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2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in Iowa

27 Ranked Colleges
1,493 Degrees Awarded
$29,500 Avg Cost*
Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in Iowa

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in Iowa” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies is the 15th most popular major in the country with 73,813 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $31,423 and had an average of $24,388 in loans still to pay off.

Across Iowa, there were 1,493 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $31,634 and $25,812 respectively.

This year’s “Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in Iowa” ranking analyzed 27 colleges that offered a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies. To top this list, a school must have a successful parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies program that graduates more students in the field than other colleges that offer the same major.

For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in Iowa” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. 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.

Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in Iowa

The colleges and universities below are the best for iowa parks & rec students.

1
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Iowa. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in Iowa list. Iowa is located in Iowa City, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 675 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Iowa

2

Out of the 27 schools in the Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in Iowa that were part of this year’s ranking, Iowa State University landed the #2 spot on the list. This large school is located in Ames, Iowa, and it awarded 251 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Iowa State Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Northern Iowa. The school came in at #3 for the Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in Iowa. UNI is a medium-sized public school situated in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It awarded 131 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UNI

4

Out of the 27 schools in the Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in Iowa that were part of this year’s ranking, Saint Ambrose University landed the #4 spot on the list. Davenport, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 69 students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Saint Ambrose University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend William Penn University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in Iowa list. William Penn University is located in Oskaloosa, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 58 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at William Penn University

6
Grand View University crest
Grand View University
Des Moines, Iowa

Grand View University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in Iowa ranking. Grand View University is located in Des Moines, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 54 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

Full Grand View University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

7

Upper Iowa University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in Iowa ranking, coming in at #7. Fayette, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 34 students in 2020-2021.

Full UIU Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

8
Loras crest
Loras College
Dubuque, Iowa

Loras College landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in Iowa ranking. Loras College is a small school located in Dubuque, Iowa that handed out 32 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Loras College

9

University of Dubuque did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in Iowa ranking, coming in at #9. University of Dubuque is located in Dubuque, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 28 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Dubuque

10
Cornell College crest
Cornell College
Mount Vernon, Iowa

Cornell College ranked #10 on this year’s Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in Iowa list. Cornell College is located in Mount Vernon, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 26 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Cornell College Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

11
Coe crest
Coe College
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

With a ranking of #11, Coe College did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in Iowa list. Cedar Rapids, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 18 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Coe College Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

12

With a ranking of #12, Graceland University - Lamoni did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in Iowa list. Lamoni, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 17 students in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Graceland University - Lamoni

13
Simpson College crest
Simpson College
Indianola, Iowa

Simpson College ranked #13 on this year’s Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in Iowa list. Located in Indianola, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 13 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Simpson College

14
BVU crest
Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, Iowa

Buena Vista University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in Iowa ranking. This small school is located in Storm Lake, Iowa, and it awarded 12 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Buena Vista University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

15
NWC crest
Northwestern College
Orange City, Iowa

With a ranking of #15, Northwestern College did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in Iowa list. Located in Orange City, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 10 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Northwestern College

15
Clarke crest
Clarke University
Dubuque, Iowa

Clarke University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in Iowa ranking. Clarke is a small school located in Dubuque, Iowa that handed out 10 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Clarke

17
Drake crest
Drake University
Des Moines, Iowa

Drake University landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in Iowa ranking. Drake University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Des Moines, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 9 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Drake University

17
Dordt crest
Dordt University
Sioux Center, Iowa

With a ranking of #17, Dordt University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in Iowa list. Sioux Center, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 9 students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Dordt University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

19
Iowa Wesleyan crest
Iowa Wesleyan University
Mount Pleasant, Iowa

Iowa Wesleyan University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in Iowa ranking. Iowa Wesleyan is a private not-for-profit institution located in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 8 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Iowa Wesleyan University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

20
Waldorf crest
Waldorf University
Forest City, Iowa

With a ranking of #20, Waldorf University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in Iowa list. Waldorf University is a small school located in Forest City, Iowa that handed out 7 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Waldorf University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

21
Kirkwood Community College crest
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Kirkwood Community College ranked #21 on this year’s Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in Iowa list. Kirkwood Community College is a public institution located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 6 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Kirkwood Community College Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

21
Luther crest
Luther College
Decorah, Iowa

Luther College did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in Iowa ranking, coming in at #21. Luther is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Decorah, Iowa. It awarded 6 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Luther

23
Briar Cliff crest
Briar Cliff University
Sioux City, Iowa

With a ranking of #23, Briar Cliff University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in Iowa list. Briar Cliff is a private not-for-profit institution located in Sioux City, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 3 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Briar Cliff University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

23
Wartburg crest
Wartburg College
Waverly, Iowa

Wartburg College landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in Iowa ranking. Waverly, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 3 students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Wartburg College Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

25

Iowa Central Community College did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in Iowa ranking, coming in at #25. Iowa Central Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Fort Dodge, Iowa. It awarded 1 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Iowa Central Community College Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

25

With a ranking of #25, Des Moines Area Community College did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major in Iowa list. This large school is located in Ankeny, Iowa, and it awarded 1 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Full DMACC Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

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