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2023 Most Focused Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in Tennessee

30 Ranked Colleges
2,462 Degrees Awarded
$24,700 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Tennessee

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Tennessee” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies is the 15th most popular major in the country with 73,813 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $31,423 and had an average of $24,388 in loans still to pay off.

Across Tennessee, there were 2,462 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $30,291 and $24,746 respectively.

This year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Tennessee” ranking analyzed 30 colleges that offered a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies. The colleges and universities that top this list are recognized because their parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies program is one of the largest majors offered at the school.

Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools

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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 “Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Tennessee” list to help you make the college decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Tennessee

The colleges and universities below are the best for tennessee parks & rec students.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in Tennessee

1
UofM crest
University of Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee

Out of the 30 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Tennessee that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Memphis landed the #1 spot on the list. Memphis, Tennessee is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 545 students in 2020-2021.

Full University of Memphis Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

2
Martin Methodist crest
Martin Methodist College
Pulaski, Tennessee

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Martin Methodist College. The school came in at #2 for the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Tennessee. Martin Methodist College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Pulaski, Tennessee. It awarded 16 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Martin Methodist College Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

3
Tusculum crest
Tusculum University
Greeneville, Tennessee

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Tusculum University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Tennessee list. Tusculum is located in Greeneville, Tennessee and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 46 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Tusculum

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Tennessee list. The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga is a fairly large school located in Chattanooga, Tennessee that handed out 207 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Full UT Chattanooga Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

5
CU crest
Cumberland University
Lebanon, Tennessee

Out of the 30 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Tennessee that were part of this year’s ranking, Cumberland University landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Lebanon, Tennessee, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 53 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

Full Cumberland University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

6

With a ranking of #6, The University of Tennessee - Martin did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Tennessee list. Martin, Tennessee is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 94 students in 2020-2021.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UT Martin

7
Maryville College crest
Maryville College
Maryville, Tennessee

Maryville College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Tennessee ranking. Maryville College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Maryville, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 16 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Maryville College Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

8

Tennessee Wesleyan University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Tennessee ranking, coming in at #8. This small school is located in Athens, Tennessee, and it awarded 19 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Tennessee Wesleyan University

9

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville ranked #9 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Tennessee list. Located in Knoxville, Tennessee, this large public school awarded 414 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at The University of Tennessee - Knoxville

10
Milligan crest
Milligan University
Milligan College, Tennessee

Milligan University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Tennessee ranking, coming in at #10. This small school is located in Milligan College, Tennessee, and it awarded 19 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Milligan University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

11
Austin Peay State University crest
Austin Peay State University
Clarksville, Tennessee

With a ranking of #11, Austin Peay State University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Tennessee list. Austin Peay State University is a medium-sized school located in Clarksville, Tennessee that handed out 182 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Austin Peay State University

12
Carson - Newman crest
Carson - Newman University
Jefferson City, Tennessee

Carson - Newman University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Tennessee ranking. Located in Jefferson City, Tennessee, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 37 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Carson - Newman University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

13
Middle Tennessee State University crest
Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Middle Tennessee State University ranked #13 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Tennessee list. Murfreesboro, Tennessee is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 212 students in 2020-2021.

Full Middle Tennessee State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

14

Tennessee Technological University ranked #14 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Tennessee list. This medium-sized school is located in Cookeville, Tennessee, and it awarded 108 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Tennessee Technological University

15
ETSU crest
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, Tennessee

With a ranking of #15, East Tennessee State University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Tennessee list. East Tennessee State University is a public institution located in Johnson City, Tennessee. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 167 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Full ETSU Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

16
FHU crest
Freed-Hardeman University
Henderson, Tennessee

Freed-Hardeman University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Tennessee ranking. Freed-Hardeman University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Henderson, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 21 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at FHU

17
Tennessee State University crest
Tennessee State University
Nashville, Tennessee

With a ranking of #17, Tennessee State University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Tennessee list. This medium-sized school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 54 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Tennessee State University

18
Belmont crest
Belmont University
Nashville, Tennessee

Belmont University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Tennessee ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 79 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Belmont University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

19
Southern Adventist crest
Southern Adventist University
Collegedale, Tennessee

Southern Adventist University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Tennessee ranking. Southern Adventist University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Collegedale, Tennessee. It awarded 23 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Southern Adventist

20
William Jennings Bryan College crest
Bryan College - Dayton
Dayton, Tennessee

Bryan College - Dayton came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Tennessee ranking. Located in Dayton, Tennessee, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 7 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at William Jennings Bryan College

21
Lee University crest
Lee University
Cleveland, Tennessee

Lee University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Tennessee ranking. Lee University is located in Cleveland, Tennessee and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 26 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Lee University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

22
Bethel crest
Bethel University
McKenzie, Tennessee

Bethel University landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Tennessee ranking. Located in McKenzie, Tennessee, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 16 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Bethel University

23
LMU crest
Lincoln Memorial University
Harrogate, Tennessee

Lincoln Memorial University ranked #23 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Tennessee list. Lincoln Memorial University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Harrogate, Tennessee. It awarded 29 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Lincoln Memorial University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

24
Johnson University crest
Johnson University
Knoxville, Tennessee

Johnson University ranked #24 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Tennessee list. Johnson University is located in Knoxville, Tennessee and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 7 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Johnson University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

25
Christian Brothers crest
Christian Brothers University
Memphis, Tennessee

With a ranking of #25, Christian Brothers University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Tennessee list. Christian Brothers is a private not-for-profit institution located in Memphis, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 9 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Christian Brothers

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