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2023 Most Popular Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies

123 Ranked Colleges
2,584 Degrees Awarded
$31,256 Avg Salary
Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major for a Bachelor's

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major for a Bachelor’s” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies is the 166th most popular major in the country with 3,106 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, parks, recreation and leisure studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $31,801 and had an average of $23,333 in loans still to pay off.

At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 2,584 parks, recreation and leisure studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,682 and $26,217 respectively.

For this year’s “Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major for a Bachelor’s” ranking, we looked at 123 colleges that offer a degree in parks, recreation and leisure studies. This ranking identifies schools that graduate the most students in parks, recreation and leisure studies.

Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Parks, Recreation & Leisure 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 for a Bachelor’s” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major for a Bachelor’s

The colleges and universities below are the best for bachelor’s degree parks & rec students.

1

Out of the 123 schools in the Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major for a Bachelor’s that were part of this year’s ranking, Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Bloomington, Indiana, this large public school awarded 134 degrees to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% 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 Studies at IU Bloomington

2

Out of the 123 schools in the Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major for a Bachelor’s that were part of this year’s ranking, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo landed the #2 spot on the list. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a public institution located in San Luis Obispo, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 119 bachelors’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

3

Out of the 123 schools in the Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major for a Bachelor’s that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Missouri - Columbia landed the #3 spot on the list. Columbia, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to 116 students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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 89%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Mizzou

4

Out of the 123 schools in the Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major for a Bachelor’s that were part of this year’s ranking, Brigham Young University - Provo landed the #4 spot on the list. Provo, Utah is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to 110 students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at BYU

5

Out of the 123 schools in the Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major for a Bachelor’s that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #5 spot on the list. UIUC is a large school located in Champaign, Illinois that handed out 99 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at UIUC

6

California State University - Sacramento landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major for a Bachelor’s ranking. Sac State is a large public school situated in Sacramento, California. It awarded 96 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Sac State

7

California State University - Chico came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major for a Bachelor’s ranking. Chico State is located in Chico, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 95 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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 more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at California State University - Chico

7

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major for a Bachelor’s ranking. Kutztown, Pennsylvania is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to 95 students in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Kutztown University

9

California State University - Long Beach did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major for a Bachelor’s ranking, coming in at #9. California State University - Long Beach is a large public school situated in Long Beach, California. It awarded 81 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at CSULB

10
UARK crest
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas

University of Arkansas ranked #10 on this year’s Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major for a Bachelor’s list. This large school is located in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and it awarded 77 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

11

University of North Carolina at Greensboro did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major for a Bachelor’s ranking, coming in at #11. University of North Carolina at Greensboro is a fairly large public school situated in Greensboro, North Carolina. It awarded 64 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at University of North Carolina at Greensboro

12
U of U crest
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah

With a ranking of #12, University of Utah did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major for a Bachelor’s list. Salt Lake City, Utah is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to 62 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of Utah Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report

13

University of Nebraska at Kearney came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major for a Bachelor’s ranking. University of Nebraska at Kearney is a medium-sized public school situated in Kearney, Nebraska. It awarded 60 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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 more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at University of Nebraska at Kearney

14
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major for a Bachelor’s ranking. This large school is located in Iowa City, Iowa, and it awarded 53 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

15
NAU crest
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, Arizona

Northern Arizona University ranked #15 on this year’s Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major for a Bachelor’s list. Northern Arizona University is a large public school situated in Flagstaff, Arizona. It awarded 52 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% 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 Northern Arizona University Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report

16

University of Northern Iowa ranked #16 on this year’s Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major for a Bachelor’s list. University of Northern Iowa is a medium-sized public school situated in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It awarded 51 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Full UNI Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report

16
GaSou crest
Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, Georgia

Georgia Southern University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major for a Bachelor’s ranking. Statesboro, Georgia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to 51 students in 2020-2021.

Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at GaSou

18
WWU crest
Western Washington University
Bellingham, Washington

Western Washington University ranked #18 on this year’s Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major for a Bachelor’s list. WWU is located in Bellingham, Washington and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 48 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Western Washington University

19
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

With a ranking of #19, San Francisco State University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major for a Bachelor’s list. San Francisco, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to 46 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at SFSU

20

Bowling Green State University - Main Campus ranked #20 on this year’s Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major for a Bachelor’s list. Bowling Green State University - Main Campus is a public institution located in Bowling Green, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 45 bachelors’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at BGSU

21
Radford crest
Radford University
Radford, Virginia

Radford University ranked #21 on this year’s Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major for a Bachelor’s list. Radford University is located in Radford, Virginia and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 41 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Radford

22
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

San Jose State University landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major for a Bachelor’s ranking. Located in San Jose, California, this large public school handed out 40 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at San Jose State University

23

California State University - Fresno came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major for a Bachelor’s ranking. Fresno, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to 37 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at California State University - Fresno

24
Jacksonville State University crest
Jacksonville State University
Jacksonville, Alabama

Jacksonville State University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major for a Bachelor’s ranking. Jacksonville, Alabama is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s parks and rec degrees to 34 students in 2020-2021.

Full Jacksonville State University Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report

25
ECU crest
East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina

East Carolina University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Parks & Rec Major for a Bachelor’s ranking. This large school is located in Greenville, North Carolina, and it awarded 33 bachelors’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at East Carolina University

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References

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