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2027 Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Ohio

50 Colleges in the United States
2,731 Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Degrees Awarded
$40,633 Avg Early-Career Salary

Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 50 schools to find the best for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students.

What’s on this page:

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

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies

1

No school ranked higher than Ohio State University Main Campus this year for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbus. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 290 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $42,137. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Ohio State University Main Campus

2

Miami University Oxford is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, ranking #2. Miami University Oxford is a very large public school located in the town of Oxford. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 410 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Miami University Oxford in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Miami University Oxford earn around $42,958 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Miami University Oxford

3

University Of Dayton came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Dayton. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 29 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at University Of Dayton in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from University Of Dayton earn around $38,011 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Dayton graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for University Of Dayton

4

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, ranking #4. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates 74% of students within six years. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus awarded about 249 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $40,569 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,625 to complete this degree. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

5

Students looking for a strong parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program will find one at Ohio University Main Campus, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. Ohio University Main Campus awarded about 224 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Ohio University Main Campus earn around $45,383 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Ohio University Main Campus

6
Denison University crest
Denison University
Granville, OH

Denison University came in at #6 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the suburb of Granville, Denison University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. Denison University awarded about 27 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Denison University generally make around $39,797. Denison University graduates carry a median of $25,360 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Denison University

7

Kent State University At Kent placed #7 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Kent State University At Kent awarded about 138 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $35,978 early in their careers. Kent State University At Kent graduates carry a median of $24,215 in student loans. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Kent State University At Kent

8

Bowling Green State University Main Campus placed #8 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 151 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Bowling Green State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $31,924 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,050 to complete this degree. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Bowling Green State University Main Campus

9
Xavier University crest
Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH

Xavier University landed the #9 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cincinnati. Xavier University graduates 68% of students within six years. About 102 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Xavier University in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $30,476 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Xavier University

10
Wittenberg University crest
Wittenberg University
Springfield, OH

Wittenberg University placed #10 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Wittenberg University is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 45 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Wittenberg University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Wittenberg University earn around $40,093 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Wittenberg University

11
John Carroll University crest
John Carroll University
University Heights, OH

John Carroll University placed #11 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of University Heights. About 79% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 64 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at John Carroll University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from John Carroll University generally make around $27,971. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at John Carroll University

12

Columbus State Community College came in at #12 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. About 34 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Columbus State Community College in the most recent year. Typical student debt for the program is $9,041. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Columbus State Community College

13
Marietta College crest
Marietta College
Marietta, OH

Marietta College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the town of Marietta, Marietta College is a small private not-for-profit university. Marietta College graduates 61% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Marietta College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $79,641 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Marietta College

14

University Of Mount Union came in at #14 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. University Of Mount Union is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Alliance. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. About 61 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at University Of Mount Union in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Mount Union earn a median of $33,631 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from University Of Mount Union

15

Mount Vernon Nazarene University earned the #15 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the town of Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. Mount Vernon Nazarene University awarded about 12 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Mount Vernon Nazarene University earn a median of $53,377 early in their careers. Mount Vernon Nazarene University graduates carry a median of $26,602 in student loans. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Mount Vernon Nazarene University

16
Otterbein University crest
Otterbein University
Westerville, OH

Otterbein University placed #16 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the suburb of Westerville, Otterbein University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 28 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Otterbein University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Otterbein University earn around $31,851 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Otterbein University

17
Ursuline College crest
Ursuline College
Pepper Pike, OH

Ursuline College placed #17 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Pepper Pike. About 67% of students finish within six years. Ursuline College awarded about 12 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Ursuline College generally make around $80,267. Typical student debt for the program is $35,000. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Ursuline College

18

Baldwin Wallace College earned the #18 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Baldwin Wallace College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Berea. Baldwin Wallace College graduates 67% of students within six years. Baldwin Wallace College awarded about 47 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $36,528 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Baldwin Wallace College

19

University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College placed #19 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the suburb of Blue Ash, University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public university. University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College awarded about 18 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $42,936 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College

20

University Of Cincinnati Clermont College landed the #20 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the suburb of Batavia, University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public institution. There were roughly 13 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Cincinnati Clermont College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Clermont College generally make around $39,221. University Of Cincinnati Clermont College graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for University Of Cincinnati Clermont College

21
Hiram College crest
Hiram College
Hiram, OH

Hiram College placed #21 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Hiram College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Hiram. Hiram College graduates 54% of students within six years. Hiram College awarded about 19 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Hiram College earn around $48,572 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,144 to complete this degree. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Hiram College

22
Lourdes College crest
Lourdes College
Sylvania, OH

Lourdes College landed the #22 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Lourdes College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Sylvania. About 32% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Lourdes College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Lourdes College generally make around $75,250. Students borrow a median of $29,668 to complete this degree. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Lourdes College

23
Walsh University crest
Walsh University
North Canton, OH

Walsh University earned the #23 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Walsh University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 36 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Walsh University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Walsh University generally make around $53,629. Students borrow a median of $26,805 to complete this degree. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Walsh University

24

Youngstown State University placed #24 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This large public university is located in the city of Youngstown. About 50% of students finish within six years. About 52 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Youngstown State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Youngstown State University earn around $30,661 in the first couple years of their career. Youngstown State University graduates carry a median of $26,393 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Youngstown State University

25

Sinclair Community College earned the #25 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Sinclair Community College awarded about 16 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Sinclair Community College earn around $35,348 in the first couple years of their career. Sinclair Community College graduates carry a median of $12,525 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Sinclair Community College

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:

26
27
28
29
Cedarville University crest
Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH
30
31
32
Tiffin University crest
Tiffin University
Tiffin, OH
33
Hocking College crest
Hocking College
Nelsonville, OH
34
35
Franklin University crest
Franklin University
Columbus, OH
36
37
38
Capital University crest
Capital University
Columbus, OH
39
Wilmington College crest
Wilmington College
Wilmington, OH
40
41
42
Malone University crest
Malone University
Canton, OH
43
44
45
Bluffton University crest
Bluffton University
Bluffton, OH
46
Central State University crest
Central State University
Wilberforce, OH
47
Muskingum University crest
Muskingum University
New Concord, OH
48
Lake Erie College crest
Lake Erie College
Painesville, OH
49
Defiance College crest
Defiance College
Defiance, OH
50

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

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 50 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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