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# Best Parks & Recreation Colleges in Michigan (2026)

Updated September 30, 2026

This page ranks the 21 colleges in Michigan that offer a Parks & Recreation program and have a reported earnings cohort, ordered by the median earnings of Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing. [University of Michigan-Ann Arbor](/school/university-of-michigan-ann-arbor/majors/) ranks 1st on this list, with median earnings of $79,411 for its graduates four years after completing.

Across the listed schools, the figures range from $79,411 to $21,508, with a median of $51,806.

The list includes 9 public and 12 private nonprofit institutions. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor ranks 16th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its six-year completion rate of 93% is the highest on the page. Saginaw Valley State University posts the lowest average net price, at $10,775.

## The ranked list

21 schools in list order

| Rank | School | Median Parks & Recreation Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor · Ann Arbor, MI | $79,411 | $13,138 | $1,043 | 15.6% |
|  | [University of Michigan-Ann Arbor](/school/university-of-michigan-ann-arbor/majors/) reports [$79,411 in median earnings](/school/university-of-michigan-ann-arbor/outcomes/) of Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing and an admission rate of 16%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (263 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($79,411) |
| 2 | Michigan State University · East Lansing, MI | $66,110 | $19,680 | $7,068 | 84.8% |
|  | With a [six-year completion rate of 81%](/school/michigan-state-university/outcomes/), [Michigan State University](/school/michigan-state-university/majors/) posts median earnings of $66,110 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (312 graduates), Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management (22 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($67,290) |
| 3 | Alma College · Alma, MI | $63,641 | $20,694 | $17,162 | 57.0% |
|  | Alma College, a private nonprofit institution in Alma, has an average net price of $20,694 and ranks 3rd on this list. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (31 graduates) |
| 4 | Central Michigan University · Mount Pleasant, MI | $57,771 | $17,597 | $12,185 | 89.8% |
|  | [Central Michigan University](/school/central-michigan-university/majors/) [admits 90% of applicants](/school/central-michigan-university/admissions/) and reports $57,771 in median earnings for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (213 graduates), Outdoor Education (19 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($57,771) |
| 5 | Cornerstone University · Grand Rapids, MI | $56,231 | $20,301 | $20,177 | 77.8% |
|  | [Cornerstone University](/school/cornerstone-university/majors/) ranks 5th on this page, with an [average net price of $20,177](/school/cornerstone-university/cost/) for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (17 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($56,231) |
| 6 | Davenport University · Grand Rapids, MI | $54,729 | $17,707 | $16,700 | 97.8% |
|  | Davenport University has a six-year completion rate of 57% and reports median earnings of $54,729 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (31 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($54,729) |
| 7 | Calvin University · Grand Rapids, MI | $53,949 | $22,992 | $19,281 | 70.9% |
|  | [Calvin University](/school/calvin-university/majors/) [ranks 1140th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/calvin-university/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and posts an admission rate of 71%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (33 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($53,949) |
| 8 | Hope College · Holland, MI | $53,340 | $27,182 | $17,606 | 79.2% |
|  | [Hope College](/school/hope-college/majors/) reports [$53,340 in median earnings](/school/hope-college/outcomes/) for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $27,182. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (44 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($53,340) |
| 9 | Grand Valley State University · Allendale, MI | $53,175 | $16,317 | $12,272 | 83.0% |
|  | [Grand Valley State University](/school/grand-valley-state-university/majors/) [admits 83% of applicants](/school/grand-valley-state-university/admissions/) and has a six-year completion rate of 67%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (267 graduates) |
| 10 | Eastern Michigan University · Ypsilanti, MI | $52,624 | $15,407 | $13,250 | 79.6% |
|  | [Eastern Michigan University](/school/eastern-michigan-university/majors/) ranks 10th on this list, with [median earnings of $52,624](/school/eastern-michigan-university/outcomes/) for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (85 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($52,624) |
| 11 | Aquinas College · Grand Rapids, MI | $51,806 | $16,626 | $10,725 | 89.9% |
|  | [Aquinas College](/school/aquinas-college/majors/) has an [average net price of $10,725](/school/aquinas-college/cost/) for families earning under $30,000 and reports median earnings of $51,806 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (24 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($51,806) |
| 12 | Adrian College · Adrian, MI | $51,559 | $25,368 | $19,542 | 72.5% |
|  | [Adrian College](/school/adrian-college/majors/) has a [six-year completion rate of 48%](/school/adrian-college/outcomes/) and ranks 1317th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (54 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($51,559) |
| 13 | Saginaw Valley State University · University Center, MI | $50,816 | $10,775 | $9,844 | 72.1% |
|  | [Saginaw Valley State University](/school/saginaw-valley-state-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $50,816](/school/saginaw-valley-state-university/outcomes/) for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing, and its average net price of $10,775 is the lowest on this list. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (47 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($50,816) |
| 14 | Northwood University · Midland, MI | $50,699 | $27,232 | $25,700 | 64.5% |
|  | Northwood University, a private nonprofit university in Midland, ranks 14th on this list and shows a six-year completion rate of 63%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (18 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($50,699) |
| 15 | Michigan Technological University · Houghton, MI | $50,388 | $14,182 | $2,045 | 92.4% |
|  | [Michigan Technological University](/school/michigan-technological-university/majors/) [admits 92% of applicants](/school/michigan-technological-university/admissions/) and reports median earnings of $50,388 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (21 graduates) |
| 16 | Western Michigan University · Kalamazoo, MI | $50,134 | $15,273 | $5,263 | 84.6% |
|  | [Western Michigan University](/school/western-michigan-university/majors/) [ranks 353rd on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/western-michigan-university/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and posts an average net price of $5,263 for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (146 graduates), Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management (5 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($50,134) |
| 17 | Albion College · Albion, MI | $49,451 | $14,301 | $10,036 | 80.7% |
|  | Albion College graduates 62% of its students within six years, and its Parks & Recreation graduates earn a median of $49,451 four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (37 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($49,451) |
| 18 | Northern Michigan University · Marquette, MI | $45,842 | $14,085 | $7,697 | 84.0% |
|  | [Northern Michigan University](/school/northern-michigan-university/majors/) ranks 18th on this list, with [median earnings of $45,842](/school/northern-michigan-university/outcomes/) for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (51 graduates), Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies (18 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($47,613) |
| 19 | Rochester Christian University · Rochester Hills, MI | $45,314 | $21,456 | $18,463 | 97.7% |
|  | Rochester Christian University admits 98% of applicants and reports an average net price of $18,463 for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (22 graduates) |
| 20 | The University of Olivet · Olivet, MI | $43,475 | $21,393 | $19,656 | 83.3% |
|  | [The University of Olivet](/school/the-university-of-olivet/majors/) shows a [six-year completion rate of 35%](/school/the-university-of-olivet/outcomes/) and median earnings of $43,475 for its Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (33 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness ($43,475) |
| 21 | Spring Arbor University · Spring Arbor, MI | $21,508 | $19,353 | $14,530 | 51.5% |
|  | Spring Arbor University reports median earnings of $21,508 for its Parks & Recreation graduates two years after completing, alongside an admission rate of 52%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (14 graduates) |

