Mahadev Maitri Foundation

Best Parks & Recreation Colleges in Illinois

44 accredited institutions in Illinois offering parks & recreation programs, ranked by annual graduates (IPEDS 2023–24).

44

Colleges

5,244

Graduates/yr

15

Public

Bachelor's

Top Degree

Ranked: Parks & Recreation Programs in Illinois

PublicBachelor's

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

In-State Tuition

Private NonprofitMaster's

Concordia University-Chicago

Net Price <$30K

PublicBachelor's

Illinois State University

In-State Tuition

PublicBachelor's

University of Illinois Chicago

In-State Tuition

PublicBachelor's

Northern Illinois University

In-State Tuition

PublicBachelor's

Eastern Illinois University

In-State Tuition

PublicBachelor's

Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville

In-State Tuition

Private NonprofitMaster's

Northwestern University

Net Price <$30K

Private NonprofitBachelor's

Aurora University

Net Price <$30K

Western Illinois University

In-State Tuition

Private NonprofitBachelor's

North Central College

Net Price <$30K

PublicBachelor's

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

In-State Tuition

Private NonprofitBachelor's

Loyola University Chicago

Net Price <$30K

Private NonprofitBachelor's

Olivet Nazarene University

Net Price <$30K

Private NonprofitBachelor's

McKendree University

Net Price <$30K

Private NonprofitBachelor's

Elmhurst University

Net Price <$30K

Private NonprofitBachelor's

Lewis University

Net Price <$30K

Private NonprofitBachelor's

North Park University

Net Price <$30K

Private NonprofitBachelor's

Millikin University

Net Price <$30K

Private NonprofitBachelor's

Saint Xavier University

Net Price <$30K

Private NonprofitBachelor's

Monmouth College

Net Price <$30K

PublicBachelor's

University of Illinois Springfield

In-State Tuition

Private NonprofitBachelor's

Judson University

Net Price <$30K

Private NonprofitBachelor's

Trinity International University-Illinois

Net Price <$30K

Private NonprofitBachelor's

Greenville University

Net Price <$30K

Private NonprofitBachelor's

Rockford University

Net Price <$30K

Private NonprofitBachelor's

Quincy University

Net Price <$30K

Private NonprofitBachelor's

Benedictine University

Net Price <$30K

Private NonprofitMaster's

DePaul University

Net Price <$30K

Private NonprofitMaster's

Adler University

Northeastern Illinois University

In-State Tuition

Private NonprofitBachelor's

Net Price <$30K

Private NonprofitBachelor's

Trinity Christian College

Net Price <$30K

Private NonprofitBachelor's

Illinois Wesleyan University

Net Price <$30K

PublicAssociate's

Lewis and Clark Community College

In-State Tuition

Private NonprofitBachelor's

Blackburn College

Net Price <$30K

PublicBachelor's

Chicago State University

In-State Tuition

Private NonprofitBachelor's

University of St Francis

Net Price <$30K

Private NonprofitBachelor's

Illinois College

Net Price <$30K

PublicAssociate's

Rock Valley College

In-State Tuition

PublicAssociate's

Illinois Central College

In-State Tuition

Private NonprofitBachelor's

Lincoln Christian University

Net Price <$30K

Private NonprofitAssociate's

Roosevelt University

Net Price <$30K

PublicAssociate's

Prairie State College

Chicago Heights

In-State Tuition

Studying Parks & Recreation in Illinois

Illinois has 44 accredited colleges offering parks & recreation programs, producing 5,244 graduates annually. Of these, 15 are public institutions with subsidized in-state tuition for Illinois residents.

When evaluating programs, consider accreditation, internship placement rates, and faculty expertise. Always file the FAFSA — the net price after grants can be dramatically lower than sticker tuition, especially at public institutions.

← All colleges in Illinois ← All states

Data source: Graduate counts from IPEDS 2023–24 C2023_A Completions survey (NCES). Tuition, acceptance rate, and graduation rate from IPEDS HD2023, ADM2023, DRVGR2023.