by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 101 U.S. colleges awarded 2,266 degrees and certificates in Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 79% of graduates. College Factual ranks 54 schools in its 2027 Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $34,839 one year after completing, rising to $52,448 after four years.
A major in Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies explores Parks, Recreation, And Leisure Studies. A Program That Focuses On The Principles Underlying Recreational And Leisure Activities, And The Practices Involved In Providing Indoor And Outdoor Recreational Facilities And Services For The General Public.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, parks, recreation & leisure studies draws strong interest, with 2,266 degrees awarded annually. 101 colleges award parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees, an average of 22 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 148.
By level, the 2,266 awards include 19 certificates, 161 associate degrees, 1,793 bachelor’s degrees, 278 master’s degrees and 15 doctorates.
Women earned 54% of parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees and certificates in the latest year (1,213 of 2,266). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (1,506) and Hispanic or Latino (297), and international students earned 65.
College Factual ranks 54 schools in its 2027 Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools ranking, including 47 for bachelor’s degrees and 4 for master’s degrees. It also ranks parks, recreation & leisure studies schools within 25 states. In all, 101 colleges offer parks, recreation & leisure studies programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common parks, recreation & leisure studies credential is the bachelor’s degree: 1,793 of the 2,266 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to parks, recreation & leisure studies call most for Instructing, Speaking and Writing, and for knowledge of Education and Training, English Language and Computers and Electronics, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Expression and Speech Clarity.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a parks, recreation & leisure studies degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 19 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 161 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,793 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 278 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 15 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to parks, recreation & leisure studies, at 74.2%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 74.2% |
| Master’s degree | 20.8% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 5.0% |
Source: O*NET Online.
1 occupations are related to Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies, with an average median salary of $84,688; the strongest outlook belongs to Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary, at 11.6% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Physical Education Instructor (PE Instructor), Health and Physical Education Instructor (HPE Instructor), Recreation Professor and Instructor.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to parks, recreation & leisure studies, at 596,959.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | 596,959 | 11.6% |
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates earn a median $34,839 one year after completing their program, $52,448 after four years and $52,449 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $34,839 |
| 4 years | $52,448 |
| 5 years | $52,449 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to parks, recreation & leisure studies, with a median salary of $84,688.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | $84,688 |
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