by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 15 U.S. colleges awarded 158 degrees and certificates in Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 52% of graduates. College Factual ranks 6 schools in its 2027 Best Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $29,570 one year after completing, rising to $41,245 after four years.
Everyone enjoys time to rest and relax. A degree in Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies will allow you to provide services that will help others chill out while maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
There are many areas of specialization you can choose from within the Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies field. Some of the lesser know areas include Ski Resort Management, Personal Training, and Sports training. Depending on your area of specialization, you will take classes in management, hospitality, finance, administration, and marketing or exercise science, anatomy, nutrition, and physiology.
A major in Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies explores Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, And Kinesiology, Other.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, other parks, recreation & leisure studies is a popular field of study, with 158 degrees awarded annually. 15 colleges award other parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees, an average of 11 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 38.
By level, the 158 awards include 13 associate degrees, 82 bachelor’s degrees, 49 master’s degrees and 4 doctorates.
Women earned 34% of other parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees and certificates in the latest year (53 of 158). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (89) and Black or African American (29), and international students earned 2.
College Factual ranks 6 schools in its 2027 Best Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools ranking, including 3 for bachelor’s degrees. It also ranks other parks, recreation & leisure studies schools within 3 states. In all, 15 colleges offer other parks, recreation & leisure studies programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common other parks, recreation & leisure studies credential is the bachelor’s degree: 82 of the 158 awarded in the latest year.
Students who pursue a degree in Parks, Recreation, and Leisure studies often work in careers interacting with people. This requires strong communication and interpersonal skills. Students should also have strong customer service skills as they are expected to provide different types of services to paying customers.
Some jobs in the parks and recreation industry can be seasonal or part time. Those who are in management positions often have full time jobs and may have to work overtime during busy seasons. Those who are self-employed set their own hours and may be busy depending on the demand for their services.
When pursuing a career in Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies, it is best to pursue a summer job or internship in the field. This will allow students to get hands-on experience outside the classroom along with gaining relevant experience that will make them competitive in the job market.
How long an other parks, recreation & leisure studies degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 13 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 82 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 49 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 4 |
Job locations and work environments vary depending on the area of specialization within the field. Students who specialized in Ski Resort Management work at a variety of ski resorts both around the country and around the world. Students with degrees in areas such as Personal or Sports Training work in gyms, for collegiate or professional teams, or become self-employed. Graduates looking for jobs in specialized areas may need to relocate in order to find work.
Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates earn a median $29,570 one year after completing their program, $41,245 after four years and $45,192 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $29,570 |
| 4 years | $41,245 |
| 5 years | $45,192 |
Source: College Scorecard.
Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies includes 1 concentration; by graduates, the largest is Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology, Other (158). It has 4 similar majors in the Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness field, which together award 73,023 degrees a year; the largest are Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (68,170), Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management (2,358) and Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies (2,266). Browse all Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology, Other | 158 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 68,170 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management | 2,358 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies | 2,266 |
| Outdoor Education | 229 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
