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2024 Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools

517 Colleges in the United States
73,813 Parks & Rec Degrees Awarded
$31,423 Avg Early-Career Salary
If you plan on majoring in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies, you won't be alone since the degree program is ranked #15 in the country in terms of popularity. As a result, there are many college that offer the degree, making your choice of school a hard one.

College Factual looked at 517 colleges and universities when compiling its 2024 Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 73,813 degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies during the 2020-2021 academic year.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies School

Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools The parks & rec program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies rankings. For our Best Overall Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Rankings by Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Parks & Rec
Bachelor's Degrees in Parks & Rec
Master's Degrees in Parks & Rec
Doctor's Degrees in Parks & Rec

When choosing the right school for you, it's important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we've created a number of major-specific rankings, including this Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools list to help you make the college decision. If you'd like to restrict your choices to just one part of the country, you can filter this list by location.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

If you want to learn more about how we derive our rankings, see College Factual's Methodology.

Best Schools for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the United States

The schools below may not offer all types of parks & rec degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools in Parks & Rec

1
Rice crest
Rice University
Houston, TX
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
104 Parks & Rec Degrees Awarded
1.9% Growth in Graduates

Rice University is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies. Located in the large city of Houston, Rice is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #16 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Rice is a great university overall.

There were roughly 104 parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Rice in the most recent data year. Those parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies students who get their degree from Rice University receive $6,809 more than the typical parks & rec graduate.

More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from Rice University

2
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
326 Parks & Rec Degrees Awarded
0.6% Growth in Graduates

Every student who is interested in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies has to check out University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. Located in the midsize city of Ann Arbor, U-M is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #29 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means U-M is a great university overall.

There were roughly 326 parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent data year. Those parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies students who get their degree from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor earn $7,668 more than the standard parks & rec grad.

More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

3
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
71 Parks & Rec Degrees Awarded
$60,701 Median Starting Salary

Columbia University in the City of New York is a good decision for students interested in a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies. Columbia is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of New York. A Best Colleges rank of #14 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Columbia is a great university overall.

There were about 71 parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies degree program at Columbia University in the City of New York make $29,278 more than the standard college graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from Columbia University in the City of New York

4
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
313 Parks & Rec Degrees Awarded
16.0% Growth in Graduates

Every student pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies needs to take a look at The University of Texas at Austin. UT Austin is a very large public university located in the city of Austin. A Best Colleges rank of #36 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UT Austin is a great university overall.

There were about 313 parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at UT Austin in the most recent year we have data available. Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies degree recipients from The University of Texas at Austin receive an earnings boost of approximately $4,575 over the average earnings of parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies graduates.

More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from The University of Texas at Austin

5
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
646 Parks & Rec Degrees Awarded
$37,839 Median Starting Salary

Texas A&M College Station is a fairly large public university located in the city of College Station. A Best Colleges rank of #44 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Texas A&M College Station is a great university overall.

There were about 646 parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Texas A&M College Station in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies degree recipients from Texas A&M University - College Station earn a boost of about $6,415 above the typical income of parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies majors.

More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from Texas A&M University - College Station

6
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
148 Parks & Rec Degrees Awarded
27.0% Growth in Graduates

UW - Madison is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Madison. A Best Colleges rank of #30 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UW - Madison is a great university overall.

There were approximately 148 parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at UW - Madison in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduation, parks & rec degree recipients generally make an average of $27,879 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from University of Wisconsin - Madison

7
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
91 Parks & Rec Degrees Awarded
16.5% Growth in Graduates

Emory is a large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Atlanta. A Best Colleges rank of #28 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Emory is a great university overall.

There were about 91 parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Emory in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies degree program at Emory University get $3,863 more than the average college graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from Emory University

8
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
62 Parks & Rec Degrees Awarded
37.1% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #5 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Northwestern is a great university overall.

There were about 62 parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern in the most recent year we have data available. Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies degree recipients from Northwestern University get an earnings boost of around $17,474 above the average income of parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies graduates.

More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from Northwestern University

9
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
675 Parks & Rec Degrees Awarded
$31,398 Median Starting Salary

Located in the small city of Iowa City, Iowa is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 40 schools for overall quality in the state of Iowa.

There were approximately 675 parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Iowa in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the parks & rec program report average early career wages of $31,398.

