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2023 Most Focused Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Plains States Region

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Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Plains States Region

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. 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 the Plains States Region” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2021-2022, 72,741 people earned their degree in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies, making the major the 15th most popular in the United States. In , parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies graduates who were awarded their degree in , earned an average of $31,466 and had an average of $24,117 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 5,582 parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $31,542 and $23,435 respectively.

This year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Plains States Region” ranking analyzed 168 colleges that offered a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies. That schools that top this list have a program in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies in which the largest percentage of students at the school are enrolled.

Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Plains States Region” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Plains States Region

The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Plains States Region”.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Plains States Region

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend William Penn University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Plains States Region list. William Penn University is located in Oskaloosa, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 50 ’s parks & rec degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% 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 full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at William Penn University

2

Out of the 168 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Ottawa University - Ottawa landed the #2 spot on the list. Ottawa is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Ottawa, Kansas. It awarded 27 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% 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 Ottawa University - Ottawa

3
Logan University crest
Logan University
Chesterfield, Missouri

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Logan University. The school came in at #3 for the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Plains States Region. Logan University is a small school located in Chesterfield, Missouri that handed out 111 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

4
Bethany College Kansas crest
Bethany College Kansas
Lindsborg, Kansas

Out of the 168 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Bethany College Kansas landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Lindsborg, Kansas, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 26 degrees to qualified ’s parks & rec students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% 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%.

Full Bethany College Kansas Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

5
Missouri Valley College crest
Missouri Valley College
Marshall, Missouri

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Missouri Valley College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Plains States Region list. Missouri Valley College is a small school located in Marshall, Missouri that handed out 36 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.

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%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Missouri Valley College

6

Kansas Wesleyan University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #6. Kansas Wesleyan University is located in Salina, Kansas and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 32 ’s parks & rec degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Kansas Wesleyan University

7
Tabor crest
Tabor College
Hillsboro, Kansas

Tabor College ranked #7 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Plains States Region list. Located in Hillsboro, Kansas, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 25 degrees to qualified ’s parks & rec students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Tabor College

8
Sterling College crest
Sterling College
Sterling, Kansas

Sterling College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Plains States Region ranking. Sterling College is located in Sterling, Kansas and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 13 ’s parks & rec degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Sterling College

9

Westminster College Missouri did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #9. Westminster Fulton is located in Fulton, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 21 ’s parks & rec degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Westminster College Missouri

10
McPherson College crest
McPherson College
McPherson, Kansas

McPherson College ranked #10 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Plains States Region list. McPherson College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in McPherson, Kansas. It awarded 15 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% 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 McPherson College

11
Grand View University crest
Grand View University
Des Moines, Iowa

Grand View University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #11. Located in Des Moines, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 72 diplomas to qualified ’s parks & rec students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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 Grand View University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

12

Concordia University, Saint Paul landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Plains States Region ranking. Concordia University, Saint Paul is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It awarded 208 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% 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 Concordia University, Saint Paul Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

13

Nebraska Wesleyan University ranked #13 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Plains States Region list. Nebraska Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lincoln, Nebraska. It awarded 43 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

14
NSU crest
Northern State University
Aberdeen, South Dakota

With a ranking of #14, Northern State University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Plains States Region list. Northern State University is a public institution located in Aberdeen, South Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 33 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.1% 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 Northern State University

15
Missouri Western crest
Missouri Western State University
Saint Joseph, Missouri

Missouri Western State University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Saint Joseph, Missouri, this small public school awarded 68 diplomas to qualified ’s parks & rec students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Missouri Western

16
Cornell College crest
Cornell College
Mount Vernon, Iowa

With a ranking of #16, Cornell College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Plains States Region list. Cornell College is located in Mount Vernon, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 22 ’s parks & rec degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Cornell College

17
Mount Marty crest
Mount Marty University
Yankton, South Dakota

Mount Marty University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #17. Mount Marty is located in Yankton, South Dakota and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 19 ’s parks & rec degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.4% 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 Mount Marty

18
Loras crest
Loras College
Dubuque, Iowa

Loras College ranked #18 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Plains States Region list. Located in Dubuque, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 60 diplomas to qualified ’s parks & rec students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% 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 full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Loras College

19
Hastings crest
Hastings College
Hastings, Nebraska

Hastings College landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Plains States Region ranking. Hastings, Nebraska is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks & rec degrees to 20 students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

20

Saint Ambrose University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Plains States Region ranking. Saint Ambrose University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Davenport, Iowa. It awarded 75 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Saint Ambrose University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

21

Culver - Stockton College ranked #21 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Plains States Region list. Culver - Stockton College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Canton, Missouri. It awarded 14 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% 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 Culver - Stockton College Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

22

With a ranking of #22, Central Methodist University - College of Liberal Arts & Sciences did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Plains States Region list. CMU CLAS is located in Fayette, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 20 ’s parks & rec degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% 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 Central Methodist University - College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

23

Southwest Minnesota State University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Plains States Region ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Marshall, Minnesota, and it awarded 40 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% 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 Southwest Minnesota State University

24
University of Sioux Falls crest
University of Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls, South Dakota

University of Sioux Falls landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Plains States Region ranking. University of Sioux Falls is a small school located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota that handed out 24 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Sioux Falls

25
Augustana Sioux Falls crest
Augustana University
Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Augustana University ranked #25 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Plains States Region list. This small school is located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and it awarded 36 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Augustana Sioux Falls Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

Rest of the Best 26 in Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Plains States Region

Not only did these schools make the top 26 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26

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