2027 Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Southwest Region
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their parks, recreation & leisure studies programs.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 5 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for parks, recreation & leisure studies students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies in the Southwest Region
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
Our analysis ranked Texas A And M University College Station the best school in the country for a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 60 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $64,891. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete this degree.
Get the full parks, recreation & leisure studies details for Texas A And M University College Station
Arizona State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies, ranking #2. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 23 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at Arizona State University in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $43,149 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,396 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from Arizona State University
Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 19 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at Oklahoma State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation & leisure studies program make about $37,393 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,313.
Get the full parks, recreation & leisure studies details for Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Northern Arizona University 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 Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. Northern Arizona University graduates 61% of students within six years. Northern Arizona University awarded about 52 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees in the most recent data 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.
Read more about the parks, recreation & leisure studies program at Northern Arizona University
Students looking for a strong parks, recreation & leisure studies program will find one at Arizona State University Skysong, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public university. About 46 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at Arizona State University Skysong in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Arizona State University Skysong generally make around $43,149. Students borrow a median of $22,396 to complete this degree.
See the full parks, recreation & leisure studies program report for Arizona State University Skysong
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Notes and References
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 · 5 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.
