2024 Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Associate Degree Schools
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies isn't the most popular associate program in the world, but it's not the least popular either. To be more precise it ranks #21 in popularity out of 38 majors in the country. As such, the degree program isn't offered at every college in the United States, but there are schools that do have a program in the field that are top-notch when it comes to quality.
College Factual looked at 10 colleges and universities when compiling its 2024 Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Associate Degree Schools ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 5,979 associate degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies during the 2020-2021 academic year.
Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology
Choosing a Great Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies School for Your Associate Degree
The parks & rec associate degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. Important measures of a quality parks & rec program can vary widely even among the top schools. When choosing a school we recommend considering some of the following factors:
Quality Overall Is Important
The overall quality of a associate degree school is important to ensure a quality education, not just how well they do in a particular major. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.
Average Earnings
One measure we use to determine the quality of a school is to look at the average salary of associate graduates during the early years of their career. This is because one of the main reasons people pursue their associate degree is to enable themselves to find better-paying positions.
Other Factors We Consider
In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:
- Major Focus - How much a school focuses on parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies students vs. other majors.
- Major Demand - How many other parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies students want to attend this school to pursue a associate degree.
- Educational Resources - The amount of money and other resources allocated to students while they are pursuing their degree. These resources include such things as number of students per instructor and education expenditures per student.
- Student Debt - How much debt parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies students go into to obtain their associate degree and how well they are able to pay back that debt.
- Accreditation - Whether a school is regionally accredited and/or accredited by a recognized parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies related body.
Our full ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best schools for parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies students working on their associate degree.
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 Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Associate Degree Schools ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
Best Schools for Associate Students to Study Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the United States
The following list ranks the best colleges and universities for pursuing an associate degree in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies.
10 Top Schools for an Associate in Parks & Rec
Associate Degree
Highest Degree Type
94
Annual Graduates
Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale is a wonderful option for students interested in an associate degree in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies. Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale is a large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Fort Lauderdale.More information about a associate in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale
Associate Degree
Highest Degree Type
500
Annual Graduates
Any student who is interested in an associate degree in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies needs to look into Mt. San Antonio College. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt. SAC is a public college with a very large student population.More information about a associate in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from Mt. San Antonio College
Associate Degree
Highest Degree Type
7
Annual Graduates
The University of Findlay is one of the finest schools in the country for getting an associate degree in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies. Located in the distant town of Findlay, Findlay is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.More information about a associate in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from The University of Findlay
Associate Degree
Highest Degree Type
1
Annual Graduates
It's hard to beat University of the Cumberlands if you want to pursue an associate degree in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies. Cumberlands is a large private not-for-profit university located in the town of Williamsburg.More information about a associate in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from University of the Cumberlands
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
3
Annual Graduates
Bob Jones University is a good decision for students interested in an associate degree in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies. Bob Jones University is a small private not-for-profit university located in the city of Greenville.More information about a associate in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from Bob Jones University
Located in the suburb of Lancaster, Lancaster Bible College is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.More information about a associate in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from Lancaster Bible College
Associate Degree
Highest Degree Type
40
Annual Graduates
South Texas College is a very large public college located in the medium-sized city of McAllen.More information about a associate in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from South Texas College
Associate Degree
Highest Degree Type
7
Annual Graduates
Located in the small city of Orem, UVU is a public university with a fairly large student population.More information about a associate in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from Utah Valley University
Associate Degree
Highest Degree Type
113
Annual Graduates
ISSA is a small private for-profit school located in the medium-sized suburb of Carpinteria.More information about a associate in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from International Sports Sciences Association
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
2
Annual Graduates
Located in the town of Babson Park, Webber International University is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.More information about a associate in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from Webber International University