2024 Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Plains States Region
11
Colleges in the Plains States Region
444
Parks & Rec Degrees Awarded
$31,508
Avg Early-Career Salary
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies isn't the most popular major in the world, but it's not the least popular either. To be more precise it ranks #166 in popularity out of 395 majors in the country. So, it might take a little more work to find colleges and universities that offer the degree program.
In 2024, College Factual analyzed 11 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 444 degrees in parks, recreation & leisure studies to qualified students.
Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings
Choosing a Great Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies School
The parks & rec program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies rankings. For our Best Overall Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Rankings by Degree Level
When choosing the right school for you, it's important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we've created a number of major-specific rankings, including this Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Plains States Region list to help you make the college decision.
If you'd like to restrict your choices to just one part of the country, you can filter this list by location.
In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat.
Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.
If you want to learn more about how we derive our rankings, see College Factual's Methodology.
Best Schools for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies in the Plains States Region
The schools below may not offer all types of parks & rec degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer.
10 Top Plains States Region Schools in Parks & Rec
University of Northern Iowa is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies. Located in the small city of Cedar Falls, UNI is a public university with a medium-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #199 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UNI is a great university overall.
There were about 60 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at UNI in the most recent year we have data available. After graduating, parks & rec degree recipients generally earn an average of $32,498 at the beginning of their careers.
More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from University of Northern Iowa
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies. Located in the large city of Minneapolis, UMN Twin Cities is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #51 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UMN Twin Cities is a great university overall.
There were roughly 11 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at UMN Twin Cities in the most recent data year. After graduating, parks & rec degree recipients usually earn around $29,238 in the first five years of their career.
More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
University of Missouri - Columbia is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies. Mizzou is a very large public university located in the midsize city of Columbia. A Best Colleges rank of #124 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Mizzou is a great university overall.
There were roughly 116 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at Mizzou in the most recent year we have data available. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies degree recipients from University of Missouri - Columbia get an earnings boost of around $2,880 over the average earnings of parks, recreation & leisure studies majors.
More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from University of Missouri - Columbia
It is difficult to beat University of Iowa if you want to pursue a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies. Iowa is a very large public university located in the small city of Iowa City. A Best Colleges rank of #84 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Iowa is a great university overall.
There were roughly 53 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at Iowa in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduation, parks & rec degree recipients usually earn an average of $31,686 in the first five years of their career.
More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from University of Iowa
University of Nebraska at Kearney is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies. UNK is a medium-sized public university located in the distant town of Kearney. This university ranks 10th out of 19 schools for overall quality in the state of Nebraska.
There were approximately 60 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at UNK in the most recent year we have data available. Students who receive their degree from the parks & rec program make about $31,081 in the first couple years of their career.
More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from University of Nebraska at Kearney
Located in the town of Pittsburg, Pitt State is a public university with a moderately-sized student population. This university ranks 11th out of 47 schools for overall quality in the state of Kansas.
There were about 19 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at Pitt State in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the parks, recreation & leisure studies degree program at Pittsburg State University get $3,814 more than the typical college graduate in this field shortly after graduation.
More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from Pittsburg State University
Winona State is a medium-sized public university located in the town of Winona. A Best Colleges rank of #408 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Winona State is a great university overall.
There were roughly 32 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at Winona State in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the parks & rec program state that they receive average early career income of $33,238.
More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from Winona State University
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
2nd
Most Popular In MO
Located in the remote town of Maryville, Northwest is a public university with a moderately-sized student population. This university ranks 19th out of 48 schools for overall quality in the state of Missouri.
There were about 29 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at Northwest in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from Northwest Missouri State University
Located in the small city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a public university with a medium-sized student population. This university ranks 27th out of 48 schools for overall quality in the state of Missouri.
There were roughly 11 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at Southeast Missouri State University in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the parks & rec program make an average of $33,215 for their early career.
More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from Southeast Missouri State University
UMN Duluth is a moderately-sized public university located in the city of Duluth. A Best Colleges rank of #328 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UMN Duluth is a great university overall.
There were roughly 21 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at UMN Duluth in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the parks & rec program make about $24,771 in their early career salary.
More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from University of Minnesota - Duluth