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2026 Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Washington

5 Colleges in the United States
505 Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Degrees Awarded
$43,786 Avg Early-Career Salary

Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 21 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies in Washington

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies education in Washington.

Top Schools in Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies

1

Our analysis ranked Central Washington University the best school in the country for a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public institution. Central Washington University graduates 54% of students within six years. About 106 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Central Washington University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Central Washington University generally make around $48,410. Typical student debt for the program is $18,945. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Central Washington University

2
Bellevue College crest
Bellevue College
Bellevue, WA

A rank of #2 makes Bellevue College one of the top schools for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. This large public university is located in the city of Bellevue. About 13 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Bellevue College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Bellevue College generally make around $67,771. Students borrow a median of $18,839 to complete this degree. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Bellevue College

3

Eastern Washington University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, ranking #3. Eastern Washington University is a large public school located in the town of Cheney. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. Eastern Washington University awarded about 28 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $47,144 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,384. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Eastern Washington University

4

A rank of #4 makes Washington State University one of the top schools for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 66 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Washington State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $30,815. Students borrow a median of $20,981 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Washington State University

5
Gonzaga University crest
Gonzaga University
Spokane, WA

A rank of #5 makes Gonzaga University one of the top schools for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Gonzaga University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Spokane. Gonzaga University graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 73 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Gonzaga University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $40,897 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,188 to complete this degree. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Gonzaga University

6

Green River Community College came in at #6 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Green River Community College is a large public institution. Green River Community College awarded about 18 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Green River Community College

7

Saint Martins University placed #7 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Lacey. Saint Martins University graduates 52% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Saint Martins University in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Saint Martins University earn a median of $60,864 early in their careers. Saint Martins University graduates carry a median of $22,818 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Saint Martins University

8
Walla Walla University crest
Walla Walla University
College Place, WA

Walla Walla University came in at #8 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the suburb of College Place, Walla Walla University is a small private not-for-profit university. Walla Walla University graduates 58% of students within six years. About 13 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Walla Walla University in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $56,616 in their early career. Walla Walla University graduates carry a median of $27,635 in student loans. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Walla Walla University

9

Western Washington University earned the #9 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This large public university is located in the city of Bellingham. About 65% of students finish within six years. Western Washington University awarded about 79 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Western Washington University generally make around $29,238. Students borrow a median of $19,444 to complete this degree. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Western Washington University

10

University Of Puget Sound placed #10 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Tacoma. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at University Of Puget Sound in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Puget Sound generally make around $22,260. Students borrow a median of $21,646 to complete this degree. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at University Of Puget Sound

11

Pacific Lutheran University earned the #11 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Pacific Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Tacoma. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 41 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Pacific Lutheran University in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Pacific Lutheran University earn a median of $33,449 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,536. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Pacific Lutheran University

12

Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom placed #12 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Lakewood, Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom is a large public university. There were roughly 23 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom earn around $39,975 in the first couple years of their career. Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom graduates carry a median of $17,154 in student loans. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom

13

Whitworth University placed #13 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the suburb of Spokane, Whitworth University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 71% of students finish within six years. About 13 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Whitworth University in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Whitworth University earn a median of $47,998 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Whitworth University

View All Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 21 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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