2025 Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master's Degree Schools

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies is about average in terms of popularity for master's degrees programs. That is, it ranks #16 out of the 37 majors across the country that we analyze each year. So, you may have to do some digging around to find quality schools that offer the degree program. This list can help with that.

College Factual looked at 193 colleges and universities when compiling its 2025 Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master's Degree Schools ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 9,816 master's degrees in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies during the <nil> academic year.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology

• Best Master’s Degree Schools List

Choosing a Great Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies School for Your Master's Degree

The parks & rec master's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. Important measures of a quality parks & rec program can vary widely even among the top schools. Below we explain some of the most important factors to consider before making your choice:

Overall Quality Is a Must

A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges for a Master's Degree ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.

Average Early-Career Salaries

Average early-career salary of those graduating with their master's degree is one indicator we use in our analysis to find the schools that offer the highest-quality education. After all, your master's degree won't mean much if it doesn't help you find a job that will help you earn a living.

Other Factors We Consider

In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:

• Major Focus - How much a school focuses on parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies students vs. other majors.
• Major Demand - The number of parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies students who choose to seek a master's degree at the school.
• Educational Resources - The amount of money and other resources allocated to students while they are pursuing their degree. These resources include such things as number of students per instructor and education expenditures per student.
• Student Debt - How much debt parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies students go into to obtain their master's degree and how well they are able to pay back that debt.
• Accreditation - Whether a school is regionally accredited and/or accredited by a recognized parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies related body.

Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies students working on their master's degree.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master's Degree Schools ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

Best Schools for Master’s Students to Study Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the United States

Explore the top ranked colleges and universities for parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies students seeking a a master's degree. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools for a Master's in Parks & Rec

1

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

47 Annual Graduates

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a master's degree in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies. U-M is a fairly large public university located in the midsize city of Ann Arbor.More information about a master’s in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

2

Texas A&M University - College Station
College Station, TX

Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

70 Annual Graduates

Every student pursuing a degree in a master's degree in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies needs to look into Texas A&M University - College Station. Located in the medium-sized city of College Station, Texas A&M College Station is a public university with a fairly large student population.More information about a master’s in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from Texas A&M University - College Station

3

University of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

190 Annual Graduates

University of Florida is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a master's degree in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies. Located in the city of Gainesville, UF is a public university with a fairly large student population.More information about a master’s in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from University of Florida

4

Ohio University - Athens Campus
Athens, OH

Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

141 Annual Graduates

It is hard to beat Ohio University - Athens Campus if you want to pursue a master's degree in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies. OHIO Athens is a very large public university located in the distant town of Athens.More information about a master’s in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from Ohio University - Athens Campus

5

University of Wisconsin - Madison
Madison, WI

Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

19 Annual Graduates

Located in the large city of Madison, UW - Madison is a public university with a fairly large student population.More information about a master’s in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from University of Wisconsin - Madison

6

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL

Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

51 Annual Graduates

Located in the small city of Champaign, UIUC is a public university with a fairly large student population.More information about a master’s in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

7

Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

58 Annual Graduates

Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple is a public university with a fairly large student population.More information about a master’s in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from Temple University

8

Ohio State University - Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

62 Annual Graduates

Ohio State is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Columbus.More information about a master’s in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from Ohio State University - Main Campus

9

North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC

Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

33 Annual Graduates

NC State is a very large public university located in the city of Raleigh.More information about a master’s in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from North Carolina State University

10

Concordia University, Irvine
Irvine, CA

Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

237 Annual Graduates

Located in the city of Irvine, Concordia University, Irvine is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.More information about a master’s in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from Concordia University, Irvine

11

Concordia University, Chicago
River Forest, IL

Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

214 Annual Graduates

Concordia University, Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of River Forest.More information about a master’s in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from Concordia University, Chicago

12

University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

39 Annual Graduates

Iowa is a very large public university located in the small city of Iowa City.More information about a master’s in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from University of Iowa

13

University of New Hampshire - Main Campus
Durham, NH

Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

20 Annual Graduates

UNH is a fairly large public university located in the fringe town of Durham.More information about a master’s in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from University of New Hampshire - Main Campus

14

Indiana University - Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

45 Annual Graduates

IU Bloomington is a very large public university located in the city of Bloomington.More information about a master’s in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from Indiana University - Bloomington

