2027 Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Ohio
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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:
More Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Rankings
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.
- 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.