## How this list is ordered

Schools are ordered by the median earnings of their Parks & Recreation graduates four years after completing, highest first. Only schools with a reported Parks & Recreation earnings cohort in Michigan appear. The figures are medians for federally aided Parks & Recreation graduates who were working and not enrolled four years after completing. For 1 of the 21 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The range from University of Michigan-Ann Arbor to the lowest listed school spans $57,903, with a gap of $13,301 between University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and Michigan State University.

## Job market context in Michigan

The occupations linked to Parks & Recreation in Michigan include roles such as Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers, Recreation Workers, and Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors. The median annual wage across those occupations is $39,808, and a quarter of workers in those occupations earn less than $33,831. Projections for 2024 to 2034 put employment in those occupations about 2.0% higher, with 18,560 projected openings a year, or about 912 openings a year for every hundred graduates, suggesting more projected openings than graduates. Wages and top occupations exclude management occupations; openings include them. These market figures describe the occupations, not the earnings of any listed program; the ranking above uses the median earnings of graduates four years after completing.

## Related rankings

-   [Best Colleges in Michigan](/rankings/best-colleges-in-michigan/)
-   [Best Parks & Recreation Colleges in Illinois](/rankings/best-parks-and-recreation-colleges-in-illinois/)
-   [Best Parks & Recreation Colleges in Ohio](/rankings/best-parks-and-recreation-colleges-in-ohio/)
-   [Best Parks & Recreation Colleges in Missouri](/rankings/best-parks-and-recreation-colleges-in-missouri/)
-   [Best Parks & Recreation Colleges in Pennsylvania](/rankings/best-parks-and-recreation-colleges-in-pennsylvania/)
-   Parks & Recreation Colleges in Michigan for Social Mobility