2025 Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools

1

Indiana University - Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

It is difficult to beat Indiana University - Bloomington if you want to pursue a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies. Located in the small city of Bloomington, IU Bloomington is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #30 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means IU Bloomington is a great university overall.

There were roughly 150 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at IU Bloomington in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduating, parks & rec degree recipients generally earn about $35,429 in the first five years of their career.

2

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL

Every student pursuing a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies needs to look into University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. UIUC is a fairly large public university located in the city of Champaign. A Best Colleges rank of #41 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UIUC is a great university overall.

There were roughly 145 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at UIUC in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies degree recipients from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign get an earnings boost of around $6,213 over the typical income of parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates.

3

California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

Any student who is interested in parks, recreation & leisure studies needs to check out California State University - Long Beach. Located in the large city of Long Beach, CSULB is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 36th out of 161 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 83 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at CSULB in the most recent year we have data available. After graduating, parks & rec degree recipients generally make around $35,532 at the beginning of their careers.

4

University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University of Iowa is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies. Located in the small city of Iowa City, Iowa is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #80 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Iowa is a great university overall.

There were approximately 55 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at Iowa in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies degree recipients from University of Iowa get an earnings boost of approximately $2,857 above the typical earnings of parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates.

5

California State University - Chico
Chico, CA

Chico State is a fairly large public university located in the city of Chico. This university ranks 64th out of 161 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 103 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at Chico State in the most recent year we have data available. After graduating, parks & rec degree recipients typically earn about $33,920 at the beginning of their careers.

6

Arizona State University - Tempe
Tempe, AZ

Located in the midsize city of Tempe, ASU - Tempe is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #108 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means ASU - Tempe is a great university overall.

There were approximately 15 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at ASU - Tempe in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the parks, recreation & leisure studies degree program at Arizona State University - Tempe earn $8,903 above the standard graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

6

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

Located in the large city of San Jose, San Jose State is a public university with a fairly large student population.

There were roughly 28 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State in the most recent data year.

7

University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA

UNI is a medium-sized public university located in the city of Cedar Falls. This university ranks 3rd out of 37 schools for overall quality in the state of Iowa.

There were roughly 36 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at UNI in the most recent year we have data available. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies degree recipients from University of Northern Iowa earn a boost of about $2,987 above the typical income of parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates.

8

California State University - Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

Sac State is a fairly large public university located in the city of Sacramento. This university ranks 40th out of 161 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were roughly 75 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at Sac State in the most recent year we have data available. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies degree recipients from California State University - Sacramento get an earnings boost of approximately $6,092 above the typical income of parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates.

9

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

Located in the city of San Francisco, SFSU is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #225 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means SFSU is a great university overall.

There were approximately 28 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at SFSU in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the parks & rec program report average early career earnings of $28,427.