2026 Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in Oregon

Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 2 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools.

What’s on this page:

• Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in Oregon

Best Schools for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies in Oregon

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies

1

Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

29 Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Degrees Awarded

$34,451 Median Starting Salary

No school ranked higher than Oregon State University this year for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Oregon State University is a very large public school located in the city of Corvallis. Oregon State University graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 29 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at Oregon State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Oregon State University generally make around $34,451. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from Oregon State University

2

Southern Oregon University
Ashland, OR

Associate's Degree Highest Degree Type

21 Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Degrees Awarded

$19,139 Median Starting Salary

Southern Oregon University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Set in the suburb of Ashland, Southern Oregon University is a moderately-sized public institution. Southern Oregon University graduates 42% of students within six years. About 21 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at Southern Oregon University in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation & leisure studies degree from Southern Oregon University earn around $19,139 in the first couple years of their career. Southern Oregon University graduates carry a median of $24,951 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation & leisure studies program at Southern Oregon University

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 2 schools evaluated.

• The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
• Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).

More about our data sources and methodologies.