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UW - Madison

#5

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#4 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Indiana University - Bloomington. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Bloomington, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 53 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at IU Bloomington, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Bloomington are $33,338, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full IU Bloomington Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#5 in overall quality

Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Ohio State University - Main Campus is a public institution located in Columbus, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 42 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Ohio State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State are $37,141, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Ohio State University - Main Campus

#7

University of Wisconsin - River Falls

River Falls, Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin - River Falls did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. River Falls, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 17 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - River Falls are $18,233, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Wisconsin - River Falls

#12 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - La Crosse came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Wisconsin - La Crosse is a fairly large school located in La Crosse, Wisconsin that handed out 41 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - La Crosse also took the #12 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - La Crosse are $20,038.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UW - La Crosse

#19 in overall quality

Michigan Technological University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Michigan Technological University is located in Houghton, Michigan and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Michigan Tech, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan Tech are $21,996.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Michigan Tech

University of Wisconsin - Parkside landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Kenosha, Wisconsin, this small public school handed out 20 degrees to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Parkside are $18,768.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Wisconsin - Parkside

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a fairly large school located in Edwardsville, Illinois that handed out 65 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville are $9,300, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full SIUE Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, this large public school handed out 11 diplomas to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at IUPUI are $26,013.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

#13

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

With a ranking of #13, Eastern Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Eastern Illinois University is a medium-sized school located in Charleston, Illinois that handed out 38 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at EIU are $20,761.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at EIU

University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this large public school handed out 7 degrees to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UIC are $27,036, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Illinois at Chicago

#15

University of Southern Indiana

Evansville, Indiana

University of Southern Indiana ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Southern Indiana is a fairly large school located in Evansville, Indiana that handed out 14 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Southern Indiana are $20,039.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at USI

#16

Ball State University

Muncie, Indiana
#16 in overall quality

Ball State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Ball State University is a public institution located in Muncie, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 28 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Ball State also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #16. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ball State University are $26,204, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Ball State

#17

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
#15 in overall quality

Illinois State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Illinois State is a large school located in Normal, Illinois that handed out 78 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois State University are $11,069.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Illinois State

#18

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

With a ranking of #18, Northern Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Dekalb, Illinois, this fairly large public school handed out 25 diplomas to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Northern Illinois University are $11,086, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full NIU Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#18

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan

With a ranking of #18, Wayne State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Detroit, Michigan, and it awarded 40 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State University are $37,215, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Wayne State

#25 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a fairly large public school situated in Carbondale, Illinois. It awarded 24 masters’s parks and rec degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are $32,928, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

#21

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois
#17 in overall quality

Western Illinois University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Macomb, Illinois, this medium-sized public school awarded 74 degrees to qualified masters’s parks and rec students in 2019-2020.

WIU also took the #17 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Western Illinois University are $11,996, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Western Illinois University

#22

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan
#20 in overall quality

With a ranking of #22, Central Michigan University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Mount Pleasant, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 17 students in 2019-2020.

Central Michigan did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Central Michigan are $19,359.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Central Michigan

#23

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois
#9 in overall quality

Concordia University, Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. Concordia University, Chicago is located in River Forest, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 257 masters’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

Concordia University, Chicago also took the #9 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Concordia University, Chicago are $9,378, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Concordia University, Chicago Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

#24

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#14 in overall quality

Michigan State University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Michigan State University is a public institution located in East Lansing, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 20 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree parks & rec students whose families make $30-$48k list, Michigan State has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State are $37,056.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Michigan State

#25

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Milwaukee, Wisconsin is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s parks and rec degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UWM are $25,295, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UWM 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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