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

42 Ranked Colleges
1,184 Degrees Awarded
$26,400 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Minnesota

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 Minnesota” 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 Minnesota, there were 1,184 parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,166 and $25,590 respectively.

For this year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Minnesota” ranking, we looked at 42 colleges that offer 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.

For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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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 Minnesota” 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 Minnesota

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

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

1
Concordia University, Saint Paul crest
Concordia University, Saint Paul
Saint Paul, Minnesota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Concordia University, Saint Paul. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Minnesota list. Concordia University, Saint Paul is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It awarded 198 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Concordia University, Saint Paul Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Southwest Minnesota State University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Minnesota list. Southwest Minnesota State University is a medium-sized school located in Marshall, Minnesota that handed out 48 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Southwest Minnesota State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

3
Gustavus Adolphus crest
Gustavus Adolphus College
Saint Peter, Minnesota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Gustavus Adolphus College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Minnesota list. Gustavus Adolphus is located in Saint Peter, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 29 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Gustavus Adolphus

4
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Winona State University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Minnesota list. Winona State is a medium-sized public school situated in Winona, Minnesota. It awarded 97 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Winona State Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

5

Out of the 42 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Minnesota that were part of this year’s ranking, Minnesota State University - Mankato landed the #5 spot on the list. Minnesota State University - Mankato is a public institution located in Mankato, Minnesota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 175 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Minnesota State Mankato

6

Vermilion Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Minnesota ranking. Vermilion Community College is a public institution located in Ely, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 13 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Vermilion Community College Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

7
Bemidji State University crest
Bemidji State University
Bemidji, Minnesota

Bemidji State University landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Minnesota ranking. Bemidji State University is located in Bemidji, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 48 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% 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 Bemidji State University

8

University of Minnesota - Crookston did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Minnesota ranking, coming in at #8. University of Minnesota - Crookston is located in Crookston, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 17 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UMN Crookston

9
Crown crest
Crown College
Saint Bonifacius, Minnesota

Crown College landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Minnesota ranking. Crown is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Bonifacius, Minnesota. It awarded 15 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

10

University of Minnesota - Duluth came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Minnesota ranking. Located in Duluth, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school awarded 74 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Minnesota - Duluth

11

Minnesota State University - Moorhead landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Minnesota ranking. MSU Moorhead is a medium-sized public school situated in Moorhead, Minnesota. It awarded 41 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full MSU Moorhead Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

12
Concordia College Moorhead crest
Concordia College at Moorhead
Moorhead, Minnesota

Concordia College at Moorhead ranked #12 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Minnesota list. Concordia College Moorhead is located in Moorhead, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 13 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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 Concordia College Moorhead

13
North Central University crest
North Central University
Minneapolis, Minnesota

With a ranking of #13, North Central University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Minnesota list. North Central University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 6 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full North Central University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

14
St. Olaf crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, Minnesota

St Olaf College landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Minnesota ranking. St. Olaf is a small school located in Northfield, Minnesota that handed out 23 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at St. Olaf

15
Augsburg crest
Augsburg University
Minneapolis, Minnesota

With a ranking of #15, Augsburg University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Minnesota list. Augsburg University is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 22 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

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

16
St. Kate's crest
St Catherine University
Saint Paul, Minnesota

St Catherine University ranked #16 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Minnesota list. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 34 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students 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 full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at St Catherine University

17

Alexandria Technical & Community College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Minnesota ranking, coming in at #17. ATCC is a small public school situated in Alexandria, Minnesota. It awarded 13 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

18

With a ranking of #18, University of Minnesota - Morris did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Minnesota list. Located in Morris, Minnesota, this small public school awarded 6 degrees to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UMN Morris

19
Bethel University Minnesota crest
Bethel University Minnesota
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Bethel University Minnesota landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Minnesota ranking. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 24 diplomas to qualified ’s parks and rec students in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

20

University of Northwestern - St Paul did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Minnesota ranking, coming in at #20. Northwestern is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 12 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

21
UST MN crest
University of St Thomas Minnesota
Saint Paul, Minnesota

University of St Thomas Minnesota ranked #21 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Minnesota list. This medium-sized school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 39 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of St Thomas Minnesota Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

22
Hamline crest
Hamline University
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Hamline University landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Minnesota ranking. Hamline is a small school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota that handed out 14 ’s parks and rec degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% 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 Hamline University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

23
DCTC crest
Dakota County Technical College
Rosemount, Minnesota

Dakota County Technical College ranked #23 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Minnesota list. Rosemount, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks and rec degrees to 10 students in 2020-2021.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Dakota County Technical College

24

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities ranked #24 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Minnesota list. UMN Twin Cities is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 124 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UMN Twin Cities

25
Normandale Community College crest
Normandale Community College
Bloomington, Minnesota

Normandale Community College ranked #25 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in Minnesota list. Normandale Community College is located in Bloomington, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 23 ’s parks and rec degrees to qualified students.

Full Normandale Community College Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

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