2027 Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Associate’s Degree Schools
Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 168 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools.
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Best Schools for Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies in the United States
These are the top schools for a associate’s degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, based on student outcomes and program quality.
Top Schools in Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies
Citrus College tops our 2027 ranking of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Citrus College is a large public school located in the suburb of Glendora. About 70 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Citrus College in the most recent year.
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Students looking for a strong parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program will find one at Utah Valley University, which ranked #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Orem. Roughly 40% of students complete a degree within six years here. Utah Valley University awarded about 106 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $31,905 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,252 to complete this degree.
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Green River Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, ranking #3. This large public university is located in the city of Auburn. Green River Community College awarded about 13 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year.
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County College Of Morris is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #4 spot this year. County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Randolph. There were roughly 16 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at County College Of Morris in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $30,966 in their early career. County College Of Morris graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans.
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Marian University Ancilla is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, ranking #5. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Plymouth. About 10 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Marian University Ancilla in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Marian University Ancilla generally make around $55,044. Typical student debt for the program is $32,222.
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Foothill College placed #6 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public university. Foothill College awarded about 36 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $94,152 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,595 to complete this degree.
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Cabrillo College earned the #7 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Aptos. Cabrillo College awarded about 217 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Cabrillo College earn a median of $38,985 early in their careers. Cabrillo College graduates carry a median of $8,864 in student loans.
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De Anza College placed #8 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. De Anza College awarded about 34 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Typical student debt for the program is $7,271.
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Moorpark College landed the #9 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 50 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Moorpark College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Moorpark College earn around $105,599 in the first couple years of their career. Moorpark College graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans.
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Shasta College landed the #10 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Redding. About 113 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Shasta College in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $50,330 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,275 to complete this degree.
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Diablo Valley College came in at #11 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. Diablo Valley College awarded about 32 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. Typical student debt for the program is $9,205.
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Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #12 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. About 25 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Santa Rosa Junior College earn around $80,047 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,692.
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Hudson Valley Community College earned the #13 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This large public university is located in the city of Troy. There were roughly 38 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Hudson Valley Community College in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Hudson Valley Community College earn a median of $43,989 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,868.
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Blinn College placed #14 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This very large public university is located in the town of Brenham. Blinn College awarded about 90 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Blinn College earn a median of $43,408 early in their careers. Blinn College graduates carry a median of $10,875 in student loans.
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Orange Coast College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. About 36 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Orange Coast College in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. Orange Coast College graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans.
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South Texas College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. South Texas College graduates 20% of students within six years. South Texas College awarded about 44 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $22,699 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $4,500.
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Cypress College landed the #17 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Cypress College is a very large public school located in the city of Cypress. Cypress College awarded about 74 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year.
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Salt Lake Community College came in at #18 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Salt Lake Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. About 23 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Salt Lake Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Salt Lake Community College earn around $42,031 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,855.
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Pasadena City College landed the #19 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Pasadena City College awarded about 78 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Typical student debt for the program is $9,191.
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Santa Barbara City College came in at #20 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College is a large public university. About 29 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Santa Barbara City College in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Santa Barbara City College earn a median of $68,184 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,090 to complete this degree.
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College Of San Mateo ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. College Of San Mateo awarded about 38 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete this degree.
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Raritan Valley Community College earned the #22 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Branchburg. There were roughly 31 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Raritan Valley Community College in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Raritan Valley Community College earn a median of $47,248 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,668.
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Columbus State Community College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 34 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Columbus State Community College in the most recent data year. Typical student debt for the program is $9,041.
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San Diego Miramar College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. There were roughly 41 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at San Diego Miramar College in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. San Diego Miramar College graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans.
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Glendale Community College Glendale Az placed #25 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glendale. There were roughly 24 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Glendale Community College Glendale Az in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Glendale Community College Glendale Az generally make around $51,483. Students borrow a median of $15,996 to complete this degree.
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Rest of the Top 50 Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies ranking:
Honorable Mentions
These schools earned honorable mentions for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies:
Other Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies rankings across degree levels:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 168 schools evaluated.
- 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 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
