by our College Data Analytics Team
Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 Iowa” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
In 2020-2021, 73,813 people earned their degree in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies, making the major the 15th most popular in the United States. 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 Iowa, there were 1,493 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $31,634 and $25,812 respectively.
This year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Iowa” ranking looked at 27 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies. That schools that top this list have a program in parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies in which the largest percentage of students at the school are enrolled.
See our ranking methodology to learn more.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Iowa” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
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.
The colleges and universities below are the best for iowa parks & rec students.
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 Iowa list. Oskaloosa, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 58 students in 2020-2021.
Full William Penn University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Out of the 27 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Iowa that were part of this year’s ranking, Grand View University landed the #2 spot on the list. Grand View University is located in Des Moines, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 54 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Grand View University
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Cornell College. The school came in at #3 for the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Iowa. This small school is located in Mount Vernon, Iowa, and it awarded 26 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Cornell College Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Loras College. The school came in at #4 for the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Iowa. Loras is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Dubuque, Iowa. It awarded 32 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Loras Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Saint Ambrose University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Iowa list. Davenport, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 69 students in 2020-2021.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Saint Ambrose University
University of Iowa ranked #6 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Iowa list. Iowa is a large school located in Iowa City, Iowa that handed out 675 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Iowa
With a ranking of #7, Iowa Wesleyan University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Iowa list. Located in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 8 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
Full Iowa Wesleyan Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
University of Dubuque ranked #7 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Iowa list. University of Dubuque is a small school located in Dubuque, Iowa that handed out 28 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Dubuque
With a ranking of #9, Coe College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Iowa list. Coe is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It awarded 18 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Coe College
With a ranking of #10, University of Northern Iowa did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Iowa list. UNI is a medium-sized public school situated in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It awarded 131 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full UNI Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Clarke University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Iowa ranking. This small school is located in Dubuque, Iowa, and it awarded 10 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% 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%. 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.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Clarke University
Simpson College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Iowa ranking, coming in at #12. Simpson College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Indianola, Iowa. It awarded 13 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Simpson College
Graceland University - Lamoni came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Iowa ranking. Graceland Lamoni is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lamoni, Iowa. It awarded 17 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Full Graceland Lamoni Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
With a ranking of #14, Iowa State University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Iowa list. Iowa State University is a public institution located in Ames, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 251 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% 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 Iowa State
Northwestern College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Iowa ranking. Northwestern College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Orange City, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 10 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Northwestern College
Upper Iowa University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Iowa ranking. This small school is located in Fayette, Iowa, and it awarded 34 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UIU
Buena Vista University landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Iowa ranking. Located in Storm Lake, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 12 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 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 Buena Vista University
Dordt University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Iowa ranking, coming in at #18. This small school is located in Sioux Center, Iowa, and it awarded 9 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Dordt
Luther College landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Iowa ranking. Luther is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Decorah, Iowa. It awarded 6 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Luther College
Briar Cliff University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Iowa ranking. Located in Sioux City, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 3 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.
Full Briar Cliff Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Wartburg College ranked #21 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Iowa list. Waverly, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 3 students in 2020-2021.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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 Wartburg
Waldorf University ranked #22 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Iowa list. This small school is located in Forest City, Iowa, and it awarded 7 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Waldorf
Drake University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Iowa ranking. Drake is a private not-for-profit institution located in Des Moines, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 9 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
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%. 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. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Drake
Kirkwood Community College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Iowa ranking, coming in at #24. Kirkwood Community College is located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 6 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.
Full Kirkwood Community College Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report
Iowa Central Community College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Iowa ranking, coming in at #25. Fort Dodge, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 1 students in 2020-2021.
Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Iowa Central Community College
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