15

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

34 Annual Graduates

Located in the large city of Minneapolis, UMN Twin Cities is a public university with a very large student population.More information about a master’s in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

16

Canisius College
Buffalo, NY

Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

61 Annual Graduates

Located in the large city of Buffalo, Canisius is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.More information about a master’s in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from Canisius College

17

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

26 Annual Graduates

UNC Chapel Hill is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Chapel Hill.More information about a master’s in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

18

Plymouth State University
Plymouth, NH

Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

24 Annual Graduates

Located in the remote town of Plymouth, Plymouth State is a public university with a small student population.More information about a master’s in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from Plymouth State University

19

University of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MA

Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

23 Annual Graduates

Located in the small city of Amherst, UMass Amherst is a public university with a very large student population.More information about a master’s in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from University of Massachusetts Amherst

20

Saint Mary's College of California
Moraga, CA

Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

15 Annual Graduates

SMC is a small private not-for-profit college located in the suburb of Moraga.More information about a master’s in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from Saint Mary’s College of California

21

University of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

93 Annual Graduates

USFCA is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the city of San Francisco.More information about a master’s in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from University of San Francisco

22

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

125 Annual Graduates

Located in the midsize city of Tallahassee, Florida State is a public university with a very large student population.More information about a master’s in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from Florida State University

23

Colorado State University - Fort Collins
Fort Collins, CO

Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

28 Annual Graduates

Colorado State is a fairly large public university located in the midsize city of Fort Collins.More information about a master’s in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from Colorado State University - Fort Collins

24

Rutgers University - New Brunswick
New Brunswick, NJ

Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

25 Annual Graduates

Rutgers New Brunswick is a fairly large public university located in the city of New Brunswick.More information about a master’s in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from Rutgers University - New Brunswick

25

University of Georgia
Athens, GA

Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

54 Annual Graduates

Located in the midsize city of Athens, UGA is a public university with a fairly large student population.More information about a master’s in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies from University of Georgia

Rest of the Top Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master's Degree Schools

26

Miami University - Oxford
Oxford, OH

27

California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

28

Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

29

Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

30

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville
Knoxville, TN

31

University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

32

Central Washington University
Ellensburg, WA

33

James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

34

American Public University System
Charles Town, WV

35

Endicott College
Beverly, MA

36

Clemson University
Clemson, SC

37

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

38

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional great schools for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies students that almost earned our Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master's Degree Schools award.

Rank	College	Location
39	University of Connecticut	Storrs, CT
40	Georgia Southern University	Statesboro, GA
41	Arkansas State University - Main Campus	Jonesboro, AR
42	Baylor University	Waco, TX
43	Grand View University	Des Moines, IA
44	Southern Methodist University	Dallas, TX
45	SUNY Cortland	Cortland, NY
46	University of Mississippi	University, MS
47	University of South Carolina - Columbia	Columbia, SC
48	Lindenwood University	Saint Charles, MO
49	Aurora University	Aurora, IL
50	University of Arkansas	Fayetteville, AR
51	University of North Alabama	Florence, AL
52	University of Virginia - Main Campus	Charlottesville, VA
53	Drexel University	Philadelphia, PA
54	Minnesota State University - Mankato	Mankato, MN
55	Central Michigan University	Mount Pleasant, MI
56	University of Louisville	Louisville, KY
57	Tarleton State University	Stephenville, TX
58	Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania	Slippery Rock, PA
59	Citadel Military College of South Carolina	Charleston, SC
60	University of Northern Colorado	Greeley, CO
61	East Tennessee State University	Johnson City, TN
62	Southern Nazarene University	Bethany, OK
63	Northwest Missouri State University	Maryville, MO
64	California Baptist University	Riverside, CA

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies by Region

View the Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master's Degree Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

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Parks & Rec Majors to Study

Major	Annual Graduates
Health & Physical Education	9,192
Recreation Administration	360
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies	174
Outdoor Education	65
Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies	25

Majors Similar to Parks & Rec

Related Major	Annual Graduates
Public Administration & Social Service	51,655

Notes and References

• The bars on the spread charts above show the distribution of the schools on this list +/- one standard deviation from the mean.
• 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 the rest 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).
• Credit for the banner image above goes to NPS Photo/Zurbuch. More about our data sources and methodologies.