2023 Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Finding the Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies School for You
Out of all the majors we analyze each year, parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies was ranked #15 in the country. In fact 73,813 degrees and certificates were handed out in 2020-2021.
With all the programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Great Lakes Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 222 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies program at each school on the list.
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2023 Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
The following schools top our list of the Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Colleges.
Top 25 Most Popular Great Lakes Region Schools in Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness
Our 2023 rankings named Indiana University - Bloomington the most popular school in the Great Lakes Region for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. IU Bloomington is a fairly large public school located in the city of Bloomington.
The average amount in student loans that parks and rec majors at IU Bloomington take out is $20,000. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $437, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Michigan State University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Michigan State is a fairly large public school located in the city of East Lansing.
On average, parks and rec graduates from Michigan State take out $25,926 in student loans while working on their degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $408, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Out of the 222 schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Concordia University, Chicago landed the # 3 spot on the list. Concordia University, Chicago is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of River Forest.
Parks & Rec majors at Concordia University, Chicago take out an average of $26,250 in student loans while working on their egree.
The excellent programs at Miami University - Oxford helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies schools in the Great Lakes Region . Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University - Oxford is a public college with a large student population.
While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at Miami University - Oxford accumulate an average of around $24,876 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $544.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Miami University - Oxford
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, U-M is a public college with a very large student population.
After completing their degree, parks and rec graduates from U-M carry an average student debt load of $17,507. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $531.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in the city of Champaign, UIUC is a public college with a fairly large student population.
The average amount in student loans that parks and rec majors at UIUC take out is $20,500. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $307.
Ohio University - Athens Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in the town of Athens, OHIO Athens is a public college with a fairly large student population.
While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at OHIO Athens accumulate an average of around $25,250 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $443, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Ohio University - Athens Campus Report
With a ranking of #8, Central Michigan University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. Central Michigan is a fairly large public school located in the distant town of Mount Pleasant.
The average amount in student loans that parks and rec majors at Central Michigan take out is $29,000. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $259, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Central Michigan University Report
Grand Valley State University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in the suburb of Allendale, GVSU is a public college with a fairly large student population.
While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at GVSU accumulate an average of around $27,000 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $303.
Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Grand Valley State University Report
With a ranking of #10, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. UW - La Crosse is a fairly large public school located in the city of La Crosse.
After completing their degree, parks and rec graduates from UW - La Crosse carry an average student debt load of $24,483. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $183.
Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Wisconsin - La Crosse Report
Ohio State University - Main Campus ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the large city of Columbus, Ohio State is a public school with a fairly large student population.
After completing their degree, parks and rec graduates from Ohio State carry an average student debt load of $24,408. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $376.
Illinois State University landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs. Illinois State is a very large public school located in the medium-sized suburb of Normal.
After completing their degree, parks and rec graduates from Illinois State carry an average student debt load of $23,124. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $230.
Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in the large city of Indianapolis, IUPUI is a public college with a very large student population.
On average, parks and rec graduates from IUPUI take out $24,703 in student loans while working on their degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $107.
With a ranking of #14, Bowling Green State University - Main Campus did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. BGSU is a large public school located in the fringe town of Bowling Green.
While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at BGSU accumulate an average of around $25,437 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $508.
With a ranking of #15, University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. UIC is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Chicago.
While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at UIC accumulate an average of around $18,431 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $179, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
With a ranking of #16, Ball State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State is a public college with a very large student population.
On average, parks and rec graduates from Ball State take out $27,000 in student loans while working on their degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $344.
University of Wisconsin - Madison came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in the city of Madison, UW - Madison is a public college with a very large student population.
On average, parks and rec graduates from UW - Madison take out $25,787 in student loans while working on their degree.
Indiana State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Indiana State is a medium-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute.
Parks & Rec majors at Indiana State take out an average of $24,075 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $179, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Indiana State University Report
With a ranking of #19, University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. UC is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Cincinnati.
Parks & Rec majors at UC take out an average of $22,911 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $398.
Western Michigan University landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs. WMU is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo.
After completing their degree, parks and rec graduates from WMU carry an average student debt load of $27,000. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $373, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Western Michigan University
University of Indianapolis did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. It came in at #20 on the list. Located in the city of Indianapolis, UIndy is a private not-for-profit school with a moderately-sized student population.
While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at UIndy accumulate an average of around $26,631 in student debt. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $379.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Indianapolis
Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. It came in at #22 on the list. SIUC is a large public school located in the city of Carbondale.
On average, parks and rec graduates from SIUC take out $22,932 in student loans while working on their degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $157, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Purdue University - Main Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. It came in at #23 on the list. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue is a public college with a fairly large student population.
The average amount in student loans that parks and rec majors at Purdue take out is $19,667. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $353, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Purdue University - Main Campus
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. SIUE is a fairly large public school located in the large suburb of Edwardsville.
The average amount in student loans that parks and rec majors at SIUE take out is $25,000. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $277, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Kent State University at Kent did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. It came in at #25 on the list. Kent State is a fairly large public school located in the suburb of Kent.
After completing their degree, parks and rec graduates from Kent State carry an average student debt load of $25,500. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $301, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Kent State University at Kent Report
Rest of the Top Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Additional Noteworthy Schools
Here are some additional popular schools for Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness students in the Great Lakes Region that almost earned our Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Great Lakes Region award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 34 | University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee | Milwaukee, WI |
| 35 | University of Southern Indiana | Evansville, IN |
| 36 | Trine University | Angola, IN |
| 37 | Youngstown State University | Youngstown, OH |
| 38 | University of Akron Main Campus | Akron, OH |
| 39 | Northern Michigan University | Marquette, MI |
| 40 | Northwestern University | Evanston, IL |
| 40 | Adrian College | Adrian, MI |
| 42 | Xavier University | Cincinnati, OH |
| 43 | Wright State University - Main Campus | Dayton, OH |
| 43 | University of Mount Union | Alliance, OH |
| 43 | John Carroll University | University Heights, OH |
Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Colleges by State
Explore the best parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies schools for a specific state in the Great Lakes region.
| State | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Indiana | 1,818 |
| Michigan | 2,279 |
| Ohio | 2,647 |
| Illinois | 2,396 |
| Wisconsin | 1,001 |
Majors Related to Parks & Rec
Parks & Rec Majors to Study
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Health & Physical Education | 67,146 |
| Recreation Administration | 3,122 |
| Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies | 3,106 |
| Outdoor Education | 265 |
| Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies | 174 |
Majors Similar to Parks & Rec
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting | 142,610 |
| Public Administration & Social Service | 98,583 |
| Legal Professions | 61,055 |
| Military Technologies & Applied Sciences | 4,477 |
Notes and References
*These averages are for the top 25 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 the rest 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).
- Credit for the banner image above goes to NPS Photo/Zurbuch.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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