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.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 54 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for parks, recreation & leisure studies students pursuing a degree.
Choosing a Great Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies School
Where you study parks, recreation & leisure studies matters for your future. That is why we built our Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Rankings by Degree Level
We offer several rankings, including this Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies in the United States
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
Texas A And M University College Station tops our 2027 ranking of the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 60 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $64,891 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from Texas A And M University College Station
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 106 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $39,157. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates carry a median of $16,369 in student loans.
More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
San Diego State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies, landing the #3 spot this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 25 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation & leisure studies degree from San Diego State University earn around $33,692 in the first couple years of their career. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $14,999 in student loans.
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Indiana University Bloomington is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 117 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $39,038. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from Indiana University Bloomington
California State University Sacramento is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. About 56% of students finish within six years. California State University Sacramento awarded about 58 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $40,338. Students borrow a median of $20,024 to complete this degree.
See the full parks, recreation & leisure studies program report for California State University Sacramento
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #6 for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 148 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation & leisure studies program make about $41,234 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,447.
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San Jose State University placed #7 among the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 21 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year.
See the full parks, recreation & leisure studies program report for San Jose State University
University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 96 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation & leisure studies degree from University Of Missouri Columbia earn around $38,725 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree.
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University Of Colorado Boulder landed the #9 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public school located in the city of Boulder. About 74% of students finish within six years. About 11 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at University Of Colorado Boulder in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $55,861 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,373.
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Brigham Young University Provo ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. About 141 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at Brigham Young University Provo in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $47,596 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree.
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California State University Long Beach came in at #11 for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 49 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation & leisure studies degree from California State University Long Beach earn around $35,532 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,500.
Read more about the parks, recreation & leisure studies program at California State University Long Beach
California State University East Bay came in at #12 for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Hayward. California State University East Bay graduates 48% of students within six years. About 13 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at California State University East Bay in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation & leisure studies program make about $43,700 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,306 to complete this degree.
Read more about the parks, recreation & leisure studies program at California State University East Bay
California State University Fresno placed #13 among the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Fresno. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Fresno awarded about 22 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation & leisure studies program make about $32,697 in their early career. California State University Fresno graduates carry a median of $14,061 in student loans.
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Arizona State University landed the #14 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tempe. Arizona State University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 23 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $43,149. Typical student debt for the program is $22,396.
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California State University Chico earned the #15 position for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. California State University Chico is a large public school located in the city of Chico. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 29 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at California State University Chico in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of California State University Chico earn a median of $33,920 early in their careers. California State University Chico graduates carry a median of $18,179 in student loans.
Read more about the parks, recreation & leisure studies program at California State University Chico
San Francisco State University came in at #16 for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. About 50% of students finish within six years. San Francisco State University awarded about 12 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation & leisure studies program make about $28,427 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,797 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from San Francisco State University
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #17 for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 19 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at Oklahoma State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $37,393 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,313 to complete this degree.
Read more about the parks, recreation & leisure studies program at Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Ohio University Main Campus earned the #18 position for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. Ohio University Main Campus graduates 65% of students within six years. About 30 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $36,850 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,546 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from Ohio University Main Campus
Northern Arizona University earned the #19 position for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. About 61% of students finish within six years. About 52 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at Northern Arizona University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $31,672. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500.
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Pittsburg State University landed the #20 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Set in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. Pittsburg State University awarded about 37 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation & leisure studies program make about $35,587 in their early career. Pittsburg State University graduates carry a median of $19,661 in student loans.
See the full parks, recreation & leisure studies program report for Pittsburg State University
University Of Northern Iowa placed #21 among the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. University Of Northern Iowa graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 28 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation & leisure studies degree from University Of Northern Iowa earn around $37,233 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,907.
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Western Washington University came in at #22 for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Western Washington University is a large public school located in the city of Bellingham. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. Western Washington University awarded about 41 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Western Washington University earn a median of $27,558 early in their careers. Western Washington University graduates carry a median of $17,897 in student loans.
See the full parks, recreation & leisure studies program report for Western Washington University
Winona State University landed the #23 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public university. About 56% of students finish within six years. Winona State University awarded about 21 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $35,062. Typical student debt for the program is $21,148.
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Bowling Green State University Main Campus placed #24 among the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. There were roughly 30 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at Bowling Green State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation & leisure studies program make about $32,709 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
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Oregon State University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Corvallis. Oregon State University graduates 70% of students within six years. About 17 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at Oregon State University in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Oregon State University earn a median of $34,451 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,500.
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Rest of the Top 50 Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong parks, recreation & leisure studies education:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 54 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).
