Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies programs.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 811 schools to find the best for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students.
No school ranked higher than University Of Michigan Ann Arbor this year for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 347 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn around $43,506 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $19,135 in student loans.
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A rank of #2 makes University Of St Thomas Minnesota one of the top schools for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates 77% of students within six years. About 39 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $65,183 in their early career. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates carry a median of $23,923 in student loans.
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Rice University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 39 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Rice University in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Rice University earn a median of $51,110 early in their careers. Rice University graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans.
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University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. About 308 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $31,165. Students borrow a median of $16,575 to complete this degree.
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A rank of #5 makes Emory University one of the top schools for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Atlanta. About 91% of students finish within six years. Emory University awarded about 87 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Emory University generally make around $37,974. Students borrow a median of $19,883 to complete this degree.
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The College Of New Jersey earned the #6 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 51 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at The College Of New Jersey in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of The College Of New Jersey earn a median of $56,617 early in their careers. The College Of New Jersey graduates carry a median of $24,429 in student loans.
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James Madison University landed the #7 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Harrisonburg. About 80% of students finish within six years. About 350 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at James Madison University in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $35,955 early in their careers. James Madison University graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans.
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Indiana University Bloomington earned the #8 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. About 80% of students finish within six years. About 692 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $35,871. Indiana University Bloomington graduates carry a median of $19,660 in student loans.
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North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #9 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Raleigh. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates 85% of students within six years. North Carolina State University At Raleigh awarded about 185 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn around $33,968 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,300.
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Texas A And M University College Station came in at #10 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Texas A And M University College Station awarded about 535 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Texas A And M University College Station earn around $37,044 in the first couple years of their career. Texas A And M University College Station graduates carry a median of $20,414 in student loans.
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University Of Kansas landed the #11 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Lawrence. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 269 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kansas in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $33,891. Typical student debt for the program is $22,125.
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University Of Georgia placed #12 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. University Of Georgia awarded about 330 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $33,108 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,250.
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The University Of Alabama earned the #13 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Alabama awarded about 309 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $50,740 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,496 to complete this degree.
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California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #14 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates 86% of students within six years. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo awarded about 182 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn around $30,796 in the first couple years of their career. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates carry a median of $16,658 in student loans.
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University Of South Carolina Columbia came in at #15 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of South Carolina Columbia awarded about 297 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from University Of South Carolina Columbia earn around $40,702 in the first couple years of their career. University Of South Carolina Columbia graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
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University Of Maryland College Park landed the #16 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Maryland College Park awarded about 211 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $31,403. Students borrow a median of $23,138 to complete this degree.
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The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #17 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 360 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $35,583 in their early career. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $22,361 in student loans.
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Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #18 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 195 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $36,592 in their early career. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans.
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University Of Florida landed the #19 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. University Of Florida awarded about 195 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $39,820 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,707.
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Saint Louis University Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Saint Louis University Main Campus awarded about 100 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Saint Louis University Main Campus generally make around $65,599. Typical student debt for the program is $26,316.
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University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #21 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 91 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from University Of Virginia Main Campus earn around $27,810 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
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Southern Methodist University came in at #22 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Dallas. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 94 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Southern Methodist University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $45,519. Typical student debt for the program is $20,475.
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Suny College At Oneonta came in at #23 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the town of Oneonta, Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public institution. Suny College At Oneonta graduates 69% of students within six years. Suny College At Oneonta awarded about 80 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Suny College At Oneonta earn around $36,119 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,600 to complete this degree.
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San Jose State University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. San Jose State University awarded about 262 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year.
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University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #25 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 316 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $31,237. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $21,480 in student loans.
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Rest of the Top 50 Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools
These schools also placed among the best for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year:
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 · 811 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).
