2026 Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in Kansas

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.

College Factual analyzed 3 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools.

What’s on this page:

• Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in Kansas

Best Schools for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies in Kansas

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall parks, recreation & leisure studies education in Kansas.

Top Schools in Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies

1

Pittsburg State University
Pittsburg, KS

34 Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Degrees Awarded

$35,587 Median Starting Salary

Leading the list is Pittsburg State University, our #1 school for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pittsburg. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. About 34 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at Pittsburg State University in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Pittsburg State University earn a median of $35,587 early in their careers. 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

2

Emporia State University
Emporia, KS

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

13 Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Degrees Awarded

$46,440 Median Starting Salary

A rank of #2 makes Emporia State University one of the top schools for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Emporia. About 56% of students finish within six years. About 13 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at Emporia State University in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Emporia State University earn a median of $46,440 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,131 to complete this degree. Read more about the parks, recreation & leisure studies program at Emporia State University

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 3 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.