More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from University of Iowa

10
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
643 Parks & Rec Degrees Awarded
6.2% Growth in Graduates

Located in the small city of Bloomington, IU Bloomington is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #55 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means IU Bloomington is a great university overall.

There were roughly 643 parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at IU Bloomington in the most recent year we have data available. Those parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies students who get their degree from Indiana University - Bloomington receive $5,539 more than the typical parks & rec student.

More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from Indiana University - Bloomington

11
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
317 Parks & Rec Degrees Awarded
$35,684 Median Starting Salary

UIUC is a very large public university located in the small city of Champaign. A Best Colleges rank of #34 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UIUC is a great university overall.

There were roughly 317 parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at UIUC in the most recent data year. Those parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies students who get their degree from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign make $4,261 more than the typical parks & rec grad.

More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

12
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
306 Parks & Rec Degrees Awarded
27.8% Growth in Graduates

UF is a fairly large public university located in the midsize city of Gainesville. A Best Colleges rank of #58 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UF is a great university overall.

There were about 306 parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at UF in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies major at University of Florida make $5,630 above the standard college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from University of Florida

13
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
348 Parks & Rec Degrees Awarded
3.7% Growth in Graduates

Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University - Oxford is a public university with a large student population. This university ranks 3rd out of 96 schools for overall quality in the state of Ohio.

There were about 348 parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Miami University - Oxford in the most recent data year. Those parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies students who get their degree from Miami University - Oxford earn $3,743 more than the typical parks & rec grad.

More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from Miami University - Oxford

14
Clemson crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
227 Parks & Rec Degrees Awarded
1.3% Growth in Graduates

Clemson is a fairly large public university located in the suburb of Clemson. This university ranks 1st out of 44 colleges for overall quality in the state of South Carolina.

There were about 227 parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Clemson in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies degree recipients from Clemson University get an earnings boost of about $5,221 over the typical income of parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies majors.

More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from Clemson University

15
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
248 Parks & Rec Degrees Awarded
9.7% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of Columbus, Ohio State is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 96 colleges for overall quality in the state of Ohio.

There were approximately 248 parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies degree recipients from Ohio State University - Main Campus get an earnings boost of approximately $6,055 above the average income of parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies majors.

More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from Ohio State University - Main Campus

16
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
326 Parks & Rec Degrees Awarded
8.0% Growth in Graduates

Located in the small city of Harrisonburg, JMU is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 6th out of 63 colleges for overall quality in the state of Virginia.

There were roughly 326 parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at JMU in the most recent year we have data available. Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies degree recipients from James Madison University earn a boost of around $6,168 above the average income of parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies graduates.

More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from James Madison University

17
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
144 Parks & Rec Degrees Awarded
$39,519 Median Starting Salary

UMass Amherst is a fairly large public university located in the large suburb of Amherst. This university ranks 11th out of 63 colleges for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts.

There were approximately 144 parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at UMass Amherst in the most recent year we have data available. Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies degree recipients from University of Massachusetts Amherst earn a boost of approximately $8,096 above the typical earnings of parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies graduates.

More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from University of Massachusetts Amherst

18
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
391 Parks & Rec Degrees Awarded
$31,674 Median Starting Salary

Located in the midsize city of Tempe, ASU - Tempe is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 26 schools for overall quality in the state of Arizona.

There were about 391 parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at ASU - Tempe in the most recent data year. After graduating, parks & rec degree recipients generally earn about $31,674 in their early careers.

More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from Arizona State University - Tempe

19
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
160 Parks & Rec Degrees Awarded
20.6% Growth in Graduates

UNH is a fairly large public university located in the suburb of Durham. This university ranks 2nd out of 17 schools for overall quality in the state of New Hampshire.

There were about 160 parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at UNH in the most recent year we have data available. Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies degree recipients from University of New Hampshire - Main Campus earn a boost of around $2,559 above the typical income of parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies majors.

More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from University of New Hampshire - Main Campus

20
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
683 Parks & Rec Degrees Awarded
14.2% Growth in Graduates

American Military University is a fairly large private for-profit university located in the fringe town of Charles Town. This university ranks 1st out of 28 colleges for overall quality in the state of West Virginia.

There were about 683 parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at American Military University in the most recent year we have data available. Those parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies students who get their degree from American Public University System make $19,445 more than the standard parks & rec student.

