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

6 Colleges in the United States
806 Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Degrees Awarded
$40,138 Avg Early-Career Salary

Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 23 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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

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

University Of Maryland College Park is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 188 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from University Of Maryland College Park earn around $31,403 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,138 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from University Of Maryland College Park

2
Towson University crest
Towson University
Towson, MD

A rank of #2 makes Towson University one of the top schools for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. This very large public university is located in the city of Towson. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 255 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Towson University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Towson University earn around $32,101 in the first couple years of their career. Towson University graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Towson University

3

Mount St Marys University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #3 spot this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Emmitsburg. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 29 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Mount St Marys University in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Mount St Marys University earn a median of $50,657 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,539. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Mount St Marys University

4
Salisbury University crest
Salisbury University
Salisbury, MD

Salisbury University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salisbury. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 106 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Salisbury University in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Salisbury University earn a median of $29,344 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Salisbury University

5

Anne Arundel Community College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Arnold, Anne Arundel Community College is a large public institution. About 27 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Anne Arundel Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Anne Arundel Community College earn around $59,894 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,947 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Anne Arundel Community College

6
Mcdaniel College crest
Mcdaniel College
Westminster, MD

Mcdaniel College placed #6 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the town of Westminster, Mcdaniel College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 39 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Mcdaniel College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $38,122 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,697 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Mcdaniel College

7

The Community College Of Baltimore County earned the #7 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public university. There were roughly 20 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at The Community College Of Baltimore County in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $52,440 in their early career. The Community College Of Baltimore County graduates carry a median of $18,038 in student loans. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from The Community College Of Baltimore County

8

Bowie State University earned the #8 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the suburb of Bowie, Bowie State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 38% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 24 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Bowie State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $36,381 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,250 to complete this degree. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Bowie State University

9

Harford Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Bel Air. About 21 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Harford Community College in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Harford Community College earn a median of $50,636 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,624 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Harford Community College

10

Hagerstown Community College placed #10 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the suburb of Hagerstown, Hagerstown Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 13 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Hagerstown Community College in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Hagerstown Community College earn a median of $46,478 early in their careers. Hagerstown Community College graduates carry a median of $15,126 in student loans. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Hagerstown Community College

11

Frostburg State University placed #11 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the town of Frostburg, Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public institution. About 50% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 64 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Frostburg State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Frostburg State University earn around $23,791 in the first couple years of their career. Frostburg State University graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Frostburg State University

12

University Of Maryland Eastern Shore earned the #12 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. University Of Maryland Eastern Shore is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Princess Anne. Roughly 35% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Maryland Eastern Shore awarded about 20 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Maryland Eastern Shore earn a median of $30,407 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from University Of Maryland Eastern Shore

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

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 23 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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