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2027 Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region

8 Colleges in the United States
315 Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Degrees Awarded
$36,503 Avg Early-Career Salary

Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 8 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 The Plains States Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall parks, recreation & leisure studies education in the The Plains States Region.

Top Schools in Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies

1

Our analysis ranked University Of Missouri Columbia the best school in the country for a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. About 96 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $38,725 early in their careers. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. See the full parks, recreation & leisure studies program report for University Of Missouri Columbia

2

A rank of #2 makes Pittsburg State University one of the top schools for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Located in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. About 51% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 37 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at Pittsburg State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation & leisure studies program make about $35,587 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,661. More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from Pittsburg State University

3

University Of Northern Iowa is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. University Of Northern Iowa graduates 68% of students within six years. University Of Northern Iowa awarded about 28 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees 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. University Of Northern Iowa graduates carry a median of $23,907 in student loans. See the full parks, recreation & leisure studies program report for University Of Northern Iowa

4

Winona State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies, ranking #4. Winona State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. Students borrow a median of $21,148 to complete this degree. Read more about the parks, recreation & leisure studies program at Winona State University

5

Northwest Missouri State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies, ranking #5. This large public university is located in the town of Maryville. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. About 73 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at Northwest Missouri State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $42,389. Northwest Missouri State University graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. See the full parks, recreation & leisure studies program report for Northwest Missouri State University

6

University Of Nebraska At Kearney ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Set in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. University Of Nebraska At Kearney awarded about 34 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of University Of Nebraska At Kearney earn a median of $28,241 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete this degree. See the full parks, recreation & leisure studies program report for University Of Nebraska At Kearney

7

Missouri State University Springfield earned the #7 position for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Springfield. Missouri State University Springfield graduates 58% of students within six years. About 12 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation & leisure studies program make about $28,345 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,457 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from Missouri State University Springfield

8

Emporia State University placed #8 among the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Set in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. About 56% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at Emporia State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation & leisure studies degree from Emporia State University earn around $46,440 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,131. Get the full parks, recreation & leisure studies details for Emporia State University

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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 · 8 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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