More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from American Public University System

21
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
401 Parks & Rec Degrees Awarded
4.5% Growth in Graduates

Located in the small city of Chapel Hill, UNC Chapel Hill is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #43 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UNC Chapel Hill is a great university overall.

There were approximately 401 parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at UNC Chapel Hill in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies program at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill get $5,242 above the typical college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

22
U of U crest
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
382 Parks & Rec Degrees Awarded
22.3% Growth in Graduates

Located in the medium-sized city of Salt Lake City, U of U is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 3rd out of 13 schools for overall quality in the state of Utah.

There were approximately 382 parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at U of U in the most recent data year. Those parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies students who get their degree from University of Utah receive $3,675 more than the typical parks & rec student.

More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from University of Utah

23
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
275 Parks & Rec Degrees Awarded
$39,920 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Columbia, UofSC is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 44 schools for overall quality in the state of South Carolina.

There were approximately 275 parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at UofSC in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies degree recipients from University of South Carolina - Columbia earn a boost of about $8,496 above the typical earnings of parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies graduates.

More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from University of South Carolina - Columbia

24
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
51 Parks & Rec Degrees Awarded
$42,726 Median Starting Salary

UCONN is a fairly large public university located in the suburb of Storrs. This university ranks 2nd out of 28 colleges for overall quality in the state of Connecticut.

There were roughly 51 parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at UCONN in the most recent data year. Those parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies students who get their degree from University of Connecticut make $11,302 more than the typical parks & rec graduate.

More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from University of Connecticut

25
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
105 Parks & Rec Degrees Awarded
5.7% Growth in Graduates

SMU is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Dallas. This university ranks 4th out of 115 colleges for overall quality in the state of Texas.

There were approximately 105 parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at SMU in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies degree program at Southern Methodist University earn $15,473 more than the standard college graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from Southern Methodist University

Rest of the Top 50 Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools

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Georgetown crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC
31
Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
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33
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

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39
Syracuse crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY
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Additional Award Winners

This list represents the remainder of the schools awarded a Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools badge. Showing in this list means the school was ranked in the top 15% of the 517 different United States parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
51 Washington State University Pullman, WA
52 Baylor University Waco, TX
53 University of Kansas Lawrence, KS
54 Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, FL
55 Towson University Towson, MD
56 San Jose State University San Jose, CA
57 Minnesota State University - Mankato Mankato, MN
58 California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA
59 Shenandoah University Winchester, VA
60 University of Miami Coral Gables, FL
61 Gonzaga University Spokane, WA
62 University of Louisville Louisville, KY
63 Loras College Dubuque, IA
63 California University of Pennsylvania California, PA
64 University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR
65 Saint Ambrose University Davenport, IA
66 University of Wisconsin - La Crosse La Crosse, WI
67 California Baptist University Riverside, CA
68 Florida State University Tallahassee, FL
69 University of Dayton Dayton, OH
70 Seattle University Seattle, WA
71 Ball State University Muncie, IN
72 West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester, PA
73 University of San Francisco San Francisco, CA
74 William & Mary Williamsburg, VA
75 Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MI
76 University of North Carolina at Wilmington Wilmington, NC
77 United States Sports Academy Daphne, AL

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools award.

Rank College Location
78 Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI
79 Arkansas State University - Main Campus Jonesboro, AR
80 University of Mississippi University, MS
81 University of Massachusetts - Boston Boston, MA
82 San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA
83 University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago, IL
84 Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN
85 Drexel University Philadelphia, PA
86 University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IA
87 Southern Nazarene University Bethany, OK
88 Xavier University Cincinnati, OH
89 California State University - Chico Chico, CA
90 California State University - Sacramento Sacramento, CA
91 California State University - Fullerton Fullerton, CA
92 Central Washington University Ellensburg, WA
93 Maryville University of Saint Louis Saint Louis, MO
94 University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OH
95 University of Memphis Memphis, TN
96 Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI
97 Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NC
98 Springfield College Springfield, MA
99 Texas State University San Marcos, TX
100 Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS
101 Oklahoma State University - Main Campus Stillwater, OK
102 Point Loma Nazarene University San Diego, CA
103 Oregon State University Corvallis, OR

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies by Region

View the Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

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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

View All Parks & Rec Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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