2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k
90
Ranked Colleges
10,384
Degrees Awarded
$19,200
Avg Net Price*
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking is part of that endeavor.
In 2020-2021, 73,813 people earned their degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies, making the major the 15th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $31,423 and had an average of $24,388 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Great Lakes region, there were 10,384 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,191 and $25,844 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking looked at 90 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.
To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
One Size Does Not Fit All
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 the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.
Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k
The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies (Income $75-$110k) in the Great Lakes Region
Out of the 90 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #1 spot on the list. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a public institution located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 326 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
U-M did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend U-M is $17,207 for Great Lakes Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at U-M
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. This large school is located in Evanston, Illinois, and it awarded 62 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Northwestern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Northwestern University is $15,686 for great lakes region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Northwestern University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Out of the 90 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #3 spot on the list. Bloomington, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 643 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k list, IU Bloomington has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Bloomington is $20,234 for great lakes region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
The low undergrad 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full IU Bloomington Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Out of the 90 schools in the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school handed out 252 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - La Crosse, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UW - La Crosse is $16,472 for Great Lakes Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UW - La Crosse
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Concordia University, Chicago. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Concordia University, Chicago is a medium-sized school located in River Forest, Illinois that handed out 429 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k list, Concordia University, Chicago has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Concordia University, Chicago is $18,308 for Great Lakes Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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 Concordia University, Chicago
Central Michigan University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #6. Central Michigan is located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 292 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our great lakes region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k list, Central Michigan has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Central Michigan University is $18,135 for great lakes region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Central Michigan University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
University of Wisconsin - Madison did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #7. UW - Madison is located in Madison, Wisconsin and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 148 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
UW - Madison did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UW - Madison is $22,377 for great lakes region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% 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 University of Wisconsin - Madison
With a ranking of #8, Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Columbus, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 248 students in 2020-2021.
Ohio State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Ohio State is $21,575 for great lakes region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad 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%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Ohio State University - Main Campus
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a large public school situated in Champaign, Illinois. It awarded 317 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k list, UIUC has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $22,400 for great lakes region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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 UIUC
Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Purdue University - Main Campus is a large school located in West Lafayette, Indiana that handed out 131 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k list, Purdue has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Purdue University - Main Campus is $17,124 for Great Lakes Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Purdue Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Ball State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #11. Ball State is a large school located in Muncie, Indiana that handed out 152 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ball State, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Ball State is $19,563 for great lakes region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Ball State University
Grand Valley State University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. GVSU is a large public school situated in Allendale, Michigan. It awarded 290 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
GVSU also made our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #18. It costs about $19,603 for Great Lakes Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Grand Valley State University.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Grand Valley State University
Miami University - Oxford came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Miami University - Oxford is a fairly large public school situated in Oxford, Ohio. It awarded 348 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Miami University - Oxford also took the #3 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $26,704 for Great Lakes Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Miami University - Oxford.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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%.
Full Miami University - Oxford Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Valparaiso University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #14. Valpo is located in Valparaiso, Indiana and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 25 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
Valpo not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Valparaiso University is $23,646 for Great Lakes Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
The low undergrad 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%.
Full Valpo Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #15. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is a public institution located in Indianapolis, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 215 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is $17,844 for Great Lakes Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% 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 IUPUI Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #16. University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire is a public institution located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 53 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire is $18,816 for Great Lakes Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
Full UW - Eau Claire Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
University of Wisconsin - River Falls landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. University of Wisconsin - River Falls is a medium-sized public school situated in River Falls, Wisconsin. It awarded 22 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - River Falls is $16,739 for great lakes region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Wisconsin - River Falls Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Eastern Michigan University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Eastern Michigan University is a fairly large school located in Ypsilanti, Michigan that handed out 114 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Eastern Michigan University is $18,563 for great lakes region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
Full Eastern Michigan Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
University of Illinois at Chicago ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this large public school handed out 155 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIC, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Chicago is $19,839 for Great Lakes Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full UIC Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
With a ranking of #20, Saginaw Valley State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Saginaw Valley State University is a public institution located in University Center, Michigan. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 43 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $16,786 for Great Lakes Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Saginaw Valley State University.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.8% 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 Saginaw Valley State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
University of Southern Indiana did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #21. University of Southern Indiana is a public institution located in Evansville, Indiana. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 81 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $17,626 for Great Lakes Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend USI.
The low undergrad 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 full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Southern Indiana
Aurora University landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Aurora is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Aurora, Illinois. It awarded 90 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Aurora University is $19,828 for great lakes region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Aurora Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Western Illinois University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Macomb, Illinois, and it awarded 118 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for WIU is $19,476 for great lakes region parks & rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
Full WIU Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Wayne State University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Detroit, Michigan, this large public school awarded 94 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Wayne State is $17,814 for Great Lakes Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k.
Full Wayne State Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Eastern Illinois University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Parks & Rec Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #25. Located in Charleston, Illinois, this medium-sized public school awarded 107 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $17,594 for Great Lakes Region Parks & Rec students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend EIU.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Eastern Illinois University
